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Bill Russell, the King of Game 7s
A thread
A thread
Lots of people think Bills 8 HOF teammates was the reason he won so much, but the truth is that he was a huge part of the Celtics success during the 50/60s. His all time great defense, rebounding, and leadership put the Celtics in position to be as great as they were.
1957 NBA finals:
Boston won game 7 by 2 points, defeating the Hawks led by Bob Petit. Bill had 19 points and 32 rebounds.
Boston won game 7 by 2 points, defeating the Hawks led by Bob Petit. Bill had 19 points and 32 rebounds.
April 1, 1959, in the ECF:
Bill and the Celtics are down by as much as 16 in the first half. Russell puts up 18 points and 32 rebounds, the Celtics rally back and win by 5.
Bill and the Celtics are down by as much as 16 in the first half. Russell puts up 18 points and 32 rebounds, the Celtics rally back and win by 5.
April 9th, 1960:
In the NBA finals, Bill Russell and the Celtics faced Bob Petits Hawks. Bill drops 22 points, and 35 rebounds in a blowout game 7. The Celtics won the game 122-103.
In the NBA finals, Bill Russell and the Celtics faced Bob Petits Hawks. Bill drops 22 points, and 35 rebounds in a blowout game 7. The Celtics won the game 122-103.
The 1962 ECF:
On April 5, 1962 in game 7 of the ECF, Bill puts up 19 points and 22 rebounds, he held Wilt to 22-22. Sam Jones hit the game winner to send Boston to the NBA finals.
On April 5, 1962 in game 7 of the ECF, Bill puts up 19 points and 22 rebounds, he held Wilt to 22-22. Sam Jones hit the game winner to send Boston to the NBA finals.
1962 NBA finals:
Boston would face Elgin Baylor and the Lakers in the finals. Bill Russell puts up 30 points and 40, yes 40, rebounds in the close out game 7.
Boston would face Elgin Baylor and the Lakers in the finals. Bill Russell puts up 30 points and 40, yes 40, rebounds in the close out game 7.
The 1963 ECF:
Boston played the Cincinnati Royals this series, lead by Oscar Robertson. In an 11 point win, Bill put up 20 points and 24 rebounds, Sam Jones helped the Celtics with a 47 point outburst.
Boston played the Cincinnati Royals this series, lead by Oscar Robertson. In an 11 point win, Bill put up 20 points and 24 rebounds, Sam Jones helped the Celtics with a 47 point outburst.
1965 ECF:
This is the famous game where Havlicek stoke the inbound pass to win the game. But Bill Russell helped too, he put up 15 points, 29 rebounds and 8 assists.
This is the famous game where Havlicek stoke the inbound pass to win the game. But Bill Russell helped too, he put up 15 points, 29 rebounds and 8 assists.
The 1966 NBA finals:
In a game that the Celtics won by just 2 points, Bill put up 25 points and 32 rebounds. This was coach Red Auerbach’s last game, and Bills 9th NBA championship.
In a game that the Celtics won by just 2 points, Bill put up 25 points and 32 rebounds. This was coach Red Auerbach’s last game, and Bills 9th NBA championship.
1968 ECF:
The Sixers had won the championship the year before, so the Celtics know they had to play great. After coming back from down 3-1, Bill and the Celtics beat the Sixers to advance to the finals. Bill had 12 points and 26 rebounds in game 7.
The Sixers had won the championship the year before, so the Celtics know they had to play great. After coming back from down 3-1, Bill and the Celtics beat the Sixers to advance to the finals. Bill had 12 points and 26 rebounds in game 7.
The 1969 NBA finals, Bills last series:
In Bill Russell’s last official NBA game, he played the Big 3 Lakers in a game 7 to decide the finals. He put up 5 points and 21 rebounds, winning his 11th title in 13 years.
In Bill Russell’s last official NBA game, he played the Big 3 Lakers in a game 7 to decide the finals. He put up 5 points and 21 rebounds, winning his 11th title in 13 years.
In these game 7s, Bill Russell averaged
18.5 points
29.3 rebounds
He has a perfect 10-0 record in game 7s
18.5 points
29.3 rebounds
He has a perfect 10-0 record in game 7s
@SulloReport now move Bill > Shaq
