Bill Russell was the smartest player of all time. He anchored the greatest defense of all time, in the fastest era of all time, whilst playing 45 minutes a game.

The defensive impact that Bill Russell provided defensively could never be replicated.

I'd like to add context to what Bill Russell did. He played in the of peak segregation, in Boston, Which was one of the more racist cities in America at the time. The intense culture and atmosphere Russell had to play in couldn't be explained in words.

Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics were the victim of many racist, vile, and disgusting acts.

And despite all this, Bill Russell is still one of greatest human beings of all time. His activism and outlook on life has always been positive and inspiring. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/27/bill-russell-nba-boycott/

I'd also like to add that the average height for a center in the NBA in the 1960s, was 6'9. The average height for centers in todays NBA? 6'9. The 60s was the most physically demanding, athletically gifted eras of basketball. I guess todays NBA is also the " Plumber Era "

In 1964, The Boston Cetlics led a -12 defense. This is by far the greatest defensive season of all time, anchored by Bill Russell. This will never be done again, and it's attributed to Bill Russell.

This is an example of defensive career value (exponentialized)

Bill Russell is by FAR the greatest defender of all time.

There are very few players who could provide this impact while playing the amount of minutes he did.

He also won 11 rings btw.

(Chart From @KGsGOAT)

Bill Russell is also one of the greatest rebounders of all time, his all time athleticism helped him in grabbing some of these absolutely insane looking rebounds. The scary part of Bill grabbing these rebounds is that he's one of the greatest outlet passers of all time.

Bill's IQ is what makes him this insane rebounder, knowing when and where the ball was going to be, knowing where his teammates were on the court, contesting and deterring shots at an all time level.
Knowing his own strengths and weaknesses and maximizing them to win games.

Bill Russell was so smart, that when Red Auerbach retired, Bill Russell was a player coach. The man was so smart that he was coaching his own team, while playing, and being one of the greatest players of all time.

He was also the first black coach in NBA History.

I think Bill Russell's game would translate perfectly fine to todays NBA. Bill Russell would be one of the most switchable defenders of all time if he played todays, and offensively I think It'd be idiotic to assume he couldn't pick and roll and score a basketball when asked.

People feel how they feel about the 60's, I can't change somebody's mind. But understand not only the player that was Bill Russell, but also the human being, and what he's done for the sport.

Bill Russell is an outlier of pure skill and dominance. He's a GOAT.

@RealBillRussell