NBA Legends on Why Bill Russell Was The Goat
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- Опубликовано: 23 янв 2024
- #billrussell #bostonceltics
In this video NBA Legends explain why Bill Russell was the greates
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I'll never understand the disrespect or lack of respect Bill and Wilt get from modern audiences
They don't know them or have seen the play. I have barely seen them play I have been watching basketball since 1971.
Bill Russell gets more disrespect than Wilt Chamberlain because people just go by Wilt's stats.
@@syzorst you're right. the stat that matters? more rings than fingers!!!
give wilt one player from bill's team and he has more rings than bill. comparing bill to wilt is a disservice to the game. @@timpani25
People don't know them to give them respect, all they do is reading stats.
I wasn't aware of Bill's record until his passing. Including his college career, he won 13 of the 15 competitions he entered. I still cannot wrap my head around that statistic. Utterly astonishing.
He was ahead of his time. Him and Wilt, especially Wilt.
Also won a gold medal in the 56 Olympics
@@bucksatanII just an absolute winning machine, that man.
14 of 16.
You forgot his Olympics - in which his team set a record for dominance in Olympic basketball that even the Dream Team couldn't match.
@@bricefleckenstein9666Those USF teams with KC. & RUSS were dominant also.
"Playing my way ...we win"
~Bill Russell, 11 rings in 13 seasons and the best laugh in NBA history
Any player in any sport at any level who wins not only 11 championships in13 years, but several of those as a player/coach (!?!), deserves to be top 10 at their craft at the very least.
He was him. 11 rings.
AND two NCAA Championships AND two High School state championships. Un-frigging real
He also won two state highschool (California) AND two NCAA championships!
Well, the level of competition wasn't there and the league wasn't fully established. Could they have done well in the 90's or 2000's? That's strongly debatable.
@strauqq1 The "whole level of competition" is a lie that millenials and Gen Z made up. They were playing against players roughly on the same level. Oscar Robertson, Wilt f'ckn Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Willis Reed, and many more are legends of the game. Don't sleep on them. Should we not count NCAA championships now because they're not on the level of the NBA? Those players are still champions over players with a similar skill set.
Being a _Basketball Time Machine,_ without dedicating a video to Bill Russell, would be like writing a history of Western Civilization, but forgetting to mention the Roman Empire.
this would really only apply if Bill Russell had stolen all the moves and tricks of an earlier Basketball player the way the Romans did the Greeks.
The greatest man to ever play the sport. The NBA made the right decision in retiring his number. He was the giant whose shoulders the rest of us stand upon.
Overrated
@@strauqq1 ...According to you! You're not worth a penny for ten of you, PERIOD!!!
@@brucescott4261 Awwww, don't go getting all teary-eyed.
I was to young to remember watching Bill but the adults of the late 70s and 80s always said Bill was a beast. As a Bird fan for his entire career I saw many Bill highlights. He was exactly that
My dad always said Bill was the greatest and I agree.
@@TPaine1776 Bill for his time absolutely was great. I only saw highlights and he dominated. The goat to me has many names. Bill, Wilt, Bird, Magic, Jordan, Duncan, Kobe, and I give LeBron a look simply for longevity. He did not have that clutch gene or heart. He also needed to build super teams. Hakeem, and Jabar also belong on the list
The only times I rooted for the Celtics was when Russell was promoted to player/coach. I saw him when two championships and then retire with 11 rings. He was the greatest player of his generation. The battles he had with Wilt Chamberlain were epic.
Wilt was the better player but Bill was 10x the leader. Which is why he beat Wilt
@@joebuss8835 Wilt was the best offensive player of all time. Bill was the best defensive player. I disagree that Wilt was a better player, even though he did average 50 points one year. An important stat used by sabremetrics is wins against replacement. Russell would break the needle on that gauge.
Russell said that not only was Wilt dominant physically, but also very intelligent. The secret of these two players is "Soft hands". Passing and catching the ball.
My pushback on not having Russell in the top 5 is 3 things that nobody can compare to. The 5 MVPs and 11 championships are obviously top tier but its these 3 things:
1. 10-0 in Game 7s
2. 17-1 when facing elimination
3. Look at his stats in Game 7s they are just unreal and unmatched.
I personally have Russell at #2, he made most of those guys HOF’ers. The only ones that were HOF’ers on their own was Cousy, Havlicek and Sam Jones
it's like people saying gretzky is the goat for those oilers chips, when he left, they were so good that they still won without him.
