Bill Russell's life and basketball career seem like folklore but it was real. The guy played for 13 seasons and won the championship 11 out of those 13! He was the player coach on two of those championship squads! He made a difference in the civil rights movement and did so with his words and actions! He did all of these things and so much more, so often with a smile on his face that is also legendary. Today we may have lost the most important person ever to play in the NBA.
At 88 it’s nice to know that Mr. Russell lived a long life in which he accomplished a lot. Still, regardless of his age, this is a huge blow to the basketball community. Many ways to describe him. An icon, a legend, a trailblazer, one of the greatest to play the sport. The sport simply wouldn’t be what it is today without Bill Russell .
Bill Russell wasn't just a great basketball player, he was a Great American. It's one thing to say you want change, it's another where your actions actually lead to change. Russell was at the forefront of making a difference in civil rights, and human fairness. We're not there yet, but without men like Russell, we'd still be in the dark ages.
He stopped interacting with fans after his home was broken into and vandalized, trophies smashed, racist filthy written on walls, they even shit on his bed.
The NBA just announced they are retiring the his number #6 going forward. So current players can still wear the number but no one else can wear the #6 in the NBA https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...retired-nba-following-legend-death-last-month
Poor LeBron.... The NBA will inevitably retire 23 for MJ when he dies, and 6 is already taken.... so nothing cool for King James.
Makes me wonder about Kobe. I think the NBA may think this is a one off. 11 rings as a player is just on another level. (albeit his last two were as player/coach, but he still played)