Best Player of the Decade: 60's

[Kevin]

A new game that I thought of doing since last year's free agency. I'm going to put up a poll and everyone should vote on who they think is the best player of the specified decade.

All stats are based off of per 36.

Wilt Chamberlain

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	PER	WS
23.6	18.0	3.5	54%	26.1	.248

Bill Russell

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	PER	WS
12.8	19.1	3.6	44%	18.9	.193

Oscar Robertson

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	PER	WS
21.9	6.4	8.1	48.5%	23.2	.207

Jerry West

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	PER	WS
24.8	5.3	6.1	47.4%	22.9	.213

Bob Pettit

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	PER	WS
24.5	15.1	2.8	43.6%	25.3	.213

[Andrew]

Even though some of the key stats say otherwise, I always have to go with Bill Russell. It's not as though he didn't achieve some amazing numbers himself during that decade, and it would also be very easy to be cliche here and say something like "He has the most important stat out of all of them: count the rings". And even though it's a team accomplishment, it is worth mentioning, as Russell was the driving force behind all eleven of those titles.

There's always the talk about his rebounds and his defense, what kind of shot blocking records he and Wilt Chamberlain would have if the stat was tracked during their careers. But I'd suggest Russell was also underrated offensively, both as a scorer, passer, and someone who could run the offense - and fast break - from the centre position. His leadership, his competitive fire, the fact he won his last two titles as a player-coach...a great basketball mind, with skills to match. I have to go with Russell.

[NovU]

I will go with Wilt as usual. Russell may be a winner but Wilt was simply a better player.

[benji]

One name is conspicuously absent: Elgin Baylor.

Some others who racked up playing time and wins: Bailey Howell, Walt Bellamy, Hal Greer, Sam Jones, Jerry Lucas, Lenny Wilkens, John Havlicek.

[Andrew]

Baylor does tend to get overlooked a lot. I must admit, his absence didn't register with me either.

[NovU]

Wasn't Elgin Baylor a class below player to the players above? His WS48 seems to indicate so.

[benji]

That happens when your knee ceases to exist.

27.3/14.3/3.8 with knees, 26 PER, .195 WS/48

[NovU]

Can I argue Wade > Kobi for the same reason?

[benji]

You can argue anything you want. I don't know why you'd need qualifiers though as Wade's prime was simply...better.