A 6'10" black man making it to 78 and then 88 is incredible. An 88 year old heart powering a life of physical and emotional toil, somehow pumping blood until the 2020's. It's medically remarkable that he lived as long as he did.
I was Blessed and fortunate enough to have met the man and introduce him to my 2 sons at a book signing for his book, 'RUSSELL Rules' 11 Lessons on leadership...2001 in downtown DC. There were hundreds of people in line, black, white, old, young... but I was the only one I saw who had his children. He spent a full 5 minutes talking with us...he was so kind, so happy, so funny. As we were about to leave I told him how my sons were both getting into the game and asked if he would offer some pointers. He reflected for a few seconds then said, '1) Do all of your schoolwork and chores. 2) Play as much as you can... He hesitated, then his eyes lit up, and he said 3) And have fun!' As I shook his hand and thanked him for his time, he pulled me close, looked me in the eyes and said, 'Thank YOU for bringing your children.' My kids are grown now but they thank me as well... RIP to one of the greatest men America has ever produced. If he's not the 'goat', there is NO such thing.
R.I.P To Bill Russell. The greatest winner in the history of basketball itself. We'll never see a player quite like him again. The personification of a champion both on the court and in life as a civil rights icon. He will be sorely missed.🙏🏾
Simmons has a way with words that speaks into your soul, transports you to his experiences, gives you memories you never had, but somehow, you now have something that will stick with you forever.
Great eulogy, Simmons. Best storytelling about Russell that I've listened to or read this week, and finest selection of vids and pics. Nailed it, brother. Fine work.
RIP Bill Russell... this video hit even harder when at the end of the clip while Kobe is getting his Finals MVP award all of the five people in the middle have already passed on smh... RIP to them all...
Bill Russell was the one reason I looked forward to the NBA Finals every year. You knew every year he'd be there along side the brass to hand out the Finals MVP. It always felt right, it always seemed official. Because he was the ambassador of the NBA. He was what made the NBA today, and now a giant shadow will be missing forever. With nobody around to fill it.
Brilliant piece, Bill. Thanks!!! It just cemented my belief that Russell was the best basketball player in NBA history, and to me it's not a close call. Even given that, I believe that what he did off the court dwarfs his basketball achievements. He's been an idol of mine my entire life, and I will miss him dearly.
Bill, I've been following you since before I started Only Baseball Matters, which you may remember from the early 2000s. This is your best work, by far. I am blown away by this. Congrats!!
This is very powerful, very beautiful. I've read and have taken in lessons from his great autobiography, Second Wind. After reading the book and studying his game from the clips that are available on RUclips, I've come to believe that he's the greatest NBA player ever, and would dominate any era he played in. Scouting his own team. Brilliant. The reverence Simmons has for Russell is palpable and moving here. What I like best about Simmons' writing is his study of excellence, and the insights culled and shared from that study hasn't been finer than here. In Second Wind, Russell talked about how he dearly loved the eight hour bus rides he took when he began seriously playing basketball, how he'd review in his mind the plays from the game before, and then visualize how he'd execute in the next game. He and K.C. Jones studied how to come up on a player on their blind spots. Russell was a true artist. He also possessed one of the most athletic physiques ever, having been a world class track athlete as well. But, in keeping with his Art of War mindset, he would save that extra burst for when he really needed it, like in his last Finals in 1969. In Game 7, he decided to turn it into a 48 minute sprint, outrunning the eventually gassed Lakers.
If your goal is just win, regardless of anything else, Bill Russell is the goat. That's about it. Rip legend, you'll be forever missed and remembered, and not only for your incredible basketball career.
When we talk about how players from different eras would play today, I like to imagine that's it's the mind that is born in 1990. So a Bill Russell WOULD make it in the NBA today. His skillset would be like a better passing, higher basketball IQ Dennis Rodman or Ben Wallace. He'd be an 18/13/7 guy and perennial all defensive first teamer, perennial MVP contender, and he absolutely could be the best player on a modern champion. When you pair the absolute desire and determination to win with a body gifted to deliver that, magic happens. Russell could win at least three modern championships, and I think even five wouldn't be out of the question.
@@MasterPNUT2 That's the only way that has ever made sense to me. Like how people say George Mikan wouldn't make it in the 2020s, AS IF a George Mikan born in 1999 would play exactly the same as the George Mikan born in 1924. Anyone who thinks a 6 foot 10 inch player who was tenacious as all hell (famous for his toughness and durability) and solid all-around skill set, not to mention devotion to teammates wouldn't be a commodity in the modern NBA is just stupid. Would he be THE superstar? Of course not. Would he be a valuable piece? Uh, yea. And Russell would absolutely be an MVP contender, because it's the MIND that is timeless. The character.
