If Chamberlain and Russell changed teams, Chambelain wins the rings. Compare their head to head stats.
Wilt, I believe is the only center to lead the league in assists. He never foulded out of a game, and while winning is why they play the game, it is still a team game, and a team with the right personnel, the right coach and all buying into a system can do wonders.
So who do you take to start your team, and I would take Wilt. And I think he is the player on this list that could be surrounded by 4 stiffs and still excel. Guards can't control the game the way a center/power forward can, or a major shot blocker, or rebounding demon.
I think it was Williams at Maryland that said he would rather have a team of 80% ability giving 95% dedication on the court, then 95% athletic ability giving 80%.
Daniel J - 14 years ago
Wilt Chamberlain. Easily the greatest athlete to ever play the game. (How many know he was an NCAA high jump champion at Kansas? Picture Shaq or Kareem doing that.) He was also a guy whose abilities forced the NCAA and NBA to change rules. He could do anything he wanted on the court, and though Oscar's season triple-double is cool, I'd still take Wilt's season average of 50 points and 20 rebounds per game with the Sixers. Had he been surrounded by the cast of hall-of-famers that Russell was, Wilt would have a lot of rings himself. Finally, the Big Dipper totally had the coolest nickname. If you think he named himself after the constellation, you might want to think about it a bit, ahem, longer.
Derek - 14 years ago
"I think it should be Magic Johnson. He won in his rookie season too, switching from point guard to center, and still winning. I don't think Jordan could've played center in the finals and score 40, and I don' think Bill Russel could've played point guard and get 40 or have a high assist game."
^THIS
zollner - 14 years ago
Where is the Big O on this list, OMG the guy averaged a triple double for a whole season. Who made this list?
Kevin - 14 years ago
I think it should be Magic Johnson. He won in his rookie season too, switching from point guard to center, and still winning. I don't think Jordan could've played center in the finals and score 40, and I don' think Bill Russel could've played point guard and get 40 or have a high assist game.
Mongo - 14 years ago
Uh... what happened to Oscar Robertson? He certainly deserves to be on this list. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season, '61-'62, and had more than 180 triple-doubles in his career! A 12-time All-Star, he averaged 30 points a game in his rookie season!
timothy guetling - 14 years ago
goodness, in this case quantity wins out over quality. look at the rings he wears, Bill Russel, hands down
LeeP - 14 years ago
Bill Russell, hands down, is the greatest player. Who else has 11 (count em) rings? Since the main purpose for playing the game is to WIN, the greatest winner is the greatest player.
Sure, individual stats are very compelling when rating players, but there are dozens of players with great stats who were not ultimate winners.
MJ did have six rings & incredible stats, BUT he won None without Pippen & he was in his mid-twenties before he won his first.
Russell won two NCAA titles AND an Olympic Gold Before he even started his NBA career. Then he won a ring in his first pro season!
Between his first & last championships there was a complete turnover of his teammates on the Celtics. He was the only constant. So, no other single player could be credited with helping him win a ring.
Birch - 14 years ago
Big O? Hello??? realize it's an LA paper but jesus get some other guys on there. jerry west is not the greatest player in history. we can't even agree if he starts for lakers all-time team.
Chamberlain Baby
Chamberlain Baby
jordan for sure
http://046829f5.seriousurls.com
If Chamberlain and Russell changed teams, Chambelain wins the rings. Compare their head to head stats.
Wilt, I believe is the only center to lead the league in assists. He never foulded out of a game, and while winning is why they play the game, it is still a team game, and a team with the right personnel, the right coach and all buying into a system can do wonders.
So who do you take to start your team, and I would take Wilt. And I think he is the player on this list that could be surrounded by 4 stiffs and still excel. Guards can't control the game the way a center/power forward can, or a major shot blocker, or rebounding demon.
I think it was Williams at Maryland that said he would rather have a team of 80% ability giving 95% dedication on the court, then 95% athletic ability giving 80%.
Wilt Chamberlain. Easily the greatest athlete to ever play the game. (How many know he was an NCAA high jump champion at Kansas? Picture Shaq or Kareem doing that.) He was also a guy whose abilities forced the NCAA and NBA to change rules. He could do anything he wanted on the court, and though Oscar's season triple-double is cool, I'd still take Wilt's season average of 50 points and 20 rebounds per game with the Sixers. Had he been surrounded by the cast of hall-of-famers that Russell was, Wilt would have a lot of rings himself. Finally, the Big Dipper totally had the coolest nickname. If you think he named himself after the constellation, you might want to think about it a bit, ahem, longer.
"I think it should be Magic Johnson. He won in his rookie season too, switching from point guard to center, and still winning. I don't think Jordan could've played center in the finals and score 40, and I don' think Bill Russel could've played point guard and get 40 or have a high assist game."
^THIS
Where is the Big O on this list, OMG the guy averaged a triple double for a whole season. Who made this list?
I think it should be Magic Johnson. He won in his rookie season too, switching from point guard to center, and still winning. I don't think Jordan could've played center in the finals and score 40, and I don' think Bill Russel could've played point guard and get 40 or have a high assist game.
Uh... what happened to Oscar Robertson? He certainly deserves to be on this list. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season, '61-'62, and had more than 180 triple-doubles in his career! A 12-time All-Star, he averaged 30 points a game in his rookie season!
goodness, in this case quantity wins out over quality. look at the rings he wears, Bill Russel, hands down
Bill Russell, hands down, is the greatest player. Who else has 11 (count em) rings? Since the main purpose for playing the game is to WIN, the greatest winner is the greatest player.
Sure, individual stats are very compelling when rating players, but there are dozens of players with great stats who were not ultimate winners.
MJ did have six rings & incredible stats, BUT he won None without Pippen & he was in his mid-twenties before he won his first.
Russell won two NCAA titles AND an Olympic Gold Before he even started his NBA career. Then he won a ring in his first pro season!
Between his first & last championships there was a complete turnover of his teammates on the Celtics. He was the only constant. So, no other single player could be credited with helping him win a ring.
Big O? Hello??? realize it's an LA paper but jesus get some other guys on there. jerry west is not the greatest player in history. we can't even agree if he starts for lakers all-time team.