[56] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. If theres one thing Netflixs Bill Russell: Legend makes perfectly evident, its that the titular NBA champion, coach, and civil rights activist led a life that can only be described as deeply impactful. [107] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. And so the guy that owned the Celtics [Walter Brown] was [in addition to Auerbach for whom Russell expressed 'respect' and 'actual love'] another one of the fine, good, and decent human beings that I've ever encountered. Russell described himself as an avid reader of Dell Magazines' 1950s sports publications, which he used to scout opponents' moves for the purpose of defending against them. Bill Russell, whose No. In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that Russell was "the greatest champion in all of team sports". Although the middle child of Bill Sr. and Rose Swisher (born on July 6, 1959), Jacob is arguably the simplest member of the prominent Russell family in almost every sense of the term. He later said: "The most successful television is done in eight-second thoughts, and the things I know about basketball, motivation, and people go deeper than that. [112] His No. [1] On March 11, 1965, in a 112100 win over the Detroit Pistons, Russell grabbed 49 rebounds, which tied for the third-most in a single game in NBA history,[92] along with 27 points and 6 assists. [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. Bill Russell poses with his Championship rings in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996. Karen Russell is a legal and political expert as well as a blogger. And in basketball I respect a man for his ability, period. His marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. Karen is Bill's most well known child, and the only daughter from his union with Rose. [134][135], On February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award would be renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his honor as an 11-time NBA champion. To our children . Arthur was a man of great courage. Russell, a legend on the court and in the civil rights movement, has been an integral part of MENTOR since its inception more than 30 years ago and has remained steadfastly committed as a champion of the mentoring movement. [99] Russell became the first black head coach in NBA history,[5] and he commented to journalists: "I wasn't offered the job because I am a Negro, I was offered it because Red figured I could do it. [5][41] His stint as coach of the Celtics was also of historical significance,[146][147] as he became the first black head coach in the NBA,[14] when he succeeded Red Auerbach. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. Thank you for . Twenty million England fans go wild across the country as Lionesses WIN nerve-shredding Euro final against Germany. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell and sons William Jr. and Jacob. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. . [1] The 195657 Boston Celtics season saw the debut of a starting lineup made up of five future Hall-of-Famers: center Russell, forwards Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey, and guards Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy. As a documentary series delving deep into the life of the winningest NBA champion, anchor of Boston Celtics dynasty, and unwavering activist, Netflixs Bill Russell: Legend is simply incredible. They were together from 1956 to 1973. [4] Decades later, Russell explained that his experiences hardened him against abuse of all kinds,[35] saying: "I never permitted myself to be a victim. [5][49], In the 196061 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.9 points and 23.9 rebounds per game,[1] leading his team to a regular season mark of 5722. When I sent you to Harvard, I expected you to be able to do the same. Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. Chamberlain outscored Russell by 81 points in the series, but the Celtics walked off with a 42 series win. [68] The matchup between Russell and Chamberlain became one of basketball's greatest rivalries. [56] Auerbach assigned him to shut down the Hawks' main scorer and Russell impressed the Boston crowd with his man-to-man defense and shot-blocking. [94] In Game 5, Russell contributed with 12 points, 28 rebounds, and 7 assists, plus 10 blocks and 6 steals; blocks and steals became officially recorded statistics in the 197374 NBA season. [132][133] In 2008, Russell received the Golden Plate Award of the Academy of Achievement. [105] Russell pulled himself together and put up 9.9 points and 19.3 rebounds per game;[1] the aging Celtics stumbled through the regular season. The children from Bill's marriage to Rose include Karen Russell, William Russel Jr., and Jacob Russell. 6 was retired in 1972; he also refused to attend his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1975. He is said to have made a conscious decision to put the team first and foremost, and not worry about individual achievements. In the piece, she explains how she experienced such privilege in her life at times, but how she was also met with periods of intense racism and sexism. [115] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. I owe so much to him it's impossible to express. . [48] He was active in the Black Power movement and was among the African-American athletes and the one political leader who came together at the 1967 Cleveland Summit to support Muhammad Ali and his decision to refuse to be drafted. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal . Russell held Chamberlain to a pair of field goals in the first three quarters of Game 3. