 NBA players and officials were saddened at the loss of a player they universally remembered as a symbol of the sport . His lifelong on @-@ court rival and personal friend Bill Russell stated " the fierceness of our competition bonded us together for eternity " , and Celtics coach Red Auerbach praised Chamberlain as vital for the success of the entire NBA . Ex @-@ Lakers teammate Jerry West remembered him as an utterly dominant , yet friendly and humorous player , and fellow Hall @-@ of @-@ Famers Kareem Abdul @-@ Jabbar , Johnny Kerr , Phil Jackson and Wes Unseld called Chamberlain one of the greatest players in the history of the sport . 
