Would bill russell be the most athletic pf/center in the league now?

[Bronbron23]

Trying to think of someone more athletic that's a top player but i can't. Greek maybe? Comes close but Russell looks like he was faster and could jump higher.

[boldarblood]

Wilt Chamberlain.

[iamgine]

Is there any footage of Bill Russell doing athletic stuff on a basketball court? Maybe then we can judge.

[Airupthere]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT5GlgXrX-0&t=230s

[PP34Deuce]

I mean honestly is he more athletic than dwight in his prime? Russell was fast athletic and really smart. He wouldn't he more athletic than dwight Kevin garnett or shaq.

But I think Russell in today's game would take what draymond does at another level. Super smart coach on the court.

[expansionera]

He’d be somewhere between Hakeem and Draymond defensively, gave Wilt Chamberlain (the GOAT physical specimen) defensive fits consistently.

[Shogon]

He would be the best player in the league.

[iamgine]

Based on that clip I don't see crazy athleticism.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Russell was an athletic freak with a huge wingspan and rare court vision for a big.



This dude moved like Giannis and is far and away the best defensive player of all time.

One of the smartest players ever, up there with LeBron.

Russell > Jordan

[dankok8]

Based on that clip I don't see crazy athleticism.

See this clip and see if you still feel the same.


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

[Round Mound]

He was athletic. Bill would probably the best defender in the league. The number 1 rebounder and among the best shot blockers.

[iamgine]

I knew he was athletic. I just don't see crazy athleticism.

[dankok8]

I knew he was athletic. I just don't see crazy athleticism.

He was the 6th best high jumper in all of the US while in college and ran the 400 meters competitively. Dude was a monster athletically.

Anyways Russell in the modern NBA wouldn't have nearly the same impact because the game changed so much. A defensive big who is a monster under the basket, the best ever, still has way more limited impact when guys are shooting from the outside. He would be kind of a more athletic version of KG with more knack for shotblocking but more raw offensively. So I see him as a 18/16/5 player on average efficiency with 4 blocks and DPOY every year. He would probably win some MVP's and be among the best players in the NBA especially with his winning intangibles... Defensively he would be unreal because his horizontal game was also amazing ala Garnett.