Well, how did Russell lose 4 out of 5 in the 1967 playoffs to Wilt's team - a team the Celtics took 5 of 9 from during the year? I thought Russell's desire would carry them - or does it matter sometimes that the other team happens to be better?
No, no, you must be right, "at ude" and "desire" are much more important than "talent". Russell's desire must have been lacking in 1967. And his ankle injury in the 1958 Finals was no doubt the result of a desire deficit. Bob Pet led the NBA in desire in 1958, as we all know, so it's no wonder the Hawks defeated the Celtics and Russell's off-year in desire that season.