When it comes to the great legends of NBA basketball, Bill Russell ranks near the top. He was one of the first true superstars of the league and he finished his career with an astounding 11 championship rings; a record that will likely never be beaten.
As the world remembers the life and career of the legend, ESPN’s Michael Wilbon gave him the greatest honor, tagging him as the most important player in basketball history.
“…it’s impactful because Bill Russell was the greatest of them. I’m not talking about a GOAT list now. And I’m gonna get angry over the next 48 hours as people reduce him to that because they don’t know anything else to do. We live in a culture where everything has to be done through analytics. If you’re trying to frame Bill Russell’s career by analytics, anybody, stop! Cause you’re missing the point. This man’s greatness cannot be summed up that way.”
Wilbon went on to explain that while Russell did have some impressive numbers, it’s really the impact he had off the court that made him so special.
“I was talking about his home being vandalized while he was away on a road trip. Feces smeared on the walls of his home. What he had to endure. The pressure to get through a day. Just one day. Bill Russell knew a pressure that no one knows now, no modern athlete. Not in this country, not in this setting. Bill Russell had to deal with that… we’re not gonna deal with points and rebounds, and yes I know how many Bill Russell had of those. those are completely unimportant when trying to get a hold of his life and his times and what he meant to this game. Any Mount Rushmore that doesn’t have Bill Russell on it is illegitimate. It’s not smart, it’s not valid. Because, to me, he’s the most important person to put on a basketball uniform ever.”
"He's the most important person to put on a basketball uniform ever."@RealMikeWilbon shares his thoughts and memories following Bill Russell's death.
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— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 1, 2022
Bill Russell was in the spotlight during a time when racial tensions were higher than we can imagine today. Simply being a black man subjected Bill to all kinds of abuse, even from his own fans who constantly made their feelings known.
So now that he’s gone, it’s important to remember that his career was more than just grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. It was about an extraordinarily brave man opening up a pathway for others and fighting for a cause that still holds so much importance today.
