Why did Bill Russell's PPG go down in the NBA?

Question

He averaged more points in college than he did in the NBA. Why didn't he have to score 25-30 ppg night in and night out.

Answer 1

Russell was more known for his defense and rebounding. He really didn't need to do that much offensively. The Celts had plenty of scorers in that era, Johnny Havlichek and Tommy Hiensen to name a few.  

Answer 2

The NBA and College games are vastly different, as anyone can attest to.   But one reason was in college Russell was the #1 option.  with the Celtics he had many other guys to difer to.

Answer 3

Because Russell was surrounded by very good scorers in Bird, McHale. He didn't need to score for them to win. They needed his defense more than his offense.

Answer 4

The Celtics were LOADED with people who could score. What they needed was rebounding and defense, and that's what Russell provided.

Answer 5

The only answer I can think of that applies to a question like this is because NBA is much more competitive than college.  In college, players are still developing, but in NBA, it's PRO basketball.  You can't expect open shots like you did in college.  Defenders will try to block your shot or shooting sight in every game.  You have to be a very skilled scorer to really stand out every game and score 25-30 points.

A great example of a great scorer in NCAA that couldn't handle in NBA is Adam Morrison.

Answer 6

*cuts and paste from previous posts*

Its because Red Auerbach runs a structured offense wherein all five guys on the floor have the opportunity to shine and score. There is no go to guy in offense ballhogging the ball. Thats the beauty of a fastbreak-geared offense. The highest scorer on the team averages only 22ppg, not exactly Hall of Fame numbers,  and there are five to six other guys scoring in double digits. Russell or anyone else on the Celtics need not to fully exert themselves on offense because the scoring is DISTRIBUTED. And it sure creates plenty of problems for the opposing team's defense.

And besides, Russell is the designated rebounder of the team. In a fastbreak style of play, the rebounder and the one doing the outlet pass for the fastbreak to run is the farthest from the basket, therefore Russell is most often not in the position to score. No wonder he averaged only 13 FGA.

Remember when Wilt was pigeonholed to the same Russell-like role of low scoring, rebounding and outlet passing in the '72 Lakers by his coach, former celtic great Bill Sharman, the Lakers went on a rampage winning 33 staright games enroute to the championship. Wilt's PPG drop to iirc, 15 but he had his second championship and iirc, a Finals MVP. s***w points, what Russell does is effective in bringing in the hardware.

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Look in the mirror. Jordan had the perfect coach (Phil), the perfect set of complementary teammates (Pippen and co.), and the perfect offense system (the Triangle offense) in place to take full advantage of his abilities. This is why he won all those scoring titles and those six rings.

Doug Collins, the Bulls former coach before Phil came aboard, used to say that Jordan is the one holding back  the Chicago Bulls fastbreak.

Answer 7

Its tougher to score in the NBA.  Also the Celtics already had scorers before hand.  WHen he was in college he must have been the star player.  He focused on rebounding a lot when he came over to the NBA.