Bill Russell's journey from homeless to sporting fame is revealed in 5 short stories

Bill Russell's passing is a sad story. One less humble, funny man, one less basketball winner, one less life legend.

Every time I mention Bill Russell's name or see him in a video, my mind flashes back to Wukesong on the night of October 11, 2012.

That night, the NBA China Game was between the Heat and the Clippers, with as many as 11 All-Star players from both teams, making it the most luxurious China Game ever. In between games, when I walked to the tunnel, I was surprised and surprised to find Bill Russell in front of me. Without saying a word, I grabbed the camera, couldn't hide the excitement of the shutter, took the following photo.

Remember that night after the game, Bill Russell did not sneak out of the arena through a special tunnel, but through the normal exit, surrounded by a sea of people screaming, taking pictures, joy, the atmosphere. The crowd moved like a sea in the direction of Bill Russell, and the madness lasted for a while before the Don disappeared from view and the song ended.

Now, ten years later, the madness and joy of that night are still fresh in my mind, but Bill Russell's legendary life has come to an end.

Bill Russell was born into a poor family and was discriminated against and even abused because he was black. His father, who felt he could not support his children by working there because of his employer's discrimination against blacks, moved the family to Oakland to live in public housing for the homeless. When he was 12, Bill Russell's mother died.

Poverty, homelessness, and the death of his mother, young Bill Russell endured hardships. But his life came to an end. With talent and hard work, he became a big winner in the basketball court and created his own legendary life.

The story of Bill Russell is too long to be told. This article takes a look at Bill Russell's legendary life from multiple perspectives through five short stories.

First, make an exception to wear the "enemy" uniform

When Durant left the Thunder to join the Warriors, who had beaten them that summer, he had a reputation for defection that would haunt him for the rest of his career. In the NBA can be called "enemies" many, Jordan and Isaiah - Thomas, Fisher and Barnes, "ox and horse war", Rockets and Jazz, but the longest history, the longest lasting, is undoubtedly the Celtics and Lakers this "bitter enemies", the two teams of fans can be called incompatible. The famous slogan "Beat La" was shouted by the Celtics at home against the Lakers. Of course, the Lakers suck at home.

Bill Russell has spent his entire career with the Celtics, with honors, five MVPS, 11 championship rings, eight straight championships, and many wins over the Lakers. He once said he would never wear a Lakers jersey. However, after the death of Kobe Bryant, who had played for only one Lakers team all his life, Bill Russell made an exception for his appreciative junior by wearing the Lakers jersey and hat No. 24.

Bill Russell once told Bryant, "I'm proud of you. I wish you were my son." One word is enough to show his affection for the junior. Bryant used his Hall of Fame speech to thank Bill Russell, who also thanked Bryant in his Hall of Fame speech as a coach, saying his friendship with Bryant had superseded the decades-long rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the recognition, praise and friendship of his younger generation, Bill Russell showed his openness and approachability as a Celtics icon who made an exception for Bryant by wearing a Lakers jersey.

I believe this is one of the reasons why Bill Russell won the respect of his juniors and why Jordan, Johnson, Shaquille O 'Neal, lebron James and Steph Curry all mourned his death.

2. Hall of Fame ring 44 years late

Bill Russell received his Hall of Fame ring at his home in 2019, 44 years after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a jersey.

In 1975, Bill Russell was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a brilliant playing career. However, faced with the coveted honor, he always refused to attend the ceremony, citing personal reasons. The only reason he chose to receive a Hall of Fame ring in 2019 was because of the fact that Chuck Cooper was elected to the Hall of Fame that year.

Chuck Cooper was the first black player selected in the NBA draft and the first black player to play for the Celtics. This was given special and important significance in the social background of serious racial discrimination in the United States at that time. Bill Russell entered the Celtics as an undrafted player in 1956, the year Chuck Cooper retired.

Chuck Cooper's performance on the court is a shadow of Bill Russell's, averaging 6.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for his career. But Bill Russell refused to become the first black player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. In his mind, he could not get into the Hall of Fame before Chuck Cooper. After Chuck Cooper was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019, Bill Russell received his own Hall of Fame ring, which should have been his in 1975.

This is Bill Russell's commitment to his principles as he has done for more than 40 years, and his respect for his predecessors and the significance of being the first black player selected in the NBA draft as a pioneer.

