Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain: A rivalry for the ages

The rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most hotly-debated topics in the history of basketball. With both these legends of the game playing as centers, the impact they’ve had on their respective teams and individual accolades could be the deciding factors. However, experts often argue that statistics do not always do justice in proving an individual’s impact on the overall performance of the team.

The rivalry by the numbers

When it comes to the number of NBA Finals won, Russell is the undisputed king. As a player, he is the winner of the highest number of championship rings ever, with 11 to his name. On the other hand, Chamberlain has won only twice.

Also Read| Bill Russell’s NBA championship rings: A timeline

However, Chamberlain has some mind-boggling individual statistics to his name. He is the only player in NBA history who has scored 100 points in a single game, achieving this feat while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962. He is also the only player to manage an average of 30 points and 20 rebounds throughout the course of his career in the NBA.

Russell is a 12-time NBA All-Star while Chamberlain has achieved the feat 13 times. Chamberlain is also a four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) against Russell’s five.

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Career Averages

Chamberlain is a clear winner when it comes to points scored, with his career average being almost double of what Russell managed:
Chamberlain: 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists

Russell: 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

A soccer equivalent

Sports and rivalries go hand-in-hand, and who does not enjoy the rivalry of two greats of the game at the absolute peak of their powers? The rivalry that Russell and Chamberlain enjoyed and the debates around them can be compared to the modern-day soccer rivalry of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. With both players having their unique styles of play and 12 Ballon d’Ors between them, these two giants of the sport have scripted a sporting rivalry like few others.