For some fans of the NBA and Boston Celtics, Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell is a name from the distant past. An apocryphal figure whose 11 titles and five MVP awards were from a time long ago in a league that was very different.
But for the NBA itself and the Celtics organization, the presence of Russell was never far even in the years Russell was out of the public eye as the Boston great’s support and mentorship of players and coaches continued. The Celtics in particular benefitted from his love of the organization if not the city, and several related how his influence affected their own careers.
Watch the video embedded below to hear from Doc Rivers and Kendrick Perkins about Russell’s impact on them and the 2008 Banner 17 title team.
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