Bill Russell:Legend

amh03

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Netflix will start streaming its documentary about Bill Russell on February 8th. Thought folks would want to check it out…

Early in the trailer, Russell cracks a joke about being cut from his junior varsity team — a small speed bump on the road to back-to-back NCAA titles, a 1956 Olympic gold medal, and 11 NBA championships.
Trailer link -
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHHifvsVwQ
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
I was lucky enough to hear Arnold speak/lecture on three occasions in the 80s. The events were usually sparsely attended, so he discarded his notes and riffed/spoke off the cuff.

All three times, the highlight for him clearly was talking about Bill Russell.

And wasn't Michael Jordan also cut from his HS team as a frosh or soph?
 

Jimbodandy

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I was lucky enough to hear Arnold speak/lecture on three occasions in the 80s. The events were usually sparsely attended, so he discarded his notes and riffed/spoke off the cuff.

All three times, the highlight for him clearly was talking about Bill Russell.

And wasn't Michael Jordan also cut from his HS team as a frosh or soph?
IIRC, the story that came out eventually on Jordan was that he just didn't make varsity as a 9th grader and of course held that against his coach officially for like 30 years. So "cut" isn't exactly what happened as much as a physically immature 13/14yo having to start with the JV instead of varsity.

edit: Google says as a 10th grader actually, which is a little more surprising but maybe his school's varsity was loaded
 

Ale Xander

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IIRC, the story that came out eventually on Jordan was that he just didn't make varsity as a 9th grader and of course held that against his coach officially for like 30 years. So "cut" isn't exactly what happened as much as a physically immature 13/14yo having to start with the JV instead of varsity.

edit: Google says as a 10th grader actually, which is a little more surprising but maybe his school's varsity was loaded
His friend Leroy Smith made the team, but he was 8 inches taller (Jordan was "only" 5-11 at the time), and Smith made it to UNC-Charlotte, but not sure team had other standouts.
 

Jimbodandy

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His friend Leroy Smith made the team, but he was 8 inches taller (Jordan was "only" 5-11 at the time), and Smith made it to UNC-Charlotte, but not sure team had other standouts.
Yeah just read a piece on it. Apparently Mike was more pissed off that his less talented but much taller buddy made the cut for size reasons. These guys are so maniacally driven that they don't have to work too hard to find chips for their shoulder.
 

Dotrat

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I'm so excited for this! His legacy of winning, winning, and more winning--to say nothing of his intellect and moral passion--will never be matched, much less bettered.

And having grown up where and when I did--in a home and neighborhood where Russell was routinely described as 'arrogant,' 'uppity,' 'militant,' and 'ungrateful,(!!!)' --I will always maintain that, had Russell been white, Boston might now be known as 'Russellton' given the enormity of his achievement.
 

reggiecleveland

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IIRC, the story that came out eventually on Jordan was that he just didn't make varsity as a 9th grader and of course held that against his coach officially for like 30 years. So "cut" isn't exactly what happened as much as a physically immature 13/14yo having to start with the JV instead of varsity.

edit: Google says as a 10th grader actually, which is a little more surprising but maybe his school's varsity was loaded
This like "Einstein failed out" (he was denied access for a time to an elite program, probably more because he was Jewish than anything) is a myth that cannot be killed. the coach has been more patient than Jordan deserves but has pointedly stated that Jordan grew 6 inches from grade 10 to grade 11 and that more than a supernatural worth ethic was what changed his opinion of MJ. He was not going to play a lot so the coach sent him to JV where he was a star. Dean Smith actually recruited him as a grade 11.Jordan like many of the big guards of his day grew later than others so was 5'11 point guard with skills good enough to make a top program as an underage guy, then suddenly was 6'4 with those same skills. He kept growing and working and we all know the rest.

Russell grew really late and was just a decent high school player. He went a tour of California all stars of believe it or not west coast Canada the summer after graduating where he grew into his frame and became a player.
 

mauidano

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What an incredible life lived! An amazing human being who contributed so much to The Game and society. A true force of nature. Can't wait to see it!
 

Jimbodandy

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I'm so excited for this! His legacy of winning, winning, and more winning--to say nothing of his intellect and moral passion--will never be matched, much less bettered.

And having grown up where and when I did--in a home and neighborhood where Russell was routinely described as 'arrogant,' 'uppity,' 'militant,' and 'ungrateful,(!!!)' --I will always maintain that, had Russell been white, Boston might now be known as 'Russellton' given the enormity of his achievement.
This is absolutely correct. If Russell had been white, there would be shrines to him everywhere and half of the shirts worn in Boston would be #6.

