“Greatest Champ on Basketball” Stephen Curry, Warriors deliver emotional homage to Oakland icon Bill Russell
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Oakland Greats Bill Russell and Stephen Curry
When NBA legend Bill Russell left the mortal world on Sunday, it is safe to say that the basketball world lost an icon. The Louisiana-born mega star spent much of his early teen at San Francisco and played collegiate-level ball games at the same place. Making sure that he has a special bond with Oaklanders and Golden State Warriors’ star Steph Curry was no different. Winning the latest edition of the Finals MVP award completes Steph’s trophy cabinet, but he lost a friend when Bill passed away.
Steph honors trailblazer Bill Russell with a heartfelt post. After it was announced on Russell’s official Twitter account that the 11-time NBA champion had died “peacefully” with his wife, Jeannine, by his side; Curry took to Instagram to reflect on the legacy he left behind.
“Trailblazer. Icon. Greatest Champ in basketball,” Curry wrote. “Made the world on and off the court a better place. Thank you and rest easy! 11.” Along with the caption, Curry shared a photo of himself and Russell with the Larry O’Brien trophy after the Warriors won the 2015 NBA Finals, Curry and the Warriors have since gone on to win three more championships in the last 7 years.
Stephen Curry will hold on to the most precious trophy of them all remembering Bill Russell
Golden State Warriors won the 2022 NBA Championship and in the process, Stephen Curry earned the Bill Russell trophy as Finals MVP for the first time. He did exceedingly well to finally hold on to the trophy. Steph even posted that “Bill is coming home” after winning the illustrations trophy.
Russell wasn’t on hand to award Curry the trophy back in June, but he congratulated the 34-year-old on Twitter that same night. This would be the last Finals MVP award presented while Bill would be there to congratulate the winner, even virtually. Now after his demise, the award has a special value, and Stephen Curry would be holding on to it with mixed feelings of love and sorrow.
Russell’s message to Curry was just a glimpse of the friendship they shared. The Boston Celtics great could often be seen posting about his fellow Oakland legend on social media, whether he was taking photos of Curry or congratulating him on his achievements. Russell and Curry’s special relationship might have been best displayed, though, by a post shared on the Golden State veteran’s 30th birthday.
The Oakland greats certainly had their special moments together, and certainly brought a sense of pride to the streets of Oakland. Bill Russell did a lot during his life. Despite going through numerous struggles since his childhood, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him.
He won more championships than any other NBA player, however, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. With such an inspirational personality and iconic player’s demise, everyone is in a state of shock and shares their love for Bill.
Russell’s memory will continue to live on through the game of basketball, and through those like Curry who hoists the trophy named after him.
Also Read: BREAKING: NBA World reacts to Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell’s demise at the age of 88
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Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)