In 1999, a “Bill Russell Tribute” is held at the FleetCenter to honor the Celtics legend’s Hall of Fame career.
Guests included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Tom Brokaw, Jim Brown, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Johnny Mathis, then- NBA commissioner David Stern, Bill Walton, among many others.
The event lasted over two hours and even featured a videotaped greeting from then-president Bill Clinton.
“The one thing I don’t like about these [ceremonies] is they’re so serious,” said Russell via the Hartford Courant’s Alan Greenberg.
“When they introduce me, it sounds like my obituary. I’m not dead yet. But I know I’m getting old because I talk about what I’ve done, rather than what I’m going to do. . . . I don’t compare myself to anyone, as far as who is the best player. All I do is put up the rings.”