The Tribute of the NBA to Bill Russell

Bill Rusell, one of the all-time greats, a well-decorated basketball player, and a legend in the history of basketball and sports. He has built himself one of the greatest legacies and careers in the history of the NBA. It is deeply saddening to say that he passed away on July 31, 2022. With this, people all over the world, those who love the sport, and the NBA community mourn his final exit.

Recognize Greatness

Bill Russell may be known by the older generation since he played from 1956 to 1969. For the younger generation, he might be only known because of his name and as one of the faces of the league. His career alone can tell you how decorated his playing career is, and let me tell you it is more than what you think. Here is the list of his achievements as a player:

11x NBA Champion
12x NBA All-Star
1x All-Star MVP
5x NBA MVP
3x All-NBA First Team
8x All-NBA Second Team
1x NBA All-Defensive First Team
4x NBA Rebounding Champion
NBA Lifetime Achievement Award
4x NBA Anniversary Team (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th)
Jersey Number 6 retired by the Boston Celtics
2x NCAA Champion
1x NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
UPI College Player of The Year
2x Helms Player of The Year
2x Consensus First team All-American
WCC Player of The Year
3x First team All-WCC
Jersey Number 6 retired by the San Francisco Dons (college team)
Presidential Medal of Freedom

That is a lot of achievements. No wonder, he is a Hall of Famer. Bill Russell played thirteen seasons in the NBA. Of those thirteen seasons, eleven of them were championship runs. It means that, during his tenure in the league, his team and himself won almost every single year. He was one of the most successful players in the history of the league.

Bleed Green

Bill Russell’s played for only one team, and that is the Boston Celtics. He is responsible for eleven of the seventeen championship rings the franchise has. The loyalty Bill has to the franchise explains many things. Not every player stays for the team that drafted them, it poses the value of him as a player. After he retired from playing in the league, the Celtics retired his jersey up on the rafters, never to be worn again by another player who becomes a Celtics.

Honoring The Legend

To honor Bill Russell, the NBA decided that every team would retire the No. 6 to show tribute to his legacy. By retiring his number permanently throughout the league, it ensures that his dominant career which helped the game and the league grow will always be acknowledged and appreciated by current and future fans. In addition, every court of each NBA team will incorporate a No. 6 clover-shaped logo on the hardwood.

Copyright Dispute: Lenka Issues Takedown Notice for Shaira’s ‘Selos’

Currently, there are 16 players in the league who uses the number six in their team jersey. The NBA allowed them to continue using the number even when they move to different teams until their retirement. It means that any future players of the league would not be allowed or would be strictly stopped from wearing the number six.

Bill Russell NBA Tribute

THE LEGACY OF BILL RUSSELL WILL RUN THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF BASKETBALL. HIS NAME SHALL LIVE ON FOREVER AS ONE OF THE GREATEST WHO EVER PLAYED THE SPORT.