Kevin Stacom is a living legend in the Rhode Island basketball community. PC Final Four 1973, Boston Celtics NBA champion 1976. Former owner of popular Mudville Pub in Newport. Coached USBL RI Gulls with Manute and Spud. Gladly poses for photos with random fans. Happy birthday, Kevin!

Bill Russell threatens to retire unless he is paid more than his rival Wilt the Stilt. Clever Bill the Hill! 🤔

But he tells his management that it doesn't have to be much more, he just wants a tiny little dollar difference. 💵

That year, he leads Boston to another title, the eighth overall and seventh in a row for the Celtics franchise ☘️.

Management is ready to offer Russell $75,000! But no way, The Stuffer refuses!

Ultimately, it was on August 25, 1965, that Whiskers re-signed with the Boston Celtics on this lucrative contract, subsequently becoming the highest-paid player in the NBA with a contract worth $100,001.

This contract made Wilt the highest-paid basketball player of his time! 💰

Meanwhile, Russ negotiates his contract with the C's ✍️.

In 1965, Chamberlain had six titles as top scorer and four titles as top rebounder! Despite the fact that he had not yet won a championship, Philadelphia signed him for $100,000 over three years.

Even with their two diametrically opposed styles, the two centers are neck and neck in terms of individual awards 🏆

On one side, Bill won:
- 11 Championships
- 5 MVP titles
- 11x All-NBA

On the other side, Wilt won:
- 2 Championships
- 4 MVP titles
- 1 MVP Finals
- 10x All-NBA

These two great players will eventually become good friends, but that doesn't lessen their rivalry! On the contrary, when it comes to money, and especially when it comes to who will earn the most, rivalry is the order of the day.

Long before the rivalry between Curry and Lebron, between Chicago and New York, between Magic and Bird, there was that between Chamberlain and Russell !

On one side was Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest scorers, and on the other was Bill Russell, one of the greatest defenders! 🏀