As great as Bill Russell's impact was on the court, he left a lasting legacy off of it as well. Russell won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Figures outside the sports world paid their respects to the icon Sunday.
When I spoke to Bob Pettit last fall while reporting for our NBA 75 project, the first NBA MVP was crystal clear in his thoughts on Bill Russell, whom he faced four times in the NBA Finals in the 1950s and 60s.
“I think Bill Russell was the greatest player that ever played," Pettit said. "That’s my opinion … I just think Bill Russell was the greatest player that walked on the court because he dominated the game with his defense. “When I see these sportswriters … come out and put Bill Russell either the fifth or sixth best player that they think ever played, well, I think that’s way too low.
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