“The man meant so much to the game,” LeBron James pays the ultimate tribute to Bill Russell


“The man meant so much to the game,” LeBron James pays the ultimate tribute to Bill Russell

Bill Russell and LeBron James

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers recently faced the Boston Celtics at the Crypto.com center. Ahead of the tip-off, James talked about the NBA great and former Boston Celtics player and coach Bill Russell. The former league MVP also talked about the league’s decision to retire number 6 from the NBA. The video of Bron’s reaction for league honoring Bill Russell was released by the Lakers’ Twitter account.

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According to LeBron, the league’s decision to retire Russell’s jersey number didn’t come as a shock to him. “It wasn’t a shock,” LeBron said. “I mean, its what should have happened. The man meant so much to the game. Not only to the Boston Celtics, but to the NBA in general. And also off the floor as well.” 

Speaking to the media the Lakers superstar also opened up about Bill’s contribution to the game of basketball and to the black community in general. As LeBron James quoted: “With what he contributed to the Black community, his activism, his speaking, his mind, everything he meant to the game.” Bill Russell was one of the leaders in the black’s Civil Rights movement in the USA along with Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Muhammad Ali. 

James told the reporters that it was always a treat whenever he had the opportunity to meet the Celtics great. Russell mostly showed up during the finals to hand over the Bill Russell trophy to the Finals MVP each year before he passed away on 31st July 2022. The 4x MVP alluded to Bill’s significance to the game and said he would continue to honor Russell’s legacy. “It’s pretty cool and for me to continue to live on his legacy wearing six this year… continue to honor his legacy,” James said.

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Also Read: Watch: LeBron James shares heartwarming moments with Carmelo Anthony as their sons resume iconic rivalry after two decades

LeBron James and the Lakers falter against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics

LeBron James

Bill Russell is one of the greatest players to ever play basketball and is frequently included in the GOAT debate. The 11x NBA champion was one of the pioneers of civil rights in the United States of America. LeBron has also been hailed for his contribution to the black community and has been very vocal against racism in the country. 

The Lakers lost their another home game on Tuesday against the Boston Celtics in overtime by 122-118. Both the Celtics and the Lakers had their duos show up big in the game as Davis, Brown, Tatum, and James scored 139 of the total 250 points in the game. James scored 33 points and made 14 of 25 shots from the field. Anthony Davis scored team-high 37 points and secured 12 rebounds. Leading the Celtics, Tatum scored game-high 44 points and made a clutch turnaround fadeaway over LeBron to even the score in the 4th quarter.

Also Read: After questioning whether Brittney Griner wants to return to the US, LeBron James wants Americans to welcome her with ‘open arms’ 

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