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Pin. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. 2023 Second wind: the memoirs of an opinionated man, Bill Russell, David Falkner (2001). The premise was that it had to be difficult for Russell to live in such a place, to play for fans in such a city. If you can take something to levels that very few other people can reach, then what you're doing becomes art. He said, Sometimes things arent going to go your way. He was very realistic about certain situations, but when it came to a championship, all that went away and he expected to win those.. There was a huge crowd of fans on the floor for the halftime show. Bill Russell and his record 11 NBA championships have other ideas. Russell won more NBA titles than any player in history.. Not just as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but as the man who taught me how to be bigger as a player, and as a man.. Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions. They won just 48 games and werent the favorite heading into the playoffs. (Tom) Heinsohn? Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. Off the court, he was a champion for civil rights: "He represented things that were right while he had something to . A lot of times I'm completely wrong, but all you do is back up and start over. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Burt Bacharach - pianist and composer. Being fearless on the basketball court was easy. Russell took home one more championship before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969. Kenny Smith, who was a rookie on the Kings during Russells lone season in charge, once told a story that perfectly embodied what Russell was like as a coach. There are expectations because of that. In the smoldering 1960s, where racial unrest raged at times in a decade of Civil Rights awakening, this was no small thing. In terms of the magnitude of All-Star, this is our largest in our history, he said. That was the way I conducted my life.. Hill spoke of how he had heard plenty about Russell his commitment to social justice and civil rights, an unwillingness to be deterred by threats, and his pride in standing alongside other athletes committed to the same, everyone from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell. To me, the most important part of winning is joy. Bill Russell Salary During the era Russell played he was one of the top earners of the league. He got divorced, then remarried. If a guy pays you five dollars, you give him seven dollars worth of work. In 1964 they became the first team in the NBA to start an all-Black lineup. Fellow NBA great, Steph Curry, former President Barack Obama and more famous figures in the sports world and beyond, took to social media following the news of Russell's passing. championships, the final two when he became the first Black head coach in a major American sports league, died on Sunday. But if those souvenir hounds had taken Russell up on the chance to sit with him for a meal, they might have heard about his obsession with golf. It didnt get any worse than that. The autograph-seekers almost always declined. The Hall. A collection of moments during and after Barack Obama's presidency. The idea is not to block every shot. And a whole lot of players, too. The great Bill Russell remembered at NBA All-Star weekend By TIM REYNOLDS February 19, 2023 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell. Bill Russell is most known for his legendary NBA playing career in which he won five league MVPs and a record 11 championships with the Boston Celtics. In addition to the lengthy notoriety of his achievements and loved ones, the post includes a tender picture of Jeannine and Bill shortly before his death. When a player spoke up and called out Russell, he only doubled down on his stance. Russell took a liking to the young team and was hooked on the city of Seattle, which he found more welcoming to Black athletes than Boston. He was a frequent participant in charity golf events and various pro-ams, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? Theres been about a 500% increase in the number of international players in the NBA over the last 30 years, from around 20 in 1993 to around 120 now. Russell has been in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame since 1975, but hes about to become just the third person in NBA history to be inducted as both a player and a coach. Bill Russell smoothly transitioned from standout player to an outstanding player-coach as his playing career with Boston waned. (Stan Badz/PGA Tour Archive via Getty Images), Bill Russell watches as former Giants infielder Joe Morgan hits a shot in the Willie McCovey, Bill Russell watches as former Giants infielder Joe Morgan hits a shot in the Willie McCovey Golf Classic in 2009 in San Francisco. There's something for everyone in this Pueblo West Whole Home Estate Auction located near the Pueblo West Golf Course. And so was his personality, as great as he was in basketball.. RENTON They gave him a golf cart to use. If you make the other guy deviate from his habits, you've got him. Items ship quickly and securely. The Sonics had only one winning season before Russell arrived and after a 36-win first season, Russell took them to the playoffs the next two seasons. (Denise Truscello/WireImage), Ethel Kennedy and Bill Russell attend the 22nd annual RFK Center Golf Tournament at the Hyannisport, Ethel Kennedy and Bill Russell attend the 22nd annual RFK Center Golf Tournament at the Hyannisport Golf Club in 2011 in Hyannis Port, Mass. A Hall of Famer on the court, and now a Hall of Famer on the sideline. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to all or some of the cookies, please refer to the, Bill Russell, David Falkner (2001). Over the years, Russells approach became the teams overall philosophy as athletic players who saw defense as a means to key the fast break were introduced into the roster. Joy is a current of energy in your body, like chlorophyll or sunlight, that fills you up and makes you naturally want to do your best. They lost in the playoffs to the Philadelphia 76ers and Wilt Chamberlain, the only time Russell would taste defeat against his rival. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. The 2021 enshrinement ceremony will be held Sept. 11. He helped start the National Basketball Players Association. Hes still second on the NBAs all-time rebounding list, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, and will probably be in that spot forever since nobody has come remotely close to him in the last 50 years. 97 Copy quote. Privacy Policy. There is a mistake in the text of this quote. He did speeches. As good as he was game in and game out, Russell found a way to perform even better when the stakes increased for the playoffs. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Corrections? But there was more to it than that: the white Heinsohn was simply a more attractive candidate for many voters. The Hall of Famer was 88. Copyright 1996 - He also was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. And all the players respected him.. Jack Buck (1924-2002), Hall of Fame sportscaster, St. Louis Cardinals' announcer 1969-2002. So I had a chance to see William Felton Russell much more than I wanted to. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. A lot of people say great players don't make great coaches. My most prized possession was my library card from the Oakland Public Library. Bill Russell died Sunday at age 88. As always, the stars were out for All-Star. James posted the clip on his social channels. While I had read about his strength and his seriousness, what I saw with my own eyes was his happiness and his humor. Bill Russell is unimpressed. Bill Russell with Lee Elder. He recorded a winning record in five of his first seven seasons as a head coach, so when he started losing games in bunches in Sacramento, he began to lose interest. The NBA back then wasnt the complicated, detailed and hierarchy-layered machine it is today, where coaching candidates go through a gauntlet of executives and a battery of tests to dissect their smarts and strategy and fit for the job. Updates? Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.died July 31, 2022), American basketball player who was the first outstanding defensive centre in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the sport's greatest icons. I dont know how much better it can get than that. It's a sad day for basketball fans everywhere as the great Bill Russell, the winner of 11 NBA titles in his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday at age 88, his family announced on . And on Sunday, the world lost an absolute legend. Same thing happened during the seasons second road trip. Moreover, the Celtics needed to move up in the draft order to pick him; with Russell coming off two straight NCAA titles, some team was bound to take the plunge. According to a warrant for Morrow's arrest, he's facing charges of assault by strangulation, second-degree kidnapping and communicating threats. This button displays the currently selected search type. Granted, it was in part because no one could deal with the moody Russell except Russell himself, but it still made him the first African American coach in NBA history, as well as the first to win a title when Boston took the 196768 championship. I grew up idolizing him. Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in a major American sports league, died July 31. Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf. You can e-mail himhere, findhis archive hereand follow him onTwitter. Russell told Golf Channel in 2014 that he received a set of golf clubs as a gift at an NBA All-Star Game but didnt break them out of his garage for years. To love someone is nothing, to be loved by someone is something, to love someone who loves you is everything. Saw no point to them. (Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images), Bill Russell and Joe Morgan chat before teeing off at the Joe Morgan Invitational Celebrity Golf, Bill Russell and Joe Morgan chat before teeing off at the Joe Morgan Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2001 at Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton, Calif. (Jay Solmonson/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images), Davis Love III is congratulated by Bill Russell after a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, Davis Love III is congratulated by Bill Russell after a birdie on the par-5 18th hole during the final round of the 2001 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. Here are the details on his other wives. In comparison to today the top picks get anywhere between $50-$60. I didnt even know that all that time., For The Record: Champion and mentor, Bill Russell. He had an interesting concept with me as a rookie, Smith once said on Open Court. Nelson said: He played so many minutes and played so hard that he developed hamstring issues. She finished 64th at the Canadian Women's Tour in British Columbia and 19th at the . Learning is a daily experience and a lifetime mission. The 6-foot-10 center was a five-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, two-time NCAA champ at the University of San Francisco and an Olympic gold medalist in 1956. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. Stay up to date with everything Boston. Remember that basketball is a game of habits. When he goes on to the court, his presence dominates the atmosphere. "At 75, Russell still casts long shadow over All-Star circus" by Mark Woods, www.theguardian.com. Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season. By signing up, you agree to the The home is about 17,500 square feet, according to a Zillow listing, and boasts six bedrooms (each with its own terrace), 11 bathrooms, a bowling alley, an indoor sports court, a golf simulator . The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. Among the many in attendance: retired skiing great Lindsey Vonn, EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner Jennifer Hudson, actor-director Spike Lee, retired baseball star Albert Pujols, tennis standouts Frances Tiafoe and Naomi Osaka, snowboardings Shaun White and, of course, Utah Jazz Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. 1984 Andy Hayt for. He was the first African-American player to have gained superstar status. Tweet. And that day, just as he did in that high school gym a half-century earlier, Russell called Abdul-Jabbar kid., Theres a whole lot more truth and love and respect for my 60-year relationship with Bill Russell, Abdul-Jabbar said. Bill Russell, the NBA's greatest champion as a player and its first Black coach, died Sunday at 88, leading those inside and outside the basketball community to remember his storied career, his. TOWN AND COUNTRY. What Russell did was close the circuit, creating turnovers that allowed Boston to get back on offense even faster, as well as patrol the paint with an intensity that single-handedly compensated for the Celtics imbalance. I loved that guy.. The meaning of it all definitely registered with Russell, a man of great pride, and how he was put in position of authority and placed in charge of a Celtics team with five white players and six Black players (not counting him). Playing defense, keeping your man off the boards, setting picks, giving a guy the ball when hes free and youre not, all those things. Her husband Bill died peacefully at her side at their Mercer Island, Washington, Home on July 31, 2022. Bill Russell, who has more NBA rings than fingers, talks titles and golf in For the Record. In 1987, he came back for one last hurrah with the Kings. Terms of Service No chance, Wilkens said. 2023 Born in West Monroe, La., in 1934, Russell's early life experiences paralleled those of tens of thousands of other African-Americans. He says, You know were going to go after your record. I said, Which one? You know, we won 11, but we won eight straight. His mind was bigger than basketball, author Taylor Branch, who spent about a year living with Russell near Seattle in the 1970s while working with him on a book, said Sunday. When I was appointed coach of the Boston Celtics, the players accepted me with no antagonism at all, Russell said years later. In retrospect, his ascension might seem odd. Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf. Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership from the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner, p.70, Penguin, Bill Russell, Taylor Branch (1980). It was either his first or second All-Star Game he couldnt remember and he and the other competitors were gifted sets of golf clubs. Hes Bill Russell. Auerbachs lineup came out of necessity; he was notoriously indifferent to social causes and the opposing backlash. Evidently, he was getting bored and probably felt he wasnt being challenged enough, so he decided to take a bigger role with the team by becoming the head coach while still remaining on the roster. Ben Wallace joins 9 inductees headed to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It just didnt go well. We all had so much respect for the guy and we did whatever he wanted us to do, and do it best you could. But now she has been passing from the deep pain of her husband's death. What are you going to say to your team when youre down 40? I dont think youll live long enough to get either one of those., Getty Images Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. The news of Bill Russell's death has mourned the entire Basketball community. Bill Russell not only transformed the center position during his career at the University of San Francisco, he was also a passionate spokesman for social and racial injustice throughout his career . Or the mating habits of bees, something he penned a column about once. (AP Photo/Rob Gray). So I started walking to the back and he grabs me back. Overall, Bill Russell coached three teams in his NBA career: the Celtics, Sonics and Kings. The entire season. Giving, Guy, Dollars. All those game nights, commercial flights across the country and back, scouting in the summertime and then fall training camp to launch yet another season took its toll a lot more than inhaling the smoke from his trademark victory cigars. A fierce competitor who never relaxed against the other team, Russell had a far different demeanor when it came to coaching his own team. Russells impact was immediate. I've been fortunate to meet and work with a lot of really smart people. You can do anything you want to do if you want it bad enough. The Celtics barely survived the Knicks to reach The Finals, and once there, fell behind 2-0 to the Lakers of Chamberlain and Jerry West. Privacy Policy. Take away all the on-court accomplishments, and Russell still lived a life. Back then, they called him an ass. Name: Bill Russell Birth Year: 1934 Birth date: February 12, 1934 Birth State: Louisiana Birth City: Monroe Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Hailed as the greatest winner. Jeannine Russell rose to fame after marrying NBA legend Bill Russell but is a former professional golfer. The NBA Hall of Famer, considered by many to be the sports greatest player (and certainly big man) of all-time, is best known for winning 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966. In his second season with the Celtics, Russell bought a house in Reading. The world has many of them. At halftime (of Game 7 in 1969) I told them, Youve got another 24 minutes out there. Wilt Chamberlain entered the NBA for the 1959-60 season and began an epic 10-year rivalry with Russell. The most important measure of how good a game I played was how much better Id made my teammates play. Golf Channel, All Rights Reserved. Later that year the Celtics beat the Hawks in the NBA finals to give Russell the first of his 11 titles. But Bill Russell was the antithesis of that. On April 18th, 1966, Bill Russell was named player-coach of the Boston Celtics upon Red Auerbach's retirement. