Top 10 Best NBA Players from the Bill Russell Era
These are the best players from 1956 to 1969. The players on this list MUST have played during this era. So don't include Kobe, Jordan, LeBron, or Magic.
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Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia and died from heart failure on October 12, 1999, in Los Angeles. He was 63 years old at the time of his death.... read more
Wilt was so tired of being called selfish that one year he decided to lead the league in assists. That is just amazing.
Only player to ever record a "double quadruple," with 40 points and 40 rebounds. He did it 8 different times!
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Oscar Robertson
Oscar Palmer Robertson, nicknamed "The Big O," is an American former National Basketball Association player who competed for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. He was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season, accomplishing the feat during the 1961-62 season... read more
He averaged a dang triple-double. He had to be the best player in this era and has to be top 5 all time, no doubt.
While I think that Oscar Robertson is truly an all-time great, I think Wilt Chamberlain is still better.
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Jerry West
Jerry Alan West was an American basketball player known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent his entire professional playing career with the Lakers in the National Basketball Association. West is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
West had to be one of the best and most efficient players ever. West led his team and provided one of the only threats to the Celtics.
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Bill Russell
William Felton "Bill" Russell was an American professional basketball player. He played center for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association from 1956 to 1969. Russell was an 11-time NBA champion and a five-time MVP, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history... read more
The man people name this era after. The absolute best defensive player of all time. He was so dominant in the early NBA.
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Bob Cousy
Robert Joseph Cousy (born August 9, 1928) is an American former professional basketball player. He played point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963 and briefly with the Cincinnati Royals during the 1969-70 season.... read more
In my opinion, Russell would be nothing without Cousy. He was known as the Houdini of the Hardwood for a reason. Like everybody on the list, he revolutionized this game.
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George Mikan
George Lawrence Mikan Jr., nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Chicago American Gears in the National Basketball League before joining the Minneapolis Lakers. Mikan became a dominant center during the 1940s and 1950s and was instrumental in popularizing... read more
The first NBA superstar. He was the ultimate pioneer and one of the greatest post players of all time.
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John Havlicek
John Joseph "Hondo" Havlicek was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire 16-season career with the Boston Celtics. He won eight NBA championships, including four during his first four seasons.
He played from 1962 to 1978 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest small... read more
He was pretty much Larry Bird.
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Elgin Baylor
Elgin Gay Baylor (September 16, 1934 to March 22, 2021) was an American professional basketball player, coach, and executive. He played 14 seasons as a forward in the NBA, beginning with the Minneapolis Lakers and continuing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor earned 11 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA... read more
Really crafty star from this era who helped Jerry West.
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Bob Pettit
Robert E. Lee Pettit Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Milwaukee and St. Louis Hawks. Pettit was the first recipient of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
He was one of the better players from this era.
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Willis Reed
Willis Reed Jr. (June 25, 1942 - March 21, 2023) was an American professional basketball player, coach, and general manager. He spent his entire ten-year professional playing career (1964-1974) with the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).... read more
Maybe not the best, but he was pretty dang famous.
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Nate Thurmond
Nathaniel Thurmond was an American basketball player who spent the majority of his 14-year career in the National Basketball Association with the Golden State Warriors franchise. He played the center and power forward positions. Thurmond was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith... read more
Far better than any center in the NBA today. In all probability, he is the #3 shot blocker of all time [behind Chamberlain and Russell]. A shame he had to play in their shadow.