Earlier in the week, the NBA announced that the league would retire the number 6 in honor of Bill Russell.
The NBA and NBPA announced today that they will honor the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell by permanently retiring his uniform number, 6, throughout the league.
Full release: https://t.co/jFjZwKtiB2 pic.twitter.com/LdXT4Mf8W7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2022
Russell passed away on July 31st.
Most know Russell for what he accomplished on the court but he was much more than that. Before there were labels like “social justice”, Russell was known to be outspoken on issues that impacted the black community.
His contributions to the league and society as whole was worthy of the universal retirement of his number. Where the NBA failed was when they waited until Russell died to do this.
There was no reason for the league not to honor Russell and do this years ago. It would’ve meant more. The designation should’ve been for him and his accomplishments. It should’ve been for what he meant to the league and society.
By waiting for Russell to die, it looks more like a publicity play by the NBA. It now becomes about video tributes and patches than Russell himself.
It’s a gross disrespect for everything that Russell stood for.
