In 2017, during the first annual NBA awards show, the league honored Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Bill Russell with a lifetime achievement award. It was presented by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille OβNeal, David Robinson and Dikembe Mutombo β all big man legends in their own right. His friend and mentee Abdul-Jabbar spoke on Russellβs legacy.
βCombining a point guardβs quickness with a big manβs size, Billβs talents refined this sport,β said the Los Angeles Laker legend via NBA on TNT (h/t Sportscastingβs Tim van Straten). βHe showed how basketball could be won on the defensive end of the court; using his mind, as well as his body, to outthink and outsmart opponents.β
βWhether itβs his lifetime commitment to civil rights, or his role as founder of MENTOR, a national youth mentoring organization, Billβs legacy is as profound as it is thrilling,β he added.
Just ahead of Collin Sexton, and just before Gary Trent, Jr., this number might seem a bit low given what Timelord can do when healthy. https://t.co/gcaJlUO8Dk
β The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 5, 2023
Russellβs response revolving around an obscene hand gesture followed by an assurance he would kick their (expletive) was legendary.
βThank you, you have no idea how much respect I have for you guys,β Russell continued. βBecause you did it in your own time, in your own way, and I appreciate that. And it made me proud to have played this same game as you guys.β
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