Bill Russell Dead at 88; Michael Jordan, Barack Obama Pay Tribute to NBA Icon
One of the NBA's all-time greats is now gone, as Boston Celtics legend, 11-time NBA champion, and Olympic Gold medalist William Felton Russell, best known as Bill Russel, passed away on Sunday. He was 88 years old.
His official Twitter page released a statement, saying that memorial arrangements for the "Most Prolific Winner in American Sports History" will be announced soon.
An announcement… pic.twitter.com/KMJ7pG4R5Z
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) July 31, 2022
With 11 rings, he had more than Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry combined. Yahoo! Sports also reported that he was 28-2 in elimination games, and this was at the professional, collegiate, and Olympic levels.
He rarely lost a playoff series and should be in the "Greatest of All Time" conversations with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James.
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Bill Russell's Stellar Career Extended Out of the Basketball Court
The 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) wasn't just a winner but also a humanitarian. He was part of the civil rights movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr.
When his close personal friend King was assassinated in Memphis, Bill Russell rallied his Celtics to move past a 3-1 deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers and move on to win the NBA Finals against the Celtics' eternal rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
He had an intense rivalry with the great Wilt Chamberlain. Individually, Wilt was a better player. However, the Celtics were a team and overcame Chamberlain's teams through teamwork and intense defense.
He also had many Hall of Fame teammates throughout his career. According to Bleacher Report, these include the "Houdini of the Hardwood" himself, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Bill Sharman, Clyde Lovellette, Frank Ramsey, Tom Sanders, Arnie Risen, Bailey Howell, and Andy Phillip.
He was also coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time, Red Auerbach, who led the Celtics dynasty. He was also the first black coach in NBA history and the first black coach in any North American sport.
Russell was a true trailblazer in that aspect, serving as player-coach for the Boston Celtics, and then went on to coach the Seattle Supersonics (1973-77) and the Sacramento Kings (1987-88) after retirement from being a player.
He managed to reach the playoffs with Seattle, but he never had the same success as he had in Boston. After retirement, he was so revered by those who came after him that he would often play peacemaker among feuding players.
That includes telling Shaquille O'Neal to approach and talk to Kobe Bryant during a game between O'Neal's Miami Heat and Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers in 2006.
This was when the relationship between both NBA superstars turned frosty following O'Neal's departure from the Lakers. CBS Sports reported that O'Neal actually greeted Bryant and said, "I had orders from the great Bill Russell."
Barack Obama, the NBA World Reacts to Bill Russell's Death
Then-President Barack Obama awarded Bill Russell for his many achievements as a player and coach. He also made a huge impact as a civil rights activist. Obama reacted to Russell's death on Twitter:
Today, we lost a giant.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 31, 2022
As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person.
Another NBA legend, Michael Jordan, released a statement via the Charlotte Hornets Twitter page:
A statement from Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/RdYcnuCrmb
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 31, 2022
The Boston Celtics and the NBA organization also paid a touching tribute to the legendary center.
Statement from NBA commissioner Adam Silver on the death of the iconic Bill Russell, “the greatest champion in all of team sports.” pic.twitter.com/uDG15nmqJ1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 31, 2022
To be the greatest champion in your sport, to revolutionize the way the game is played, and to be a societal leader all at once seems unthinkable, but that is who Bill Russell was. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/K0Ue0hKiLs
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 31, 2022
Bill Russell‘s DNA is woven through every element of the Celtics organization, from the relentless pursuit of excellence, to the celebration of team rewards over individual glory, to a commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court. (3/4)
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 31, 2022
Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his enormous legacy in basketball, Boston, and beyond. (4/4)
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 31, 2022
Other NBA players, both past and present, also released their condolences to Russell's bereaved family:
Thanku for being a trailblazer , pioneer Thanku for setting the bar , for ur kind words of wisdom, Thanku for that great laugh u had . I can go on all day about what u meant to me . Today is a sad day for the NBA family u will be forever missed #6
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 31, 2022
R.I.P to the legend Bill Russell. 🤴🏿💫
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 31, 2022
I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of the greatest winner the game of basketball has ever seen, a legend, hall of famer, mentor and my friend for over 30 years, Bill Russell. 💔 pic.twitter.com/iiSkVq2kdn
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 31, 2022
Steph pays tribute to Bill Russell 💙
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 31, 2022
[via @StephenCurry30] pic.twitter.com/tKaIq6tPTa
.@SHAQ pays tribute to Bill Russell pic.twitter.com/7Jn5vLe78H
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 31, 2022
Charles Barkley's statement regarding the passing of Bill Russell pic.twitter.com/kVwqnBchzO
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 31, 2022
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Bill Russell, NBA Legend and Hall of Famer, Dies at 88 - From ABC News
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