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NBA World Pays Tributes To Bill Russell
Bill Russell, one of the greatest NBA players in history died Sunday at age 88.
Russell was an 11-time NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969), 5- time NBA MVP (1958, 1961–1963, 1965), 12-time NBA All-Star (1958–1969), 11-time All-NBA Team member, 4-time rebounding champion and a 2-time NCAA champion.
Russell, who also won two NBA titles as head coach of the Celtics, has the NBA Finals MVP award named after him, and in 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his many years of civil rights activism.
The NBA world paid tributes to the ultimate Champion.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver:
“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect, and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league, At the height of of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps. Through the taunts, threats, and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”
Thanku for being a trailblazer , pioneer Thanku for setting the bar , for ur kind words of wisdom, Thanku for that great laugh u had . I can go on all day about what u meant to me . Today is a sad day for the NBA family u will be forever missed #6
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 31, 2022
Rest In Peace thank you for paving the way and inspiring so many Today is a sad day but also great day to celebrate his legacy and what he stood for pic.twitter.com/kvDaIsjpGG
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 31, 2022
Bill Russell passed away today at the age of 88. Rest, Bill. @thebill pic.twitter.com/edFIo4ukT2
— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) July 31, 2022
The Great Bill Russell has always been my basketball idol.
Not because he won 11 NBA championships and 5 MVPs.
It was mainly for his stand for civil rights and social justice.
We have lost a great one.
I can remember my first time meeting him and being like a nervous (1/1)— Alex English (@AlexEnglish_2) July 31, 2022
R.I.P Bill Russell. You allowed me to be in the position I am in today and you changed not only the league but the world. Forever 6.
— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) July 31, 2022
A statement from Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/RdYcnuCrmb
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 31, 2022
To be the greatest champion in your sport, to revolutionize the way the game is played, and to be a societal leader all at once seems unthinkable, but that is who Bill Russell was. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/K0Ue0hKiLs
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 31, 2022
Legends are forever.
RIP Bill Russell, truly a titan of our game. pic.twitter.com/EKpLABwzmT
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 31, 2022
.@SHAQ pays tribute to Bill Russell pic.twitter.com/7Jn5vLe78H
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 31, 2022
Coach Pop on the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/89IrDvmIqO
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 31, 2022
I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of the greatest winner the game of basketball has ever seen, a legend, hall of famer, mentor and my friend for over 30 years, Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/iiSkVq2kdn
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 31, 2022
My thoughts about Bill Russell passing away…. I am working on an deeper thought provoking article tonight as I process what just happened. pic.twitter.com/M69pXNkaC0
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) August 1, 2022
We join the basketball community in mourning the passing of Bill Russell. A true legend both on and off the court. You will be forever missed pic.twitter.com/LfnYHacBHo
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 31, 2022
The LA Clippers join the basketball community in mourning the passing of Bill Russell — the ultimate winner, leader and trailblazer. His impact and his legend will live forever. pic.twitter.com/vJk70UllsY
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 31, 2022
RIP to the legend https://t.co/K6DJBNCyBD
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) July 31, 2022
Today, we lost a giant.
As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 31, 2022
Charles Barkley’s statement regarding the passing of Bill Russell pic.twitter.com/kVwqnBchzO
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 31, 2022
RIP Bill Russell. A legend in every sense of the word, on and off the floor
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) July 31, 2022
The Brooklyn Nets join the NBA community in mourning the passing of Bill Russell, an NBA icon whose impact reached far beyond the game of basketball and will endure forever. Our hearts go out to the Russell family and all who loved him. pic.twitter.com/7mWBj3xEew
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 31, 2022
A true champion in every way, on and off the court.
Rest in peace, Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/cpm5KSte7N
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 31, 2022
A champion who revolutionized the game for all of us. Bill Russell was an inspiration to me in so many ways. May he Rest in Power.
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) July 31, 2022
Steve Kerr on the life and legacy of Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/5nT5kiFI3r
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 31, 2022
RIP Mr. Bill Russell.
A TRUE hero… pic.twitter.com/Eegq3wLhfC— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) July 31, 2022
Bill Russell, who spent many of his formative years in the Bay Area, was a true giant in the game of basketball, and more importantly, in the game of life.
While the accolades on the court were immense, it was his overall impact as a pioneer that will leave the greatest legacy. pic.twitter.com/dfWxKDPW1q
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 31, 2022
Bill Russell was the epitome of a champion, in every sense of the word. He was an innovator who broke through barriers and for all of his extraordinary successes on the court, he was just as impactful off of it. (1/2) @RealBillRussell pic.twitter.com/LUGwc8t59f
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) July 31, 2022
The NBA family just learned this afternoon that Bill Russell, the 11-time champion and Hall of Fame icon of the Boston Celtics, who used that fame to further the civil rights cause in the United States during the turbulent 1960s, has died at the age of 88. He will be missed pic.twitter.com/DA4R70Wjps
— Dikembe Mutombo (@officialmutombo) July 31, 2022
Bill Russell was a legendary player and coach, and an even better person. He approached everything he did with determination, principle, and wisdom. I will always be grateful for the chance to call him my friend. pic.twitter.com/CmMVzLJUJJ
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 31, 2022
