If '50s Russell time travelled today, would he be a top pick?

[dubeta]

Lets say 1950's Bill Russell time travelled to the present day and decided to play college ball. Would he be a top pick in the draft? Or would he be selling hotdogs in the stands?

[Im Still Ballin]

At best, a late first rounder.

[Inactive]

He would be a high draft pick, on potential alone. He was extremely athletic, and the same height as Howard. He was very skinny, but there's no reason to think he wouldn't be capable of putting on mass.

[fpliii]

This is what ISH has become...

inb4 someone says if you don't like it, then leave

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

in a league where Porkins was a starter, 6-6 Chuck Hayes was a starting center, a white guy is the best rebounder, Roy Hibbert and Brad Miller were allstars Russell would still be elite. Hed be the best defender but offensively hed be below avg. Hed have more impact than Dwight

[dubeta]

Dwight might only be 6'9.5 without shoes but he more than makes up for it with a freakish 7'6 wingspan.


Any sources for Russell's wingspan?

[fpliii]

Dwight might only be 6'9.5 without shoes but he more than makes up for it with a freakish 7'6 wingspan.


Any sources for Russell's wingspan?
7'4" (From The Rivalry, page 78)

[Psileas]

Well, was Anthony Davis a top pick?

[fpliii]

Also, Dwight's wingspan is 7'4.5":

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwight-Howard-2888/

Both he and Russ are/were physical freaks. Tremendous verticals too.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Almost 6'10'' w/o shoes, world-class athlete... then you add unreal defensive fundamentals and awareness, high basketball IQ and fierce competitiveness, ability to rebound at a ridiculous level, great passing at the C spot (at least he reached/developed it), and let's not act like he couldn't score or something, dude was a legit 15+ PPG scorer (and today you don't got many great scoring centers, at all)...

You tell me... :rolleyes:

[SyRyanYang]

Well, was Anthony Davis a top pick?

Anthony plays PF, big difference

[r0drig0lac]

first pick

[dubeta]

Almost 6'10'' w/o shoes, world-class athlete... then you add unreal defensive fundamentals and awareness, high basketball IQ and fierce competitiveness, ability to rebound at a ridiculous level, great passing at the C spot (at least he reached/developed it), and let's not act like he couldn't score or something, dude was a legit 15+ PPG scorer (and today you don't got many great scoring centers, at all)...

You tell me... :rolleyes:

15 ppg when teams were shooting 50% more shots and shooting a higher fg% :facepalm

Thats like 7-8 ppg today

[SyRyanYang]

Almost 6'10'' w/o shoes, world-class athlete... then you add unreal defensive fundamentals and awareness, high basketball IQ and fierce competitiveness, ability to rebound at a ridiculous level, great passing at the C spot (at least he reached/developed it), and let's not act like he couldn't score or something, dude was a legit 15+ PPG scorer (and today you don't got many great scoring centers, at all)...

You tell me... :rolleyes:

Logic, not even once?
There isn't as many scoring centers because the game has changed, the scoring role of centers has been demolished. Russell would struggle to average 10ppg today.

[CavaliersFTW]

Dwight might only be 6'9.5 without shoes but he more than makes up for it with a freakish 7'6 wingspan.


Any sources for Russell's wingspan?
You tried to state facts and even then your f*cking wrong :oldlol:

Dwight: 6-9 without shoes, 7-4.5 wingspan

Russell: 6-9 and 5/8ths without shoes, 7-4 wingspan

[Crystallas]

The real question:

Give Bill Russell modern technology, all the modern sports science, modern shoes, and a watered down league. Do 29 or 30 teams tank to try and get him?

[CavaliersFTW]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnjC0nm2q5U

:bowdown:

[sick_brah07]

ill say the obvious here

he would have trouble with the technical side to things like offensive sets, who to double, when to double, when to switch... basketball is a lot more technical these days as players have more opportunity to scout opponents and watch videos in order to study opponents... but as your scenario is him coming in as a prospect then I would say yes he would have a good chance to be a great player today he obviously wouldn't win 9 straight rings

[CavaliersFTW]

ill say the obvious here

he would have trouble with the technical side to things like offensive sets, who to double, when to double, when to switch... basketball is a lot more technical these days as players have more opportunity to scout opponents and watch videos in order to study opponents... but as your scenario is him coming in as a prospect then I would say yes he would have a good chance to be a great player today he obviously wouldn't win 9 straight rings
Not. At. All.

