Bill Russell. A name which carries so much weight. A man that needs no introduction.
But for those that need their memories jogged, between 1956 and 1969 Bill Russell won:
He is widely acknowledged as the best defender in NBA history, one of the smartest basketball players of all time, and one of the best leaders in professional sports history. More significantly, he was a trailblazing African American NBA player in the era of segregation and an important leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. Put simply - Bill Russell changed basketball and the NBA forever.
In episode 4 of The Stepback Pod we delve into the extraordinary life and career of the greatest winner in NBA history. There was so much to discuss that we have spread the episode over two parts. In Part One, we cover Bill Russell's early life and college career, the way he broke the NBA with his defense, athleticism and IQ, and the dominance of the Boston Celtics dynasty from 1956 to 1965. Part Two, which will be released in the following week, will reflect on Bill Russell's legacy on and off the court, how we measure greatness, and Bill Russell's place in NBA history.