@@nikosvault Oh screw the Mutombo comparison. Russell was smarter. Watch his blocks. It's always inbounds and angled towards teammates. It's functionally useless to swat a ball out of bounds, like Mutombo or Howard (two guys who you'll note never really sniffed a championship in their primes. Howard did once he was relegated to 5th best guy on his team). Russell's swats basically doubled as outlet passes, all in one motion. Yea, spiking a ball out of bounds will pop a crowd. But you know what will make a crowd even happier? A championship, something the swat-blockers never deliver to their fans.
If Jimmy butler can lead finals contenders Russell would've absolutely been a dominant defensive playmaking forward with elite athleticism but also lets not overlook that his relatively low scoring was deliberate- for team success to get his shooters shots-- Russell is probably a Tim Duncan type with elite athleticism; so 25 13 with 3 blocks and 5 apg, and considering how San Antonio built around Timmy, Russell gets 5 titles maybe more. Russell vs Wilt was the first Duncan vs Shaq
Great content here. The fact it took Obama asking Boston to build Russell a statue when he was getting Medal of Honor more then 40 years after he retired as best player on 11🏆! He deserved to be pissed at Boston can anyone really blame him?!?! I had already seen the interview but the way this is put together is GREAT! The only part that is embarrassing here is Hakeem ranked 12th and the usual homerism😅! Such a legend! May he Rest In Peace!
Sir William Felton Russell - King Of Basketball & Greatest Of All-Time, is smiling down at his Celtic Fiefdom from the skies and saying "My Green Knights have done it again for the Celtic World Kingdom!".
Excellent job, Bill you were always ahead of the curve when it came to giving Russell his flowers when he was alive. This is coming from the perspective of a 50 year old person who roots for Philadelphia 76ers. So that's saying something!! Great job👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I just found out he passed watching this video Damn. That final game 7 "They can't beat us" He was worried about C-19 and taking the snake bite gave him a heart attack.
He's the best sportswriter of all time, nobody is even a close second, he made all of the ones that came before him obsolete. This was a great piece, and partially illustrates why that is.
Simmons was surprised it was Kobe Bryant who "devoured Russel's book, etc.?" I had NEVER heard the story before, but once I saw Bryant was in the team photo, I was pretty certain it was going to be Kobe who did it.
Juluis Erving, Robinson, Stockton, Dirk, & Duncan also nailed their exits very well. Tbf Mikan did what Jordan did almost 5 decades before. He retired in 1954 for one year. Then came back for one season in 1955 to 1956.
Thanks Bill, for remembering Mr Bill Russell, truly one of the greatest of all time. And props to Larry Bird for recognising the 11 rings Mr Russell helped lead the Celtics to! ( 1:47 ). For all Bill Russell did and ment to Boston and the NBA, I feel we still do not appreciate that he had to stop Wilt Chamberlain to win those titles.
@6:51 This is something we aren't doing a great job with. Every new label someone thinks of, someone else is so eager to try it on, fit in, be part of a community... Mixed results i think Fit in or fit out, whatever that's supposed to mean
Marcus Jackson ...That's great, Marcus, because many from your generation don't know or care about this great legend. Russell paved the way for all the legendary greats after him, including Jordan. The late, great William Felton "Bill" Russell is the greatest winner in team sports, and even bigger off the court, PERIOD!!! Keep on researching, Ciao!
0:09 Didn’t care about Boston. Remembers it as more of a hockey town. Number of Game 7’s in front of a Boston Garden less than 70% full. 8:20 Saturday Night Live 11:13 Sam Jones example 14:36 Hall of Fame pyramid. The 5 that are difficult to work with. 18:21 How legends end their careers. 19:34 Being treated like a 2nd class citizen off the court.
How ,peopole can't see ,u don't need to see the era he played, he was more then basketball ,what a gentleman great human being, You can rank him to MLK ,Melcom Ali he was of the kind Rip Sir
This is where Bill is unmatched
Which Bill?
Incredible how old Russell looked in 2013 fighting heart conditions. He almost made it 10 years since that interview!
A 6'10" black man making it to 78 and then 88 is incredible. An 88 year old heart powering a life of physical and emotional toil, somehow pumping blood until the 2020's. It's medically remarkable that he lived as long as he did.
Bill is the first player im picking in an all time draft. The true GOAT
This is Bill at his best, plain and simple. I hope that he does an update to the Book of Basketball.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Russell.
I was Blessed and fortunate enough to have met the man and introduce him to my 2 sons at a book signing for his book, 'RUSSELL Rules' 11 Lessons on leadership...2001 in downtown DC.
There were hundreds of people in line, black, white, old, young... but I was the only one I saw who had his children. He spent a full 5 minutes talking with us...he was so kind, so happy, so funny. As we were about to leave I told him how my sons were both getting into the game and asked if he would offer some pointers. He reflected for a few seconds then said, '1) Do all of your schoolwork and chores. 2) Play as much as you can... He hesitated, then his eyes lit up, and he said 3) And have fun!'
As I shook his hand and thanked him for his time, he pulled me close, looked me in the eyes and said, 'Thank YOU for bringing your children.'
My kids are grown now but they thank me as well...
RIP to one of the greatest men America has ever produced. If he's not the 'goat', there is NO such thing.
R.I.P To Bill Russell. The greatest winner in the history of basketball itself. We'll never see a player quite like him again. The personification of a champion both on the court and in life as a civil rights icon. He will be sorely missed.🙏🏾
Amen. And I'd say his leadership as a human outweighed any sports performance.
Simmons has a way with words that speaks into your soul, transports you to his experiences, gives you memories you never had, but somehow, you now have something that will stick with you forever.
Yup. People hate on him for his takes but you can’t criticize his writing. He’s a rare talent.
Great eulogy, Simmons. Best storytelling about Russell that I've listened to or read this week, and finest selection of vids and pics. Nailed it, brother. Fine work.
No one better to do it.
He's never gonna read this comment
@@brianbadonde9251 what a lame thing to say
Not exactly a eulogy, this is an old podcast episode but still great.
Bill Simmons is biased a d trash analyst
RIP Bill Russell... this video hit even harder when at the end of the clip while Kobe is getting his Finals MVP award all of the five people in the middle have already passed on smh... RIP to them all...
We need a book of basketball 2.5, 3.0, 7.2 call it what you want we just want more!
Bill Russell was the one reason I looked forward to the NBA Finals every year. You knew every year he'd be there along side the brass to hand out the Finals MVP. It always felt right, it always seemed official. Because he was the ambassador of the NBA. He was what made the NBA today, and now a giant shadow will be missing forever. With nobody around to fill it.
Brilliant piece, Bill. Thanks!!! It just cemented my belief that Russell was the best basketball player in NBA history, and to me it's not a close call. Even given that, I believe that what he did off the court dwarfs his basketball achievements. He's been an idol of mine my entire life, and I will miss him dearly.
Amazing tribute to a legend. Well done
This is why my love for Simmons will never wane. The storytelling is unparalleled. RIP Bill Russell!
Bill, I've been following you since before I started Only Baseball Matters, which you may remember from the early 2000s. This is your best work, by far. I am blown away by this. Congrats!!
I seriously teared up a bit
This is very powerful, very beautiful. I've read and have taken in lessons from his great autobiography, Second Wind. After reading the book and studying his game from the clips that are available on RUclips, I've come to believe that he's the greatest NBA player ever, and would dominate any era he played in. Scouting his own team. Brilliant. The reverence Simmons has for Russell is palpable and moving here. What I like best about Simmons' writing is his study of excellence, and the insights culled and shared from that study hasn't been finer than here. In Second Wind, Russell talked about how he dearly loved the eight hour bus rides he took when he began seriously playing basketball, how he'd review in his mind the plays from the game before, and then visualize how he'd execute in the next game. He and K.C. Jones studied how to come up on a player on their blind spots. Russell was a true artist. He also possessed one of the most athletic physiques ever, having been a world class track athlete as well. But, in keeping with his Art of War mindset, he would save that extra burst for when he really needed it, like in his last Finals in 1969. In Game 7, he decided to turn it into a 48 minute sprint, outrunning the eventually gassed Lakers.
22:17 all three of them are gone that made me very sad and appreciative all at once
This was incredible, thank you Mr. Simmons.
Rest in peace to the great Bill Russell.
Easily one of the best stories told in sports. I hung on to every word Bill said.
Holy cow, this was sooooo good. Incredible job Bill Simmons!! I learned a lot, thank you!!
Phenomenal episode, very beautiful yet tragic storytelling. The greatest of respect to the greatest winner in NBA history
If your goal is just win, regardless of anything else, Bill Russell is the goat. That's about it.
Rip legend, you'll be forever missed and remembered, and not only for your incredible basketball career.
I’d argue Duncan next to him as just transcendent winners
When we talk about how players from different eras would play today, I like to imagine that's it's the mind that is born in 1990. So a Bill Russell WOULD make it in the NBA today. His skillset would be like a better passing, higher basketball IQ Dennis Rodman or Ben Wallace. He'd be an 18/13/7 guy and perennial all defensive first teamer, perennial MVP contender, and he absolutely could be the best player on a modern champion. When you pair the absolute desire and determination to win with a body gifted to deliver that, magic happens. Russell could win at least three modern championships, and I think even five wouldn't be out of the question.
By far the most nuanced take on comparing eras.
@@MasterPNUT2 That's the only way that has ever made sense to me. Like how people say George Mikan wouldn't make it in the 2020s, AS IF a George Mikan born in 1999 would play exactly the same as the George Mikan born in 1924. Anyone who thinks a 6 foot 10 inch player who was tenacious as all hell (famous for his toughness and durability) and solid all-around skill set, not to mention devotion to teammates wouldn't be a commodity in the modern NBA is just stupid. Would he be THE superstar? Of course not. Would he be a valuable piece? Uh, yea. And Russell would absolutely be an MVP contender, because it's the MIND that is timeless. The character.
Draymond Green agility/team defense IQ plus the blocking ability of Dikembe Mutombo.
He would be awesome.
@@nikosvault Oh screw the Mutombo comparison. Russell was smarter. Watch his blocks. It's always inbounds and angled towards teammates. It's functionally useless to swat a ball out of bounds, like Mutombo or Howard (two guys who you'll note never really sniffed a championship in their primes. Howard did once he was relegated to 5th best guy on his team). Russell's swats basically doubled as outlet passes, all in one motion. Yea, spiking a ball out of bounds will pop a crowd. But you know what will make a crowd even happier? A championship, something the swat-blockers never deliver to their fans.
If Jimmy butler can lead finals contenders Russell would've absolutely been a dominant defensive playmaking forward with elite athleticism but also lets not overlook that his relatively low scoring was deliberate- for team success to get his shooters shots--
Russell is probably a Tim Duncan type with elite athleticism; so 25 13 with 3 blocks and 5 apg, and considering how San Antonio built around Timmy, Russell gets 5 titles maybe more. Russell vs Wilt was the first Duncan vs Shaq
Great content here. The fact it took Obama asking Boston to build Russell a statue when he was getting Medal of Honor more then 40 years after he retired as best player on 11🏆! He deserved to be pissed at Boston can anyone really blame him?!?! I had already seen the interview but the way this is put together is GREAT! The only part that is embarrassing here is Hakeem ranked 12th and the usual homerism😅!
Such a legend! May he Rest In Peace!
not just a lost for the world of sports but a lost for mankind rip to bill the realest to ever do it
Thank you Bill Simmons and crew. RIP Bill Russell 🐐
Bill Russel: THE GOAT. Rest in peace. You earned it.
Sir William Felton Russell - King Of Basketball & Greatest Of All-Time, is smiling down at his Celtic Fiefdom from the skies and saying "My Green Knights have done it again for the Celtic World Kingdom!".
Phenomenal piece! The racial trauma those first generation of black stars endured is really not talked about enough. True trailblazers and icons
Props given!!
I truly hope generations to come never forgot how much Bill Russell meant to Basketball and the world.
Rest Easy Legend! 🙏
Thank you for putting this together Bill. Incredible piece about an incredible human. RIP
Excellent job, Bill you were always ahead of the curve when it came to giving Russell his flowers when he was alive. This is coming from the perspective of a 50 year old person who roots for Philadelphia 76ers. So that's saying something!! Great job👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Damn Bill, this really tugs the heart with the basketball history and commemoration to Russell. What an amazing man and player.
Bill this was absolutely incredible.
That was an amazing tribute Bill Simmons to an incredible human being. Thank you for doing it.
I didn't fully understand or feel our tremendous loss until this video 😢. Well done!
I just found out he passed watching this video Damn. That final game 7 "They can't beat us"
He was worried about C-19 and taking the snake bite gave him a heart attack.
That was great, Bill.
What I would give to be a fly on the wall listening to Mr Russel and Kobe talking ball. Jeez.
THANK YOU BILL RUSSELL FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!
#6!!!!
HE is not a man.... HE IS THE MAN.!!!!!!!!!
From The Philippines.
Great Video and interview. Thanks. Cousy Crying broke me up
I’m not gonna lie.. watching this tearing up. I read his biography. Really sad. I really admired him
Write more, Bill. Please write more.
He's the best sportswriter of all time, nobody is even a close second, he made all of the ones that came before him obsolete. This was a great piece, and partially illustrates why that is.
