Bill Russell was an 11-time NBA champion during his tenure with the Boston Celtics. He’s one of the league’s most storied players, and also had a commendable career as a head coach after his retirement. However, that hasn’t stopped younger generations of players from questioning his achievements due to the fact there were only 12 teams in the NBA during Russell’s career.
Michael Jordan once told Russell that he could have won a similar amount of championships had he been playing in the same era. However, the Celtics legend shut down ‘His Airness’ by reminding him that fewer teams meant fewer spots in the league, and there was no guarantee Jordan would have been drafted to even contend for said championships.
In a recent video by the “Foobas Sports” YouTube channel, Russell’s exchange with Jordan is explored in greater detail. The footage shows Russell recounting the conversation while also noting how Phil Jackson once highlighted him as the ideal franchise cornerstone.
