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Post by SamH on Jul 31, 2022 20:18:37 GMT
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Post by SamH on Aug 3, 2022 15:12:36 GMT
Reading the articles that have appeared in the last few days and listening to the likes of Tony and Wilbon on PTI, who grew up watching him play, has been fascinating. I didn't realise just how involved Russell had been in the civil rights movement, or how much abuse he had to put up with. Apparently someone actually smeared feaces around his house after breaking in and vandalising it once.
I'd also forgotten all about his stint as head coach in Seattle. You always remember him as Celtic but it's nice to know he was part of my team's history as well.
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Post by SamH on Aug 11, 2022 20:52:37 GMT
The NBA have announced ALL teams will retire Russell's number 6 in a league first, and teams will wear a commemorative patch on their uniforms next season, as well as displaying a logo on the courts. Now that's respect.
It's a shame no one else here seems to have anything to say about the great man!
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Post by irf on Aug 11, 2022 21:18:57 GMT
I will be honest he wasn't a name I knew when he passed away
But reading the tributes since then and now this make it very clear he was a legend on and off the court
Nice gesture
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Post by gardielo on Aug 12, 2022 8:30:25 GMT
Bill was a major force in a dominant Celtics team and defined the centre position. But his off court activity in fighting racism at a crucial time in his country's history really elevated him as so much more that a basketball player. Great tribute from the NBA and fully deserved.
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Post by milehigh on Aug 12, 2022 9:40:29 GMT
A great gesture by the NBA, a first for the league, and it makes him one of only 3 players in all of the major american sports to have their number retired throught their league.
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Post by gardielo on Aug 12, 2022 10:35:51 GMT
Sometimes I wish they would make these gestures why the guy is alive. Wouldn't it have been great for Bill to have seen this?
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Post by SamH on Aug 13, 2022 15:25:49 GMT
I suppose at least Jerry West got to see himself turned into the logo, and Bill did get the MVP trophy named after him and got to present it to several winners. I just don't think they thought of this until now.
Fun fact: the Heat retired MJs 23 even though he never played for them. Considering there's no trophy naming left now (barring the introduction of this new knockout tournament being discussed) perhaps the league should also retire 23 at all teams? Could be tricky given he's an owner but perhaps when he sells up...
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Post by SamH on Feb 25, 2023 16:17:36 GMT
There's a new documentary about the great man on Netflix for those interested 👍🏀
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Post by tallerman on Feb 25, 2023 18:37:23 GMT
Its way better than i expected
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Post by SamH on Feb 26, 2023 1:41:43 GMT
I'm only halfway through part 1 but already loving the old footage, not all of it is grainy and you can actually see what's going on! Seems like all the most famous clips we've all seen were grainy but there's some decent quality stuff here. Especially the first meeting between Russell and Wilt, what a treat seeing highlights of that.
In the 90s when I got into the NBA you'd buy video tapes and I loved watching the ones about Magic, Bird and the 80s. But to go back any further you had to read up. Now all these years on, seeing all this footage and hearing all these old interviews, to really learn about the early times in the league - just fantastic!
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