Photograph by James Drake

"'For the last four or five years I've had this picture of myself as the gunfighter -- the guys coming up who say they saw me when they were in the fourth grade and they watched every move, and practiced them, and how they want to try me. And they keep coming and sometimes I wonder if I still have to prove myself.'"

Text by George Plimpton
Issue Date: December 23, 1968

In 1968 Bill Russell, a longtime Celtics star and one of the greatest shot-blockers in history, entered his second season as the NBA's first black head coach -- a player-coach, in fact. Russell, 34, earned the respect of teammates and fans with his strong defensive and rebounding skills as well as his commanding sideline presence. The Celtics finished the regular season in second place, but went on to beat the L.A. Lakers, four games to two, for their ninth NBA championship in 10 years.

Bill Russell Sports Illustrated Covers Gallery