@HumanOptimization except Boston didn't win without him. Not for 5 years when they had Havlicek, Jojo White and Dave Cowens
Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 tmes head to head
@@artvallejos1460 Bill Russell is simply the most valuable player in American sports history.
@@HumanOptimization What?? No, saying Russell is the greatest ever in NBA history is nothing like saying Gretzky was the greatest NHL player. Gretzky won 4 championships, but he's mainly considered the greatest not for those championships, but for the degree to which he absolutely dominated hockey for most of his career. he amassed unbelievable and unprecedented point totals. He was more the Wilt Chamberlain or Michael Jordan of hockey than he was the Bill Russell of hockey...there were players with more rings than he. But he was still a greater winner than Chamberlain, who only won 2 rings.
And you're inaccurate about Boston being "so good" after Russell left. The Celtics failed to make the playoffs 2 years in a row after Russell retired. They had to rebuild their team with the likes of Dave Cowens, JoJo White, Paul Silas, etc. to become a contender again.
Underrated great😢
Thank you for making this video, the man deserves more respect.
The recent documentary was great: definitely worth a watch.
Seeing him run the floor with ball is awesome
The basketball rules have changed a lot. Which affects how players are moving how they are dribbling the ball. Try to force any our day’s players or 90s players to hit the ball only from the top not the side or the bottom when dribbling. Can’t make a step without dribbling the ball.Definitely id love to see that. Bill Russell is one of the best , maybe the best player who ever played the game.
Bill Russell was never a dominant scorer, topping out at 18.9 points per game during the same 1961-62 seasons that saw Wilt Chamberlain post such pace-inflated numbers. And while his 47.1 true shooting percentage might seem remarkably low for a big man who wasn't a go-to scorer, it was a decent mark for the time. In that 1961-62 campaign, for example, the league average was 47.9 percent.
Not only is he the greatest winner in all of American sports, Russell is also both the smartest and best defensive player to ever pick up a basketball.
The only player in history to come close to matching his winning is Michael Jordan.
Players don’t choose the era they play in, all we can do is look at who dominated it.
Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head
And no player in nba today is as tall as Big Bill!
Bill killed it!
Bill Russell was a Champion. It was Bills team he was a leader also Bill played in the pre Jordan league where guards were not allowed in the “paint”
Great athlete, great teammate and great man.
Sean/Shawn?, love your work-respect - videos...Birds my Fave, Magic is a close, close 2nd, all the Love and respect for Bill Russell as he was the greatest winner ever, loved Wilt, Dr J, Bernard King, The Microwave, Jerry, Tiny, Earl the Pearl, Pistol Pete, Elgin, Oscar, Jabbar, Walton, Andrew Toney...the list goes on and on... Kudos to you man, you do a great Job Sir! - Brian Mellen
I am a lifelong fan of the NBA beginning in the early 1950s. I played for my HS and college teams (mostly at practice) and have seen every great player since George Mikan. Today’s game and players have not evolved in terms of the ability to rise above their peers.
Given today’s training, diet control and coaching, players like Russell would still rise above their peers.
I saw Russell lead an average USF to two consecutive NCAA championships. His “ungainly” running covered a lot of ground very quickly. He won everywhere he played. 11 Championships in 13 years. He was the ultimate Team player. His head to head matches with Wilt have never been equalled.
I wish I could remember their names but I heard multiple player who opposed him talk about how he beat them before the game even started. Preparation for the game was one of his strongest assets.
Bill Russell was the very first NBA player who made last 3 seconds alley-op play with Hondo throwing in the ball. That's the most awesome play I've watched. Bill Russell is the only playing-coach who won an NBA championship
Like many the only thing I’ve seen of Bill Russell is the highlights. But if Bill said he sacrificed personal stats to make his team mates better because the only stat he cared about was winning, then I’d believe him.
I’d happily have Magic, MJ, Larry, Bill & Wilt
Thanks for the video. Wow, what a great guy, and what a fantastic player.
Russell played with guys like Cousy, Sam Jones, and Havlicek, so he didn't need to score a lot for Boston to win, but his rebounding, shot-blocking, and overall defensive intimidation were vital for the success of the Celtics.
Respect to you for holding off posting this video until some time had passed after his death! Wise decision of a respectful heart.
Enjoyed it! And I agree with your assessment.
One thing I would add is that he played in an era that just can't compete with the 80' and early 90's basketball era, as far as fan devotion and respect are concerned..
