As a player, Russell would lead The Boston Celtics to 11 championships in 13 years. He was arguably the first Black Superstar Player in NBA History, and today The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award is named in honor of his dominance. His dominance and high character views on life were also felt in the field of race relations during the turbulent 1960's. We need more of our youth to know about The Great Bill Russell. #Salute
Bill Russell was one of the first Black Head Coaches of any major professional sports team. From 1966 to 1969 he wasn't just on the Boston Celtics sidelines either, he was Player/Coach. He had no assistant coaches, it was just Bill Russell doing what he always did best, lead his team to victories. Despite winning Back to Back Championships (in 1968 & 1969), Bill russell is rarely ever mentioned in history as a coach. Furthermore, few recognize the fact that Bill Russell not only operated successfully in spite of the pressures associated with being the first Black Coach in The NBA-but also coaching in the shadow of his legendary coach & mentor Red Auerbach. In his first season, Russell led the Celtics to a 60-21 record but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in The Eastern Conference (Division) Finals. The next season Russell's coaching & on court play would lead The Boston Celtics to the 1967-1968 NBA Championship, beating Wilt Chamberlin & The Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Russell retired at the end of that season, but would later return for brief coaching stints as head coach/general manager of The Seattle SuperSonics & Head Coach of The Sacramento Kings. As a player, Russell would lead The Boston Celtics to 11 championships in 13 years. He was arguably the first Black Superstar Player in NBA History, and today The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award is named in honor of his dominance. His dominance and high character views on life were also felt in the field of race relations during the turbulent 1960's. We need more of our youth to know about The Great Bill Russell. #Salute
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Ok Phil J, so we know you've finally got your coach in place. And regardless as to what anyone thinks about your choice of the Now-Retired Derek Fisher, that was the easy part. The NY KNICKS Roster needs a Huge Make-Over. Speaking as a Life-Long Knicks Fan, it's been a long time since the team has been anything near respectable; and we are tired. We understand that the process will not be quick, nor easy; but radical changes are more than warranted. First things first, LET CARMELO LEAVE!!!!!! The salary used to keep him could be used to sign two-maybe even three quality additions to the team. Players that actually play defense, and don't think that the offense should revolve solely around his jump shot (insert screwface here). Secondly, do whatever you have to do to purge the roster of Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert, JR Smith, Amar'e Stoudemire & Tyson Chandler. I'm not saying that any of these players are bad players, hell some of them still have significant value; but their contributions to the NEW YORK KNICKS do not match their impact on the payroll. Doesn't matter what you get for them, just get rid of them. Use your special Zen Counseling to encourage Amar'e & Carmelo to exercise the Early Termination Clauses in each of their respective contracts. Trade or Buyout the rest. When the smoke clears, all that should be left is young Tim Hardaway Jr. & the Big Man Andrea Bargnani (assuming that he can be re-signed for a price that makes sense). There are a multitude of other options out there, via Free Agency. Surely the opportunity of playing for The Great Phil J should be able to lure at least Three or Four of these guys to town, and inject some life into this once great franchise again. To make your work easier for you, here's a short wish list of quality contributors that are currently available. Make us proud Phil...
Talk of the mythical NBA "Mount Rushmore" dominated the headlines for most of the month of February. Athletes, Analysts, Sports Writers, coaches, and Fans locked themselves into debate-mostly based on their own personal experiences with the Great Game of Basketball. Sadly though, few presented their case based on stats or the players overall IMPACT on the game. Each decade was different. The style in which the game was played, the level of competition, and more. But there were only a few that changed the way that the game was played. With that said, my list focuses more on a decade-by-decade approach to those who stand above all others. And here is the Final Chapter of our Three Part Series. Comments & Feedback Welcome. -THE DECADE OF THE NINETIES-While there still may be some debate as to who was the Greatest of All time, the same can't be said in regard to the decade of the Nineties. M.J. ruled the game, and robbed many other Hall of Fame talents of that cherished Championship Ring. Six NBA Titles-MVP of each of those series. Two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, Seven NBA Scoring Titles, Two-time NBA Steals Champion, Seven-times selected to both the All-NBA First Team & NBA All-Defensive First Teams. 30.