August 25, 1965
Boston Celtic Bill Russell signed a contract as the NBA's highest paid player, making one dollar more than arch-rival Wilt Chamberlain.
On August 25, 1965, Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell became the highest paid player in NBA history when he inked a deal that would pay him $100,001 per season over the next three years. The one dollar tacked on made him the highest paid man, as Wilt Chamberlain had held that distinction with a $100,000 contract of his own. The big man boldly predicted that he would lead the Celtics to an eighth straight championship title, and he backed it up by doing exactly that during the 1965-66 season including averaging 19 points, 25 rebounds and 5 assists in the postseason. Russell played through the '68-'69 season, and finished his career with 11 championships in 13 years of play.
$100,001 would equate to today to a little more than $814,000. When you look at the money that is being thrown around today, Russell would be one of the lowest paid players in the NBA today.
On This Day In NBA History
- kobeunderbite
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
He'd be Theo Ratliff today
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
Russell today would likely resemble Joakim Noah at his best...
"Today's NBA is soft, the Defense is weak, and the rules 'really' favor the Offense."
"Lebron doesn’t guard for a full game and our game plan was to get him to play defense and he left me open all game."
"Lebron doesn’t guard for a full game and our game plan was to get him to play defense and he left me open all game."
- PhutureDynasty
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- vcsgrizzfan
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
You are a very astute hoops fan.PhutureDynasty wrote:GOAT
- Havlicekstealsit
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
Three more years of Boston fans calling him the N word and reporters asking how Hondo's Celtics are gonna do this year.
- AlaskaHawks
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
On GFAQS you had him in your top 10. LMAOthedangerouskitchen wrote:Russell today would likely resemble Joakim Noah at his best...
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot."
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
- elmerjfudd
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
Arguably the GOAT
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Re: On This Day In NBA History
I don't know if he is the greatest but I know he is better than MJ