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[QUOTE="dennismenace, post: 4360800, member: 6158"]
I agree with this.  I remember from childhood (mid-late 50's) watching pro basketball on tv.  Red Auerbach and the Celtics really wrote the book on transition basketball and Russell was the centerpiece of that defense.  As you said his blocked shots set up the fastbreak.  Cousey and Sam Jones leading the fastbreak.  Satch Sanders another great defender.  Russell and Auerbach turned basketball games into a juggernaut of offensive speed through defensive intimidation.  Russell was like a coach on the floor leading the initiation of the fast break.  Very, very heady player who was going to impose his will against the entire opponent team.  He must have a nightmare to opposing players.

Calhoun was very much the disciple of Auerbach.   Turning defense into offense.  Teamwork.  Speed. Imposition of will.  Non-stop aggression.  This kind of game favors smart on-the-floor athletes who work together at both ends of the floor.  Truly a thing of beauty and for fans very exciting to watch. 
In some sense it became like taking the speed and defense from hockey and bringing it onto the basketball floor.
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