Russell’s Celtics won 7 of 8 playoff series against Chamberlain’s Warriors, 76ers, and Lakers teams, and went 57–37 against them in the regular season and 29–20 in the playoffs.
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Russell’s teams won all four seventh games against Chamberlain’s.
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Simply, Chamberlain was statistically a better player, but Russell was greater at making his team a winner.
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Ask any player of any sport, any time.....it’s all about the championships.
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My final point, ask the players that had to play against them both.
They named Russell league MVP 5 times to Chamberlain’s 4.
Bill Russell was great. There’s no denying that. But the Celtics won so many championships because they had a great team. There was a cast of very good players. Chamberlain’s teams often had to sacrifice getting good players so that they could afford to get him. Other teams could afford to guard him three on one, four on one, or five on one because he didn’t have great players around him. Other teams couldn’t afford to guard Bill Russell three on one or four on one because of players like John Havlicek, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Bailey Howell, Satch Sanders, Bob Cousy, Don Nelson, and others.
If Bill Russell had Chamberlain’s teammates, he wouldn’t have won nearly as many championships, if any.