“Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory” - Bill Russell
(Bill Russell)
Bill Russell was born as William Russell on February 12th, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana, USA. At 8 years old he moved to Oakland, CA. When he was 12 his mother died. In school Russell had trouble playing basketball.He then played basketball for the University of San Francisco. Russell became a force on his team. Russell was a target of racism while in college. In 1954 his whole team protested against hotel which would not allow Russell and other Black players to stay.
(Russell in 1954)
In 1955 he won the NCAA championship. In 1956 he won the NCAA championship. During his college career Russell averaged 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. He was also on his college’s track and field team. Also in 1956 he was drafted to the Boston Celtics. Also in 1956 he participated in the Olympics. He won a gold medal in basketball. The Celtics finished with a 44–28 regular season record. During a game with the NY Knicks Russell knocked out Ray Felix for constant harassment. In 1957 the Celtics won the NBA championship.
(Russell in 1957)
In 1958 he was voted MVP. In the 1958 NBA finals Russell got a foot injury in game 3.
(Russell in 1958)
In 1959 the Celtics won the NBA title. Also in 1959 Russell was the 1st NBA player to visit Africa.
(Russell (Right) and Wilt Chamberlain (Left))
In 1960 the Celtics won the NBA title. In 1961 the Celtics won the NBA title. He was also voted MVP.
(Russell in 1961)
In 1962 the Celtics won the NBA title. He also was voted MVP. In 1963 the Celtics won the NBA title.
(Russell in 1963)
In 1964 the Celtics won the NBA title. He also was voted MVP. In 1965 the Celtics won the NBA title.
(Russell in 1965)
In 1966 the Celtics won the NBA title. Russell then became the first African American coach in NBA history. In 1968 the Celtics won the NBA title.
(Russell in 1968)
In 1969 the Celtics won the NBA title. Russell then left the celtics. In 1972 Russell’s number was retired by the Celtics.
(Russell in 1972)
In 1973 he coached the Seattle Supersonics. In 1975 he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
(Russell in 1975)
In 1977 he stopped coaching the Supersonics. In 1979 he hosted Saturday Night Live.
(Russell in 1979)
In 1987 he coached the Sacramento Kings. In 1988 he stopped coaching the Kings.
(Russell in 1988)
In 2001 he published the book Russell’s Rules. In 2006 he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
(Russell in 2006)
In 2007 Russell was awarded an honorary doctorate by Suffolk University. Also in 2007 Russell received an honorary degree from Harvard University. Also in 2007 Russell was inducted as a member of the founding class of the FIBA Hall of Fame.
(Russell (Left) and Kobe Bryant (Right))
In 2008 the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. In 2009 the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award was renamed the "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award".
(Russell (Center) with Paul Pierce (Right) and Kevin Garnett (Left))
In 2011 Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2013 he was arrested for bringing a firearm to an airport.
(Russell (Right) with Lebron James (Left))
Today is his 83rd birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Bill Russell.
Videos of Bill Russell
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7LqNAletFU “1955 NCAA centers Bill Russell (29pts 16reb 2a 3blk) vs 7ft3 Wade Halbrook (18pts 18reb 2blk 3stl)”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry1XfwfRioI “Bill Russell and the 1956 College All Stars at Madison Square Garden”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF4HqiA8SY8 “1957 NBA Finals - The Bill Russell Dynasty Begins”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErlkZ4dRzys “1959/60 (November 7th) Philadelphia Warriors@Boston Celtics - Chamberlain & Russell meets 1st time”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOzj-lpKNIo “NBA Overtime: Bill Russell 1960”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSdfIEf9HOY “Bill Russell Highlights 1962 Finals G7 vs Lakers - 30 Pts, 40 Rebs”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zod87fjoyv0 “Bill Russell - 8 blocks (5 against Jerry West!) vs Lakers, 1963 Finals Game 6”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV7vHBT2qAQ “1966 NBA Finals G7 final 30 seconds (with Bill Russell and CLUTCH Jerry West)”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGcgnRkPhoY “Bill Russell - ''Last Points in the NBA'' (1969 Finals)”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzTkAA9sTQA “Soul Train (Dance-off featuring Bill Russell 1972)”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY9t2WeMX1c “Bill Russell - Bell System Commercial (1973)”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeU_CW6v0GA “NBA Overtime: Bill Russell 1987”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHNzUCXZShE “Bill Russel on work ethic”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMlF2Eio9sQ “2006 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame - Highlights -5min”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTuD9ww0s8 “Kevin Garnett talks to Bill Russell 2007/2008”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqjUGBKvlsE “Bill Russell All-Star Moment - 2009 in Phoenix”
(P.S. sorry for the late post)
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