Frank Deford Quotes

Personal honors never meant much to Bill Russell, one of America's most successful athletes with 2 college titles, 1 Olympic gold medal and 11 - count 'em, 11 - N.B.A. championships with the Boston Celtics.

A lot of black guys always ask me, 'Did Larry Bird really play that good?' I said, 'Larry Bird is so good it's frightening.'

When somebody asks about the greatest players in history, I start with Bill Russell. More than the best player is the MVP, and the MVP in the history of team sports is Bill Russell.

Bill Russell was my favorite player of all-time.

To put it another way, Michael Jordan was a gym rat.

God is the Man, and there's another Man, Stan 'The Man' Musial in St. Louis.

If you look up the definition of greatness in the dictionary, it will say Michael Jordan.

Losing Michael Jackson is a handicap. It's the Lakers trying to win a championship without Kobe Bryant.

Brooks Robinson belongs in a higher league.

I guarantee you, if you could give me 10 points in all those seventh games against the Boston Celtics, instead of Bill Russell having 11 rings, I could've at least had nine or eight.

I've got to give Larry Bird his due; he was a great player. He knew the game and he was smart.

Everybody's got a Reggie story.

I always say, to this day, that the Air Jordan guy was great and God bless him. But I'll always just remember Michael, the guy.

People don't realize this, but throughout my career, I grew up patterning my game after Scottie Pippen's. I admire him for his versatility.

I always say the Boston Celtics of the 1960s were the only true dynasty, because they won nine titles in a 10-year span.

I thought the lanes opened up when Michael Jordan used to drive. I used to be like, 'Wow.'

Bill Russell is one of the greatest players of all time.

LeBron is making a case for himself to be one of the greatest players to ever play.

Larry Bird was a talker. He'd tell you something and you'd be like, are you kidding me? You're really telling me that?

Tim Duncan is one of the greatest power forwards in the history of our game. Being younger and just watching him play, winning championships, that was always cool to be able to play against him.

As far as LeBron James, to me, he's on his way to carving out the very best career that's ever happened in the NBA.

Wilt Chamberlain, by far, is my best basketball player. Best athlete ever.

Magic was always my favorite. I think Jordan was the best player ever, but Magic was my personal favorite.

Michael Jordan was the greatest practice player I've ever seen.

Of all the four major sports, whether you like Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, maybe you like Bobby Orr, or you like Larry Bird or Tom Brady - Bill Russell is the greatest athlete to play in Boston.