“That’s the one thing we never talked about” is what Bill Russell misses most about Wilt Chamberlain.

“That’s the one thing we never talked about” is what Bill Russell misses most about Wilt Chamberlain.

At Chamberlain’s funeral, Russell shared a very personal moment with Wilt’s nephews.

Bill Russell, who was 88 years old, passed away this night, July 31, 2022. To celebrate Russ and his incredible 11 rings, we present to you our top 11 tales from the years of publication. They capture the essence of Bill Russell—the man, the myth, the legend—with amusing anecdotes and historical moments both on and off the court.

Bill and Wilt succeeded, even though Larry and Magic may have saved the league. There wouldn’t be anything to save without them. A fantastic competition and a juggernaut that everyone is following are what make a sport more popular. Both existed in the 1960s. Bill’s Celtics were the team that everyone wanted to beat, and his rivalry with Wilt made their games exciting to watch.

“Not understood”
Despite their on-court rivalry and candid criticism of one another’s play, Wilt and Russ had a mutual respect and admiration that no one else could match. Few people can truly connect to being a basketball superstar, like Michael Jordan and Chuck Norris or Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. As a result, there aren’t many people on the list who can relate to you and become friends. Russell clarified a minor but significant point when he was questioned about Wilt’s misinterpretation.

“I prefer to think of it as not misinterpreted, but rather as not comprehended. However, there’s no reason for anyone to comprehend him (as they are unable to be in his position and see the world).

Charlie Rose and Bill Russell (via Universe Galaxy)

Russell was able to. It makes sense, then, that Bill would stay at Wilts the night before the Philadelphia game. It makes sense that they would be pals. After their playing days were done, that friendship only deepened. Bill told Wilt’s nephews about a private moment he had.

I attended his memorial service in Los Angeles after he passed away. His nephews approached me and said, “I believe I should share this with you.” When I was tidying up my uncle’s desk, I noticed that he had a stack of notes with names he intended to call. The first name on the list was yours. When he called, we would talk endlessly about the universe.

Charlie Rose and Bill Russell (via Universe Galaxy)

“With Wilt, I never got into that.”
Sadly, Wilt never picked up that phone call or any other on that list. Russell revealed that with Wilt’s demise, he lost something really unique. Charlie Rose took the path of acknowledging his own death, but Bill brushed that aside. Bill’s identity was heavily shaped by Wilt, owing to their intense rivalry. Russell would almost always begin a conversation with a fan by bringing up Wilt Chamberlain. In all our thoughts, they were inextricably linked. The most predictable conversation would always come down to who’s better.

Without hyperbole, I must have heard it fifty thousand times. “I saw you on Sunday TV,” they said, evaluating which they believed to be the greatest. I never did figure out who [with Wilt] was the best. That was actually the one topic we never talked about in all the countless discussions we had.

Charlie Rose and Bill Russell (via Universe Galaxy)

They were often making jokes about each other, I’m sure. However, I doubt they ever really talked about who was the better player. The two guys spoke and heard thoughts on that subject far too often. They realized that although basketball offered them a lot, there was much more to them and their lives than just the sport. Russell gave the best summary.