There are many things about Bill Russell’s life that people don’t know about when they talk about the legendary NBA star. His various fights against racism and for civil rights, and his work in the community, are all being talked about in the light of his passing. However, the one thing that every NBA fan knows is that Russell won 11 championships in 13 seasons, a mark that no one has even come close to since.
Michael Jordan got roasted by the man himself for suggesting the Bulls would approach the record. And despite them winning 6 in 8 seasons, even they couldn’t come close. While Russell was understandably proud of his and his team’s achievements, his initial reaction was one of utter speechlessness. The humble superstar, right after he won his 11th ring, that one as a player-coach, got visibly emotional during the interview.
Interviewer: “Bill, this must have been a great win for ya!… I know, try to say what’s in your mind right now, must have been a great win.”
Bill Russell: “Boy, this is such a great bunch of guys, you know. And, it’s been so fabulous the way they’ve played for me. And it sounds all corny when you start talking like that, I told these guys before the game, ‘I don’t care what happens’, I told these guys they’re the greatest guys in the world.”
Winning in the NBA and doing it consistently is one of the most difficult things to do. So for one player to win so consistently in every capacity is truly a testament to how brilliant Bill Russell was. He was peerless when it came to getting the job done.
Russell’s passing will likely bring up a lot more of these moments and stories in the days to come. While the NBA is fast-moving and there are always many topics to discuss, a man like Russell deserves to be celebrated as much as possible by the fans of the game and, indeed, by other people as well.
