A Bill Russell Story – ‘That Guy’s A Loser, That Guy’s A Loser And That Guy’s A Loser’
Most of us are too young to have seen Bill Russell, the 11-time NBA champion, play in the league. But we all know a lot about his career and his 11 championships.
Apparently, Bill Russell does not like to talk to many people. Charles Barkley once said:
‘He don’t talk to many people, so if you get on the list, it’s pretty cool.’
Kenny Smith is on that list. Bill Russell drafted him and became his mentor, so let’s check out Kenny Smith’s amazing story about Bill Russell.
‘I was his first-ever draft pick, I was overwhelmed meeting him. I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t know whether to call him ‘Coach Russell,’ ‘Bill,’ or ‘Mr. Russell,’ and then my assistant coach was Willis Reed. I was in heaven. He taught me what teamwork was all about, regardless of winning and losing. His ability to take a basketball moment and relate it to a lifetime experience. Something that my teammates always thought was going to be a punishment for me — sitting next to coach Russell on the team bus — actually turned out to be the best moment of my life.’
One time I asked him: “Why’ve I got to sit beside you?” And Bill said, ‘Because that guy’s a loser, that guy’s a loser, that guy’s a loser, and I don’t want you sitting with them. I sat next to him, on a bus ride or a plane ride, four hours a day. And if I went to sleep, he’d nudge me and go, ‘Sleep nights, young fella. Listen to what I’m saying.’ And I listened to all those stories. It’s a great feeling to know I was part of that. Not being Satch Sanders or Tommy Heinsohn or any other great players who played with him, I feel like I’m one of those.’
