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Bill Russell Thinks Michael Jordan Played In An Era Worse Than The One He Played In

Both Bill Russell and Michael Jordan arguably are among the greatest players in NBA history. Many call Jordan the ‘greatest of all time’, including myself.

While not directly saying otherwise, Bill Russell said that he believes Jordan played in an era that wasn’t really good.

“I think he is a great player and I have the ultimate regard for him. One time we were in the middle of a golf course after they have just won a championship and he says they will go for my record. ‘Which one?’ You know we won 11, but we won 8 straight. I told him I don’t think he will live long enough to get either of those. ‘But it’s easier to win a championship when you played’. So I said; think about it this way. When I was a rookie there were 80 jobs in professional basketball so a lot of good players didn’t make it. I said if there were 12 teams you wouldn’t win a championship. Because you did a great job penetrating and you dished out to Paxson and he hit the open shot, won the game. If there were 12 teams in the league, he couldn’t make that shot because. ‘Why not?’ Because he would be up in the stands. And that is not a knock on him but it’s about the quality of the NBA.”