One of the NBA’s All-Time greats Bill Russell has passed away. He was 88 years old. The NBA world is deeply saddened by the demise of the Boston Celtics legend. He was the backbone of the Celtics dynasty. Russell led the Celtics to win a record 11 NBA championships in 13 years. A mind-boggling record of eight straight title wins from 1959 to 1966. In the last two title wins, he was a player as well as the coach of the team. He was the first Black head coach in any major sport in the country.
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His family posted the news on Twitter, saying Russell died with his wife, Jeannine, by his side. And messages from fans around the world have been pouring in for the legend.
An announcement… pic.twitter.com/KMJ7pG4R5Z
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) July 31, 2022
However, author Nick Adams has taken a dig at LeBron James during this time. He took to Twitter and wrote, “LeBron James isn?t worthy to wear Bill Russell?s #6.” The timing of the tweet was subsequently criticized by NBA fans on Twitter.
LeBron James isn’t worthy to wear Bill Russell’s #6.
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) July 31, 2022
All-time greats Bill Russell and LeBron James
Much like the Boston Celtics legend, LeBron James will surely be considered an all-time great when he retires. Even though he might not win as many titles as Russell, James will still be a legend of the game. At 37, James averaged 30 points per game in 56 games played last season. He tried to will his Los Angeles Lakers team to a playoff spot, but it was eventually a disappointing season for the purple and gold.
And LeBron James is en route to breaking the all-time regular season scoring record set by another Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He is projected to beat the record next season. Furthermore, James is already the overall scoring leader in the NBA, regular season and playoffs combined. He is also the first player ever to record 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists.
When James led his Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title in 2020, Bill Russell took to Twitter to congratulate James for winning the Bill Russell Finals MVP award. In 2009, the NBA renamed the Finals’?MVP?trophy in his honor.
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It’s odd not being @ #NBAFinals but @MiamiHEAT put up a good fight Strange times in the @NBA Bubble. I may not be there but I want to say Congratulations to @KingJames for winning the #BillRussellFinalsMVPaward & Congratulations to the @lakers #ForKobeAndGigi #MambaOut @NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/p91H7Td3t0
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) October 12, 2020
Notably, he was selected into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team, the NBA 35th Anniversary Team, and the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Recently, he was selected for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. It is certainly a sad day for the basketball fraternity.
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Do you think Bill Russell is the GOAT of the NBA? Let us know in the comments below.