3. Hope Duncan will be a pallbearer at his funeral

Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in Major League Baseball, is considered one of the most important events of the modern American civil rights movement. Bill Russell is the first black coach in NBA history and the first black coach in North American professional sports. Both of their pioneering has epoch-making significance.

Bill Russell was Jackie Robinson's favorite athlete, and Jackie Robinson's wife asked Russell to be a pallbearer at Jackie Robinson's funeral.

Bill Russell has said he felt the same way about Duncan and said he wanted him to be one of the pallbearers at his funeral.

In fact, there are many similarities between Bill Russell and Duncan.

Both have played their entire careers for the same team, both have helped them win multiple championships, both have been post players, both have been pillars of their defensive systems, both have made their teammates better and more popular. They are both peaceful and modest in character. Duncan entered the NBA a year late in order to finish college. Bill Russell entered the NBA a year late in order to compete in the Olympics, which was not available to professional players at the time.

From being a pallbearer at Jackie Robinson's funeral to wanting Duncan to be one of the pallbearers at his own. Bill Russell was as outspoken about his affection for Duncan as Jackie Robinson was about him.

This, perhaps, is a perfect commentary on inheritance.

4. The birth of the Bill Russell Cup

On February 14, 2009, during the All-Star weekend in Phoenix, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that in recognition of Bill Russell's outstanding contributions and enduring legend, the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award will be officially renamed the "Bill Russell Trophy". Stern was blunt: "Who better to name this trophy than Russell? Bill's spirit inspired an entire generation, not just basketball fans, but all Americans. He was respected by his colleagues, coaches, and fans, and his legacy will be forever remembered."

It is a great honor to have your name used in the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award.

For Bill Russell, he is a big winner on the court, MVP, rebounding king and many other honors, as many as 11 championship rings, to achieve a win-win situation for both the individual and the team. With his defensive performance on the court, he changed the cognition of defense and the style of play. He was loved by his teammates and was described by Don Nelson as a player who made those around him better. He could get Wilt Chamberlain to quip, "Russell would come to my house on Thanksgiving, sleep in my bed, eat my food, and then go on the court and beat the hell out of me." He was the first black coach in the NBA and led the Celtics to two championships as a player and coach. He respected predecessors and lavished love and praise on juniors. He used his influence to change racism and inequality in the United States at that time. For example, a restaurant refused to serve black players of the Celtics, Russell organized a boycott of the game, and he was even monitored by the FBI for speaking out.

As a result, not only was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award named after him, but he also received the 2020 Manny Jackson Basketball Humane Spirit Award and was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest civil honor.

His influence came from basketball, but it went beyond it.

5. "The rest I'll share with the World"

One can influence more people and a wider range than one's own industry, in part because one has a big heart and a big heart.

Michael Jackson's global influence was largely due to his songs calling for racial equality, world peace and caring for children, which made more people empathize with his songs. Beyond's "AMANI" is a call for aid for refugee children in Africa, a call for peace; "Days of Glory" was written while visiting African refugees who were suffering from disasters. Big Love and peace songs express the theme, but also let Beyond songs influence more people, give more people power.

Bill Russell won his only Olympic gold medal in 1956. He won his first NBA championship ring in 1957. Winning his last championship ring in 1969 meant something special to Bill Russell. Last July, Bill Russell auctioned off his first and last championship rings, Olympic gold MEDALS, four of the five NBA Most Valuable Player trophies, basketballs, jerseys, letters and hundreds of other items of personal importance.

"There are a few pictures I will keep for myself, and the rest I will share with the world," Russell said.

As for the proceeds, he said he wants to donate a portion of the proceeds to MENTOR, a Boston-based nonprofit he co-founded more than 30 years ago. Another donation will go to Social Justice and Peace Boston. In addition, he once auctioned off his "KB" hat and donated the proceeds to the Mamba Foundation. He makes regular appearances at charity events. He was the first player in the league to visit Africa,

When he says "I will share with the world", he will also receive "share with the world" in return, which is the outside world's respect and love for him, and his greater influence.

In 2008, McGee, a project manager at Oakland Unified, met Bill Russell, whom McGee considers worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize. "When I first met him, I felt like I was seeing God," he said.

Now, Bill Russell, who drew laughter from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O 'Neal, Mourning, David Robinson and Dikembe Mutombo, is dead.

Perhaps, in the other world, there was a silver-haired, humble, peaceful and interesting old man.