We’ve all heard the right-on clichés about how we should do things better, and we should end things we don’t like with a bit of dignity. That’s great if you’re a celebrity or a politician, but what about the rest of us? Whether it’s a relationship, a job, a hobby, or a TV show, it’s hard to walk away from something we’ve fallen in love with.
On the morning of my departure for the States, the weather turned to the point where it was overcast and pouring rain. It could have been so much worse, but I was glad I decided to go home the night before to apply the finishing touches to my suitcase. As I was getting ready to leave, I found a letter tucked inside my mirror. It was written by my friend to me, and it was the sweetest, most thoughtful letter I have ever received.
We’ve all heard the right-on clichés about how we should do things better, and we should end things we don’t like with a bit of dignity. That’s great if you’re a celebrity or a politician, but what about the rest of us? Whether it’s a relationship, a job, a hobby, or a TV show, it’s hard to walk away from something we’ve fallen in love with.
On the basketball floor, Bill Russell could do it all. Russell, one of the greatest NBA centers of all time, rose to prominence mostly as a result of his defensive prowess. During his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, he scored 15.1 points per game, but he also averaged 22.5 rebounds per game and was one of the league’s most feared shot blocks. Russell’s success was dependent on much more than his athletic abilities, despite the fact that he was a well-rounded player on the court.
With the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons.
On December 12, 1959, Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics goes for the shot as the Philadelphia Warriors’ Wilt Chamberlain #13, Paul Arizin #11, Tom Gola #15, and Joe Graboski #9 defend in an NBA game at the Philadelphia Convention Hall. | Getty Images/Hy Peskin
Russell was a winning player with the Celtics for 13 seasons. Russell was a 12-time NBA All-Star who controlled the paint at a period when the NBA was driven by offense. During his 13 years as coach, he led a dynasty that won 11 titles.
Russell was a force on both sides of the ball at 6-foot-10. Despite not being a terrific shooter, he averaged more than 16.5 points per game for six consecutive seasons. During the 1961-62 season, he averaged a career-high 18.9 points per game and 23.6 rebounds per game.
His strengths, on the other hand, were rebounding and defense. Five times, including his first three seasons, the five-time MVP topped the league in rebounding. During the 1963-64 season, he had a career-high 24.7 rebounds per game. Russell also used swatting to scare his opponents.
The NBA didn’t make blocked shots an official stat until the 1973-74 season. Several referees who handled Russell’s games told Bleacher Report that the big man averaged between six and eight blocks each game.
Bill Russell was as reliant on psychology as he was on his physical prowess.
Russell had all of the physical attributes necessary to become a Hall of Fame player, but he also possessed a much more powerful weapon. Sure, he could leap and rebound with the best of them, but he felt the mental aspect of the game had aided him in his progress. He emphasized the psychology of the game throughout his playing days. He utilized more of it as his career progressed.
According to Sports Illustrated, Russell stated during the early part of the 1963 season, “Basketball is a game that includes a tremendous lot of psychology.” “Defense psychology isn’t about blocking shots, swiping passes, or taking the ball away. The goal of the psychology is to get the attacking team to break from their usual routine. This is a habit-based game, and the person who has the most consistent behaviors wins. On defense, I attempt to get the offensive player to do what I want rather than what he wants.”
Russell’s shooting was his worst aspect of his game. Being a terrific shot, he thought, was overrated.
“Shooting, in my humble view, is of very little significance in a player’s entire game,” Russell remarked. Almost everyone in the NBA is an All-American. We earned All-Americas by averaging 20 points or more each game, therefore we can all shoot by layman’s standards. The distinction is made in the other parts of the game.”
Russell concentrated on defense when he wasn’t outsmarting his opponent.
On defense, Russell was a game-changer. He put forth a lot of effort since he knew it would give him an advantage. His success was based on a combination of psychology and his excellent defensive abilities. According to former colleague Tommy Heinsohn, he also used intimidation to “demoralize” opponents.
In 1963, Heinsohn told Sports Illustrated, “What Russell actually does is demoralize.” The other players are apprehensive about taking their usual shots. Instead, they’re watching Russell to see what he’ll do.”
Bill Bridges, a former member of the St. Louis Hawks, verified this during his playing days.
Bridges once remarked, “Russell advised me I best bring pepper and salt to the next game.” “He said I was going to eat basketballs,” I said.
Defense, according to Russell, is a “science” that takes time to master.
“Defense is a science, not a haphazard thing you stumble into,” Russell said. Every decision is the result of six or seven years of preparation. Basketball allows your body to accomplish things you wouldn’t be able to achieve under regular conditions. You take unusual steps and must sprint backwards nearly as quickly as you go ahead.
“On defense, never cross your legs when sprinting, even though it’s the most natural thing to do while changing directions. Rather, you attempt to glid like a crab. You have to go against your natural instincts and do things that aren’t natural.”
Russell would have been the ideal psychologist if he had never made it in basketball.
RELATED: Was Bill Russell of the Celtics traded for the Ice Capades?
On the morning of my departure for the States, the weather turned to the point where it was overcast and pouring rain. It could have been so much worse, but I was glad I decided to go home the night before to apply the finishing touches to my suitcase. As I was getting ready to leave, I found a letter tucked inside my mirror. It was written by my friend to me, and it was the sweetest, most thoughtful letter I have ever received.. Read more about bill russell nba championships and let us know what you think.
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