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. She ended up speaking with him for nine hours. NBA Legend Bill Russell receives the 2017 NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. I could hear anything, I could see anything, and nothing mattered. [193] When Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $100,000 in salary in 1965 (equivalent to $859,873 in 2021), Russell went to Auerbach and demanded a $100,001 salary, which he promptly received. We won 28 out of 29 games. Bill Russell had all his children with Rose Swisher, his college sweetheart, when he married from 1956 to 1973. [67][108] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic. At 85 years old, he is still active going to watch basketball games with his wife Jeannine Russell, as he shows in his Instagram account. His marital status is married. He also served a three-season (19661969) stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in the NBA and the first to win a championship. When the Sixers' Hall-of-Fame guard Hal Greer inbounded, Havlicek stole the ball, causing Celtics commentator Johnny Most to scream: "Havlicek stole the ball! Your IP: A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. Thats because it features not just first-hand accounts of some of the most renowned basketball experts but also archival footage to really explore every aspect of the titular athletes actual being. The Celtic mythical figure, who is now 88 years old, was involved in several passionate relationships. [21] Of Russell the college basketball player, Mikan said: "Let's face it, he's the best ever. In its announcement, the WCC stated: "The 'Russell Rule' requires each member institution to include a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the pool of final candidates for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach and full-time assistant coach position in the athletic department. [68] Both men awed onlookers with "nakedly awesome athleticism",[68] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, the Celtics won 115106, and the match was called a "new beginning of basketball". Television Pundit and Lawyer Karen Russell is the only daughter of Bill Russell. Shed do the same thing after games at home. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in their daily lives. The first [NBA organization] to hire a black [head] coach was the Boston Celtics, and they've had at least five [black head-coaches] over the years. [30] Woolpert's choice of how to deploy his players was unaffected by their skin color. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. Bill Russell (L) greets Jimmy Butler at the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. [174][175][176] During the spring of 2015, two statues of children were added, honoring Russell's commitment to working with children. Bill Russell, one of the most important and accomplished athletes in history, died on Sunday at the age of 88 with his wife Jeannine by his side, his family announced. He was in the . Coming to the particulars of Karens profession, she frequently appears on networks such as MSNBC and CNN as a legal-political analyst, plus she often provides commentary on basketball-related matters on ESPN. [125], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. [180] In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968;[180] they divorced in 1980. Rusell states, It was one bedroom, so my brother and I both had rollaway beds. [79] Game 7 was tied one second before the end of regular time, when Lakers guard Rod Hundley faked a shot and passed out to Frank Selvy, who missed an open eight-foot last-second shot that would have won Los Angeles the title. I could always be myself with them and they were always there for me. Although the salary was touted in the press as a record for an NBA coach, it is unclear whether Russell's continued $100,001 salary as a player was included in the calculation. Bill Russell was the father of four children from three different women. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. Bill Russell- a pioneer of NBA, legendary player, Hall of Famer, activist, and Boston Celtics icon who had bagged five MVPs awards and 11 Championships in his career, died on July 31, 2022, due to natural reasons at his home at the age of 88. Brown contacted Rochester owner Les Harrison and received an assurance that the Royals could not afford Russell, and they would draft Sihugo Green. Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. [136] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Both Cousy and Russell called it the greatest Celtics team of all-time. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. On July 31, 2022, shetweeteda series of pictures with her late father, captioned: "Keanu Reeves on death, 'I know that the ones who love us will miss us.'". [100] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. Rose and Bill started dating in their college days. [5][41], Besides basketball, Russell represented USF in track and field events. A post shared by Bill Russell (@realbillrussell). Russell was married three times. [49] He excelled at playing man-to-man defense, blocking shots, and grabbing defensive rebounds. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. [110] Although White became a standout Celtics player, Boston lacked an All-Star center, went 3448 in the 196970 NBA season, and failed to make it to the 1970 NBA playoffs, marking the first time since 1950 that they did not make the playoffs. In a 2018 Halloween post, Bill wrote that he and Jeannine "go together like Bacon & Eggs". [5] He was also known as a fine passer and pick-and-roll setter, featured a decent left-handed hook shot, and finished strong on alley oops. Two sculptures of children were added two years later, in the spring of 2015, to recognize Bill Russell's devotion to working with children. [161] In 2020, he was ranked No. BOSTON Celtics legend, Bill Russell, had three children with his first wife, Rose. [222] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. [152] In 2009, Russell's erstwhile Knicks opponent Bill Bradley wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Russell "was the smartest player ever to play the game [of basketball]". In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. in the hope that they will grow up as we could not . Photo: Ned Dishman Celtics owner Walter A. It hence comes as no surprise Bill and Rose happily welcomed three kids into their lives over the next six years William Bill Russell Jr. (1957), Jacob Russell (1959), and Karen Russell (1962). Around that time, according to John Taylors book, The Rivalry: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and the Golden Age of Basketball, they grew emotionally distant and divorced. They were happily wed until 1973. It was back when both Rose and Bill were attending the University of San Francisco in the early to mid-1950s that they first came across one another, only to feel a real spark almost immediately. Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell nare his children. Russell . Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities, and he led the NBA in rebounds four times, had a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds,[12] and remains second all time in both total rebounds and rebounds per game. [5], For his achievements, Russell was named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated in 1968. In fact, she is even a qualified attorney as she earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from Harvard Law School after obtaining a Bachelors in Philosophy as well as Government from Georgetown University. Prior to Game 5, no NBA team had ever come back from a 31 deficit. [210] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. I wanted you to have the best possible education and to be able to make the best contacts. Dorothy, who went by Didi, hailed from Kirkland, Washington, and went on to compete at the Miss Universe Pageant in July in Miami Beach of that same year. Thus, playing in this team has also added up to the overall . Today, Karen is 57 years old. He told her to go home and remove the dress, which he described as "white woman's clothing". [183] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. "[27] In an autobiographical account, Russell said that while on a California High School All-Stars tour, he became obsessed with studying and memorizing other players' moves, e.g., footwork such as which foot they moved first on which play, as preparation for defending against them, which included practicing in front of a mirror at night. He starred in college playing center at the University of San Francisco, leading the team to . The two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized. If that isn't goaltending, I want somebody to tell me what it is. She actually started by just enrolling herself in local pageants, only for it to turn into her placement as first runner-up in Miss Wahington 1967, the title of Miss Washington 1968, and finally, the title of Miss USA 1968. Russell Brand and Sen. Bernie Sanders are mad as hell, and they don't want you to take it anymore. [49], The Celtics lost Cousy to retirement after the 196263 NBA season, and they drafted John Havlicek and were powered by Russell, who averaged 16.8 points and 23.6 rebounds per game, won his fourth regular-season MVP award, and earned the NBA All-Star Game MVP honors at the 1963 NBA All-Star Game following his 19-point, 24-rebound performance for the Eastern Conference's All-Star team. Bill answered, I played for the Celtics, period I did not play for Boston. The psychology is to make the offensive team deviate from their normal habits. But there's another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that's the type Russell was. Karen Russell was born on January 20, 1962 and is a legal and political analyst. [129] Russell also received honorary degrees from Harvard University on June 7, 2007,[130] and from Dartmouth College on June 14, 2009. "[109] This supported the opinion of many white fans that Russell, who was by then the highest-paid Celtic, was egotistical, paranoid, and hypocritical. Its thus unclear how she and Bill even came across one another after his divorce from Rose was finalized, yet the then-Washington residents did build a connection before getting married in 1977. He was one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball and left behind an amazing legacy. National tragedy struck on April 4, day of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. With eight of the ten starting players on Sixers and Celtics being black, both teams were in deep shock and there were calls to cancel the series. I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." Thus Russell initialized as the first black head coach in NBA history. Despite the former Miss USA 1968 and Russell being happy at first, things took a turn south, and they divorced in 1980. With the added defensive presence of Russell, the Celtics had laid the foundation for a dynasty, as the team utilized a strong defensive approach to the game, forcing opposing teams to commit many turnovers, which led to many easy points on fast breaks. [16] In 2021, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career. [155] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". August 2, 2022. Still, there was constantly a flow of people from Louisiana that my father would let stay with us. His wife name is Jeannine Russell. [106], Russell and the Celtics achieved upsets over the 76ers and the Knicks to earn a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. [101] Russell acknowledged the first real loss of his career, as he had been injured when the Celtics lost the 1958 NBA Finals, by visiting Chamberlain in the locker room, shaking his hand, and saying: "Great. He's so good, he scares you. The crowd gave Russell a prolonged standing ovation, which brought tears to his eyes. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. [151] He played in eleven deciding games (ten times in Game 7s, once in a Game 5) and ended with a 110 record. His parents, Charles and Katie Russell, decided they would not raise their children in this environment. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. 6 jersey", "Bill Russell Statue Unveiled At Boston City Hall", "Bill Russell statue to be unveiled Nov. 1", "City Hall Plaza statue honors Celtics' Bill Russell", "Basketball's Bill Russell joins the Bronze Age", "Russell Rule Diversity Hiring Commitment", "The University of San Francisco Honors the Memory of Marilyn Nault Russell", "Bill Russell: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Bill Russell, legendary Celtics center and NBA coach, dead at 88", "Indomitable Russell Values One Accolade Above the Rest", "Police: NBA legend Bill Russell arrested with gun at airport", "Bill Russell, Basketball Great With Record 11 NBA Titles, Dies At 88", "Celtics legend, 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell dies at 88", "What NBA salaries would these superstar players make today? He wrote these words after recounting how grandfather Jake Russell had stood up to the Ku Klux Klan and other whites who attempted to thwart his efforts to build a schoolhouse for black children; his grandfather was the first person in Russell's patrilineal line born free in North America and was himself illiterate. He worked hard and used the benefits of a growth spurt to become a decent basketball player. This attitude contributed to his bad rapport with fans and journalists. ADVERTISEMENT. '"[218] In retirement, Russell described the Boston press as corrupt and racist; in response, Boston sports journalist Larry Claflin claimed that Russell himself was the real racist. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. He tied the knot with three different gals. They were together from 1956 to 1973. William Felton Russell Jr., Bill Russell's oldest son who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, died in 2016. On May 6, 1999, the Celtics re-retired Russell's jersey in a ceremony attended by his on-court rival and friend Chamberlain, along with Celtics legend Larry Bird and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [194][195] For his promotion to coach, the Celtics paid Russell an annual salary of $25,000 which was in addition to his salary as a player. Frank Robinson, a future member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, was one of Russell's high school basketball teammates. Despite going through numerous struggles, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him. He was born William Felton Russell Jr. on November 2, 1957. Bill Russell Social Media [148][149], In his first NBA full season (195758), Russell became the first player in NBA history to average more than 20 rebounds per game for an entire season, a feat he accomplished ten times in his thirteen seasons. After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. Be the first one to comment on this story. In addition to Macauley, who was the Celtics' premier player at the time, he wanted Cliff Hagan, who had been serving in the military for three years and had not yet played for the Celtics. [150] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. [111], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. "[207] Years after Taylor's book, Russell published the autobiographical account Red and Me, which chronicled his lifelong friendship with Auerbach. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934 and he died on July 21, 2022 aged 88. At the time of his death, Bill was married to his fourth wife, Jeannine. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Dorothy Anstett Born: Kirkland, Washington, United States Date of birth: 1947-06-28 Spouse: Bill Russell https://t.co/T9E7sVcZUO pic.twitter.com/se6ka2URg3. He actually enrolled at the School of Art Institute in Chicago for a Bachelor's in Design-Visual Communications upon graduating from California's Galileo . [85] On February 10, 1963, Russell recorded his first regular season triple-double after putting up 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 129123 win over the New York Knicks. William Russell Jr. Bill Russell Jr was the first child of the 11-time NBA champ. [162] In 2022, he was ranked No. [19], His father was said to be a "stern, hard man" who initially worked in a paper factory as a janitor, which was a typical "Negro Job"low-paid and not intellectually challenging, as sports journalist John Taylor commented. [115], As a consequence of his endured racist abuse, Russell was extremely sensitive to all racial prejudice. So after the season was over, they had a Northern California banquet, and they picked another center as Player of the Year in Northern California. [115] While Russell long had sore feelings towards Boston, there was something of a reconciliation, and he visited the city regularly in his later years, something he never did in the years immediately after his retirement. Born on January 20, 1962, Karen is not just Bill Sr. and Roses youngest child but also their only daughter, meaning she was ostensibly always extremely close to both her parents. [49] After the game, Russell went over to the distraught West, who had scored 42 points and was named the only NBA Finals MVP in history from the losing team, clasped his hand and tried to soothe him. What was Bill Russell's life like while he was racking up 11 rings? Russell, who was sensitive to any racial prejudice, was enraged by the fact that owner Abe Saperstein would only discuss the matter with Woolpert. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. [190] He was issued a citation and released, and the Transportation Security Administration indicated it would levy a civil penalty, which would be between $3,000 and $7,500. [56] Russell had a more cordial relationship with many of his teammates with the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and fellow rookie. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. Their 4834 record was the team's worst since the 195556 NBA season and they entered the 1969 NBA playoffs as the fourth-seeded team in the East. 101", "The NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, ranked: Where 76 basketball legends check in on our list", "NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens", "President Obama Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients", "Bill Russell to receive NBA's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bill Russell's No. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Russell regarded Auerbach as "the greatest of all coaches". Bill Russell (left), star of the Boston Celtics, is congratulated by coach Arnold "Red" Auerbach after scoring his 10,000th point in the NBA game against the Baltimore Bullets in Boston Garden on . The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. After he graduated, the NCAA rules committee instituted a second new rule to counter the play of big men like Russell; basket interference was now prohibited. Chamberlain often invited Russell over for Thanksgiving dinner; at Russell's place, conversation mostly concerned Russell's electric trains. Auerbach agreed to trade Macauley, who had previously asked to be traded to St. Louis in order to be with his sick son, if the Hawks gave up Russell. She then chose to stay well away from the spotlight while still co-parenting their children, but alas, it all ended on September 11, 2014, as she passed away at the age of 78 owing to some natural health problems. Celtics legend and 11-time NBA Champion Bill Russell died 'peacefully' Sunday at the age of 88. He was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player but only named to the All-NBA Second Team, something that would occur repeatedly throughout his career, as players voted for the MVP award, something that would last until the 197980 NBA season, while the media has always voted for the All-NBA teams. Bill and Jeannine did not have any kids together. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[121]. The Lakers featured new recruit Chamberlain next to perennial stars Baylor and West, and were the favorites. [61] Russell scored 21 points and grabbed an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds, plus an assist, in a Game 2 loss,[73] and he added 22 points and 35 rebounds, along with 4 assists,[74] in the deciding Game 7, a 122103 victory for Boston. [8][38] His awards and achievements include eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in thirteen seasons,[52] two of which were won as player-coach,[142] and he is credited with having raised defensive play in the NBA to a new level. While there is still progress to be made, the Hall of Famer should get a lot of credit for fighting against what was wrong. Unfortunately, though, the duo grew emotionally distant around the time his NBA playing career came to an end in 1970, leading to their divorce three years later in 1973. "[98], Boston's championship streak ended at eight in his first full season as head coach when Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers won a record-breaking 68 regular-season games and were the favorites heading into the 1967 NBA playoffs, where they beat the Celtics 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. [86] The Celtics reached the 1963 NBA Finals,[87] where they again defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, this time in six games. [49] He ranks No. [116], After retiring as a player, Russell had stints as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (19731977) and Sacramento Kings (19871988). 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Chat Transcript: Celtics Legend Bill Russell", "Russell 'So good, he scares you' Mikan", "Bill Russell Named Boston Celtic Coach; Basketball Star To Draw $125,001 Salary a Record for a Pro Coach or Manager He'll Take over Next Season", "Who's Better At Hoops: Bill Russell Or Frank Robinson? [50] Auerbach later said that Brown offered Harrison guaranteed performances of the Ice Capades if they did not draft Russell; it is difficult to verify or disprove this, but it is clear that the Royals underrated Russell. Russell agreed to the project so long as it promoted and raised money for mentorship programs. [105] He was 15 pounds overweight, skipped mandatory NBA coach meetings, and was generally lacking energy; after a New York Knicks game, he complained of intense pain and was diagnosed with acute exhaustion. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (1956-1973) to a lady called Rose.