Russell said he was an athlete who happened to play basketball. He tied for the high jump record in California with the eventual winner of the gold medal in the Olympics.
Bill Russel was an incredible man, beyond his great basketball, skills, a man of integrity, a great american..I always admired him..
One of the first African American men I ever met. I was five years old when my father introduced me to him at the Celtics training camp. He was the player/coach at the time. He looked down at me and straight in my eyes and shook my hand. He asked me if I played basketball and talked to me for a long time. He made me feel as tall as him! I remember him and my father talking, and his unique, huge laugh. When I look back at that moment I just think, “dignity”. He just had such a presence. A giant of the game and a giant among men.
HE THE TRUE GOAT. NOBODY BETTER
Brother brother brotherman! You fine sir are one of my favourite RUclipsrs. Straight up. Your respect for humanity is just the best. Bring a smile to old NBA loving heart. Great video. Keep it going!!✊🏿❤️🔥👊🏿
Top5, Top10, Top irgendwas. Man kann unterschiedliche Zeiten einfach nicht vergleichen. Unterschiedliche Positionen nicht. Die allermeisten von uns haben ihn nicht spielen gesehen. Wie sollte man es dann beurteilen? Aber Fakt ist, dass er zu den allergrößten Spielern aller Zeiten gehört, erfolgreich wie kein anderer (ja, es gab weniger Teams, aber dafür verteilte sich das Talent auch auf die wenigen Teams) - und auch Abseits des Feldes war sein Wirken wichtig und großartig!
Tolles Video, danke für Deinen Content.
Good content. I love a winner.
Its so hard to even come up with an argument against Russell... Winning in the end is all that matters, and he did it best.
Bill Russell won a championship 84% of seasons he played!
I mean.. when the NBA only had like 5 teams.. 😂
@@NeoAmonSeraphim Shouldn't it have been equally easy for all five teams, and it was 8 teams. But yeah the path to the championship was shorter, but again, all 8 teams has the same path... and 84%? That's higher than a lot of players shoot free-throws.
@@NeoAmonSeraphim
Good argument!
Like the "plumbers and firemen"...
Not a tough competition like facing Gobert who cries for not making the ASG😂
Pistons this season have won 5 games so far, I am sure that having 30 teams in the league makes it a much tougher competition😂
People think fewer teams make it easier to win a championship@@robotclark . Let's do a mind experiment. Take today's NBA and dissolve the league. Form 8 teams and let them draft. How good will those 8 teams be? A lower team count means that the talent on each team is more concentrated. Instead of making a championship easier, it makes it harder. All the best players in the world are concentrated into fewer teams instead of spread across more teams.
Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head.
Great video. To many people are saying that Russell wasn't a great offensive player. For a fast break team like the Celtics offense begins with the rebound and outlet pass. Russell and Wes Unseld were masters at starting the break and leading to a layup or dunk on the other end without even getting to mid court. This is just as effective as scoring with great moves like Earl Monroe, Jordan, or Steph Curry. Russell was a great offensive player!!!
Right. Bill had a weak J, but a good hook shot, either hand. And was a fine facilitator.
Great video! He’s definitely one of the very best to have played.
Bill Russell = GOAT. All the players of the 1960s knew it.
What also should be noted is that Mr. Russell also won two NCAA championships in three tears and a gold medal at the Olympics in 1956. The man was a winner at every level.
And two high school championships at McClymonds in Oakland, Ca..
I would not hesitate to put Russell on my all-time team.
Thanks for this video man. Gives context.
Not just 11 NBA championships, but two NCAA championships and Olympic gold as well.
Russell is the original gangster, his rings alone make him king. He dominated, he didn't need to be a prolific scorer. He elevated the team and led a dynasty.
If you're a Russell fan, I found his autobiography, "Second Wind," to be a most enjoyable read. That aside, I know people love engaging in the "greatest of all time" debate, but it's such a futile endeavor. Instead, I prefer using the phrase "ONE OF the greatest ever." And Mr. Russell is certainly one of the greatest NBA basketball players to have ever played the game. 👍
I use the phrase "one of the few 'Greatest Ever' candidates"
@@brianjones7660 That works, too. I like it.
People back in the day were not allowed to "look good" refs would call 100 travels a game
That's right.
In about 13 months, Russell played on an NCAA championship team, an Olympic championship team, and an NBA championship team.
Great video. I love your videos. Thank you.
