Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are considered among the best duos in the history of the game. However, after an emphatic three-peat run, internal fights created a rivalry. At this time, many counted out Kobe from ever winning again. However, the Black Mamba proved everyone wrong. But none of that would perhaps have been possible without the advice of the greatest NBA winner of all time, Bill Russell.

When it came to the art of winning, no one did like Russell. In 13 seasons, the lifelong Boston Celtics center won 11 championships. Even with a rival like Wilt Chamberlain, Russell crushed the competition. The five-time MVP was a master of team winning. With Hall of Famer teammates by his side, he led the most successful dynasty in NBA history. However, the NBA lost one of the most dominant players. Russell’s family revealed the heartbreaking news about the Celtics legend’s passing away at the age of 88.

Remembering Russell, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss shared how he impacted the Mamba’s career.

Did Kobe Bryant need Bill Russell to win without Shaq?

It takes a true competitor to win, and Bryant was one of the finest. The late great won five championships in 20 years with the Lakers. However, he had the tendency to do it all. As a player willing to do nearly anything to win, Kobe had to learn to trust his teammates. Likewise, the Lakers all-time leading scorer revealed it with Bill Russell who turned that switch on for him. He said the NBA Hall of Famer played a major role in him winning back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 after the most dominant force, Shaq left him.

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Buss shared a video on Twitter where Kobe detailed the advice Russell gave him that changed his career.

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The Mamba said: “He said when I played, I could score the ball, I could handle the ball, I could pass the ball. But what was really important in order for us to win, I had to look at my teammates and say ‘Okay these other players can do that better’. Therefore, I got to allow them to do that. What I do best is defend and rebound, so I am going to completely focus on that. Let Cousy handle the ball, Let Sams be the shooter. Havlicek be the shooter. And I thought that a was very insightful thing.” 

Russell competed against arguably one of the most unstoppable forces in sports history. Wilt Chamberlain was a one-man wrecking crew that shocked statistics. However, Russell still prevailed. He won nine more chips than his arch-rival. And it was all about knowing how to win as a team. With the quality of Bob Bousy, John Havlicek, and players of such caliber, Russell solely focused on doing his job. Likewise, he wasn’t the biggest face on the points. But he averaged a whopping 22 rebounds for his career while playing lockdown defense. His selfless character was the key to the Boston Celtics dynasty.

As for Bryant, he needed that knock. Later on, he would have teammates like Pau Gasol and Ron Artest join in. But there was a clear system in the Lakers. The Mamba was in his element as a lethal scorer and defender. On the other hand, he let Fisher do the shooting, Gasol came in to grab boards, and Artest, a tough defensive presence. After his iconic career on the floor, Russell never backed away from helping the young generation. Kobe Bryant was just one of many who benefitted from a talk with the 11-time champ.

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Do you think Kobe Bryant would have won without the precious insight from Bill Russell? Let us know your views in the comments below.