He's among the brightest minds to ever play. Probably the greatest defensive mind to ever play. And his physical tools (and I'm not just talking raw numbers like height/weight/length) are shocking to watch, he makes up so much ground so quickly, he has such quick reflexes he seems to close gaps and fill holes no other player could close if put under the same situation and I'm talking guys like Olajuwon. Russell was a very special player on the defensive end.

[jlip]

You do realize that Bill Russell led his college team in scoring and rebounds his senior year en route to a championship. Right? He was also the Final Four MOP of the previous season. So what you're asking is, would the Final Four MOP and leading scorer from the NCAA Championship team be a top pick?

To put things in perspective, as someone just mentioned, Anthony Davis was the top pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He avg. 14ppg in college and shot 1-10 in the NCAA Championship game.

[outbreak]

Time travel to today? Probably not as I think in drills and pre draft work outs he would struggle. Give him some time to adapt to todays game though and I think he would dominate the league. Although teams do like to sign big men even if they are raw so he probably would still be a very high pick based on instincts a lone.

If we were talking time travelled here when he was 10 years old growing up with the modern game than yes I think he would likely be a top pick in the draft.

[dubeta]

You do realize that Bill Russell led his college team in scoring and rebounds his senior year en route to a championship. Right? He was also the Final Four MOP of the previous season. So what you're asking is, would the Final Four MOP and leading scorer from the NCAA Championship team be a top pick?

To put things in perspective, as someone just mentioned, Anthony Davis was the top pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He avg. 14ppg in college and shot 1-10 in the NCAA Championship game.

His college team wasnt much different than the JV team in your local high school

[CavaliersFTW]

Everyone saying Russell could or couldn't do w/e is probably guilty of inventing a fake version of Russell in their minds to fill in the blanks of ignorance.

He's one of the greatest players in the history of the game, arguably THE greatest depending on criteria. He isn't some inept primitive player by today's or ANY standards. He's GOAT level.

From what I have SEEN (roughly 2-3% of his career on film, NCAA to NBA) he would be dominating today in his own right in similar fashion to his own day. Players today do not do what Bill Russell was doing. He was one of a kind. I'm not talking about the winning here, which one might argue has some element of luck too it, I'm talking about what he physically did on the floor. I watch him play in clips and I say "damn... I've never seen anyone do that, let alone so routinely". I don't know why some of you even bother responding to threads like this when most all of you very clearly don't know anything about Bill Russell other than things you invent in your mind.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

He would be a rich man's Ben Wallace

[paytonfan]

1# pick. Anytime you can draft someone who can time travel YOU DO IT!!!

[fpliii]

Everyone saying Russell could or couldn't do w/e is probably guilty of inventing a fake version of Russell in their minds to fill in the blanks of ignorance.

He's one of the greatest players in the history of the game, arguably THE greatest depending on criteria. He isn't some inept primitive player by today's or ANY standards. He's GOAT level.

From what I have SEEN (roughly 2-3% of his career on film, NCAA to NBA) he would be dominating today in his own right in similar fashion to his own day. Players today do not do what Bill Russell was doing. He was one of a kind. I'm not talking about the winning here, which one might argue has some element of luck too it, I'm talking about what he physically did on the floor. I watch him play in clips and I say "damn... I've never seen anyone do that, let alone so routinely". I don't know why some of you even bother responding to threads like this when most all of you very clearly don't know anything about Bill Russell other than things you invent in your mind.
:applause: /thread /topic

[CavaliersFTW]

He would be a rich man's Ben Wallace
This is what I'm talking about, inventing a version of Russell that isn't really true. Study film and it becomes apparent, they don't play alike. Russell is Russell. Wallace is Wallace. Two totally different players. Neither is some derivative "poor man/rich man" version of the other.

[La Frescobaldi]

gadzooks this board has plunged in the last couple years

[SHAQisGOAT]

Logic, not even once?
There isn't as many scoring centers because the game has changed, the scoring role of centers has been demolished. Russell would struggle to average 10ppg today.