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 STLPG, 50.1 FG% Though Hakeem "The Dream" made one hell of an impact during the 1980's, his true place in history was cemented during the 1990's. If only Michael Jordan didn't take that short sabbatical from the game, a Bulls vs Rockets showdown would have been Monumental!!! Two NBA Championship Victories, NBA Finals MVP for both titles runs, 1994 NBA League MVP, Seven-time NBA All-Star, Three-time All-NBA First Team, Three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team 23.9 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.5 BLKPG, 51.3 FG%. And all of this going up against Hall of Fame talents like David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley & More... Olajuwon could score from practically anywhere-in the paint or with a long jump shot. And few dared to drive to the hole on "The Dream," for fear of getting that ball swatted back down their throats... Not sure as to which player, between Charles Barkley or Patrick Ewing, was victimized most as far as his place in history. But for even the most casual fan, 1993 appeared to be Barkley's year-that is until they met up with the Chicago Bulls in the Finals. And sadly, Championship glory would continue to elude the "Round Mound of Rebound," as his move from Phoenix to Houston still failed to yield that much desired ring. But never forget that Chuck was undoubtedly one of the greatest scorers, intimidators, and an absolute BEAST on the Boards!!! 1993 NBA League MVP, Eight-time NBA All-Star, Two-time All-NBA First Team, 1991 NBA All-Star Game MVP 22.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.5 STLPG, 52.3 FG% I did not like this guy-few did. I still don't like his punk-ass; and being that he turned out to be an opportunistic dead-beat father, who should-but that's another story. What this fuckhead could do was SCORE. And score points he did. Two-Time NBA League MVP, Nine-Time NBA All-Star. Selected to the All-NBA First Team 10 Times & Three-Times NBA All-Defensive First Team. Malone was also the 1993 NBA All-Star Game MVP. 27.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 53.1 FG% Talk of the mythical NBA "Mount Rushmore" dominated the headlines for most of the month of February. Athletes, Analysts, Sports Writers, coaches, and Fans locked themselves into debate-mostly based on their own personal experiences with the Great Game of Basketball. Sadly though, few presented their case based on stats or the players overall IMPACT on the game. Each decade was different. The style in which the game was played, the level of competition, and more. But there were only a few that changed the way that the game was played. With that said, my list focuses more on a decade-by-decade approach to those who stand above all others. And here is Part Two of our series. Comments & Feedback Welcome. -THE DECADE OF THE EIGHTIES-Five NBA Titles in the Eighties (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 & 1988). NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 & 1987. NBA League MVP in 1987 & 1989 (plus one more in 1990). Seven times All-NBA First Team (plus two more in the nineties). Nine-time NBA All-Star (plus three more in the nineties). Could play all five positions on the court-including the infamous Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals, in which Magic Johnson would successfully take over the game filling in for an injured Kareem. Career Averages: 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 7.2 RPG Three-Time NBA Champion (1981, 1984 & 1986). Two-Time NBA Finals MVP (1984 & 1986). Three-Times selected as NBA League MVP (1984, 1985 & 1986). Nine-times named to the All-NBA First Team (1980-1988). NBA Rookie of the Year in 1980. One of the grimiest; but most Clutch players in NBA History. Played dream-crusher to Julius Erving, Isiah Thomas, and Dominique Wilkins year-after year-after year... If not for a bad back, Larry Bird probably would have went on to rule a little but more into the 1990's. Hated & Feared-but Respected. Now clearly one of the best executives in the game today. Career Averages: 24.3 PPG, 6.3 APG, 10.0 RPG NBA Rookie of the Year for 1985. The 1988 NBA League MVP (the first of five). Also named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. All NBA First Team in 1987, 1988 & 1989 (would go on to be selected seven more times in the nineties). Three Times All NBA Defensive First Team (Six more times in the Nineties). Earned his first three NBA Scoring Titles in the 1980's. Five-time NBA All-Star in that decade. Averaged 31.1 Points, 5.5 Assists, 5.8 Rebounds, & shot 50.5% from the Field throughout the eighties. Of course we all know what would come in the following decade of the 1990's, as MJ ascended to his throne atop the NBA's Elite. Won Five more NBA Titles in the Eighties (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 & 1988). MVP of the 1985 NBA Finals. NBA League MVP in 1980. Four more All-NBA First Team selections & three more All Defensive First Team Awards. Ten more NBA All Star Game appearances. Averaged 20.6 Points, 2.0 Blocks, 8.9 Rebounds, & shot 56.6% from the Field to finish off the decade of the eighties & his career. