bill russell family life

[108] West then hit one basket after the other and cut the lead to one, and Chamberlain asked to return to the game. "[208] Years after Taylor's book, Russell published the autobiographical account Red and Me, which chronicled his lifelong friendship with Auerbach. Although Russell was a good runner and jumper and had large hands,[20] he did not understand the game and was cut from the team at Herbert Hoover Junior High School. I refuse to smile and be nice to the kiddies. In overtime, Frank Ramsey, the fourth forward, fouled out trying to guard Baylor, so Russell was robbed of his usual four-men wing rotation; he and little-used fifth forward Gene Guarilia successfully pressured Baylor into missed shots. "[5][122] On November 3, 1979, Russell hosted Saturday Night Live, in which he appeared in several sports-related sketches. Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. [110] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". Because Russell ignored virtually any well-wisher who approached him home or away, including the vast majority of media, his autograph was among the most difficult to secure of any professional athlete of his time. [57] Russell had a more cordial relationship with many of his teammates with the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and fellow rookie. It was one cold day of 1934 and the month of love when Bill was born. [211] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. Auerbach had informed his players to not endorse candidates or causes, as it would alienate fans; Cousy campaigned for Ted Kennedy in 1962. WebEarly Life. Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics on March 12, 1972,[114] Russell had worn the same number 6 at the USF and for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team. [210], Chamberlain's knee was injured so badly that he could not play the entire offseason and he ruptured it the next season. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[122]. [154] He could score with putbacks and made mid-air outlet passes to point guard Bob Cousy for easy fast-break points. His father gave up his trucking job and became a steelworker in order to be closer to his children. He was selected by the Boston Celtics during the 1956 NBA Draft because of his defensive toughness and rebounding prowess. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. [174] The statue was unveiled on November 1, 2013, with Russell in attendance. He was born and brought up in a super-rich-class Catholic [78] In the Eastern Division championships of the 1962 NBA playoffs, the Celtics met the Philadelphia Warriors led by Chamberlain, who averaged 50 points per game that season, and Russell did his best to slow him down. [67] Lakers head coach John Kundla praised Russell, stating: "We don't fear the Celtics without Bill Russell. He was very happy to receive this scholarship as it provided him an opportunity to escape the life of poverty and racism. [53], Due to his Olympic commitment, Russell could not join the Celtics for the 195657 NBA season until December. "[122] In December 2008, the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. The Celtics rallied back, winning Game 5 122104 and Game 6 114106, powered by a spirited Havlicek and helped by a terrible Sixers shooting slump. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. I like most blacks because I am black." 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. [223] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. The Celtics made good use of the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers had exhausted the St. Louis Hawks in a long seven-game Western Conference Finals,[76] and Boston won the 1961 NBA Finals in five games. When Russell was 10, his father, Charlie, fed up with trying to navigate a racially charged South, moved his family across the country to Oakland, California, where he found work at a shipyard. He was growing older and slow and by the 1967-68 season, his figures were slowly declining. [224] In 1995, the Celtics left the Boston Garden and entered the FleetCenter, now known as the TD Garden; as the main festive act, the Celtics wanted to re-retire Russell's jersey in front of a sellout audience. [188], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. [116] While Russell long had sore feelings towards Boston, there was something of a reconciliation, and he visited the city regularly in his later years, something he never did in the years immediately after his retirement. children: Jacob Russell, Karen Russell, William Russell Jr. Grouping of People: Black Baseball Players, U.S. State: Louisiana, African-American From Louisiana, awards: 1955 - NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1955-1956 - 2 NCAA champion 1963 - NBA All-Star Game MVP, 19571959 - 5 NBA rebounding champion 19641965 - 5 NBA rebounding champion 1958 - 5 NBA Most Valuable Player 1965 - 5 NBA Most Valuable Player 19611963 - 5 NBA Most Valuable Player 1957 - 11 NBA champion 19591966 - 11 NBA champion 19681969 - 11 NBA champion. His 1956 rookie contract was worth $24,000 (equivalent to $239,207 in 2021), only fractionally smaller than the $25,000 of top earner and teammate Bob Cousy. Russell said he was "proud of my grandfather's heroic dignity against forces more powerful than him he would not allow himself to be oppressed or intimidated by anyone." [151] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. His talent did not immediately shine through. [108] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. [81] As the game was tied, Russell had the daunting task of defending against Baylor with little frontline help: Loscutoff, Heinsohn, and Satch Sanders, the three best Celtics forwards, had fouled out. He is said to have made a conscious decision to put the team first and foremost, and not worry about individual achievements. [198], In 1966, The New York Times wrote that "Russell's main characteristics are pride, intelligence, an active and appreciative sense of humor, a preoccupation with dignity, a capacity for consideration once his friendship or sympathy has been aroused, and an unwillingness to compromise whatever truths he has accepted. Russell used a copy as extra motivation and told his team to play a running game because in that case it was not the better but the more determined team that was going to win. After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. [110], For most of his career, Russell and his perennial opponent Wilt Chamberlain were close friends. [197] Russell also had a shoe designed by Bristol Manufacturing Corporation in 1966, the Bill Russell Professional Basketball Shoe. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. [102] Russell acknowledged the first real loss of his career, as he had been injured when the Celtics lost the 1958 NBA Finals, by visiting Chamberlain in the locker room, shaking his hand, and saying: "Great. He was notorious for his public surliness and judgmental attitude towards others. [182] In 1996, Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault;[183] their marriage lasted until her death in January 2009. [171], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. With Russell anchoring the middle of the floor, the Celtics finished with the NBA's best record in 1957, and went on to win the title over the Hawks in a tense seven-game series. To coach the Celtics, he had initially wanted his old player Frank Ramsey, who was too occupied running his three lucrative nursing homes. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. [57] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. Russell's 51 rebounds in a single game is the second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of 55. [50] On offense, Russell's output was limited and his NBA career personal averages show him to be an average scorer (15.1 points career average), a poor free-throw shooter (56.1%), and average overall shooter from the field (44%, not exceptional for a center). The teams split the first six games. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88. [60] With the Celtics leading 125123 with one second left, the Hawks had the ball at their own baseline. [99] His second choice was Cousy, who declined the invitation, stating that he did not want to coach his former teammates. Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his mother, whod been his biggest advocate and pushed him to work hard in school. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). If that isn't goaltending, I want somebody to tell me what it is. [156] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". In Game 4, the Celtics were trailing by one point with seven seconds left and the Lakers had the ball until Baylor stepped out of bounds. [78], In the 1962 NBA Finals, the Celtics met the Los Angeles Lakers of forward Elgin Baylor and guard Jerry West. [39][40] During his college career, Russell was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1955, averaging 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. DeJulio was unimpressed by Russell's meager scoring and "atrocious fundamentals",[29] but he sensed that the young Russell had an extraordinary instinct for the game, especially in the clutch. "[27] In an autobiographical account, Russell said that while on a California High School All-Stars tour, he became obsessed with studying and memorizing other players' moves, e.g., footwork such as which foot they moved first on which play, as preparation for defending against them, which included practicing in front of a mirror at night. [61], The Celtics finished the 195657 regular season with a 4428 record, the team's second-best record since beginning play in the 194647 BAA season, which guaranteed Russell his first NBA playoffs appearance,[62] where the Celtics met with the Syracuse Nationals, a team led by Dolph Schayes, through the Eastern Division Finals. "[100][216] As a result of repeated racial bigotry, Russell refused to respond to fan acclaim or friendship from his neighbors, thinking it was insincere and hypocritical. Spouse/Ex-: Dorothy Anstett (m. 19771980), Marilyn Nault (m. 19962009), Rose Swisher (m. 19561973). Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. He most likely would have led the league in blocked shots many times, but the NBA had not yet started keeping track of the statistic. He later commented that he would have participated in the high jump if he had been snubbed by the basketball team. [50] After the game, Russell went over to the distraught West, who had scored 42 points and was named the only NBA Finals MVP in history from the losing team, clasped his hand and tried to soothe him. [20] Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,[164] and No. [94], In the 1965 NBA playoffs, the Celtics played the Eastern Division Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that had traded for Chamberlain. Nothing went on outside the borders of the court. Bill Russell, an NBA Hall of Famer, was being treated for what appear to be cardiac problems in a hospital in Washington state with him passing away due to the illness and age related ailments. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [122] Perennially wary of what he long perceived as a racist city, Russell decided to make amends and gave his approval. And what we would do is[Auerbach] trusted all his playersso like when he'd make a coaching decision, he could talk: he talked to [Bob] Cousey [who is white], he talked to me [black], he talked to [Bill] Sharman [white], he talked to Sam [Jones] [black]all of us: 'What do you think?' [58] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him, then he was too smart to play for Saperstein. William Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. [108], Days later, 30,000 Celtics fans cheered their returning heroes. The family of Bill Russell announced that he passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. 4 in ESPN's list of the top 74 NBA players of all time, the second best center behind Abdul-Jabbar and ahead of Chamberlain. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. During his early life, Bill Russell struggled in his life as he We won the National Championship. [108], The Celtics were ahead by nine points with five minutes remaining; in addition, West was limping after a Game 5 thigh injury and Chamberlain had left the game with an injured leg. Over his 13 seasons in the league, the team played in 12 NBA finals, winning 11 of them. [104], In Game 7, 15,202 Philadelphia fans witnessed a home-team 10096 defeat, making it the first time in NBA history a team lost a series after leading 31. [50] Bill Simmons has estimated that Russell had between 8 and 15 blocks per game in the playoffs.

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