Tag: Bill Russell

Every Boston Celtics All-Star for each season the game was played

Every single Boston Celtics All-Star in franchise history.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is set to kick off in Indianapolis, Indiana. A pair of Boston Celtics will be part of the action for the third year in a row as Jayson Tatum plays as a starter and Jaylen Brown a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.

Tatum and Brown join a long list of Celtics stars who have participated in the event, now entering its 73rd year of existence, which actually got its start in the old Boston Garden. Initially created to improve the image of professional basketball after a point-shaving scandal in NCAA ball besmirched the sport in the eyes of the public, the event has taken on a life of its own as one of the league’s most anticipated events.

Let’s take a look at all the Celtics who have taken part.

On this day: Russell gets 14 points, 23 boards, 7 assists vs. Lakers; Bird logs 22 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists vs. LA

This was not a great day to be a Laker fan in Celtics history.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, the Celtics beat their historic rivals in a squeaker on the road, the Celtics defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 92-90 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, L.A.’s home arena in those years.

The win was secured by Hall of Fame Boston big man Bill Russell, who put up an astounding 14 points, 23 rebounds, and 7 assists he managed while playing for all 48 minutes of the game. Legendary Celtics win John Havlicek added 21 points, forward Sam Jones chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds, and legendary Celtic Tommy Heinsohn another 13 points and 6 boards.

The Lakers were led by Elgin Baylor’s 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 assists.

On this day: Bill Russell, Scot Pollard born; Bob McAdoo trade

On this day in Celtics history, iconic big man Bill Russell was born, as was center Scott Pollard on a day the team traded for Bob McAdoo.

On this day in Boston Celtics history in 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana, one of the game’s all-time greats was born: legendary Celtics Hall of Fame big man William “Bill” Fenton Russell.

Widely considered one of the greatest frontcourt players to ever play the game, Russell was renowned for his unearthly defensive skills and timing, especially rebounding and shot-blocking. To this day, he is still in second place for both total rebounds and rebounds per game in the NBA with 21,620, and along with Wilt Chamberlain, is one of two players to ever have over 50 rebounds in a game.

He’s also one of only seven players to win Olympic Gold, an NCAA championship.

On this day: Russell’s 51 boards; Hondo’s last ASG, Pierce’s last at the Garden

On this day in Celtics history, Bill Russell nabbed a career-high 51 rebounds, Hondo played his last All-Star game, and Pierce played his first and last games in the Garden.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Boston big man Bill Russell pulled down an unreal career-high of 51 rebounds on this date back in 1960. Russell would accomplish the feat despite playing the game with a charlie horse that slowed his ability to play — not that it showed up in the box score in any noticeable way — making the feat all the more impressive.

It would be the second-most boards ever pulled down by a player in the league’s history at that time, and it came in a home game at the old Boston Garden against the (then) Syracuse Nationals (now, Philadelphia 76ers).

The Celtics won comfortably in a 124-100 blowout.

Miami Heat lifer Udonis Haslem apologizes for Bill Russell comments

But don’t think he’s softened towards Celtics fans.

When word broke of former Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem having dissed human rights champion and sometimes Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell in a pregame hype speech, people were rightfully irked at Haslem for his insensitivity.

Shared during a memory he shared on his “The OGs” podcast, Haslem has since offered a qualified mea culpa for his words against Russell — but emphasis on qualified. “Let me talk on this one time,” began the Heat lifer via SI’s Anthony Pasciolla. “First, as a black man, I understand what Bill Russell has done for us. Aside from basketball, what he has done for us as a black man just for us to move forward in life.”

“I have a lot of respect. Love what he’s done on the basketball court as well. Being a champion, I’m all about winning,” he continued. “If I apologize to anybody, it’d be Bill Russell’s family.”

“The Boston people, y’all got a better chance of wrestling an alligator,” shared Haslem. “I’m not apologizing to you, mother (expletive), for nothing,”

“But Bill Russell’s family, I will apologize because that might have came off as insensitive in the heat of the moment, but I got a lot of love and a lot of respect for Bill Russell, so as a man, if I came off wrong, I apologize. You Boston mother (expletive), (expletive) you.”

Fair enough, as far as we’re concerned.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Boston alum Cedric Maxwell snaps back at Udonis Haslem for Bill Russell slander

Maxwell argued Russell’s legacy as a black man in the league should never be approached with disrespect.

