Re: Russell

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

Without showing complete and utter disrespect for members of the golfing fraternity, there are none that I know of who can compare as an athlete with those who compete in the other major sports.  Not in athleticism, stamina, endurance etc.  Some of the worst conditioned individuals I know are outstanding golfers, but are unable to do what some of us would call the most simple of other athletic skills.  Many pro athletes are very good golfers, but I'm not sure that the golfers cam reciprocate at a similar level. 

 

While it is no small task, to achieve as Jack has done, to compare his athletic skills to someone like Russell or Orr is highly suspect IMHO.

 

Cecil

----- Original Message -----

From: Dan Forant Sr

To: Bob George ; celtics@igtc.com

Sent: Monday, September 27, 1999 11:05 PM

Subject: Re: Russell

The "Golden Bear" belongs in the top 10. Team players are just that, but Jack was out there all by himself. His Major's record may never be broken. In general, ESPN's selection's are ridiculous.

At 05:28 PM 9/27/99 -0700, you wrote:
>>>>

ESPN just came out this week that Russell is #18. Okay guys and gals, here goes...

On my list, Russell is #2. ESPN's list has been a crock since Bobby Orr was listed as 31. Russell joins the list of luminaries that include Orr, Larry Bird, Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jerry Rice as superstar athletes who were ranked way too low. This means that people like Carl Lewis, Jack Nicklaus, Babe Didrickson and Muhammad Ali were ranked ABOVE Russell.

This is a testimonial to the absolute stupidity of this list, and a further condemnation of Russell's true legacy which perhaps is a reflection on his adverse relationship with fans and the media.

Lewis and Nicklaus don't make my top 50. Didrickson and Ali make my top 30. I find it insulting to find Russell ranked below them.

I would love to write a rebuttal article on this, but I think that the last article I wrote on Russell will suffice (read it at <http://www.bobgeorge.com/celtics/052699.html>http://www.bobgeorge.com/celtics/052699.html ). The fact that people today don't understand the brilliance of Russell's career is both assinine and tragic.

But hearing the defense of Russell's career from a Celtic fan does not hold water to the rest of the sports world. I am dismissed as being too parochial and biased. So again, I need to let that article speak for me on behalf of Russell.

Any of these people ranked ahead of Russell, I defy them to match Russell's championship excellence. The Celtics remain the greatest dynasty in sports (the Skankees had several disjointed dynasties, but never matched the 13 outstanding years of Russell's career).

Agree, disagree, let me know.

Bob George

Read Bob George's Best Of Boston Sports At
<http://www.bobgeorge.com>http://www.bobgeorge.com

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