Yea, keep saying that, same old "excuse" :rolleyes:
Al Jefferson was able to average 22 PPG on 51% from the field playing center, and he's 6' 8.5", not a great athlete by any means, skilled but not all-time great skill or even close, average passing center at the very best, not a great IQ, below average at drawing fouls... Put a Kareem, a Wilt, a Shaq, a Hakeeem... in today's league, see them wreck shit up, then go say to them the game has changed :oldlol:

:facepalm Russell was almost 6'10'' without shoes, a world-class athlete, terrific rebounder, one of the best passing centers, great IQ, and he had more than enough scoring skills, or ways to score, let's say... That makes him (or actually did) a legit 15+ PPG scorer. He led his college team in scoring, once scored 18 PPG on the 4th best FG% for a season, over the course of 5 games in the 1965 Finals scored 18 PPG on 70% from the field(still the record)... And he was playing within the Cetlics (winning) system, which had him playing not that close to the baskt most times, to playmake too, taking "fast" shots, so on... Most likely he wouldn't play in such system today (just like you say he most likely wouldn't win 11 rings, I agree, goes both ways...).
Anyways, if a center like Dwight can average 23 PPG on 59% FG, you can't tell me that Russell wouldn't be able of at least 15 PPG on at least good % from the floor :no:

[La Frescobaldi]

ill say the obvious here

he would have trouble with the technical side to things like offensive sets, who to double, when to double, when to switch... basketball is a lot more technical these days as players have more opportunity to scout opponents and watch videos in order to study opponents... but as your scenario is him coming in as a prospect then I would say yes he would have a good chance to be a great player today he obviously wouldn't win 9 straight rings

what is more technical about basketball today? The Princeton? The swing offense? The triangle? All those are from the 50s and earlier.

Bill Russell wouldn't know how to switch off????? lol every basketball player that lived since his day switches off exactly as Russell designed it 50+ years ago.

[bdreason]

He would be the best Center in the league... so I'm guessing he would be a pretty high draft pick.

[Asukal]

He would show bran how to win without dominating the ball. :oldlol:

[MiseryCityTexas]

Hell yeah......

[PsychoBe]

he would be the consensus greatest hot-dog stand director in the history of boston garden

[MiseryCityTexas]

He would be a rich man's Ben Wallace


I was thinking the same exact thing.

[Harison]

If GMs would know whom he becomes - 1st pick, absolutely.

[Collie]

I think he'd be a smarter, better rebounding, better passing Anthony Davis with less scoring. Athletic big men with genius basketball IQ will always be stars in this league. Give him one season and one full offseason and he'll quickly adjust as needed.

[r0drig0lac]

D-rob with more bbQI, defense and less scoring

[stanlove1111]

The real question:

Give Bill Russell modern technology, all the modern sports science, modern shoes, and a watered down league. Do 29 or 30 teams tank to try and get him?

But we are talking about Russell from the 50s without modern technology. 50s Russell could not play in the NBA. I consider him the GOAT but if you put him from the 50s in the game today he could not play. The game has evolved and he would have been left behind.

And lets save the arguments where old timers match him up with centers of today and try to act like Russell would kill them. The problem would be not only are centers from today more skilled and bigger but Russell sure would not be intimidating players like Rose and Westbrook from going to the basket, and Russell has a lot more problems rebounding with todays guards and forwards.

[Spurs5Rings2014]

You do realize that Bill Russell led his college team in scoring and rebounds his senior year en route to a championship. Right? He was also the Final Four MOP of the previous season. So what you're asking is, would the Final Four MOP and leading scorer from the NCAA Championship team be a top pick?

To put things in perspective, as someone just mentioned, Anthony Davis was the top pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He avg. 14ppg in college and shot 1-10 in the NCAA Championship game.

Why did this thread not end here?

:confusedshrug:

Dubeta should be banned for trolling.

[Psileas]

But we are talking about Russell from the 50s without modern technology. 50s Russell could not play in the NBA. I consider him the GOAT but if you put him from the 50s in the game today he could not play. The game has evolved and he would have been left behind.