I feel lucky to have grown up in a house where my dad's three favorite athletes were Russell, Ted Williams, and Ali, in that order. I heard about Russell so much as a kid, it felt like he was an uncle or something.
 

Huntington Avenue Grounds

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This is absolutely correct. If Russell had been white, there would be shrines to him everywhere and half of the shirts worn in Boston would be #6.
Yuuuuuup

Tommy Heinsohn said:
Look, all I know is, the guy won two NCAA championships, 50-some college games in a row, the ['56] Olympics, then he came to Boston and won 11 championships in 13 years, and they named a fucking tunnel after Ted Williams.
I can't wait to watch, been expecting it and so exicted it's finally here. My Laker fan aunt who couldn't stop posting about what a hero Kobe was is going to be getting a reminder or ten to watch this.
 

ifmanis5

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Some reviews of this doc, set to start tomorrow.
View: https://twitter.com/THR/status/1623091409598177281

‘Bill Russell: Legend’ Review: Netflix Doc on NBA Icon Is Good Enough to Make You Want More

View: https://twitter.com/sfchronicle/status/1622598222467289094

Review: Netflix’s ‘Bill Russell: Legend’ explores extraordinary life of basketball star and activist https://trib.al/n7D88rB via @SFC_Datebook:

View: https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1622656408771604480

The two-part Netflix documentary “Bill Russell: Legend” shows how the NBA legend and civil rights icon became the gold standard of sports excellence.

And an interview with the director.
View: https://twitter.com/ABCNewsLive/status/1622763419102216193

Director Sam Pollard speaks to
@LinseyDavis about his Netflix documentary “Bill Russell: Legend,” which unpacks the legacy and impact of the basketball icon.
 

reggiecleveland

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If Russell had been white,
Then he would have not been Bill Russell. Part of his personality and genius that allowed him to change the game came from him rebelling against the racism and injustice he lived. I will hazard to say a white player with his physical abilities was pretty unlikely to come around. Russell being an unorthodox black player was what allowed Jewish Red Auerbach to trade him for an accepted white star and the Ice Capades.

Had a white athlete won 11 titles sure. But, there was not going to be a white Bill Russell anymore than there was going to be a white Muhammed Ali.
 

worm0082

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About halfway in episode 1, The little 2 minutes of Bill’s home movies of the Celtics team together for a house party was really awesome.
 

bankshot1

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I watched part 1 last night and thought it was well done, they had some great clips (that party scene mentioned just above) and brought back a lot of good memories of growing up a Celts fan WBW.

I got a nice rush when they were talking about the Russell memorabilia auction, and showed several Sport and SI Russell covers which I fortunately saved and recently recaptured from an ex-wife. Some of them along with some Ted W covers (and a great Alfred E Newman Mad cover) will be get framed and will hang proudly in my fortress of solitude.

I look forward to part 2 of the history of the original and real GOAT.
 

Dahabenzapple2

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Finished part 1

Very very emotional for me as it will be for many others. I saw him play once. I believe it was the last regular season game of 68-69 season and I was soon to turn 9 years old in April. My mom was the big Celtics fan which she remained until she got sick & passed away in October 2020.

Very well done. Love seeing the recent video of Tom Sanders & especially Bob Cousy. When he refers to Red as Arnold as he always did it brought tears to my eyes thinking of all the memories of following this team knowing my mom was always doing the same. She LOVED that late 50’s through 68-69 team.
 

Spelunker

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Then he would have not been Bill Russell. Part of his personality and genius that allowed him to change the game came from him rebelling against the racism and injustice he lived. I will hazard to say a white player with his physical abilities was pretty unlikely to come around. Russell being an unorthodox black player was what allowed Jewish Red Auerbach to trade him for an accepted white star and the Ice Capades.

Had a white athlete won 11 titles sure. But, there was not going to be a white Bill Russell anymore than there was going to be a white Muhammed Ali.
Well, sure. But I think his point wasn't about Russell, it was about Boston.
 

InstaFace

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Finished Part 1. Very well-produced intermixing of the basketball story and the life story, the society context. They did a great job at getting the good B-roll footage.

