Say, "Bill Russell," and There's Nothing Left to Say!!



Russell receiving Medal of Freedom from President Obama



Russell at Civil Rights March

Russell, Ali, Jim Brown, and Abdul-Jabbar



Russell with his two sons

Lingering at the intersection of sports, politics, and current events, I find my mind drifting aimlessly in a virtual whirlwind. The NBA playoffs...gun violence in Sandy Hook and Chicago...the retrospective of Michael Jordan at 50...the upcoming documentary on Julius "Dr. J" Erving...Kobe Bryant's career threatening injury...the NFL draft...Jason Collins "coming out" in the NBA...Britney Griner "coming out" in women's hoops...the release of the movie, "42"...and the terrorist bombing at the Boston marathon. So, as my mind takes leave of its restlessness, it's drawn to the magnetic force that brings these seemingly divergent issues to coherence: William Felton Russell

Friends and I often wage war over who is the greatest Center in NBA history. Is it Mikan...Russell...Wilt...Kareem...Hakeem...Shaq? "Wilt was clearly the most dominant offensive player of any era!" "Well, Russell was the greatest defending, rebounding, and passing big man ever!" "Yeah but, Kareem was the best of all worlds...possessed of the most unstoppable offensive weapon of all-time, the 'Skyhook,' a great defender, passer, and rebounder!" "C'mon man, those guys played in the dark ages...Hakeem and Shaq were clearly better and played in the modern era!" In the end, we simply agree to disagree. But, there's one thing upon which we all agree. Bill Russell is the "greatest champion" in all of American team sports.

However, that's not why he looms so large in my mind right now.

No, it's not his 11 NBA championships in 13 years; not his 12 NBA All-Star appearances; not his 5 MVP trophies; not his legendary battles with Wilt Chamberlain. It's not that he was the first African-American coach in NBA history and won two championships as a player-coach. It's not even his status as an NBA Hall-of Famer.

 

Then, why does he loom so large? Because, while most of us are shaped by the times in which we live, Russell shaped the times in which he lived. He was not only an exemplary ballplayer, he tackled the big issues of his day. Russell is a man of universal consequence, diverse interests and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded "for especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." There have been 21 sports figures to receive this, the highest civilian honor the country offers. President Obama bestowed Russell with this honor in 2011...long overdue. But, the late love is in keeping with the Russell legacy. 

Russell sauntered onto the world stage and converted his stagecraft into an art form. He transformed basketball into a game played above the rim. Of course, great artists aim to please the senses and provide entertainment. But, to achieve universality, great art must also possess a philosophical dimension. While entertaining, a great artist makes you think and guides you on a journey for deeper meaning. In that regard, Russell emerged as a truly great artist.

Often described as "mercurial," Russell was drafted by Boston in 1956. In 1950, forward thinking coach Red Auerbach and the Celtics channeled Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers by drafting Chuck Cooper. Thus, breaking the color barrier in the NBA. By '56, the Celtics were far ahead of America on the issue of race. Hell, they were far ahead of the city of Boston! Yet, the Celtic franchise was not rewarded for its ground breaking progressivism. While the Celtics were winning 11 championships in 13 years, they barely averaged 8,000 fans in attendance. During the same period of time, the Boston Bruins (hockey) played to sell-out crowds in "the Garden." The city didn't have much love for its "Boston Baked Beans." At one point, someone broke into Russell's Boston home, splattered the walls with racist graffiti, and defecated in his bed.

In response to a reporter's question on Coach Auerbach's approach to winning with Black players, Russell reportedly responded, "in jest," "Red plays two Blacks at home, three on the road, and five if we get behind." Auerbach, although visionary and committed to winning, made a conscious effort to play only enough Blacks to win the game.

Russell was not concerned with endorsements or Madison Avenue. Unlike the gregarious Chamberlain, he displayed the personality and temperment of a public intellectual. He didn't shy away from offering controversial opinions. He often said that he owed the fans exactly what they owed him—“Nothing”—so he steadfastly refused to sign autographs. When Auerbach retired and sought a new head coach, Russell was his fourth choice (behind Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey). When Cousy, the Hall-of-Fame point guard, retired after the Celtics had won 6 championships in 7 years, a reporter asked Russell, "What will you do now that Cousy isn't around to carry the team?" Russell answered, "Well, I guess we'll be okay. But, do yourself a favor and check who has been league MVP for the last three years." Of course, the research revealed it was Russell...who went on to win 5 more championships without Cousy.

In 1959, as the decolonization movement was spreading across Africa, Russell traveled to the continent, stopping in Libya, Ethiopia and Liberia. In a classroom in Liberia, a student asked Russell why he was there. “I came here because I believe that somewhere in Africa is my ancestral home,” Russell said “I came here because I am drawn here, like any man, drawn to seek the land of my ancestors.” The students stood and cheered and Russell broke down in tears.

In 1961, a Kentucky restaurant owner refused to seat Russell and his Black Celtics teammates. They boycotted the game, a ground-breaking statement at a time when Black athletes were expected to remain silent in the face of discrimination. Disturbingly, Boston fans felt that Russell and the other Black players had embarrassed the franchise. After the 1963 assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers in Jackson, Miss., Russell flew down to lead the city’s first integrated basketball camps.  He marched in rallies with Dr. King, and was present during the March on Washington. He, Jim Brown, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar put their reputations (and careers) on the line to stand with Muhammad Ali when he refused to be drafted into the Vietnam war.

However, Russell didn't take his celebrity ballplayer status too seriously. He famously said, “We foolishly lionize athletes and make them heroes because they can hit a ball or catch one," “The only athletes we should bother with attaching any particular importance to are those like Ali, whom we can admire for themselves and not for their incidental athletic abilities.”

I didn't watch the recent ESPN documentary on Jordan at 50. Although he is the greatest baller in NBA history, he's not a very interesting person. Off the court, I can't think of one noteworthy Jordan accomplishment. His stature simply doesn't extend beyond the hardwood, and I don't expect a future book entitled "The Quotable Jordan." Don't get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with simply playing ball and doing it well. There's nothing wrong with stacking endorsements, extending your brand, and making lots of money. But, I wonder...which current athlete will be worthy of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the future...Britney Griner...Tim Duncan...Kobe Bryant...Tiger Woods...LeBron James...RG3...Steve Nash...Peyton Manning...Kevin Durant...Dwight Howard...Tom Brady...Alex Rodriguez...Derek Jeter...Jason Collins?

I get it! The times are different and maybe society's challenges are less stark. But, maybe not! Just ask Jason Collins or Britney Griner. You take the world as you find it and do the best you can with what you've been given. I'm also aware that many athletes are doing extraordinary things with their foundations and behind the scenes. But who, at the height of their fame, will risk it all for a greater cause? More importantly, should they?

"Dr. J" was the Sade of the NBA long before we heard the first soothing sounds of "Smooth Operator." Earvin Johnson performed hardwood slight-of-hand before "50 Cent" and "Lil Kim" pumped "Magic Stick." Larry settled into his "Bird's nest" and MJ danced in the stratosphere before R Kelly cried, "I Believe I can Fly." And, long before that, Bill Russell stood courageously on the dizzying precipice, stared defiantly into the abyss, endured the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," and emerged heroically with a twinkle in his eye, an irrepressible cackle of a laugh, happy being nappy, and "swagger" that was earned not learned!!

At some point, one must ask, "Who would I be, if I didn't do what I do?"

Even if he'd never played one game of basketball, Bill Russell would have been a GIANT!

"Big ups" and flowers while you live from a mere mortal and basketball fan.

Until we rendezvous...

Peace!!