Bill was the HEAD COACH for 2 of his championships while still playing
Russell is #1. Period
I personaly saw a championship game where Russ had 40 rebounds by the game end. Coach walked over with bucket of water and doused him as he slouched in his folding chair. Back he went in to win the championship.
11 rings in 13 seasons is amazing but when bill won his first ring (1957) there were only 8 teams in the league. Several of his rings were won when there were very few teams in the league.
During my youth I made sure that I watched the NBA games on Sunday which featured Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlain way back in the sixties. Very sweet memories watching Russell and the Celtics defeat Wilt and the Sixers. Great players in epic battles!
Just be a wilt and Russell placed in the radio and black and white tv era doesn’t make their legacies not existent or astounding.
I remember an article where players talked about Bill Russell throwing up before playoff games because he was so riled up about winning. Then he would go onto the court and dominate. The drive makes up for skill and then some.
Bill threw up before *every* game, not just the playoffs. And Auerbach would ask him if he threw up yet, and if not he would tell him to go and do it. I heard him tell this story myself, at a public speaking engagement in New Orleans after he had retired.
@@danncorbit3623 the dude was intense! Dedication.
Yo, my man! Nice video, and please do more vids like that of players that guys like me who were born in 1977, and fell in love with the game of basketball in the mid-80s! For example, do vids like that about George Mikan, Bob Cousy, Wilt, the Big O, Jerry West, and Pete Maravich to name a few of the great players from the sixties and '60s and '70s! Also, maybe you could do vids about great players who never made it to the NBA, like Nick Galis and Oscar Schmidt! Great job dear Sean David! Keep up the good work!
Even today, Wilt is #1 in total rebounds! Russell is #2!! 45 yrs later!!
4:06
Which was Bill's *3d* championship in a year.
NCAA, Olympics, NBA.
Legend amongst legends, bos fan
Best C ever to play the game and 2 best player of the game just behind RODMAN
In the 1960s I spent many Sunday afternoons watching the NBA Game of the Week. Because of the success of the Celtics, they were often shown. Watching Bill Russell battle the other great centers of that decade was a treat. His battles with Wilt, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed, etc. were epic. Russell was an amazing defender. But remember it is a fool’s errand to compare players from different eras in basketball. Everything from conditioning to diet to travel is different as is the style of play. With that said, I’d rather watch basketball from Russell’s era than today’s brand of basketball.
Great memory, thanks
Finally, a video about the ultimate winner. I have an adidas swingman Russell jersey, even thiugh i have not seen him play. I respect him a lot.
In other countries they respect and love their past players and their game. In america, we hardly do that. But we sure love the post 1970s basketball. If you ask brazil who their 1960s basketball team was, especially the national team and don't bash the competition they played. They'll name you each one and tell you how valuable they were. They love wlamir marques, croatians, yugoslavia love radivoj korac and kresimir cosic.
For those of us who remember Bill in college and just watched him play through the years, he's the GOAT.
Because of Wilt, Bill Russell's athleticism is understated. He wasn't as great of an athlete as Wilt, but he was still an athletic anomaly of all time. Had he played in the 70s or 80s he would be regarded as by far the best athlete of the era. I say all of that without taking his champion/warrior mentality into equation. Definitely a top 5 player to me.
@justinakkerman9196 ...Russell was extremely athletic, PERIOD!!!
@@brucescott4261every bit the athlete Wilt was. Didn't have Wilt's power, that's all.
@Amick44 ...Russell's inner strength made him the ultimate winner, PERIOD!!!
He lived locally and when we were talking you truly felt that no matter who it was, he would give his full attention and respect. Unforgettable person.
When he needs to start putting his championship rings on his toes he needs to be considered if not the GOAT, the best winner all-time.
Definitely a top 10 player
Top 3
more like top 2. Bill Russell Is the GOAT
“If I have seen further than anyone else, it’s because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.”
-Issac Newton
You are missing how Great an athlete he was. He was nationally ranked in the 440yrd run and the #5 ranked hi jumper in the country, he did track in College as a part time endeavor. Think about that a athlete who is 6'10" who was a top level quarter miler. Combine that with his BB IQ. HE made everyone he played with better, very few greats can make that claim, Bird and Magic come to mind.
Bill Russell 11 rings 💍 no doubt the only goat is bill Russell. Numbers don't lie
Great video : Great Legend. : Goat or no Goat he is somebody we would all like to meet and befriend
Bill was the only guy who could guard Wilt, and even out rebound Wilt. It's hard to rank Bill because he didn't play a lot of offense, but if there ever was a case of "defense wins championships" it was Bill's style. He was the perfect complimentary teammate and elevated everybody. How do you rank that? Welp, he did walk that walk and ended up with 11 rings.
Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head
He didn't score that much. He was a fine offensive player overall, though.
The smarter player and the way he played ❤❤❤ he made his teammates win and the record of eleven rings. 8 of them were straight, he's the greatest becuase he played in a very difficult era and very physical.
Probably the greatest player that happens to be a goat at coaching too ever.
He never could get out of the shadow of Red and the NBA.
Shaq called Bill the greatest big man that ever played the game. Bill Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Walton when he wasn't hurt. So many great players.
2 NCAA championships, Olympic Gold, 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons as a player, 2 as a coach.
He stands alone at the top.
He said that professional athletes don't get paid to play, they get paid to win. I reckon he earned his money.
Absolutely 💯 #6 the goat
11 NBA Championships
Thanks!
Thank you. I only just this. Thanks a lot!
I am 66 and watched him play. His defense was the same absurd level as Wilt's offense. I think maybe you just saw tape of his later days but he was like a radioactive Spiderman on the court. Those championships were not accidents, in college, in the Olympics, and in the NBA. Greatness of a player is somewhat opinion based. And (for instance) I never saw Mikan play personally. But my NBA Mt. Rushmore has Russell's face where George Washington sits. And I snigger at any other choice.
I heard some one say he always listened to Celtic games on the radio with his grandpa and at nine or ten years old he thought Russell`s first name was rebound
In those days in that era of basketball Bill and Wilt were definetly the best players. Their legacy and greatness is real. They were the pioneers. But the game and the level of talent has evolved so much since that time and has far succeeded them.
@joshuacruz4244 During the era itself there was widespread support for Oscar Robertson as the greatest all-around player. Bob Pettit, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West were in the conversation, too. The shadows of the big men get longer with the passage of time, but it's always the case that the very best are seen in their era as among the top players, not living gods. That comes later.
There is a ability that is overlooked by many. The ability to win! Isn't that what matters MOST?
You are absolutely wrong with this. Bill Russel should be in your top goat. You said is IQ at the time was unbelievable. IQ to me is adapting. Bill Russel IQ truly beat the best centers. He would see their weaknesses destroy them adapting to their style of playing.
When it comes to winning no one out does Bill Russell and Micael Jordon in that order
The thing you can't seem to understand about Bill Russell was his outlet passes, he even blocked shots to his guards to start fast breaks. I still think the 3 best players to form a team around would be Bill Russell, Bill Walton, and Wes Unsel because of their outlet passes after a rebound.
I get your point. But overall Unseld doesn't compare to the 2 Bill's.
One of the few peeps who would Ultimately worry Chamberlain.
Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head
@@artvallejos1460 57 to 37 or something similar , if memory serves.
@@elvispresley5921
correct.
If Chamberlain played on the Celtics in that time, we would’ve never heard of Bill Russell
Make an episode about Darryl Dawkins, the Chocolate Thunder 👍 please
Russell exemplified winning: 2 NCAA championships including 55 wins in a row; 11 NBA rings in 13 years against other great players
My frontline: Russell, Bird & Connie Hawkins.
Finally. Long overdue. NBA players know. Coaches know.
Bill Russell played on absolutely loaded teams for the 13 years he played, in a league where there were only 8 teams. Russell didn't have to score and could focus on rebounding because he had on average 3 and as many as 5 reliable scorers on his team at once other than himself. Bill Russell played with a team loaded with perennial all stars for 13 years and they were essentially the same guys because there was no free agency for players to opt to go somewhere else.
The only all-star and reliable scorer Jordan had for his championship run was Scottie Pippen. Guys like Orlando Woolridge and Charles Oakley could have developed into a second option but he only had those guys for 1 or 2 years before they got traded. Jordan wasn't playing with a de facto all-star team like Russell did for 13 years.
You can't say a guy who won 11 times in 13 years has no case for being the GOAT without looking crazy. However, considering the circumstances for which Russell and Jordan won, I say Jordan has a better case.
Going by Rings, you can’t argue, it’s Bill Russell.
Going by individual Records, it’s Wilt.
Going by media hype, it’s Jordan
Going by all around individual performance/skills, it’s Larry Legend.
