OT: Legend Bill Russell Dead at 88

[AmeriConn]

 

[AmeriConn]

 

[Blakeon18]

Not many NBA games on TV back then but on an occasional Sunday I loved watching
Russell and the Celtics take on Philly with Wilt. Russell maybe 6'10" and slender...Wilt maybe 7'2" and NOT slender.

Kareem's sky hook was great...Bill's soft lefty hook wasn't bad at all.

 

[uconnfan68]

Not many NBA games on TV back then but on an occasional Sunday I loved watching
Russell and the Celtics take on Philly with Wilt. Russell maybe 6'10" and slender...Wilt maybe 7'2" and NOT slender.

Kareem's sky hook was great...Bill's soft lefty hook wasn't bad at all.

My first NBA game was Celts vs 76ers at old Boston Garden. Unfortunately, you had to sit sideways to see the court from those seats.

 

[Bigboote]

 

[Huskie02]

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Terrific player and wonderful human being! He will be sadly missed.

 

[Blakeon18]

Great on the court...great off the court...AND...one of the great laughs of all time.

 

[Hoops66]

I can still remember watching, or more often listening, to a game and knowing that when the last two minutes were coming, and Bill was still in the game (he used his fouls), that he would always do something to help win the game. He never was a high scorer, but when it was needed he just found a way to make something happen. I remember too, teammates would say before a game: "Hey we're OK Bill's in the toilet thowing up... He's ready!" Legend. The greatest winner ever! RIP Mr. Russell.

 

[Scud49]

Growing up in the 60's, Bill Russell and the Celtics were like gods to me. Bill was an inspiration and the ultimate winner. He eschewed scoring points for defense, rebounding, and team ball - and like he said "My teams won with my style of play and philosophy". And boy, did they ever: 11 titles in 13 years. In the fall of 1962 he and the rest of the Celtics came to our high school and played a pre season game - that was a thrill. I so wish we had decent cameras back then...! In 1972 he did an interview with Don Gillis of Channel 5 where he shared some life advice. What he said that day resonated with me, and Bill's observance about life turned out to be the final piece of inspiration that I needed going forward. I followed my heart and moved across country to pursue my dreams- and did it ever work out. I have thought about that moment many times since, and have always thanked Bill Russell quietly to myself so many times. Thank you Bill for everything, for your heart, desire, fierce winning style and for your life advice....and I'm sure I'm not the only one in your debt.

 

[AmeriConn]

Growing up in the 60's, Bill Russell and the Celtics were like gods to me. Bill was an inspiration and the ultimate winner. He eschewed scoring points for defense, rebounding, and team ball - and like he said "My teams won with my style of play and philosophy". And boy, did they ever: 11 titles in 13 years. In the fall of 1962 he and the rest of the Celtics came to our high school and played a pre season game - that was a thrill. I so wish we had decent cameras back then...! In 1972 he did an interview with Don Gillis of Channel 5 where he shared some life advice. What he said that day resonated with me, and Bill's observance about life turned out to be the final piece of inspiration that I needed going forward. I followed my heart and moved across country to pursue my dreams- and did it ever work out. I have thought about that moment many times since, and have always thanked Bill Russell quietly to myself so many times. Thank you Bill for everything, for your heart, desire, fierce winning style and for your life advice....and I'm sure I'm not the only one in your debt.

Thank you for sharing Scud!

 

[AmeriConn]

These 2 legends will soon meet up again.

 

[cohenzone]

I always remember watching a TV game he was coaching the Celts and UConn great but never an NBA factor, Celt end of bencher Toby Kimball was in near the end of a rout. He was fouled and clanked both with Russell laughing in the background.

 

[eebmg]

 

[Bigboote]

I was too young to ever watch him play. But I remember him as an occasional commentator. He didn't waste words, and as you might expect, when he did talk, he was very insightful.

 

[JJTB]

As a kid, loved watching Wilt vs. Bill. Classic games, in black and white! A great read is the Last Pass….highlights the Cousy and Russell Celtics. One of Cousy’s big regrets is that he didn’t do more to help Russell deal with life in Boston. Had to wear low, black Cons because that’s what he wore!

 

[Carnac]

These 2 legends will soon meet up again.

Two legends together again. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Russell. I was standing right behind him in line at Johnny Mathis concert at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas about 20 years ago. He was very nice and cordial.

I just said hello and that I was a fan and left it at that. I didn't try and talk the poor man to death (I don't get star struck when I see/meet celebrities). He was with a group of other people that I'm sure he would have rather conversed with. RIP Bill Russell. I hope I see 88.

 

[Carnac]

As a kid, loved watching Wilt vs. Bill. Classic games, in black and white! A great read is the Last Pass….highlights the Cousy and Russell Celtics. One of Cousy’s big regrets is that he didn’t do more to help Russell deal with life in Boston. Had to wear low, black Cons because that’s what he wore!

Yeah.....................back when there were only 8 NBA teams. There are 30 now.

 

[Carnac]

As a kid, loved watching Wilt vs. Bill. Classic games, in black and white! A great read is the Last Pass….highlights the Cousy and Russell Celtics. One of Cousy’s big regrets is that he didn’t do more to help Russell deal with life in Boston. Had to wear low, black Cons because that’s what he wore!

Wilt, when asked who were the players that he hated to play against most, he said Bill Russell and Nate Thurmond (Golden State Warriors).

 

[Jmsdawg]

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My first basketball hero, Rest In Peace, you were one of a kind loved by many, me included.

 

[hard2please]

to the greatest defensive center and outlet passer of all time, he would contort and curl his body to block shots without fouling, thanks for so many great memories

 

[EdSaid]

Mr. Russell is at the very top all by himself. No one, from any sport, can match him.

 

[uconnfan68]

Two legends together again. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Russell. I was standing right behind him in line at Johnny Mathis concert at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas about 20 years ago. He was very nice and cordial.

I just said hello and that I was a fan and left it at that. I didn't try and talk the poor man to death (I don't get star struck when I see/meet celebrities). He was with a group of other people that I'm sure he would have rather conversed with. RIP Bill Russell. I hope I see 88.

Had the pleasure of playing behind his foursome at a golf tournament. He and Sam Jones, and I think John Bagley… and don’t remember the 4th. Awesome memory.

 

[SVCBeercats]

William Felton Russell helped form my personal philosophy of meeting every person as an individual independent anything else. Mr. Russell really influenced me as a kid even though he was but 13 years my senior.

 

[The deacon]

I always remember watching a TV game he was coaching the Celts and UConn great but never an NBA factor, Celt end of bencher Toby Kimball was in near the end of a rout. He was fouled and clanked both with Russell laughing in the background.

Yup, that sounds right, 'Russ' loved to laugh, and he had a memorable one!

As for Kimball, he averaged about 10 rebounds per game for his first few seasons, but a knee injury kept him from ever becoming an impact pro player.

By the way, cohenzone, Toby shot just 57 percent from the foul line for his career, but Russell was even worse at 56 percent. Perhaps Bill was laughing from the memory of his own many clanks?

RIP, Bill. You were a great player and, by all accounts I know of, a great guy.

 

[AmeriConn]