RealGM

Words can't describe the amount of influence Russell has on this Celtics team. It's been almost 40 years since Russell won his 11th championship ring as a Celtic, and you think he's lost some of his great master mind. As time goes by, many basketball legends are forgotten and pushed to the sides - we often take them for granted. But in my opinion, if you are a Celtics fan or a religious basketball fan, this is the one man that you cannot forget.

Prior to the playoffs, Russell knew that this Celtics crew would win it all. He assured this claim when he said he will give Garnett one of his championship rings if Garnett fails to win a ring while wearing white and green. I mean, who on this bloody earth says such thing? I don't know about you guys, but to me this is incredible - not only his generosity and affection for his "fraternity" brothers, but also his confidence that he had in the Celtics players. Russell presence, in a sense, transformed Garnett into a defensive anchor and made the members of this team winners.

After tonight's Celtics victory, I've come to realize that his intangibles not only go beyond a basketball court, but also from generation to generation. His deity will remain with the Celtics and in basketball forever.

100% agree

great post

Russell is a NBA icon

He had a great emotional influence and was instrumental in a discrete way

He needs a statue in the city of boston

I think you are going a little far crediting Russell for this team's success. Yeah, he gave them some motivation and confidence. But he didn't transform KG "into a defensive anchor" or make "the members of this team winners."

all this thread needs is that background music from that Russell/KG interview

It seems that Russell has gained even more in stature in the past few years.

That may have to do with Bill becoming more outspoken. Before the past couple of years when he allowed the Celtics organization to hire him it was very hard and rare to see him in any public spotlight.

Bill Russell remains intimately linked to the Celtics; he's constantly around, watching their games, talking to their players... KG has made it abundantly clear that he looks up to Russ and goes to him for advice on a regular basis. While it's true that Russell isn't responsible for the title, he still exerted a huge impact on at least KG and that was pivotal. But Russ was always there, jabbering in the players' ears and helping them get past the mental hurdles and that was big.

Basileus777 wrote:I think you are going a little far crediting Russell for this team's success. Yeah, he gave them some motivation and confidence. But he didn't transform KG "into a defensive anchor" or make "the members of this team winners."

No, not literally; I meant figuratively.

tsherkin wrote:Bill Russell remains intimately linked to the Celtics; he's constantly around, watching their games, talking to their players... KG has made it abundantly clear that he looks up to Russ and goes to him for advice on a regular basis. While it's true that Russell isn't responsible for the title, he still exerted a huge impact on at least KG and that was pivotal. But Russ was always there, jabbering in the players' ears and helping them get past the mental hurdles and that was big.