BILL RUSSELL-LORD OF THE RINGS

One Man To Rule Them All.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy.

A lot of Boston legends have graced the Celtic parquet.

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan.

A lot of competitors have found success in the NBA but none have won as much as the storied Boston Celtics and their biggest of big men. The dominant force who like Magic didn't even need to score a point. The wizard of defence. The undisputed, heavyweight, 11 time NBA champion. The Gandalf of basketball. The Lord of the Rings.

Bill Russell.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

The man could score but that wasn't his forte. He could get angry, but his hulking strong game was more to the Celtic green than that. Russell fit the bill of the real, unselfish superstar, defending the basket and starting the offensive play that would lead to the breaks for his teammates who would all become superstars thanks to their captain.

Before Bird flew in the Garden, Russell helped it bloom by tending to and looking after it. Bill blocked like it was a party, worked hard like this was no fun and when the job was over he deserved the celebration more than anybody. As over-zealous balloons fell in a Forum of defeat, before K.G. handed it to the Lakers, Russell was the big ticket and the ticker tape of success. The NBA championship ring belongs to him.

THE TWO TOWERS

Even standing next to and against the 100 point strong dominance of Wilt Chamberlain for decades Bill Russell reigned supreme. Standing taller and in front of his adversary in wins and championships. Before the pre and post millennium, two tower days of San Antonio's David Robinson and Tim Duncan aligned together to beat Shaq, the NBA's most dominant was said to be 'The Stilt' Chamberlain but Bill made him truly wilt. The Big Dipper took all sorts of dunks and shots at Bill Russell but the gentleman of basketball left him with the biggest, bitter taste of defeat.

Just like any other player back then and until now in the arena of victory Bill Russell owned and beat them all. A gladiator in the coliseum of wins this Lord of The Rings ran out of fingers for all his accomplishments. Just check the palms. Anyone else's attempt to overcome him has and will be more than a handful. Yes! Even Michael Jordan. When it comes to Bill Russell, 'you shall not pass'.

THE RETURN OF THE KING

Still the rejection king is actually a man who extends a hand. That's what happens when you overcome playing in a racist time to become the ultimate teammate and leader, changing the game and the times in one swat of the basketball and prejudice. The man who's grey beard makes him look more like basketball legend by the day is still very much a part of the storied Boston Celtics chapters of royalty.

By appointment he mentored Kevin Garnett's ushered era into the big three and championship certification. After years of hurt and losing pain for 'Da Kid' in Minnesota, Garnett's alliance with wings Ray Allen and Paul Pierce wasn't complete without another big man by his side. It doesn't get much bigger than Bill Russell. Sitting down for arguably the best interviews NBA TV has ever done Bill told Kevin that he was going to win a championship and if he didn't he was going to give him one of his rings anyway. Kevin Garnett was speechless and need we say anymore? As Garnett then took that inspiration and ran and won with it the Boston Celtics where taken back to the rafters. The rafters where nothing stands taller and prouder than Bill Russell's achievements.