The Legend Bill Russell: Movie Review

The Legend Bill Russell :

Bill Russell is considered one of the greatest basketball players in history. He was a dominant force on the court, particularly on defense, where he changed the game with his inventive blocked shots. Off the court, Russell was known for his intelligence and hard work, always preparing and visualizing his moves before trying them in a game.

Despite his many achievements and his place in basketball history, Russell was often reluctant to accept the attention that came with his success.

He famously declined to attend his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. Despite this, Russell remained committed to making a positive impact in the world, not just through his basketball prowess but by working to make life better for his children and Black children globally.

Russell accomplished much more than he ever let on and continues to inspire and impact basketball players and fans alike.Legend’ explores the extraordinary life of basketball star and activist: Movie Review

When Bill Russell received a scholarship to play basketball at the University of San Francisco, he found that the distance from his high school in Oakland to the university was farther than he had imagined. In his memoir, "Go Up for Glory," he writes about feeling like he had entered a whole new world when he arrived in San Francisco. He talks about how different the cultures were, joking that he didn't even know the word "mother" could be used by itself until he got there.

Despite these cultural differences, Russell went winning two NCAA titles with his roommate and teammate, K.C. Jones. After being drafted by the Boston Celtics, Russell helped revolutionize the NBA and turn it into the vertical game that it is today.

More than six months after his death at the age of 88, a documentary about Russell's life and legacy, titled "Bill Russell: Legend" and directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sam Pollard, will premiere on Netflix.

The film is a testament to Russell's impact on the sport and his place in history, as the NBA announced that his number 6 would be retired across the league, making him the only player to receive this honor.

The upcoming two-part documentary showcases not just Bill Russell's basketball skills, but also his outspoken activism during the Civil Rights era. Russell was a strong supporter of Civil Rights, marching with Martin Luther King Jr. and participating in the Cleveland Summit, which was a gathering of Black athletes including football star Jim Brown and UCLA basketball star Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to support Muhammad Ali's decision to refuse to fight in the Vietnam War.

Russell's activism also extended to the court, where he organized a boycott of Black players from the Celtics and St. Louis Hawks for an exhibition game in Lexington, KY after they were refused service at a local restaurant. Even in 2017, Russell demonstrated his support for the cause by posting a picture of himself kneeling on Twitter in support of then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Bill Russell was also a trailblazer in the NBA. He was part of the league's first all-Black starting five in a game in St. Louis in 1964, and later became the NBA's first Black coach when he took on the role of player-coach after Red Auerbach retired. Russell added to his impressive collection of nine NBA titles by winning two more as player-coach.

In the documentary, filmmaker Sam Pollard sits down with a variety of individuals including Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and activist Harry Edwards, a UC Berkeley sociology professor emeritus who has dedicated his career to documenting the experiences of Black athletes. The film also features appearances by Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Walton, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Chris Paul, and Jayson Tatum.

Pollard's documentary also showcases Russell's offensive skills and how he was a student of the game. Curry shares that Russell once told him that he would always pick a move and visualize it repeatedly before trying it on the court. He was a diligent player who studied the game.

The film delves into Russell's intense rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain, his relationship with Celtics fans and the media, and his post-playing career ups and downs. Although Russell was an influential figure in the sport, he was humble and reluctant to take credit for his achievements. He even declined to attend his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.

Despite his modesty, Russell had a profound impact on the game of basketball and made a lasting contribution to society. He wrote, "I consider professional basketball as marking time, the most shallow thing in the world. ... But the contribution I'd like to make as a person, to my kids and little Black kids all over the world, is to make life better so their ambitions aren't stilted when they face the world."

According to Curry, Russell had different access to the breach area he would aboriginal anticipate a move in his arch again afore absolutely attempting it on the court. Russell was accepted for his active abstraction of the game.

Pollard's book additionally delves into Russell's animosity with Wilt Chamberlain, his complicated accord with Celtics admirers and the media, and the ups and downs of his post-playing career. Despite his appulse on the game, Russell was afraid to embrace his cachet as a basketball avant-garde and alike beneath to appear his consecration into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Russell himself declared that he didn't accept his able basketball career had contributed abundantly to society. However, he capital to accomplish an absolute appulse as a person, decidedly for his accouchement and Black kids everywhere, by alive to advance their lives and advice they accomplish their dreams. Despite his modesty, it's bright that Russell was able to abundant added than he anytime gave himself acclaim for.

Bill Russell's intresting FACTS :

Bill Russell is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

1. He was dominant on the defensive end, revolutionizing the game with his blocked shot technique.
2. Off the court, he was known for his intelligence and hard work, always studying the game and visualizing his moves.
3. Despite his numerous accomplishments and status as a pioneer in the sport, Russell was often reluctant to accept the recognition.
4. In 1975, he refused to attend his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
5. Despite this, he remained focused on making a positive impact in the world, not just through his basketball success, but by striving to improve life for his children and Black children everywhere.
6. Russell did far more than he ever took credit for, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence players and fans of the game today.