Thank you so much for sharing this!! As always an excellent job and very well done!!
You nailed this Bill Simmons. Really great eulogy for Mr. Russell
What a fucking giant of a man. I cried like a baby.
I'm so glad I clicked on this video, RIP to the great Bill Russel
damn. He really might be the most disrespected basketball legend ever.
also Larry was a real one for not claiming Celtics goat over Bird.
Dam Bill you really wield that pen sometimes. Great video and great story telling.
Thanks for this Bill; feeling Inspired by both Bill Russell the person, and by the quality of the story telling here. Incredible.
Good god, these videos are the best content bill or the ringer does.
Wish bill would do more of them.
That was a fantastic send off for an American icon. Thank you
Simmons was surprised it was Kobe Bryant who "devoured Russel's book, etc.?"
I had NEVER heard the story before, but once I saw Bryant was in the team photo, I was pretty certain it was going to be Kobe who did it.
This is unbelievable, one of the best videos ever.
Excellent remembrance. Thanks Bill Simmons for sharing that.
Juluis Erving, Robinson, Stockton, Dirk, & Duncan also nailed their exits very well. Tbf Mikan did what Jordan did almost 5 decades before. He retired in 1954 for one year. Then came back for one season in 1955 to 1956.
He's the GOAT in every aspect imaginable.
Thanks Bill, for remembering Mr Bill Russell, truly one of the greatest of all time. And props to Larry Bird for recognising the 11 rings Mr Russell helped lead the Celtics to! ( 1:47 ).
For all Bill Russell did and ment to Boston and the NBA, I feel we still do not appreciate that he had to stop Wilt Chamberlain to win those titles.
This was great Bill Simmons. Thank you.
Absolutely beautiful Bill.
@6:51
This is something we aren't doing a great job with.
Every new label someone thinks of, someone else is so eager to try it on, fit in, be part of a community...
Mixed results i think
Fit in or fit out, whatever that's supposed to mean
Beautiful video Bill. Thanks for making this.
3:56
That 50pt game technically stopped a 10Peat
Amazing video bill. great commentary
Thank you Bill. And thank you Bill.
not the biggest simmons guy. but this was beautiful.
This is so powerful Bill!
This made me cry baby
such a beautiful piece bill.
This is so beautiful.
Brilliant video. RIP BIll Russell.
Tremendous work. Thank you Bill
People don't realize he was a world class athlete, amazing defender and very good passer, as competitive as they get
Loved it, another beautiful story.
Great video! Keep it up!
Bill you are brilliant
Incredible video. Thank you for the great basketball content
This was beautiful Bill
U GAVE ME CHILLS AT THE END
As a millennial I learned a lot in this 20minutws
Marcus Jackson ...That's great, Marcus, because many from your generation don't know or care about this great legend. Russell paved the way for all the legendary greats after him, including Jordan. The late, great William Felton "Bill" Russell is the greatest winner in team sports, and even bigger off the court, PERIOD!!! Keep on researching, Ciao!
Brilliant. Thanks!
Expansive and insightful assessment of BR. Willfully short-sighted and petty at times with KB
Great job Bill. Very good video
Wow, Simmons wrote an article called the Kobe Question that’s basically the transcript for this video.
Amazing interview and narrative.
Amazing! Great Documentary... Great Man!
Of course Bill Simmons had to find a way to call Kobe a ballhog while praising Bill Russell 😂 just couldn't help himself
everything about this, is incredible....but how did petit score 50 on 12-15 from the field?! dude just taking a million free throws?! Jesus
Damn! Made me tear up Bill!
This is golden
Amazing video.
Thank you for this
Well written, well said.
Not a Boston guy but god damn Bill Simmons is cooking when he talks Celtics.
Again with the GD'S.. unnecessary, dude
Thanks Bill!
That was beautiful.
Bill Is a giant among men, bigger than life
GOAT
I usually hate Bill for being a Massachusetts homer, but I'll let it slide.
Bill Russell deserves no less.
0:09 Didn’t care about Boston. Remembers it as more of a hockey town. Number of Game 7’s in front of a Boston Garden less than 70% full.
8:20 Saturday Night Live
11:13 Sam Jones example
14:36 Hall of Fame pyramid. The 5 that are difficult to work with.
18:21 How legends end their careers.
19:34 Being treated like a 2nd class citizen off the court.
How ,peopole can't see ,u don't need to see the era he played, he was more then basketball ,what a gentleman great human being, You can rank him to MLK ,Melcom Ali he was of the kind Rip Sir