How many of the 11 titles was Russell the Celtics best/most impactful player?

[SouBeachTalents]

Was it the entire run? Did it become Hondo during the final two years? Anyone else before that? Would definitely appreciate input from the '60's b-ball experts on the board

[ShawkFactory]

I would wager that he was always the most impactful. Best..I'm interested to hear.

[kennethgriffin]

I looked it up once

Russell was the man for 5

Heinsohn for 2

Cousy for 2

Havlicek for 2

[navy]

I would wager that he was always the most impactful. Best..I'm interested to hear.
This.
Most impactful? All.
Best? Well that's a harder discussion.

[jlip]

IMO...

Minimum- 7
Maximum- 9

Non debateable- MVP seasons of '58, '61, '62, '63, '65 also non MVP seasons of '64 and '66

Debateable- '57 (Coach Auerbach called him the best player on the team though.), '60 and '68.


Clearly not the best player- '69

[ArbitraryWater]

7, we know this.

[SouBeachTalents]

IMO...

Minimum- 7
Maximum- 9

Non debateable- MVP seasons of '58, '61, '62, '63, '65 also non MVP seasons of '64 and '66

Debateable- '57 (Coach Auerbach called him the best player on the team though.), '60 and '68.


Clearly not the best player- '69

So who would you choose for those years?

[SouBeachTalents]

I looked it up once

Russell was the man for 5

Heinsohn for 2

Cousy for 2

Havlicek for 2

For which seasons?

[Shep]

seven

[Rose'sACL]

7.5

[Quickening]

Deandre Jordan in a weak era is somehow a top 5 player ever in some peoples books...

[Marchesk]

Deandre Jordan in a weak era is somehow a top 5 player ever in some peoples books...

His teams were denying Wilt, Oscar, Petit, Baylor & West teams.

[Psileas]

IMO...

Minimum- 7
Maximum- 9

Non debateable- MVP seasons of '58, '61, '62, '63, '65 also non MVP seasons of '64 and '66

Debateable- '57 (Coach Auerbach called him the best player on the team though.), '60 and '68.


Clearly not the best player- '69

I agree 86%. Where I disagree is, I don't see who else could have a case in 1960 and I'm split whether in '69 he was clearly not the best player. For example, in those Finals, Hondo did what he did offensively, but he could do nothing defensively against West, while Russell held Wilt to his worst series in the whole decade. Plus, it's not as if, for the whole season, Havlicek was as impactful as in his peak seasons. In the end, Russell still got MVP votes, while Havlicek didn't.
I could also claim the same for 1968, although Hondo had some huge playoff games.

[LAZERUSS]

Russell obviously impacted ALL of them. His defense was a huge factor in every title run, as was his rebounding. Not only that, but he had SEVERAL outstanding offensive post-seasons, and even moreso in those Finals.

BUT, Sam Jones had some monster series in the 60's, and Hondo was great in '68 and '69. Even Russell, himself, admitted that Jones saved their post-seasons SIX times.

Overall, Russell had a TON of support along the way.

[Spurs5Rings2014]

Deandre Jordan in a weak era is somehow a top 5 player ever in some peoples books...

:lol

[jlip]

I agree 86%. Where I disagree is, I don't see who else could have a case in 1960 and I'm split whether in '69 he was clearly not the best player. For example, in those Finals, Hondo did what he did offensively, but he could do nothing defensively against West, while Russell held Wilt to his worst series in the whole decade. Plus, it's not as if, for the whole season, Havlicek was as impactful as in his peak seasons. In the end, Russell still got MVP votes, while Havlicek didn't.
I could also claim the same for 1968, although Hondo had some huge playoff games.


I was going to correct my 1960 error last night, but my computer froze on me. You are correct. 1960 was one of his best scoring seasons and factoring in his defense and rebounding he was clearly the best player on the Celtics.