Details For Bill Russell Statue

DP and I have been saying for years now there is no reason why there isn't a Bill Russell statue. I know he didn't want one, but too bad he deserves it and did too much on and off the court for him not to get one. Well, it's finally being taken care of.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced Monday that a statue of Celtics legend Bill Russell will be sited at City Hall Plaza. They are still picking between offers between 3 different finalists (Fern Cunningham, Ann Hirsch and Antonio Tobias Mendez).

Still don't really understand why this isn't in front of the Garden. I know I have said it before, but I think there should be a line of all the greatest players from the Celtics and Bruins heading into the Garden. They already have Orr, and Russell would've been cool to be right next to him. Then they could add Bird, and so on through the years.

Bill Russell Is Getting His Damn Statue

The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation in partnership with the newly formed Bill Russell Legacy Committee announced today they will erect a statue of Bill Russell in the city of Boston designed by a local artist. In commemoration of Russell’s accomplishments as the greatest champion in the history of professional sports, as a national leader in human rights and as a dedicated advocate for youth mentoring, the Bill Russell Legacy Project will also develop a Mentoring Grant program in Russell’s name to ensure his passion is carried on by expanding the resources for mentoring programs in the city of Boston.

Bill Russell is the most iconic athlete in Boston History. He has the rings, he was an icon during the civil rights movement, the history, the records and could be the best basketball player to ever live. In typical Bill Russell fashion he's extremely humble with his reaction, “I am uncomfortable with honors such as this but my years as Captain of the Boston Celtics were the proudest moments of my career” This process was probably sped up by the American Badass himself Barack Obama who last month said “I hope that one day in the streets of Boston, children will look up at a statue built not only to Bill Russell the player, but Bill Russell the man,’’ Now those words will hold true.

I wonder if it's going to be going in front of the Garden like the Bobby Orr statue. Because I think it would be really cool walking into the Garden and passing both sports icons.

Bill Russell Receives Medal Of Freedom

Obama will name Russell as one of the recipients of a 2010 Medal of Freedom, according to a White House official. Usually I wouldn't take the time to write about this, but I feel like Russell deserves some love. I obviously have never seen him play (other then highlights), but I spent a good part of the day reading about him off the court. I guess anytime there was a race movement in the 60's there was 3 athletes that were always called upon Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali and Bill Russell.

I also like seeing Russell in the spotlight, because I feel a lot of times he is forgotten. There is always talk about who is the greatest player of all-time? People like Jordan, Kobe, and so on are always mentioned, but not the guy with more rings then fingers. I mean how many kids even know who Bill Russell is?

I'm not overly bitter about it, since it was a long time ago, and the game has changed so much, but I do think it's bullshit their isn't a Russel statue in front of the Garden. I really wonder if it is Boston being racist, or just that the Bruins own the stadium.

A Great Day For Orr, But Someone Is Missing...

Yesterday the Bruins honored the best defenseman of all time with a statue of his picture perfect moment of greatness. I could go on and on about Orr, how is changed the game, how he is the greatest Bruin of all-time, but that is not why I am writing. I have been listen to WEEI over the past couple of days, and someone brought up a great point...

Why doesn't Bill Russell have a statue?

Ted Williams has a statue, Orr has a statue, Red Auerbach has a statue, yet the man who had more championship rings then fingers doesn't. That seems wrong to me. Now, immediately my mind went to race. How couldn't it right? Boston is known as a racist city, and this could just be another black eye for the old city. Yet, there is still hope that there is another reason.

There is a very likely scenario that Bill Russell doesn't want a statue. You have to remember that this is a guy who didn't even show up to the Basketball Hall of Fame when he was inducted. He is a bit of an odd guy. Russell is notorious for his refusal to give autographs or even acknowledge the Celtics fans, but then at other times he can be a fan favorite. So, maybe he is just another athlete that really doesn't want all the media attention. That's his choice, and if that's the reason then I'm fine with it (yet I still want one built).

Another reason could be that the Bruins own the Garden, so they really don't HAVE to do anything. Though, I really doubt the Bruins would stop this if someone proposed it.

In the end, whether it is race, his choice, or the owners of the Garden, it is really something that needs to get done. This city is perceived as extremely racist, and though I don't agree with it, that's the way it is. I just think that they need to get this done, because Russell is probably the best athlete ever in Boston, and he should be remember always...

Oh and Menino kill yourself, Varitek doesn't kick field goals.

Bill Russell On The Daily Show

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Bill Russell
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Finals MVP named after Russell

“This is one of my proudest moments in basketball, because I determined early in my career, the only important statistic in basketball is the final score,” Russell said. “
Russell’s wife, Marilyn, recently died of cancer, and he was visibly moved as he accepted the honor.
“This is a bittersweet award,” Russell said. “I just lost my special person. But I wanted to thank my teammates because we played a team game quite well. I accept this for my team, and my team included our coach, Red Auerbach, and all my teammates over the years. This is quite flattering.”

How cool is this guy. He has an award named after him and he still thanks his teammates and his coach. I can't think of anyone who deserves an award named after him more than Russell. Not only does Russell have a trillion rings but he may be the best player that has ever played the game of basketball. I just wish this was last year, so Paul Pierce could have won the Bill Russell MVP award. But there is always this year.

Kevin Garnett and Bill Russell Interview

Doesn't this give you chills.