Bill Russel and Number 6: First time in Basketball History
Basketball is the sport of icons and stars, from MJ to Shaq and Kobe to Curry and Lebron legacy always goes through next generation and one of the pioneers of the linage is The Greatest Center of All Time, considered by many, Bill Russell. Born in 1934, the legend found peace on 31st July of 2022.
Louisiana-born Bill joined NBA as a center of Boston Celtics in 1956. With his great athleticism in defense, he was widely populated as “The Secretary of Defense”. He had a long list of achievements which he accomplished with his jersey no. 6 of Boston Celtics.
Bill has the most rings won by any NBA player. “Mr. 11 rings” was the centerpiece of Celtic dynasty in the years of 1959-66. Addition to 8 consecutive wins for Boston, he also led Men’s Basketball Team of USA in 1956 to win Gold. He was so great that NBA Most Valuable Player Award named for him in 2009. Bill didn’t restrict himself in only as Player, in 1966, as first Black coach he was hired by Celtics. He guided Boston to championship back-to-back in 1968 and 69 with his exceptional skill as player-head coach.
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But people don’t remember him only for his play and matches, Bill came forward as Civil Right fighter and also marched with revolutionary Martin Luther King Jr. for his belief in equality in all races. For his passionate struggle for social justice, he was awarded with the nation’s highest civilian honor Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.
Boston?Celtics?retired the jersey no. 6 of Bill Russell in 1972 as his life-long commitment to Basketball and NBA also recognized this. The National Basketball Association create history by retiring the jersey no. 6 from all teams i.e. no team or player will wear no. 6 jersey from now on. They announced the news through Twitter. Among the players, Lebron James is one of the last bearers of Bill’s no. 6 legacy.
NBA Lifetime Achievement Award winner (2017) and Participant of All NBA Anniversary Events (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th) the Legend Bill Russell has set many milestones to upcoming generations to achieve with his play and contribution towards society.