NBA responds to the passing of Hall of Famer Bill Russell

image credit: bloomberg.com

Bill Russell, who led the Boston Celtics to 11 titles in 13 years and was the first Black head coach in a major U.S. sport, died Sunday. 88-year-old

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NBA players, executives, personalities, and luminaries weigh in on the death of a Celtics legend.

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On February 12, 1934, William Felton Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana. Fill in some text

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[{"selector":"#anim-06c95f43-834e-4eae-82aa-ef5ea4c7bc64 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Russell went to Oakland's McClymonds High School, where he was awkward and struggled to get playing time until his senior year. image credit: youtube.com

Russell was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 1955 and averaged 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds in three seasons with the Dons.

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[{"selector":"#anim-ed1b4b59-df2b-44f1-9c82-e48f65057c9f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Fill in some textRussell would finally arrive in Boston that December, and in 48 games the center averaged 19.6 rebounds (best in the NBA) and 14.7 points while helping Boston to its first championship. image credit: globo.com

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Russell added, "Respect is key." In basketball, talent is all that matters.

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[{"selector":"#anim-e212b8ec-5c95-458d-9b3f-1a2c04ee39fc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] This role was mine as a coach, not as a black, white, or green man. Because I'm black, I wasn't hired. image credit: nba.com

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