Switch Wilt with Russell from 1960-1972

[penbeast0]

I don't think Wilt and Russ cancel out. I think Wilt consistently beats Wilt head to head and Russell consistently makes the rest of Wilt's team worse with his unique brand of defense. That would apply to Boston, a consistently bad offensive team, at least as much as to other Russell opponents. So I don't see Sam Jones or Havlicek being as good or Walker and Greer being as bad over playoff series. Is it enough? Not sure, that's why they actually played the games.

[coastalmarker99]

The 76ers were incredibly successful with Wilt being a playmaker.

76er's record when Wilt has 7+ assists:

1965: 2-0

1966: 19-3

Total: 21-3

1967: 46-2

Total: 67-5

1968: 40-11

Total: 107-16

Playoffs: 15-5


I am not sure pen-beast that Russell would provide the same impact as Wilt did for those 76er teams.

What made that Sixer team so good was Wilt

His defence was outstanding, and he was the centrepiece of the offence as he averaged almost 25 PPG on 70% in 1967 and 33/24/5 on 54% in 1966 to go along with 5 to 7 blocks a game.

Could Russell have replaced Wilt as the centrepiece of that Sixer offence? I don't think so.


Furthermore, I would hesitate to give Russell all of the credit for Wilt's teammates' offensive woes.


In the 1966 ECFs, Wilt's teammates shot the following: Greer was at .32.5. Walker was at .37.5. Jackson was at .42.9. and Jones was at .32.5. plus Cunningham was at .16.1.


It wasn't as if Russell was guarding everybody and locking them down.

I mean the 76ers players were completely missing even when wide open.

Watch on YouTube

;t=1132s

Take for example at the 18.33-minute mark of this video Wally jones horribly bricking a wide-open shot before Wilt grabs the offensive rebounds and slams it down.

[coastalmarker99]

I don't think Wilt and Russ cancel out. I think Wilt consistently beats Wilt head to head and Russell consistently makes the rest of Wilt's team worse with his unique brand of defense. That would apply to Boston, a consistently bad offensive team, at least as much as to other Russell opponents. So I don't see Sam Jones or Havlicek being as good or Walker and Greer being as bad over playoff series. Is it enough? Not sure, that's why they actually played the games.

I am going to take a look at Wilt's teammates' offensive performances vs non-Celtic teams in the playoffs.

1960 vs Nationals Arizin averages 30 PPG on 50% and the Warriors as an entire team shoot 42%

Now against Boston in the ECF Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 34.45 from the field and Arizin is held to 24 PPG on 39%.

1961 vs Nationals Wilt's teammates collectively shoot .33.2 from the field.

1962 vs Nationals Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 33.26 from the field.

Now against Boston in the ECF Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 31.31 from the field.


1964 vs Hawks Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 41.25 from the field.

Now against Boston in the finals, Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 40.7 from the field.


1965 vs Royals Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 45.96 from the field.

Now against Boston in the ECF Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 36.16 from the field.


1967 vs Royals Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 44.1 from the field.

Now against Boston in the ECF Wilt's teammates collectively shoot 40.81 from the field.