S. A. Kramer - Basketballs Greatest Players

College ball, 1953. The game between the University of San Francisco and Brigham Young University has just started. Bill Russell, a sophomore (second-year student), is San Franciscos center. At 610, he can outjump everyone on the floor.

The man Bills guarding dribbles around him. When the man goes in for an easy layup, San Franciscos captain scowls at Bill. Why dont you try playing some defense? he hisses.

Bill gets angry. He knows the captain doesnt like him because hes black. He decides hell show the guy exactly what defense is. So he sticks to his man as though his life were at stake. The player doesnt score another point.

Its then that Bill realizes that defense can win games. From now on, he vows, thats what hell concentrate on.

Other centers feel defense is unimportant. If they dont have the ball, they just stand around the basket. When they block shots, they slap the ball hard into the stands.

Bill shows them a new way of playing. He makes defense lead to fast breaks and scoring. Timing his leaps, he tips blocked shots to teammates racing downcourt. He tears around the floor, stealing balls and grabbing rebounds.

In 1956, Bill joins the NBA as the Boston Celtics only black player. His style singlehandedly changes basketball defense.

The league is startled when Bill doesnt care about scoring. But the Celtics dont need points from him to win. They count on him to make sure the team works together. Bill becomes the greatest team player on the only team in history, in any sport, to win eight championships in a row.

But Bill isnt very popular. He keeps his distance from almost everybody, even refusing to sign autographs. He doesnt care if hes likedall he wants is respect.

Bill was born poor in a small Louisiana town divided by race. Growing up, he hardly spoke to any white people.

When he was twelve, his mother died. He never got over it. But hes learned to act tough. Even in a game, he hides his true feelings. He seems calm on the court, yet he often throws up before he plays.

Theres one thing Bill never hideshis pride in his race. He is one of the first black athletes to speak out against prejudice. The Celtics name him the first black head coach in professional sports. Later, he becomes the first black sportscaster on national TV.

Bill is a great champion. Thats why the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award is named after him.

W ILLIAM
F ELTON R USSELL

(RUSS, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE)

Born 2/12/34

610, 215 lbs.

Played center for the Boston Celtics, 195669

Most Valuable Player 5 times

Hall of Fame

Second in career rebounds: 21,620

Led the league in rebounds 4 times

Won more championships than any other NBA player: 11

College team won 55 games in a row and 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles

First player to win the MVP 3 seasons in a row

Appeared in 12 straight All-Star Games (195869)

Named one of the fifty greatest NBA players ever in 1996