25 Reasons Bill Russell Is Basketball's All-Time Most Valuable Player

Sorry Jordan, Kobe, Bird, Magic, LeBron, Durant... You Ain't Got Nothin On "BIG BILL"

William Felton "Bill" Russell was a dominant force since the day he entered the NBA. Apart from his ferocious defense and skilled offense, Russell demonstrated courageous leadership on and off the court. He moved both the NBA and American culture toward greater progress and tolerance. Bigger than his 6'10'' 220 lb frame was his giant heart and vibrant character. "Big Bill" may not be the Greatest Basketball Player of All-Time, but there is no doubt he is the Most Valuable.

1. SWAT CITY!

His first game in college he faced a pre-season All-American center. Russell blocked the center's first five shots. After 3 seasons he averaged 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds at U. of San Fran.

2. The Rebounding Fly-Kick Move

Bill Russell was a Rebounding Beast! One game he tallied 51. He Pulled down 21,620 rebounds during his career averaging 22.5 per game... and he wasn't afraid to show some leg. We'll never know how many blocks he had since they didn't keep track of that stat back then, but some refs that worked a lot of his games estimated he at least had 6-8 per game!

3. HE JUMPED OVER A DUDE!

youtube.com / Via Youtube

A center or a point guard? Both! You'll never see a big man run the court in today's league like this locomotive did back in the day... and he did it all in low-top CHUCK TAYLORS!!!! He and Bob Cousy pretty much invented the fast break offense.

4. The Definition of Teammate

Each of the 5 league MVP's he won, he never finished higher than third in scoring on his team. He always lead in rebounds, and was second in assists... as a center. The ball-hogs in today's game could learn a thing or two.

5. He Played in a "Rage"

Bill's mental focus was unmatched. He said, "I was almost in a rage when I played. I couldn’t hear anything or see anything (outside the court), and nothing else mattered. I could anticipate every move that every player made.”

6. Getting Buckets Down Under

He won a Gold Medal out of college in 1956 at the Melbourne Olympic Games for the U.S.

7. Showered With Success

In the longest championship streak ever, Bill Russell won 8 titles in a row under legendary coach Red Auerbach.

8. 11 Rings?! COUNT 'EM!

11 championships in just 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics. That's as many championships as MJ and Kobe have combined; except it's taken them 33 seasons to get there. Bill also never lost a Game 7.

9. He Narrates Like A Boss

youtube.com / Via Youtube

Look out Morgan Freeman, Bill has a golden voice that rivals even yours. He's also a master wordsmith whose very name is synonymous with "Legend."

10. He Made Wilt "The Stilt" Look Like A Child's Play Thing

youtube.com / Via Youtube

Watch Bill's iconic throw down and high fist. Even though Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50 points per game one season, Russell still won MVP and the title that same year. Out of Bill's 5 MVP's, 4 came at Wilt's expense. (Bill was also 3 inches shorter!)

11. Friends with the Enemy?

Bill never considered Wilt a rival, only a competitor. They even spent time at each other's homes playing one-on-one in the driveway.

12. His Outrageous Laugh

youtube.com / Via Youtube

No words... literally because it's just laughing.

13. All-Star MVP? Sure thing pops.

Before the 1963 All-Star game, his father expressed his dislike for the Western team. So Bill made promise to him: "I'll tell you what, we'll win the game tomorrow, I'll make sure of that, and I'll get the MVP." To this day it's his favorite trophy because he kept his word to his father.

14. Unionize Us Cap'n!

He started the NBA's first union at the 1964 All-Star Game which was aired primetime on ABC. Bill, Wilt, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor fought for improved player rights by refusing to play in the game. The owners gave in and recognized the formation of the Player's Association at the end of the season.

15. He Has His Own Trophy

Every year he presents the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy to the championship team's best player.

16. The First Black Professional Coach Ever

He was a true O.G. named Player/Coach by the Boston Celtics in 1966 after Red Auerbach retired. You read that right, Player/Coach. He did both. The Celtics went on to win 2 more Championships!!!

17. He Retired Right!

After winning the NBA title as Player/Coach in 1969 against the heavily favored L.A. Lakers, Bill never played basketball again. (Besides one time against his son in 1972 in Munich Germany at a random court. Bill dominated 21-2 letting his son score twice at the end so he could live to tell people he scored on Bill Russell.)

18. A Civil Rights Giant

Bill was a palm bearer at Jackie Robinson's Funeral. "My attitude was, Jackie took us from point A to point B, and I wanted to take us from point B to point C."

19. Courage Amidst Persecution

After being refused service at a restaurant In Lexington, KY, Bill and the other black Celtics boycotted the game. One news source called the 5 players an embarrassment to the team and called for their suspension.

20. He Marched With The King

Bill Russell sat in the front row at Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

21. I Got Your Back

Bill supported Muhammed Ali at a press conference in June of 1967 when the world champion boxer refused to go to war after being drafted due to Ali's religious beliefs.

22. Prophecy Fulfilled

Bill spoke to a group in 1968 restating a quote by the U.S. President who said there could be a black president in 40 years. Bill said, "You young people here that would like to be President of the United States... You can do anything that you want to do if you want to do it bad enough." Exactly 40 years later, Barrack Obama was voted into the presidency.

23. A Champion of Life

He received the Medal of Freedom in 2010, the highest honor for a U.S. civilian, as well as the Sportsman of the Year Award in 1968 for his work promoting civil rights at a difficult time in U.S. history.

24. He's BFF's with Uncle Drew

youtube.com / Via Youtube

Teaching the young bloods about getting buckets since 1969.

25. He Left Kevin Garnett Speechless

youtube.com / Via Youtube

In May of 2008 Bill Russell mentored Kevin Garnett in such a loving, fatherly way that it propelled the Boston Celtic's team and their emotional leader Garnett to their first title in over 20 years.

Bill Russell Truly Is The Most Valuable Player of All Time.