Loved his commentary and always with a great smile. 88 is a good life for anyone, especially a close to 7footer. I'll be surprised if I ever see anyone in any sport win 11 rings as a player on a team sport. Ultimate champ. Rip Bill Russell. The eternal champ.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/343 ... on-dies-88

I ran into Mr Russell in the Palm Springs, CA area a few years back. I am a life long Celtics fan, too. Anyway, I didn’t go all fan boy, but I did respectfully beg the restaurant leadership to allow me to actually speak to him. My offer was declined as you might imagine. Best I could do was get a poor quality video of him leaving the restaurant..Sure wish I could have gotten a photo with him! He is one of the all-time greats!

Hated the Celtics back in the day because Jerry West and the Lakers couldn't beat them --- Russell was a GREAT player, GREAT rebounder, GREAT defender ---

RIP Bill Russell. I've been a Celtic fan since I was old enough to watch basketball (around 1962) so I've seen almost all of the 17 banners being hoisted. Russell was the best ever at his position during his era. First African American head coach in the NBA, player-coach and had the dubious distinction of following Red Auerbach. All star, HOF, NCAA champion 2X, Olympic gold medalist, league MVP, finals MVP, always had Wilt's number, one of the best outlet passers and would start that Celtic fast break.

When asked what he thought about Jordan and the Bulls winning six rings he replied, "Not much."

Russell was my first basketball hero and YES he had Wilt’s number.

Class, all the way! More than just an NBA legend, active in the movement for Civil Rights in the 1960's, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. RIP Bill Russell

I was fortunate enough to play 18 holes of golf with Mr. Russell at a company event in Boca Raton. What a gentleman! He was so funny and didn't take himself too seriously. He got really competitive on the last hole when a small wager was on the line. A great man lost.

He had that great, thunderous laugh -

Who else could play and coach at the same time? And win the title.