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar currently ranks the NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer (38,387 points) & is first in Field Goals Made All-Time. Kareem also ranks third All-Time in Rebounds (17,440) & Blocked Shots (3,189). He scored in double figures in 787 straight games, over the course of his 20-Year Career. Career Averages: 24.6 PPG, 3.6 APG, 11.2 RPG Honorable Mentions:Talk of the mythical NBA "Mount Rushmore" dominated the headlines for most of the month of February. Athletes, Analysts, Sports Writers, coaches, and Fans locked themselves into debate-mostly based on their own personal experiences with the Great Game of Basketball. Sadly though, few presented their case based on stats or the players overall IMPACT on the game. Each decade was different. The style in which the game was played, the level of competition, and more. But there were only a few that changed the way that the game was played. With that said, my list focuses more on a decade-by-decade approach to those who stand above all others... -THE DECADE OF THE SIXTIES-Bill Russell Won Nine NBA Titles (during the 60's-Eleven Titles Overall). Four MVP Awards (during the 60's-Five Overall). Ten NBA All-Star Games (during the 60's-Twelve Overall). MVP of the 1963 All Star Game. Ranked the league's top 10 for assists per game four times during the decade. Two times selected as First-Team All-NBA & Seven times Second-Team All-NBA. First Team NBA All-Defensive Team in 1969-the first year that the award began being given out & Russell's final season. First Black NBA Head Coach. Career Averages: 15.1 PPG, 4.3 APG, 22.5 RPG In 1960 Wilt won the NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA MVP Award & All Star Game MVP in the same season. Won his first of two NBA Titles in 1967 (his second came in 1972). Four MVP Awards. Ten NBA All-Star Games (during the 60's). Seven Times All NBA First Team & Two Times All Second-Team (during the 60's-Three Times Overall). Led the league in field goal percentage seven times. Seven-Time Scoring Champion & Eight-Time Rebounding Leader. Scored 100 Points versus The New York Knicks on March 2nd 1962. Career Averages: 30.1 PPG, 4.4 APG, 22.9 RPG Jerry West was selected as NBA Finals MVP in 1969 (The Lakers actually lost the series in seven games-West won his first title in 1972). NBA All Star for each year of the decade (plus a few more in the 70's). All NBA First-Team 1962-1967 (plus a few more in the 70's). All NBA Second-Team 1968-1969. Averaged more than 46 points per game in the 1965 Western Division Finals series versus the Baltimore Bullets (six games). Career Averages: 27.0 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.8 RPG Averaged 30 Points Per Game throughout the entire decade of the 1960's. Led the league in Assists per Game seven times during the decade. 1961 Rookie of the Year. 1964 NBA MVP. NBA All Star for each year of the decade-plus a few more in the 70's. All-NBA First Team from 1961 to 1969. All Star Game MVP in 1961, 1964 & 1969. Arguably the best guard of the decade. Career Averages: 25.7 PPG, 9.5 APG, 7.5 RPG. -THE DECADE OF THE SEVENTIES-Kareem won the first of five NBA Championships in 1971. That same year, he won the first of his six League MVP Awards & would also be selected as NBA Finals MVP. Nine NBA All Star appearances during the decade (more to come in the 80's). Six Time All NBA First Team Selection (Four more in the 80's). Three Time NBA All-Defensive Team (three more in the 80's). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar currently ranks the NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer (38,387 points) & is first in Field Goals Made All-Time. Kareem also ranks third All-Time in Rebounds (17,440) & Blocked Shots (3,189). He scored in double figures in 787 straight games, over the course of his 20-Year Career. Career Averages: 24.6 PPG, 3.6 APG, 11.2 RPG Julius Erving won three scoring titles, three MVP Awards and two league championships over the course of five seasons in the ABA (American Basketball Association) & was the catalyst for the merger that combined the NBA & ABA into one entity. During his first season in the NBA, Dr. J would be selected as Second-Team All NBA & would win the NBA All Star Game MVP Award. The following year, he would make First-Team All NBA; and would be back in the All Star Game again (he would make the All Star for each of his eleven seasons in the NBA). Championship glory would allude him until 1983; but "Dr. J" Julius Erving's scoring ability & flair for electrifying crowds would change the way thatr the game was played forever. Career Averages: 22.0 PPG, 5.1 APG, 6.5 RPG The only player ever to lead the NCAA, NBA, and ABA in scoring. Four ABA All Star Selections, One ABA Title & One Scoring Title. NBA Finals MVP & Champion in 1975. Selected as All-NBA First Team in 1974, 1975, & 1976 (plus two prior selections in 1966 & 1967). All-NBA Second Team in 1973. Multiple All Star Game Appearances. Missed only nine free throws during the entire 1978-1979 season. A tenacious scorer & defender. Also said to be quite the asshole in his day. Career Averages: 23.2 PPG, 3.9 APG, 6.7 RPG Walt "Clyde" Frazier was among the NBA's All Time Best scorers, passers & pick-pockets. And quite possibly the greatest New York Knick in history. Frazier won NBA Titles in 1970 & 1973. All-NBA First Team in 1970, 1972, 1974 & 1975. All-NBA Second Team in 1971 & 1973. All-NBA Defensive First Team from 1969 through 1975 & 1975 All Star Game MVP. Seven straight All Star Game Appearances. Career Averages: 18.9 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5.9 RPG |
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