Just about a month after legendary NBA star Bill Russell collapsed while speaking in Lake Tahoe, Bill Russell was the subject of a 1999 profile that was reprinted in honor of Sports Illustrated's 60th anniversary. The piece served as a reminder (not that anyone should need one) that Bill Russell, during his time with the Boston Celtics, was perhaps the most dominant force in basketball history. Maybe all of sports.
Russell was perhaps known more for his class and sportsmanship than for the fact that he's won more championships than just about anyone (via Sports Illustrated):
"Look, all I know is, the guy won two NCAA championships, 50-some college games in a row, the ['56] Olympics, then he came to Boston and won 11 championships in 13 years, and they named a f------ tunnel after Ted Williams."
The measure of Russell's dominance isn't simply that he was an awesome physical specimen. Russell's rare combination of athletic talent, work ethic, character and intelligence are what makes him a one of a kind figure in the history of sports (via USA Today):
"He's a legend, a pioneer of the game," [said Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry]. "I'm fortunate enough to have met him. The impact he's had during his career and now as an ambassador of the league..."
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