Legends of game reflect on Russell
This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell. He was not forgotten. The entire season has been a tribute to Russell, with all teams putting his No. 6 at midcourt and all players wearing it on their jerseys. And at Sunday’s Legends Brunch — one of the best events of AllStar weekend — Russell was honored with remarks from Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown, former on-court rivals Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Hall of Famer Grant Hill.
Abdul-Jabbar called Russell “my friend, my mentor, my role model.” He was 14 when he first met Russell and the initial greeting wasn’t overly friendly; the Celtics were using the gym at Power Memorial in New York, Abdul-Jabbar’s high school, for practice. Russell was reading The New York Times, and Celtics coach Red Auerbach suggested he meet the player then known as Lew Alcindor.
How Abdul-Jabbar remembered Russell’s response: “I’m not getting up to meet some kid.”
They met anyway, and became very close over the years, with Russell — notorious for disliking autographs — even signing a Celtics jersey for AbdulJabbar a few years ago.
And that day, just as he did in that high school gym a half-century earlier, Russell called Abdul-Jabbar “kid.”
“There’s a whole lot more truth and love and respect for my 60-year relationship with Bill Russell,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “Not just as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but as the man who taught me how to be bigger as a player, and as a man.”
Erving told the story of how he played golf with Russell, and how neither was very good. Golf was merely an excuse to get together and tell stories, ones that would often bring Russell’s loud and distinct cackle when he found something humorous.
“Everybody knew when William Felton Russell was in the room,” Erving said. “I cherish those times.”
Love chooses Heat
Kevin Love says he has picked the Miami Heat.
The former UCLA star said that he will sign with the Heat for the remainder of the season once he clears waivers, a major add for a team looking to move up in the Eastern Conference before the postseason begins.
The 6-foot-9 forward and the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to buyout terms Saturday, ending his nine-year run with the team that he helped win the 2016 NBA title.
Over parts of 15 NBA seasons with Cleveland and Minnesota, Love has averaged 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds.