Tag: Cliff Hagan

These are all the Hall of Famers who also wore Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey ahead of its cross-NBA retirement

We thought it important to remind ourselves of the other Hall of Famers who’ve worn No. 6 over the decades.

The NBA will retire Boston Celtics Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell’s No. 6 on all 30 teams to honor the late, great center. However, Russell is not the only Hall of Fame player who wore the number during their historic careers.

The global nature of Russell number retirement is, of course, as much related to him being the ultimate winner on the court with 11 titles, 13 All-Star appearances, five Most Valuable Player awards and more accolades than we can reasonably list here as to his work off the court using his platform to fight for the rights of others at great risk to himself.

And while players currently wearing the No. 6 jersey can do so until they switch to another or retire themselves, we thought it important to remind ourselves of the other Hall of Famers who’ve worn No. 6 over the decades.

Let’s take a look at them all.

What are the 5 biggest Celtics trades made during the NBA draft?

The Boston Celtics have made some hugely impactful trades during the NBA draft. Check out the miraculous story behind some of these deals.

The NBA draft is all about roster design. There are a lot of different strategies out there, but let’s stick with what legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach once offered: “They said you have to use your five best players but I found you win with the five who fit together the best.”

With that frame, the draft offers a tantalizing number of opportunities. Sure, you can select the best available player and hope he grows with your system. But fortune favors the bold — the NBA draft is a chance to really swing for the fences and bring in the right player. A smart trade on draft night can change everything.

Boston, unsurprisingly, has a history of moving and shaking far beyond the limited frame of their own specific pick. Following the leadership of Auerbach, the Celtics’ NBA draft trade history is a rich and storied one. As we’ll see, some of the franchise’s best players landed in green by way of a draft-day trade. Let’s discuss.