Who was better and who's greater, Michael Jordan or Bill Russell?

Question

I say Michael Jordan & Coach Red Auerbach agrees (Bill Russell's Coach).

Check this out:
http//:www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/jordan/articles/nba14.htm

Answer 1

Kobe.

Answer 2

First off, I think it's like comparing apples and oranges. MJ was the man in the 80s and 90s as a shooting guard winning 6 titles, and Russell was the man as the center in the late 50s and 60s winning 11 titles.

I'd say they are tied as far as playing within a team and being the unchallenged captain of their teams.

As far as all-around player, MJ, no-doubt, the man won 6 titles with centers who sucked beyond comprehension.

As far as a defensive player, Bill Russell beats the crap out of MJ, Bill Russell could block a ball to a specific spot on the floor and start a fast break. MJ was great defensively, but not as precise and wise as Bill. MJ comes out on top as far as I'm concerned, but if you ask any NBA player what makes you the best, it's the rings e.g. Bill Russell.

(By the way, if any of you say Kobe 'Pippen' you should be slapped, hard. Pippen had the same delusions of grandeur, and didn't win a damn thing after MJ went away, and just complained like Kobe did. Pippen had 6 rings though, so Kobe is half as good as he was. In short, all you Kobe-tards plz STFU and GTFO.)

Answer 3

Competition now is far greater than during Russell's time. The Celtics just dominated the NBA for 2 decades and they always met the Lakers in the finals. I'd say Jordan.

Answer 4

Quote mining again i see. Like i said before, if your best defense for Jordan's claim as the best/greatest is to QUOTE MINE from other greats who are just BEING POLITE especially when talking about their fellow greats , it just means you cant present any meaningful argument.

Hey did you guys also know that Red Auerbach also called Bill, Wilt, Bird and Oscar as the Greatest basketball player he has ever seen?

The Best/Greatest basketball player, as in the the one who has accomplished the most is Bill Russell. 5 MVP's and 11 championship rings in 13 years. 2 of those rings come while as a player coach. He did all of this while playing in a physically bruising and highly competitive era since the huge college talent pool of players are divided into only 8-9 teams (Russ played Wilt 12 times a season plus 6-7 games more in the Playoffs. If he's not playing Wilt he's playing other HoF centers like Thurmond, Reed, Bellamy, Lucas etc. almost the same number of times). The Celtics before him has never won a championship and when he retired the Celtics went down 14 games and missed the Playoffs even with HoF like John Havlicek and Satch Sanders.

In contrast when Jordan retired in 1994 the Bulls only drop 2 games from the previous year and even made it deep into the second round of the Playoffs (In 1999, Phil Jackson, Jordan, Pippen,Rodman, - basically all the key players from the Bulls dynasty years retired and the team went really spiraling down).

Russ is known for his shotblocking and rebounding where he average 22RPG. He's not much of a shooter, at 15PGA and 13FGA but this has more to do with his role on the Celtics as a defender and rebounder. His offensive skills dulled in the Celtics due to neglect but the Celtics needed his rebounding and defense more than his offense. Team first and team last, thats his philosophy.

Remember Jordan only has 5MVP's and 6 rings.

Russell average 20pts and with a 51FG% back in college along with 21 rebs. The NCAA makes rules specifically to curb his effectiveness but to no avail. He lead the USF Dons to back to back NCAA championship, an undefeated season and a 55 game winning streak which is surprising since USF is a small school with no gymnasium of its own even for practice.

Jordan meanwhile rode on the coattails of his All-American teammate James Worthy for the 1982 NCAA championship. Basketball powerhouse UNC under Jordan's leadership in 1983 and 1984 failed to reach the Final Four even with talented teammates and a Hall of fame coach.

Bill Russell is a hallmark of greatness and consistency. In 16 years as a college and pro basketball player the man amassed 13 championships. No other basketball player has even come close. The fact that he lead the 1956 US Olympic basketball team to a Gold medal while setting the highest average winning margin in Olympic basketball at 53.5, higher than the 1992 Dream team's 43(?) or the 1960 "superstar" Olympic team of Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Walt Bellamy, Jerry Lucas etc., is just icing on the cake.

Oh and Russell is an outspoken social activist, using his fame to advance race relations even at the expense of getting the ire of sportswriters and white fans especially Boston fans. Jordan meanwhile is an apolitical slob/corporate marketing tool who could have done so much more for the betterment of the African american community.

Answer 5

Jordan, but Russell presents a good case as the #2.

Answer 6

Kareem and Russell played for the two most
successful franchises. Lakers and Celtics
were great before and after they played.

Jordan made Chicago a Dynasty. And once
he left for 2 years they went to being average.
When he came back they one 3 more titles.
When he retired a 2nd time, they went to being
average again.

Easy Choice...Jordan.

Answer 7

I don't why you guys include Kobe here he's not even included in the question... It doesn't make sense at all.

Bill Russell applauds Jordan for his brilliant play. Red himself said Jordan is the greatest player to play the game.

With both of them agreeing who are we to question?

Answer 8

This one's tough but I'll have to go with Jordan!Tougher competition and more rules to cope with!

P.S. - This is the last question I'll ever answer,unfortunately!
MJ IS THE GREATEST!

Answer 9

Jordan is far greater, Russell did kick butt on the court but Jordan did too and he is personable guy. He is intelligent and shows he is good hearted human being. Even when he was super human on the ball court.

Answer 10

Michael Jordan. He is a guard who dominates a game. Bill Russell is a center who easily dominates big men during his era (except perhaps Wilt Chamberlain).
Jordan came out when NBA players are bigger and stronger compared to Russell's time.

Answer 11

Michael Jordan!!!!!!!!!