The 10 Best NBA Players to Play for One Team
7. Bill Russell, Boston Celtics
Career Win Shares: 163.5
• Career Averages: 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists
• 11x NBA Champion (1957, 1959-66, 1968-69)
• 5x NBA MVP (1958, 1961-63, 1965)
• 12x NBA All-Star (1958-69)
• 3x All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
• 2nd in Career Rebounding Average (22.5)
Perhaps the most decorated athlete in the history of basketball, Bill Russell was the dominant centerpiece that lead the Celtics reign during the '50s and '60s. At 6'9'', Russell towered over most players back in the day and owned the boards thanks to his long arms and quick feet. Russell averaged 20-plus rebounds per game for 10 straight seasons and also recorded an unbelievable 40-plus rebounds in 11 games.
Russell was the first African American player to achieve superstar status in the NBA and was also the first African American coach in the league as well. Amongst his countless accolades, the NBA Finals MVP Award bears Russell's name (since 2009) and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.