Yet, if I had to pick one of these to start my team with, I’d pick Larry. Why? Because he can do whatever a team needs, & he elevates the entire team. He’s got the killer instinct & clutch gene, and isn’t selfish. His win percentage is virtually tied with Magic as the best all time & winning is the point of playing! He’s fearless and tough as nails, and won’t give up. That’s why he’s almost universally included on most all the greats starting 5 lineups….
Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head
Still smartin' from that 63 burger the GOAT dropped on ya'll, huh? It's alright to cry, princess, but only for a while. At some point you have to accept and move on.
@@mj23goat3 BWAHAHAHAHAAAA
That 63 points means NOTHING since he STILL LOST. so yeah, I have no problem moving on….btw, MJ himself said he’d rather have the W than the 63 points. Larry wins AGAIN!
@@irishgrlShould probably ask Larry if he'd rather have 3 rings or 6. Money STILL ON TOP!
@@mj23goat3
It’s a shame Larry’s back & feet sabotaged his career. He’d have had more rings EASY. Still, Larry & Magic have the HIGHEST WIN PERCENTAGE IN THE NBA so Larry has nothing to be ashamed of.
March 8, 1968 Wilt Chamberlain
53 Points
32 Rebounds
14 Assists
24 Blocks
11 Steals
Who has EVER had a better night than that!!!
@tpatrick44 ...Statistics doesn't win championships! Defense wins championships, PERIOD!!!
11 out of 13 championships equals Goat! Period!
Championships are the goals. His competitors included Wilt, Nate Thurmond, Zelmo Beatty, Willis Reed.
Michael won six. Jordan was beyond fantastic as well as Lebron and Koby.
Bill Russell is clearly the Goat!
Bill Russel Westbrook was the Michael Jordan of all Wilt Chaberlins
@RobertSchuster68 ...False!
Bill is like Dennis Rodman but taller, longer, smarter, smoother, better passer, better rebounder, actual was a player coach & a head coach, winner. So who do you start a team with? Who makes people better from day one? No order but Magic, Bird, Lebron, Wilt, Russell, Jabbar- from day one in the pros their teams were competing for conference if not finals championships. Jordan is the Goat, but it took years. These guys elevated everyone.
I would add that Russell was less emotionally confused than Rodman. Both were intense competitors.
I admit the FACT that Dr. James Dean Naismith is the LEGIT Basketball Legend- and I PRAISE HIM FOR BUILDING THIS SPORT.
#GOAT No. 1 is Sir Bill Russel who showed how to compete along with his teammates and showing how a basketball game really works.
#GOAT No. 2 is Michael Jordan because he have shown us an #UPDATED creative basketball game with AMAZING IMPOSSIBLE RISKY PLANS execution can be POSITIVELY POSSIBLY BE DONE by a Guard is played where most players during his time was competitive too- due to because of the THE LEGENDS (famous ones and including the underrated ones) who played before the 70s to year 2000.
I can't say that Russell is the most talented, skilled, best overall player, etc. ever though he is higher in those things than most give him credit for. However, I can say that Russell had the greatest NBA career ever. You will never see a career again where someone won 11 rings in 13 years, with an 8-peat, 5 mvps with 3 of them consecutive, and very arguably the top player ever in 50% of the game (defense). Icing on the cake he is on the mt rushmore of NBA rebounding as well.
I will also say that it's not just that he has the above which in itself is incredible. He was the leader / main impactor for most of it. Bill Russell lead the Celtics in win shares as the #1 SRS team in the league 9 times. For 8 of those 11 rings Russell lead the Celtics in playoff win shares. The Celtics never won a title or made a finals before him, did what they did with him, and them miss the playoffs the year after he leaves. The Celtics only lost 1 playoff series in 29 series with a healthy Russell as he got hurt in the 1958 finals they lost. So that's 11-0 in healthy finals and 27-1 in healthy playoff series. Not to mention being undefeated in game 7s.
Finally, Russell was also the only main common denominator for all 11 rings. He had Sam Jones for 10 of them but not the first one. Not Cousy or Havlicek were there for all 11. Even coach Red was not there on the floor for the last 2 as Russell took his job while still playing. Russell was the only major piece there for all 11.
The main arguments against used are things he did not control like how many teams were in the league. Besides his team kept winning when there were 8 teams, 10 teams, and 14 teams so increasing teams did not slow them down. Some say he had no competition but he had to get through players like Wilt, Oscar, Baylor, and West and even did so when 3 of them were on the same team in 1969. He faced Wilt 143 times and by the standards of any era Wilt was a giant with absurd athleticism and elite skills for a center.