[SHAMS] Bill Russell has passed away peacefully at 88…

[Dominator83]

His legacy will live on

[TheBobster]

When I was growing up in the 70's the prevailing view was that the greatest basketball player ever was either Wilt Chamberlain (unparalleled individual accomplishments) or Bill Russell (the greatest winner ever).

Just describing Russell as "a winner" kind of understates how good he was - the dominant defender of his day who changed basketball, a dominant rebounder and also a great passer from the pivot. But he was the greatest winner in team sports - NCAA titles his final two yeast as USF, a gold medal in 1956 and then 11 championships in his 13 NBA seasons.

He had mixed success as a coach, broadcaster and executive, but away from basketball he was a central figure when it came to athletes and activism in the 1960s (along with Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali).

Russell and Chamberlain were the two Goliaths of the league in the 1960s - their meetings were legendary, and their accomplishments will never be matched.

[CM17]

Sad to hear. But I'm grateful he had such a long life.

He was more valuable than what can be grasped today.

[Sedale Threatt]

13 championships and an Olympic gold medal over his final 15 seasons of organized hoops. Different teammates, different coaches, different competitions. The lone constant was Bill Russell.

[Yinwest]

He always had such a great peaceful aura around him. Always looked like a genuine, good, person. May he rest in peace, one of basketball’s goats.

And the greatest laugh of all time.

[gorz]

"To me, the greatest part of winning was joy"-Bill Russell

Today, we not only lost a legend in basketball but a great humble human being. R.I.P

[Samurai]

Russell was my first "favorite player". Like many of you I was also able to see him play live and to this day remain amazed at his ability to guard his man on the perimeter and then use that speed to get back into the lane to block a shot or grab a rebound. Most of us remember how unusual that was in that era when centers were like concrete buildings in the key and rarely ventured out beyond 10-12 feet. I will keep those memories (hopefully) till the day I die; a true legend.

[azcatz11]

RIP to the greatest American team sports winner ever

Yep - Bill and Brady. 2 best ever and both in the same city. What are the odds

[Nate505]

I'm not a big renaming person, but if they named the Maurice Podoloff MVP trophy to the Bill Russell MVP trophy I would be great with it. No offense to Maurice Podoloff and all, but he had a good 35 year run with his name for the trophy.

[Memories]

RIP to one of the greatest. An incredible human being as well as an amazing athlete in his day. The world just lost a good man today.

RIP Bill Russell.

[Plutonashfan]

Damn, RIP. I remember reading how most of the league MVPs are still alive after all this time

[bisme37]

I guess it's not a total shock at his age but I'm devastated. Bill Russell is someone who brought me great joy and pride as a Celtics fan, but even more so as a human being. Sending love to his friends and family. Rest well, Mr. Russell.

[Joshyjess]

Wow, that's sad. Great player, but even more important, great man!

[SOdisciple]

I mean you knew this was going to happen eventually but it still shocked me to read the headline. RIP to a true legend and pioneer of the game.

[ceiling raiser]

RIP to the GOAT

[Doctor MJ]

Bill Russell has passed away.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34323568/boston-celtics-great-bill-russell-11-nba-champion-dies-88

[Dave Meltzer]

Just thinking about his life movie as he passed brings me bliss. Must have been amazing for him.

[Ambrose]

A long legendary life and a legacy that won't be forgotten. RIP

[Tim Lehrbach]

Though it was, of course, a matter of time, I wasn't ready for this one. The very archetype of a sportsman. The true meaning of a winner.

Proud to be a USF alum in no small part because of Bill Russell.

[SNPA]

Sad day.