In a recent episode of his “The OGs” podcast, cohost Udonis Haslem, a former Miami Heat player, made controversial comments about Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Bill Russell during a pregame speech. Haslem said “(expletive) Bill Russell” while discussing the retirement of Russell’s iconic No. 6 jersey in every NBA arena after his passing.

Fellow former NBAer Cedric Maxwell responded to those words on his own podcast, CLNS Media’s aptly named “Cedric Maxwell” podcast, and Cornbread did not take such comments lightly. Maxwell argued Russell’s legacy as a black man in the league should never be approached with disrespect.

He compared the situation to Jackie Robinson’s retired number in MLB and emphasized the importance of recognizing Russell’s contributions to the NBA, sharing his disappointment in Haslem, whom he otherwise admires, for making such remarks.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Miami’s Bam Adebayo tries to do damage control after Udonis Haslem disrespects Bill Russell

Still, even with the mediocre mea culpa, the apologies rang shallow at best in many corners.

Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo might understand where Udonis Haslem was coming from when his former teammate slandered legendary Boston Celtics big man Bill Russell, but that doesn’t mean he thinks it was wise. Speaking on a recent episode of Haslem and fellow Heat icon Mike Miller’s “The OGs” podcast, Adebayo said “It’s one of those things where we knew they were going to be upset.”

“We all respect Bill Russell for what he’s done for us as players and as Black people and all the stuff he had to go through,” he added. “Just to clear that air before people start talking about that, we all know we respect that man.”

“Listen, man. I got to apologize, it wasn’t about Bill,” said Haslem in conversation with Adebayo. “It was just about the rivalry and how I feel about the Celtics. But I will not take back my statement, you will never see a … jersey of a Miami Heat player hang in those (expletive) rafters.”

Still, even with the mediocre mea culpa, the apologies rang shallow at best in many corners given Russell’s No. 6 was globally retired at least as much for what the man did for civil rights off the court as for the 11 titles he won on it.

And as others have noted, someone should point out that Michael Jordan’s jersey is hanging in the rafters of the Heat’s arena — another player that never suited up for Miami.

And that he should maybe try relaxing a bit in retirement.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

On Udonis Haslem disrespecting Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell

Jaylen Brown and others around the league quickly took to social media to defend Russell.

Retired Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem was recently revealed to have disrespected Boston Celtics Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell in an attempt to fire up his team before a game against Boston. Haslem specifically called out the retired No. 6 jersey hanging in the Celtics’ rafters to honor Russell for his contributions to the sport as well as his work as a defender of civil rights.

All-NBA Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and others around the league quickly took to social media to defend Russell, who is widely revered for his activism and impact on and off the court.

While hype tactics aren’t uncommon for players to use to get their team energized and focused, choosing one of the most respected figures in basketball history struck a nerve.

The hosts of the “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast recently took Haslem to task for his poorly-chosen words; check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

On this day: Boston Celtics field NBA’s first All-Black starting five

On this day in 1964, the Boston Celtics fielded the first all-Black starting 5 in league history when Willie Naulls replaced Tommy Heinsohn in the lineup.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise made history by starting the first all-Black starting five in NBA history back in 1964. The Celtics were on the road to play a regular season game with the (then) St. Louis (now, Atlanta) Hawks when Hall of Fame power forward Tommy Heinsohn ended up a scratch due to an injury he sustained previously.

In that era, there was a so-called “gentlemen’s agreement” that acted as an unspoken agreement to always have at least one white player on the court at all times, supposedly in the interest of racial harmony.

But, legendary team manager and head coach Red Auerbach decided to play recently-acquired Willie Naulls in his place, breaking that tacit, racist agreement.

On this day: Boston’s Bill Russell, Jack Garfinkel make their debuts

On this day, legendary Boston Celtics big man Bill Russell played his first game for the team he would win an NBA-record 11 titles with.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary big man Bill Russell played in the very first game of his storied career with the team, which happened to be a 95-93 win over the (then) St. Louis Hawks at the team’s home arena of the original Boston Garden.

It was the start to a career that would see the Celtics win 11 titles under Russell, along with five Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, 12 All-Star bids, and as many All-League honors among countless other accolades, including induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

But before all of that happened, Russell played 21 minutes in this contest against the Hawks, scoring 6 points and pulling down 16 rebounds, and logging a single assist.