Views on this insult to Celtics legend Bill Russell?

[BballTim]

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.

  You can only really compare players against their contemporaries. If Russell played today he'd have had the benefit of current diet, exercise and training methods as well as coaching and he'd have been playing against better competition from early on.

[Who]

Not sure Dwight Howard is any better than Alonzo Mourning was defensively.

[BballTim]

Not sure Dwight Howard is any better than Alonzo Mourning was defensively.

  Or Wallace in his prime, or Mutombo.

[soap07]

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

I think Jones was a pretty big part of those teams too. I think you're short changing him a bit there.

[Roy H.]

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

I think Jones was a pretty big part of those teams too. I think you're short changing him a bit there.

He was a good defender, but never much of a scorer and a mediocre facilitator.  There are probably dozens, and maybe hundreds, of players Jones could have been replaced with and San Francisco would have still won.  There probably wasn't a player alive who could have led to his college team to as much success as Russell.

[KGDunks]

Dwight's a good shot blocker but I would take Ben Wallace, Zo, Mutombo, KG and Bill Russell over him if it's based on defense.