REMOTE PATROL

It's nice to see basketball legend Bill Russell back on television again, doing that commercial for a financial advisory firm. Did you notice, though, that Russell never looks us in the eye in those ads, but is always pointed off-camera? It's a telling detail when you think about Russell's perception by today's sports media, where Michael Jordan's status as the greatest player ever is rarely disputed. Could it be that Jordan gets points for being accessible and quotable and for always talking to the camera like an old friend? In this way, "Bill Russell: My Life, My Way," the latest stellar sports documentary from HBO, makes a compelling case that Russell's career eclipsed all others in nearly every respect - except when it came to respect. The program, airing at 9 tonight on HBO, shows how dramatically Russell altered the way basketball was played, at the college and pro levels. But his intimidating style of play unsettled spectators as well as opponents. His racial pride flared up whenever he perceived he was being slighted (oftentimes rightly so). Most of all, Russell's refusal to play along with the sports media - and a jealous guarding of his personal life - meant turning his back on the very accolades to which he also felt entitled. @ART CAPTION:Russell @ART:Photo (color) >>>