What I found myself wondering, and was unable to google for it, was: why did Red retire from coaching after 1966? He'd just won 8 titles in a row. He had announced his forthcoming retirement in advance of that season, telling the league to take its best shot at him. He'd go on to another two decades as GM. Why quit at the top like that, and at a pretty young age?
 

teddywingman

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Finished Part 1. Very well-produced intermixing of the basketball story and the life story, the society context. They did a great job at getting the good B-roll footage.

What I found myself wondering, and was unable to google for it, was: why did Red retire from coaching after 1966? He'd just won 8 titles in a row. He had announced his forthcoming retirement in advance of that season, telling the league to take its best shot at him. He'd go on to another two decades as GM. Why quit at the top like that, and at a pretty young age?
That is an interesting question, since he was at every game into at least the late 80's.

My aunt had season tickets that she shared with her roommates. I was lucky to see a couple games each year in the mid 80's. She would always take me for a walk around The Garden at some point during most games.

Red always sat in the same spot, about 20 rows up towards the corner of one end of the court. He was easy to spot by the cigar.

I can't be sure he always sat there, but that's where I always saw him, sitting in a regular seat.
 

snowmanny

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I remember something about Red saying at that point nobody else could coach Bill Russell but Bill Russell
 

kfoss99

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One critique of the documentary. They state how much he loved his wife, Rose. But they interviewed his widow, who was a different woman.

Turns out he was divorced and remarried a number of times. The only negative thing the doc showed was him ruining his friendship with Chamberlain. They implied he stunk on TV.

I think showing something about his marriages could have helped with the story they were trying to tell about his personality and individualism. Maybe about the consequences he faced for his "stubbornness." (For a lack of knowing a better word)

All the basketball footage was fantastic. Satch seems like a cool guy. Cousy being alive to interview was a gift

Glad they spent the time on his civil rights activities. The extent to which I was unaware.

Well worth a watch.

Fake edit: it seems like Chamberlain has a rep as a loser. He won two championships. West won one. No one gets on his case. Baylor technically didn't win any. Russell and the Celtics buried a lot of guys.
 

bankshot1

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Iirc the year Red retired as coach the 76ers beat the celts for the division for the first time in the decade. The prior year the Celts (Havlicek) stole the ball against Philly in the conference finals. It went 7. So Red went deep into his motivational bag to get the best out of an aging Russell against a real threat in Philly. And in CBR rookie season he went up against Wilts 1st championship team. It was one of the great teams in NBA history. But the Celts beat them the next year (wilts last in Philly). Red was still his Maciavellian self and found a way to rejuvenate an aging a d acheing Russell.
 

Huntington Avenue Grounds

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One critique of the documentary. They state how much he loved his wife, Rose. But they interviewed his widow, who was a different woman.

Turns out he was divorced and remarried a number of times. The only negative thing the doc showed was him ruining his friendship with Chamberlain. They implied he stunk on TV.

I think showing something about his marriages could have helped with the story they were trying to tell about his personality and individualism. Maybe about the consequences he faced for his "stubbornness." (For a lack of knowing a better word)

All the basketball footage was fantastic. Satch seems like a cool guy. Cousy being alive to interview was a gift

Glad they spent the time on his civil rights activities. The extent to which I was unaware.

Well worth a watch.

Fake edit: it seems like Chamberlain has a rep as a loser. He won two championships. West won one. No one gets on his case. Baylor technically didn't win any. Russell and the Celtics buried a lot of guys.
Overall I love the doc but felt it could have used at least one more episode to handle his post basketball life, and extend his career coverage. So much seemed rushed where it could have used a little Ken Burns/Errol Morris type treatment.
 

TheWizard

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Red always sat in the same spot, about 20 rows up towards the corner of one end of the court. He was easy to spot by the cigar.

I can't be sure he always sat there, but that's where I always saw him, sitting in a regular seat.
Red sat in Loge 12, Row 7, Seat 1.
 

TheWizard

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Seemed he was a little farther from the court, but I was young and everything was bigger.
The only reason I know that, I remember watching on YouTube the preseason game w/the Sixers where Billy Cunningham's jacket got ripped in the fight....and Red comes storming out of the stands to berate the refs and Cunningham. Ha. I looked up where his seat was after that.
 

Al Zarilla

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Netflix will start streaming its documentary about Bill Russell on February 8th. Thought folks would want to check it out…



Trailer link -
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHHifvsVwQ
The first Russell "cackle laugh" of the Netflix production was over his being the substitute on the home room basketball team. The substitute! At 23:38.

I don't know how I missed this on Netflix because I look at their new listings all the time. Thanks so much for starting a thread about it. THE REBOUND BY RUSSELL!