And lets save the arguments where old timers match him up with centers of today and try to act like Russell would kill them. The problem would be not only are centers from today more skilled and bigger but Russell sure would not be intimidating players like Rose and Westbrook from going to the basket, and Russell has a lot more problems rebounding with todays guards and forwards.

Does this unfavorable situation also include Russell not getting to know his own teammates and his own opponents and not training with his own team? Does this situation assume that Russell is going to be present only in games and in the middle time he goes and lives inside a cave with no exposure to 2014 civilization? And is this supposed to be a long lasting experiment (because, after all, it did take a while even for a few all-time greats to start dominating - e.g, Jerry West wasn't a superstar from Day 1 and neither did rookie Russell himself provide as consistent domination as he would in the following years)? If yes, take into account my other questions and consider the realism factor. If no, there's no value to the experiment in the first place.

[pudman13]

Anthony Davis was a #1 pick; why wouldn't Russell be?

Anyone who argues that his game wouldn't adapt to today's changes is out of their minds. This is the guy with the highest basketball IQ in the history of the game, and he was also the most psychologically powerful defensive player the game has seen. You don't think someone that smart couldn't adapt to any change the game makes? You don't think he'd benefit from rule changes, from modern conditioning and equipment?

40 years from now people will be asking if Greg Maddux could pitch in that generation's MLB. geez.

[Genaro]

What was DeAndre Jordan pick again?

[CavaliersFTW]

What was DeAndre Jordan pick again?
What was DeAndre Jordan resume prior to NBA again?

Was it 55 game win streak with b2b NCAA titles and an undefeated Gold Medal run in the Olympics while leading both the NCAA and Olympic team in scoring and rebounding while shooting over 50% from the field?

[NumberSix]

50s Russell DID time travel to today. His name is Joakim Noah.

[CavaliersFTW]

50s Russell DID time travel to today. His name is Joakim Noah.
Yeah except he lost all of his athleticism and BBall IQ in the time travel process.

[Lebronxrings]

poor mans deandre jordan.

[fpliii]

Yeah except he lost all of his athleticism and BBall IQ in the time travel process.
:lol

[20Four]

Lets say 1950's Bill Russell time travelled to the present day and decided to play college ball. Would he be a top pick in the draft? Or would he be selling hotdogs in the stands?
Keep flippin burgers dubeta, I didn't know Mcdonalds lets their employees use their phones while on the job :wtf:

[smoovegittar]

Can't stand all this "revisionist hystery". That was 50 years ago. The game has evolved too much to make a call on this.

[NumberSix]

Can't stand all this "revisionist hystery". That was 50 years ago. The game has evolved too much to make a call on this.
Take the word of people who have seen 28 total minutes of Bill Russell footage. He's better than modern players.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Take the word of people who have seen 28 total minutes of Bill Russell footage. He's better than modern players.

Nah, he should take the word of some kids who know little to nothing about basketball and its history (while thinking they know it all)...

[LAZERUSS]

Can't stand all this "revisionist hystery". That was 50 years ago. The game has evolved too much to make a call on this.

Yep...we have enough footage from the 60's...

"Back in the day" the NBA played their games outdoors, and often in the snow and chilling wind. They used smudged chalk marks to designate the court dimensions, and peach baskets that were often dramatically bent. The balls were lopsided beach balls that didn't even fit in the peach baskets. The good ball-handlers, those that could dribble at all, dribbled the ball high and with both hands. Passes were always hand-offs. And rebounds were fought for on the ground. The players were all white, uncoordinated, no taller than 5-6, wore thick glasses, and were abused by fifth grade bullies (some of them girls.)

Of course, in TODAY's NBA, you would NEVER see a 6-2 37 year old WHITE guy, and only playing 33 mpg, leading the NBA in assists. Or a 6-11 WHITE injury-prone stumblebum lead the NBA in bpg. Or a 6-8 WHITE guy with average athleticism running away with rpg titles. And how laughable would it be if a 6-4 WHITE starting PG was shooting .368 from the field in today's NBA? Nope...that only occured back in the 50's. Players like Mikan and Cousy.

Thank god the game has evolved to what we see today.