How many FMVP's should Bill Russell have?

[Carbine]

One of the common arguments vs The Great Bill Russell that I always hear is that his teams were stacked and that he was carried to multiple titles he otherwise would not have won.

My question is how many FMVP should he have? I have no idea.

[FKAri]

I think he's given too much sole credit for their wins but he was by no means carried. It's like saying KG was carried to a ring.

[InsanityKills]

None, weak era awards don't count.

[jlip]

7 worst case scenario
9 best case scenario

[ClipperRevival]

8-9.

1968 and 1969 are debatable between him and Havlicek. That was Russell's last 2 years in the league, when he was on his last legs and was also the head coach. And I think Jones might've deserved one as he was clutch as hell. Other than that, Russell was clearly "the man" and their best player.

[LAZERUSS]

7 worst case scenario
9 best case scenario

Probably close to this...

'57: I believe Heinsohn would have won it. He had a huge series, and then in game seven he exploded for 37 points, in a two point win.

'58: Injured, and Boston lost in six. (Pettit wins FMVP.)

'59: Another tough one. Heinsohn and Sharman were exceptional on the offensive end, while Russell struggled (9.3 ppg on a .316 FG%.) However, Russell was brilliant defensively, and grabbed 29.5 rpg. And the Celtics blew out the Lakers, 4-0.

'60: Clearly Russell. 16.7 ppg, 24.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, and on a .471 FG%. In a 4-3 series win over the Hawks.

'61: Heinsohn, as always, played exceptionally well in the Finals. But Russell's defense, combined with a 17.6 ppg, 28.8 rpg, and 4.4 apg wins another FMVP. Boston knocks out the Hawks, 4-1.

'62: Arguably Russell's greatest Finals. In game seven he puts up a staggering 30-40 game, in an OT win. His series stat-line is one of the best in Finals history, as well. 22.9 ppg, 27.0 rpg, 5.7 apg, and on a .543 FG%. This would be the first of several huge Finals against the Lakers in the decade of the 60's.

'63: Sam Jones (24.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg) and Heinsohn (23.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg), play solidly, but Russell hangs yet another 20-20-5 Finals (20.0 ppg, 26.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, and on a very good .467 FG%), in a 4-2 series win over the Lakers.

'64: Russell did a good job against Wilt, and his seven other HOF teammates just crushed Wilt's two (rookie Thurmond and Rogers...who shot .326 and .258 respectively.) Still, Chamberlain outscored Russell, per game, 29.2 ppg to 11.2 ppg; outrebounded him, 27.6 rpg to 25.2 rpg; and outshot him from the field by a .517 to .386 margin. I suspect that Sam Jones would have received votes with his 21.2 ppg on a sensational .556 FG%.

'65: Once again, Russell just murders the Lakers (who had lost Baylor to a knee injury in the first round of the playoffs), 4-1. In the deciding game five, they destroyed LA by a 129-96 margin. Sam Jones has a monster series (27.8 ppg on a .470 FG%), but Russell's overwhelming defense, and 17.8 ppg, 25.0 rpg, and ...get this... .702 FG%, wins yet another FMVP.

'66: Pity the Lakers yet again. West has a staggering 33.9 ppg series on .515 shooting, but Baylor was still not 100% (and in fact, would never be the Baylor he was before his injury) albeit he plays reasonably well (25.0 ppg, and 16.4 rpg, but on a dismal .396 FG%.) Russell would lead Boston in scoring, rebounding, and FG% (23.6 ppg, 24.3 rpg, and on a .538 FG%), and Boston wins 4-2. Easily Russell.

'67: Boston is brutalized by Wilt's Sixers in the EDF's, and their 8 time defending streak comes to an end. (Wilt wins the FMVP.)

'68: This is close. Havlicek puts up a 27.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 6.7 apg series, and even unheralded Bailey Howell is a major contributor, with a 21.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, .567 FG% series. However, Russell's defense, and his 17.3 ppg, 21.8 rpg, 5.7 apg stat-line (albeit on a mediocre .430 FG%) probably wins another one.

'69: Jerry West won the first ever FMVP with a brilliant 37.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 7.4 apg, .490 FG% series, which included a game seven of 42-13-12. However, Hondo played exceptionally well, as well, with a 28.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, .457 series. Neither Russell, nor Chamberlain, are factors.


So, anywhere between six to nine.