Bill Russell won 11 NBA championships.
NBA award ceremony, Bill Russell won the lifetime achievement award, in the face of the award for the five legendary center Abdul-Jabbar, O 'Neal, David Robinson, Mourning, Mutombo, the 83-year-old man counted the number of people on stage, imperiously joked: "I can beat you."
That's what the Lord of the Rings is all about.
Five years later, on August 1, his family released a statement through official social media, Bill Russell died peacefully at the age of 88. From Jordan, O 'Neill and other legendary stars to the Celtics, Lakers and other teams, and then to the NBA league president, Tatum and other current stars, have remembered the legend of the "Lord of the Rings" career.
11 championship rings, 5 regular season MVPS, 2 NCAA championships, 1 Olympic gold medal, has been elected to the NBA League 25, 50, 75 stars, as a player and coach twice elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, NBA Finals MVP trophy named after him... Bill Russell achieved countless honors during his lifetime and changed the game of basketball in unique ways.
There is no doubt that the Lord of the Rings is basketball's greatest winner and best teammate.
Jordan and others remember the legendary superstar
As one of the greatest stars in NBA history, the late Bill Russell often appeared in the All-Star weekend, the season award ceremony and other important occasions, since the NBA named the Finals MVP trophy in his name in 2009, the Finals MVP personally awarded the "Bill Russell Cup" has become a custom.
However, in recent years, Bill Russell's physical condition is not ideal, NBA75 stars of the award ceremony, he did not appear, during the finals, Curry career for the first time Finals MVP, Bill Russell is only to record video to Curry congratulated.
In the early morning of August 1, after Bill Russell passed away, Michael Jordan issued a statement, feeling the loss of a legend in the sport of basketball, and to his family, "As a player, a champion, the NBA's first African-American head coach, Bill Russell was a pioneer, he paved the way for every African-American player who has entered the NBA since. Be a role model for everyone, including me."
As a player, wearing the Celtics No. 6 jersey Bill Russell led the team to win the championship for the first time, and helped the "Green Army" win 11 times in 13 years, including an 8 consecutive championship.
After the death of the team's biggest player, the Celtics also remembered the legend on social media, "To be the greatest champion in basketball, to completely change the way the sport is played, and to do it all at the same time is really unimaginable, this is Bill Russell." Thanks to the contribution of Bill Russell, the championship gene is passed on from generation to generation in the Celtics."
Achievements
11 championships in 13 years in the NBA
In the 1956 NBA Draft, Bill Russell was selected by the Hawks and later joined the Celtics. In fact, before landing in the NBA, Bill Russell has been famous all over the country, in 1955 and 1956, he led the University of San Francisco to win two NCAA championships, and in 1956, he also represented the United States men's basketball team to participate in the Olympic Games, easily won the championship.
Bill Russell was able to connect with the Celtics, largely thanks to the "Cardinal" Auerbach's insight. In exchange for Bill Russell, Auerbach traded away the team's All-Star McAuley and another rookie, a decision that proved to be a turning point in the Celtics' dynasty.
In his rookie season, Bill Russell showed strong dominance, averaging 14.7 points and 19.6 rebounds in the regular season, and helped the team win its first NBA championship in the playoffs. Despite losing in the Finals in his second season, Bill Russell led the team to an astonishing eight consecutive championships beginning in 1958-1959.
No matter how the teammates around him change, which opponent comes to challenge, Bill Russell and the Celtics can always be invincible. In the 1966-1967 season, Auerbach retired, Bill Russell became the first African-American head coach in NBA history, and the team lost to the 76ers in the Eastern Conference finals.
In the 1967-1968 and 1968-1969 seasons, Bill Russell was nearing the end of his career, and his form declined due to injuries. For the second straight season against the star-studded Lakers, it was Bill Russell and his teammates who had the last laugh. By the time he retired in 1969, Bill Russell had collected 11 championship rings and was known as "The Lord of the Rings."
During the 13 years of the NBA, Bill Russell and Chamberlain played 142 games and won 84. Played 29 series in 13 seasons, won 27 of them, played 10 Tiesevens, and won all of them. In addition to Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, West, Oscar Robertson and other legends have become the background board of Bill Russell, unable to win a championship.
"He terrorizes all his opponents." That's what George McCann, the NBA's first legendary center, said about Bill Russell.
Attacking on his own wasn't Bill Russell's strong suit, but his defensive approach changed the game. Excellent rebounding and blocking consciousness make the "Green Army" under the basket become a restricted area, and selfless passing allows teammates to counterattack and score, so Cousy, Heinsohn, Havericek and so on become the league's top stars and champions around him.
After Bill Russell retired, his career glory and growth story has inspired countless young players to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and change the landscape of the league. As Pierce said, "Bill Russell was a trailblazer and pioneer. "Today is a sad day for the NBA and you will always be remembered."
