Views on this insult to Celtics legend Bill Russell?

[BballTim]

Babe Ruth would've never been in the majors at his physical condition, even during his prime, in 1983: Truth.

This guy was one of the best hitters in baseball:



... and this guy is one of the best mashers in the game:



Babe says he would have been just fine, thank you.

  No Cecil Fielder pics?

[Moranis]

This guy really hinges on what Matt Goukas says, huh? 

  He also glosses over the claim that 35% or so more available rebounds explains Russell getting about 70% more rebounds than DH.

Don Mattingly from 1983 would've out-hit Babe Ruth from 1923: Truth.

Babe Ruth would've never been in the majors at his physical condition, even during his prime, in 1983: Truth.

If Don Mattingly had lived in 1923, he would've never had the medical, training, conditioning, and pharmaceutical benefits he had in 1983: Truth

You cannot just transplant a player to a legend that played 40 years ago and pretend they're on even footing. In reality, you can only compare one player's dominance in his era against another player's dominance in his own era: Truth.

In that comparison, Dwight Howard cannot hold Bill Russell's jock: Truth.

Really?  Dwight = best defensive center in the league for much of his career.  Bill = best defensive center in the league for much of his career.  Dwight = best or second best rebounder in league for much of his career.  Bill = best or second best rebounder in league for much of his career.  Dwight = much better on defensive end then offensive end.  Bill = much better on defensive end then offensive end.  Dwight = best center in league.  Bill = second best center in league.  Dwight = crappy teammates.  Bill = HOF teammates.

I could continue, but the reality is Dwight comparitively speaking is certain on the same level as Bill, thus far in his career when taking everything as a whole.

[Bahku]

Two words, and I'm not trying to be nasty: Ignorance and bias, that is the substance of this article, and I feel a bit sorry for this guy and how willing he is to prove that he's an example of both words to the rest of the world. My Dad has a favorite saying: "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." (Goukas, take notice).

[ACF]

11 rings, more than Mr. Russell's got fingers. I rest my case.

[LB3533]

11 rings, more than Mr. Russell's got fingers. I rest my case.

Rings don't make a player better than another.

[Roy H.]

11 rings, more than Mr. Russell's got fingers. I rest my case.

Rings don't make a player better than another.

When you're the centerpiece of those 11 championships (and won two college titles, and an Olympic Gold medal), it says something about your individual dominance.

[ram]

Mr. Russell was the best player ever. He had a basketball IQ that far surpassed any player even Larry Bird.

He also had the physical gifts. Not a lot of people know that Russell was an Olympic caliber high jumper and 800 meter runner. He could block a shot and deftly tip it to a guard and be the first player downcourt ont he wing for a layup. Or he'd block it straight up, grab it and dribble the length of the court ahead of everyone for a dunk.

Best of all, he had a knack for making the right plays at the right time in the right games (1965 ECF throw in the exception/Havlicek stole the ball).

[Arok325]

The whole argument is a bit ridiculous. Two completely different players in two different eras. Most of us have never seen Russell play so how can we talk? I know that the game is different now. I doubt Russell would have the same impact. That's all I'm saying.

[gar]

Think the rings tell the true story.

Is a testimony to Russel's legacy that he becomes the yardstick. Howard has become a much more skilled offensive player relative  to where he started; but they are very different players. Howard is more in the Shaq mold. Russell and Dr. J were in a class by themselves.

[Bankshot]

And then Orlando loses to the lowly Hawks. LOL

[SHAQATTACK]

Ok..I say lets get Dwight and give him a chance to beat Bills record in Boston ...

[Moranis]

11 rings, more than Mr. Russell's got fingers. I rest my case.

Rings don't make a player better than another.

When you're the centerpiece of those 11 championships (and won two college titles, and an Olympic Gold medal), it says something about your individual dominance.

Or it says you have always been blessed to play with other HOFers in their primes.  And multiple multiple HOFers. 

Teams win championships.  Bill is an all time great no doubt, but his teams won because they will littered with other great players.  I mean even at San Francisco he had KC Jones with him.  A college team with two future HOFers should win the title.

[hardlyyardley]

He also was a poor foul shooter until crunch/clutch time

Also some of the hall of famers were recognized because of him, particularly KC

[Roy H.]

I mean even at San Francisco he had KC Jones with him.  A college team with two future HOFers should win the title.

Let's be realistic:  K.C. Jones is in the Hall of Fame due to Bill Russell.  The guy's career averages were 7.4 points and 4.3 assists, and he never averaged double digit scoring in his career.  In college, he wasn't much better (9.8 points and 5.1 assists).

That San Francisco team won its two titles for one reason:  Bill Russell.

[mgent]

11 rings, more than Mr. Russell's got fingers. I rest my case.

Rings don't make a player better than another.

Hahahaha.