C'est un monument de la NBA et du basket en général qui s'est éteint ce dimanche. Bill Russell, le champion le plus prolifique des sports américains, est décédé à l'âge de 88 ans aux côtés de sa femme Jeannine. Drafté en 1956 à la deuxième place par les Hawks de Saint-Louis, il est transféré directement chez les Celtics, un coup de génie de la part de Red Auerbach. En 13 treize saisons NBA, Russell remporte 11 bagues de champion, est sélectionné à 12 reprises au All Star Game, intègre 11 fois les All-NBA Teams et gagne 5 titres suprêmes de MVP. Un palmarès auquel on peut ajouter deux titres universitaires et une médaille d'or olympique en 1956.
Au delà du basket, Bill Russell est l'un des pionniers dans l'intégration des afro-américains dans les sports majeurs aux Etats-Unis. Un militant des droits civiques qui a lutté contre le racisme ambiant de son époque grâce à sa notoriété. Au cours de la saison 1966-67, lorsque Auerbach quitte son poste d'entraîneur, il devient le premier head coach de couleur de la Grande Ligue. Un poste d'entraîneur-joueur qu'il transforme en victoire avec les deux derniers titres de son palmarès. Considéré comme l'un des meilleurs pivots défensifs alltime, il cumule en 963 matchs de saison régulière 15.1 points, 22.5 rebonds et 4.3 assists.
Après son décès, les plus grandes stars de la Ligue, on bien sûr rendu hommage à son héritage :
My thoughts about Bill Russell passing away…. I am working on an deeper thought provoking article tonight as I process what just happened. pic.twitter.com/M69pXNkaC0
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) August 1, 2022
Bill Russell was my idol. I looked up to him on the court and off. His success on the court was undeniable; he was dominate and great, winning 11 NBA championships. Off the court, Bill Russell paved the way for guys like me. pic.twitter.com/ZMIrEx8Tne
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 31, 2022
Thank you for paving the way. You will be missed legend. @RealBillRussell pic.twitter.com/obvwkMDCCc
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) July 31, 2022
Rest in peace Bill Russell you were everything we all aspired to be, your winning spirit will live forever my friend. Thank you for your words of wisdom. pic.twitter.com/rBjFS6nhzW
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) July 31, 2022
He was a pioneer a motivator, devastator & juggernault that the NBA will never witness again When I think of Bill his classic line Going to Kick your ass. The laughter the cackle. Cackle on Mr Bill. Your legacy is omnipotent. You've done all you can do here keep giving them hell pic.twitter.com/MoFVgR75eW
— Walt Clyde Frazier (@WaltFrazier) July 31, 2022
Was an absolute honor to spend time with #BillRussell. He was a walking encyclopedia. I remember him quoting once - “Basketball is what I do for a living, but it’s not necessarily who I am.” His legacy will NEVER be forgotten! pic.twitter.com/5jBrMuxDn8
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) August 1, 2022
Bill Russell was the epitome of a champion, in every sense of the word. He was an innovator who broke through barriers and for all of his extraordinary successes on the court, he was just as impactful off of it. (1/2) @RealBillRussell pic.twitter.com/LUGwc8t59f
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) July 31, 2022
Thank you for paving the way @RealBillRussell 🙏🏾#Legends never die 🕊
— GARY PAYTON (@GaryPayton) August 1, 2022
11x Ring King #Salute #BillRussell 🙏🏾
Get your rest 🕊 pic.twitter.com/YVih5GD3Rc
One of the most dominant players in @NBA History. An 11 times NBA Champion and one of the best to have ever done it.
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 31, 2022
I’ll forever be honored to have met you. Thank you for everything you have given to the game and all of us. Rest in peace, @RealBillRussell. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/HOouLIrXWv
The NBA family just learned this afternoon that Bill Russell, the 11-time champion and Hall of Fame icon of the Boston Celtics, who used that fame to further the civil rights cause in the United States during the turbulent 1960s, has died at the age of 88. He will be missed💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/DA4R70Wjps
— Dikembe Mutombo (@officialmutombo) July 31, 2022
An all time great champion and an even better man. It was a privilege to know you. Rest In Peace, Legend. pic.twitter.com/UFLulTB8cw
— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) July 31, 2022
Rest In Heaven, Mr. 11 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/zOqckOFNVK
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 31, 2022
@RealBillRussell RIP my friend. We have benefited from your presence, words, time and humor. Your influence on and off the court will forever be appreciated and celebrated.
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) July 31, 2022
Rest easy legend for you have earned your way through heavens gates…🙏🏽 🕊 #prayersuptotheRussellfamily pic.twitter.com/Avuog4RzSV
Unapologetically himself at all times!! The ultimate leader and just happened to be one of the best hoopers ever! RIP Mr Russell, you will be dearly missed 🙏🏾🕊 pic.twitter.com/30xXhoGXsj
— Chris Paul (@CP3) July 31, 2022
Les franchises par l'intermédiaire de leurs porte-paroles se sont jointes à l'hommage. C'est le cas de Michael Jordan via les Hornets, de Steve Kerr pour les Warriors, de Danny Ainge pour le Jazz ou de Gregg Popovich chez les Spurs, par exemple :
A statement from Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan on the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/RdYcnuCrmb
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 31, 2022
Steve Kerr on the life and legacy of Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/5nT5kiFI3r
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 31, 2022
Coach Pop on the passing of NBA legend Bill Russell. pic.twitter.com/89IrDvmIqO
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 31, 2022
The definition of champion, on and off the court. Thank you for everything, Bill. pic.twitter.com/tB5nLoslSF
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 31, 2022
“The influence he had on those he was so close with is impressive, but the impact he had on so many people everywhere is legendary.” pic.twitter.com/U5aFPlsLdj
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) August 1, 2022
❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/Wr1EZWxtF3
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 31, 2022
Legends are forever.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 31, 2022
RIP Bill Russell, truly a titan of our game. pic.twitter.com/EKpLABwzmT
La grande famille des Celtics pleure l'une de ses plus grandes légendes qui a contribué au rayonnement internationale de la franchise, de son general manager actuel, Brad Stevens, aux anciens joueurs :
So very sad to hear about Bill Russell today. He set the standard - on and off the court. RIP to an all-time winner, teammate and person. 🙏🙏 https://t.co/OIzUn8aLwG
— Brad Stevens (@BCCoachStevens) July 31, 2022
My hero. My friend. What a hole we have now. 🙏🏾 🐐 pic.twitter.com/NQlIO7hk8k
— Cedric Maxwell (@cedricmaxwell81) July 31, 2022
I’ll never forget this day we was like kids sitting around a camp fire listening to your stories pic.twitter.com/ZX3DDPRAwt
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 31, 2022
12 time @NBA All-Star
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) July 31, 2022
11 NBA rings
5 MVPs
No 3-point line
No social media
Just played and dominated in a day and a league that was def not soft. @celtics to the core ☘️
RIP @RealBillRussell 😢 #LEGENDARY pic.twitter.com/mG7K1AOfQq
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 31, 2022
- Plus d'informations
Top 10 des plus belles actions de Bill Russell
En mémoire à Bill Russell (1934-2022)