Bill Russell - RIP

[mpare]

The great Bill Russell passed away. He was 88. Great BBall player, and great human being. May he rest in peace.

Bill Russell, NBA great and Celtics legend, dies at 88 (msn.com)

Barack Obama, basketball world react to the death of Celtics great, NBA pioneer Bill Russell (msn.com)

[Jeffc]

One of the greatest of all time. Sadly he wasn't treated very well during his playing years.

Here's an excerpt of something his daughter wrote in the NY Times.

[hoganapexplus]

Bill Russell was a trailblazer and the ultimate winner.

[Mule56]

A ball player when the game was real.
R.I.P. Mr. Russell

[Chambokl]

Bill Russel is a true legend. He was a great player. RIP Mr Russell . . .

[hackerhare]

RIP Mr. Russell. An excellent basketballer and an even greater human being.

[duffer_mcmulligan]

Join all the above. A fighter, a humanitarian, a gifted and practised athlete, but to top them all, a man of principle and rights. His BB commentary was also always spot on.

[4wedges]

He was an amazing athlete , a man of principle and always conducted himself with class.

[johnny canuck]

My son is 9 and is basketball crazy. YouTube has allowed him to educate himself on basketball history and the greats of the game. He was in tears this morning before school when he learned that Bill had passed. Made me smile that someone of such a recent generation was aware of one of the all time greats.

[Chambokl]

My son is 9 and is basketball crazy. YouTube has allowed him to educate himself on basketball history and the greats of the game. He was in tears this morning before school when he learned that Bill had passed. Made me smile that someone of such a recent generation was aware of one of the all time greats.

Such a nice story . . . thanks Johnny. Basketball is a very fun sport . . .

[johnny canuck]

Such a nice story . . . thanks Johnny. Basketball is a very fun sport . . .

I just need to convince him that MJ > LBJ!

[Chambokl]

I just need to convince him that MJ > LBJ!

HaHa . . . and yes he is. Dr J is the one that got me in basketball . . . he was so spectacular. Michael was the best . . .

[johnny canuck]

HaHa . . . and yes he is. Dr J is the one that got me in basketball . . . he was so spectacular. Michael was the best . . .

I was a massive Dr J fan myself, even through he was a little before my time.

Tomorrow, my son gets to watch the 8min Larry Bird highlight video I just watched

[Chambokl]

I was a massive Dr J fan myself, even through he was a little before my time.

Tomorrow, my son gets to watch the 8min Larry Bird highlight video I just watched

Here is something for your son . . . About MJ

Larry Bird: "I would never call him the best player I've ever seen if I wasn't serious."

Magic Johnson: "There's Michael Jordan, and then the rest of us."

Allen Iverson: "Mike is the GOAT, Mike will always be the GOAT."

Shaquille O'Neal: "The Last Dance only solidified the argument about who is the greatest player of all time"

Kevin Durant: "MJ is one of one, God level, incomparable, a pure master in this ****. I'm still watching his games to learn"

Charles Barkley: "He didn't just want to beat his opponents, he wanted to break them. Like I said, no disrespect to
Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, the best thing I've ever seen is Michael Jordan and it was an honor and a privilege to play against him. He is the best player I have ever seen."

Dwyane Wade: "MJ was chosen to be the GOAT."

Jerry West: "He is the best basketball player, the best athlete I have ever seen in my life."

Kevin Garnett: "He saved basketball when basketball was about to be lost. When we had addicts, when kids were coming to camp overweight. Who do you think started coming to camp fit, ready for day one? Who started it's?

Dirk Nowitzki: "The Last Dance was excellent. I was a huge Bulls fan in the '90s. So many things I never knew or had forgotten! MJ is the GOAT."

Patrick Ewing: "LeBron is incredible, but he is not Michael Jordan"

Vince Carter: "I still have to give it to Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant second."

Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon: "When people start comparing LeBron to Jordan, it's not a fair comparison. Jordan was a much more superior player in a tougher league. He was was very creative. That doesn't take anything away from LeBron because He's a great player, but it's not a fair comparison, Jordan is just so superior."

Stephon Marbury: "You really want to rank Jordan? Jordan shouldn't even be in a ranking. I don't know why they keep mentioning MJ's name in the same conversation. LeBron is great, but Jordan is not from this earth. He's just different.

Carmelo Anthony: "MJ is the GOAT. He is the best player of all time, and we all agree with that"