My hottake: Bill Russell is the most overrated player of all time

If Bill Russell played today, you’d probably mistake him for Bismack Biyombo. At 6'10", 215 lbs, he averaged 15.1 PPG on 44% shooting while playing 41 minutes a night, and only topped 17 PPG twice in his career. Sure, he won 11 rings… but that was in an era with 8–10 teams, barely any athletic bigs, and the Celtics had half the All-Stars in the league. I get the “defensive anchor” argument, but being the best player on the most stacked team doesn’t automatically make you an all-time great. So is Bill Russell a legendary winner? yes. Is he top 10 player ever? Not even close. #NBA #BillRussell #NBAUnpopularOpinion #Celtics #Boston

Boston, Massachusetts • 2025-11-04

William

Also - Russell was 10-0 in Game 7's. ( Wilt Chamberlain was 4-5 ) Russell was 21-0 in " Winner- Take - All Games." Clutch & GOAT 🐐

11-04

Boston, MA

Steve Graichen

let that legend lay in peace he is the most winning player (championship wise) and a hell of a human being.

11-04

Warwick, RI

Reply(1)

William

2 X State High School Champion & 2 X NCAA Champion @ San Francisco. Russell & only K.C. Jones on his San Francisco teams went Pro. I think he averaged 20 points & 20 rebounds in College. Olympic Gold Medal too. Russell Won everywhere he played. The Ultimate Winner & GOAT 🐐

11-04

Boston, MA

Guest

Ignorant , the Celtics whole offense was predicated on the fast break driven by Russell’s defense, rebounding and outlet passes . They weren’t a stacked team , but they played as a team with a specific style and everyone excepted their role or they had to answer to bill.

11-04

Reply(1)

Just Me

No Larry bird was the most overrated player.

11-06

Springfield, MA

Reply(7)

Bradley Roy

totally wrong ! big Bill was a one of a kind basketball player. if you were alive at the time when Bill and wilt played against you witness a war. Bill was the reason the Celtics were so good. try another subject - you totally missed on this one !

11-04

Gardner, MA

extruderer

Bill Russell is not overrated, he is the ultimate winner!

11-06

Raymond, NH

Russ Rose

He has won the most rings for the Celtics while facing racism in Boston while owning a restaurant that is still here till this day 11 rings and he’s overrated how Larry bird is overrated if anything he’s only won 3

11-04

Milton, MA

Leonard Thurman

How many rings? How many consecutive Championships?

11-06

Florence, MA

Scott Mendoza

are you crazy Larry Bird beat him in everything as a play at a player maybe not championships when there was only 18s and the players of today in his era were Savages especially in the '80s and the '90s