“He changed the way the sport is looked at today” Jerry West talks about the legacy of legendary Bill Russell
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Jerry West and Bill Russell
NBA and Boston Celtics icon Bill Russell passed away on 31st July 2022, and he will always be known as one of the greatest players to play in the league. He was a great competitor, and teammate as his impact off the court was just as special. Though he was playing for Boston Celtics, his game and individuality made him favorites among his teammates and foes. One such superstar, playing for the rival camp, Los Angeles Lakers – Jerry West reflects on Russell’s impact on the game in a talk show.
Jerry West won just 1 NBA title, thanks to Bill Russell’s dominance during his time. On the “Dan Patrick Show,” NBA legend Jerry West talked about how much Russell meant to the game. The star guard West said Russell transformed the game with his athleticism and defensive ability for a big man.
Though Bill Russell would not be a very high scoring player for the Celtics, it was his defense that initiated the Celtics fast-break offense, winning the games and championships in the process. He averages astonishing 25 rebounds per game in playoffs, a record still stands unbroken.
Jerry West heaps praise on Bill Russell and his impact on the game
Jerry West and Bill Russell have played against each other for 9 seasons. West could never get his hands on the NBA Championship trophy, while Russell was commanding on the floor, but he did manage to win the 1st Finals MVP award playing for the losing side in 1969. Both 2nd overall picks in their respective draft played for rival camps, but they shared a great respect for each other off the court.
Before praising Russell as a human being, not just as a player, West said on the show, “He was the most unique player that I think he came into the league at that point in time. He was kind of a forerunner of what we see today: these active big guys who can move out in the court. He could play out in the court, but his activity level was probably what made him stand out more than anything, particularly on the defensive end.”
Bill Russell played 165 playoff games for the Celtics. Though he averaged nearly 15 points per game for them, his legacy and effectiveness stand at the defensive end of the floor. He normally had 25 rebounds per game, while clocking nearly 45 minutes for the team on the court. Those were the times when blocks were not added in the stats, where the giant Celtics center thrived.
Lakers guard continued, “And I think that was the advent of people starting to understand the importance of the defensive play in this league and what particularly what one man could do to disrupt other teams. It allowed you to do so many things to hide weak defensive players, players that sometimes people would take advantage of.”
Emphasizing the impact of Russell in the game, Jerry West added, “And they were smart enough to use him the right way. They would funnel guys to him. … He’s a man who probably changed the way the sport is looked at today, everyone looking for a big gifted guy. And over the years, we’ve seen changes in the game, particularly because of the 3-point line.”
“I think his unique style of play will be what someone is looking for now more than ever in the sense that hopefully there will be a better offensive player than he was. But remarkable player, but, more importantly, remarkable man.”
Russell was given the NBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 as a way to recognize everything he’s accomplished on and off the court. He was a five-time MVP and one of the greatest defensive players the sport had ever seen. During his playing days, Los Angeles booed him. Los Angeles jeered him. Los Angeles hated him. But, certainly, Los Angeles respected him in many ways.
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