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The clubs that Nikola Jokic might be on the cusp of entering are highly exclusive. Russell, while no behemoth, was tall enough to make his high school team on height alone. Here's a look at the numbers behind Russell's Hall of Fame career, his battles against fellow legend Wilt Chamberlain and how Russell revolutionized how NBA defense was played. He got up and just broke into laughter. He had such curiosity about human nature, about psychology, Branch said. His departure from the game was uncommonly quiet by todays standards. In the case of Who Will Succeed The Legendary Red Auerbach, it was even more simplistic and automatic: Bill Russell was the only logical choice. Red Auerbach and Pat Riley and Gregg Popovich wouldnt win with that team, either. Like. And at Sundays Legends Brunch one of the best events of All-Star weekend, not to mention one of the toughest tickets to secure Russell was honored with remarks from Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown, former on-court rivals Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Hall of Famer Grant Hill. He marched in Mississippi after the slaying of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Which of course made all the sense in the world to anyone who knew the Celtics and Russell. Basketball, Motivational Sports, Block. Russells Celtics ruled the roost at a time when the minuscule number of teams (the NBA consisted of eight or nine franchises for the majority of his career) made for a greatly condensed talent pool, and a combination of integration and improved scouting brought on an unprecedented rush of new stars. He was great to play for. That total is truly remarkable -- no other player led the NBA in this category more than five times (and only George Mikan and Tim Duncan did so). Makes a great gift for any collector or sports fan! I dont like to single out guys in public. Thats the lesson. He returned in 1973 to take over the Seattle SuperSonics, where he led the team to playoff appearances in two of the next four seasons. He supported Muhammad Ali when the fighter refused to go to Vietnam. Terms of Service Russell Smith Expand search. If you do not have it, forget about basketball and go into social psychology or something. Russell was lightly recruited by colleges, but Hal DeJulio, a former player at the nearby University of San Francisco (USF), had seen him play and had an inkling as to his potential, so he recommended Russell to his old school. It did not come easy. The entire season has been a tribute to Russell, with all teams putting his No. His calling card was defense, rebounding, andabove all elseshot blocking, which he transformed into a fluid athletic art in the same way that some of his contemporaries had altered the perception of what was possible on offense. Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Today, some of those same people are calling him the G.O.A.T. The Celtics won a title in his rookie year, and he became the leagues first African American superstar, though not its first Black player (who was Earl Lloyd in 1956). Russell went to the police, who surmised that raccoons must be the culprits. Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts around 1958. 79 Copy quote. (Marc Andrew Deley/Getty Images), Bill Russell chats with actor Kevin Costner at Spyglass Hill during the first round of the, Bill Russell chats with actor Kevin Costner at Spyglass Hill during the first round of the 2001 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif. (John G. Mabanglo/AFP via Getty Images), https://golfweek.usatoday.com/gallery/photos-bill-russell-nba-hall-of-famer-golf/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, James Hahn is mad as hell about the changes coming to the PGA Tour and he isn't afraid to tell you why, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Three of the world's top 20 among the players to miss the cut, Best golf balls for 2023 for every budget and playing style, Best irons for 2023 for every handicap and playing style, Friday at Bay Hill: Jordan Spieth's putter wakes up, Jon Rahm takes a step back among notes from Day 2 at Arnold Palmer Invitational, Putters used by PGA Tour players ranked in the top 10 in strokes gained putting, Photos: 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational merchandise tent is fit for a king, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Sam Schulman, who owned the fledgling Seattle SuperSonics, wanted to energize the franchise and turned to Russell for the 1973-74 season. Most people have a harder time letting themselves love than finding someone to love them. And thats what made Bill Russell great. Reynolds noted that Russell was a victim of bad timing as well. I dont wanna sit next to the coach the whole bus and the plane rides and everywhere. Bill Russell. Create unselfishness as the most important team attribute. 6 in honor of the recent passing of legendary Boston Celtics championship center Bill Russell, the Heat eventually will have . Bill was also the general manager, he had the No. He didnt shut up and dribble. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current . He was a marginal player until, while on a summer basketball tour he had been selected for as an afterthought, he realized that running and jumping could be used to mirror and counteract the flashy, creative scorers that routinely gave teams fits. There was no tearful good-bye, no press conference, nothing like that. Nobody could play, he said. Russell, who propelled the Celtics to 11 N.B.A. He endured insults and vandalism, but he kept on focusing on making the teammates who he loved better players, and made possible the success of so many who would follow, Obama said that day. Yet in a sport that traditionally celebrates scoring and offensive heroics, Russell was an anomaly: a dominant player for whom making shots was truly secondary. Bill Russell died Sunday at age 88. Bill Russell Autographed Signed 8X10 Photo Framed HOF 74 JSA COA Authentic Celtics Autograph. Tags: Associated Press, sports, basketball. Post Malone performs before the NBA basketball All-Star game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Salt Lake City. But the second part of the equation is what are you going to do about it. By doing so, he became the first black head coach in NBA history. The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Russell, Academy of Achievement - Biography of Bill Russell, Bill Russell - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), The great Bill Russell remembered at NBA All-Star weekend. . The NBA legend, 87, has listed his $2.6 million home on Washington's Mercer Island with Eddie Chang of Realogics. For good measure, he might have had 12, had an ankle injury not sidelined him early in the 1958 NBA finals. Bill Russell (No 6) scores for the Boston Celtics against the St Louis Hawks in 1957. Photos: Bill Russell, NBA star who died at 88, took up golf in retirement Photos: Bill Russell, NBA star who died at 88, took up golf in retirement Jason Lusk 7/31/2022 Like. His Hall of Fame career started on the national stage in college, where he won two national championships and 55 games in . Jerry Reynolds, who served a variety of roles with the franchise for nearly three decades, was one of Russells assistants then. The marvellous airship will be depicted in the illustrations of His current wife is Jeannine Russell. Even the Boston Red Sox an organization steeped in racism had the nerve . 6 at midcourt and all players wearing it on their jerseys. Russell, outspoken and relentlessly intelligent when it came to matters of race, was not just the NBAs first Black superstar; as the Celtics quickly came to dominate the NBA, he also became an activist on par with Muhammad Ali. Russell was a bit eccentric; he rarely spoke to the local media and was viewed by players none of whom saw him play as a grandfatherly type who was fond of telling Celtics tales in team meetings. He was born in rural Louisiana. Later on, Russell played in several pro-ams, including the PGA Tour's annual stop at Pebble Beach, and occasionally with avid golfer Michael Jordan. The thing that strikes me most about them is how they continue to explore and learn every day. He stood for what he believed, stood with who he believed in. Bill Russell, who has died at the age of 88, was more than just a basketball superstar and world-class athlete. Its hard for me to stop watching that because watching Zhuris reaction to that is, like, the greatest its so cool. Just great to be around.. He stood side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. It took its toll on everybody and probably more on him than anyone.. Bill Russell on the 2nd season of the Feherty show, Fashion looks on Day 1 of the 150th Open Championship, Photos: 86th Masters Tournament, Par 3 Contest. LeBron James always said that he wasn't chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record, so there was no sense of relief when he actually took over the top spot on the NBA points list. Bill Russell, one of basketball's legendary players, has died at age 88. So Bill Russell was a very keep-it-real coach, Smith concluded. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Alex Wong/Getty Images. He was 88. He said, Young fella you gotta sit next to me. Im like, Why do I have to sit Because hes a loser, hes a loser, hes a loser, and theyre never gonna win.. If his name was Elmer Fudd, it wouldve went a lot easier for him.. In his 7 seasons with the Kings, the talented and versatile forward flourished while taking the franchise to another level. When Auerbach retired after the Celtics won the 196566 NBA title, Russell succeeded him as coach. Tonight's event will be hosted by Tracy. The announcement was posted on his verified Twitter account. So hes sitting down, hes reading the paper, and all of the sudden I look over and you see him sleeping at practice. Bill vs. Wilt. If Shakespeare can compare all of life to a stage, maybe it's not odd to believe that part of the play can take place on a basketball court. Jokic doesn't care about being added to either of those . I hope I epitomize the American dream. (Larry Siegfried, a reserve, did help with some bench duties. Noah Beery - actor. Added Nelson: "He was the whole package great guy, great player, great coach. That ratio cant be beat in any sport. He was hoping to make it better and it never got better. Red Auerbach managed to beat everyone and everything except the grind. Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered. Saw no point to them. Bill Russell was one of the greatest winners in the history of basketball. As a coach, hed be a complete neophyte whod also double as a player. In some ways, Russell still considered himself one of the guys, which, of course, he was. His autobiography, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man (cowritten with Taylor Branch), was published in 1979.