National Basketball Association

Celtics legend Bob Cousy: Hassan Whiteside first player to remind me of Bill Russell

Published Mar. 26, 2015 1:25 p.m. ET

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NBA Hall of Famer and Celtics legend Bob Cousy played with the indomitable Bill Russell for seven seasons in Boston.

The two won six rings together. When discussions about the greatest player in NBA history arise, Cousy naturally sides with Russell. No big man in the league since has even held a passing resemblance to Russell's dominance on the glass and on defense. No one, that is, until the Miami Heat gave Hassan Whiteside one more chance in the league.

Cousy told the Worcester Telegram:

"I have never said this in the 40 years since I retired," Cousy said in a recent telephone interview, "but he is the first big guy, not (Patrick) Ewing, (Hakeem) Olajuwon, Shaq (O'Neal), who reminds me defensively and on the boards of Russell. He runs the floor well, he has excellent timing, he blocks shots and keeps them in play the way Russell did."

(Read more at Worcester Telegram)

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