Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
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Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
https://www.sportscasting.com/bill-russell-once-claimed-basketball-was-the-most-shallow-thing-in-the-world/
Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
by Mike Thomas on September 8, 2021
For Bill Russell, basketball got him the glory and the fame. It turned him into a larger-than-life figure. Although the sport put the former Boston Celtics star and five-time MVP of the NBA on a pedestal, it wasn’t the most important aspect of his life. In fact, during his playing days, Russell even called basketball “the most shallow thing in the world.”
Bill Russell dominated with the Boston Celtics but believed life in the NBA wasn’t productive
Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics shoots a layup as Willie Naulls #6, Ron Sobie #17, Charlie Tyra #14 and Kenny Sears #12 of the New York Knicks look for the rebound during an NBA game on October 26, 1957, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. | Hy Peskin/Getty Images
Russell could fill a stats sheet. He also knew how to win. Boston’s 6-foot-10 center captured 11 championships in his 13 years as a player for the Celtics. That didn’t mean as much to him as it did to others.
“We’re a bunch of grown men playing a child’s game,” Russell said to Sports Illustrated in November 1963. “It’s a child’s game we’ve made into a man’s game by complicating it. Silly, isn’t it? We entertain people for x number of hours during the winter. They may talk about it for a few minutes, maybe an hour; then it’s forgotten. Is this a contribution? No. Analyze it — it’s a silly game. I’m also a silly man because I enjoy it.”
Russell believed people interacted with him simply because he played and excelled at basketball.
“Basketball — that’s all people want to talk to me about,” he said. “It’s a waste because they have nothing to say. I resent people who talk to you and have nothing to say. So I don’t say anything. ‘How’s the weather up there?’ ‘How are things on Main Street?’ That’s where I live. What the heck kind of question is that?”
Despite making a good living, Bill Russell once said basketball was ‘the most shallow thing in the world’
Russell was a 12-time NBA All-Star who led the league in rebounding in five seasons. He has more championship rings as a player than he has fingers. He wowed capacity crowds with his dominance. Fans flocked to see Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain.
None of that mattered to Russell, even when he was playing.
“I don’t consider anything I have done,” he said, according to Sports Illustrated, “as contributing to society. I consider playing professional basketball as marking time, the most shallow thing in the world.”
He knew basketball was good to him. In fact, he said the sport was probably too good to him, and that was part of the problem.
“One of the saddest things that has happened to me,” Russell said, “is that in basketball so many good things have happened to me it’s hard to get a real thrill anymore. You know what I get excited about now? When my kids say funny things or I get two new speakers for my stereo, although I had a perfectly good system before that.”
Russell used his prowess with the Celtics to help ‘make life better’ for others
NBA History
@NBAHistory
On October 15, 1966, two-time @Hoophall inductee Bill Russell became the NBA's first Black head coach when he was designated as player-coach of the @Celtics.
The #21HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony is Saturday, Sept. 11 in Springfield, MA.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1435301846881423361
What mattered most to Russell was his accomplishments off the basketball court. At the time, he had three young children. He also experienced high levels of racism. While his celebrity status had him in the spotlight, subjecting him to more racism, he focused on making things better for his children and many other Black kids.
“I’ve got three kids now, a certain amount of responsibility to them,” Russell said. “I also have a certain amount of responsibility to a lot of other kids. I give most Negroes a certain amount of pride. Here’s one of our guys doing all right, they say. The world can’t be all bad. That contribution is very shallow.
“The contribution I’d like to make as a person — to my kids and little Black kids all over the world — is to make life better, so their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at. I could have a burning ambition to give my kids a million dollars. If I gave them that alone, I’d be giving them nothing.”
In 1966, Russell became the NBA’s first Black head coach and won two more rings with the Celtics. He will be honored as a coach Saturday during his Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.
Russell is a Hall of Famer as both a player and a coach, but the big man had a bigger impact off the court.
Bob
MY NOTE: When you include everything, his life in a holistic way, Bill Russell really is the GOAT (Muhammed Ali too) because he was so much more than just a freakish athlete. Jaylen Brown could become another, he's on the right path.
.
Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
by Mike Thomas on September 8, 2021
For Bill Russell, basketball got him the glory and the fame. It turned him into a larger-than-life figure. Although the sport put the former Boston Celtics star and five-time MVP of the NBA on a pedestal, it wasn’t the most important aspect of his life. In fact, during his playing days, Russell even called basketball “the most shallow thing in the world.”
Bill Russell dominated with the Boston Celtics but believed life in the NBA wasn’t productive
Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics shoots a layup as Willie Naulls #6, Ron Sobie #17, Charlie Tyra #14 and Kenny Sears #12 of the New York Knicks look for the rebound during an NBA game on October 26, 1957, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. | Hy Peskin/Getty Images
Russell could fill a stats sheet. He also knew how to win. Boston’s 6-foot-10 center captured 11 championships in his 13 years as a player for the Celtics. That didn’t mean as much to him as it did to others.
“We’re a bunch of grown men playing a child’s game,” Russell said to Sports Illustrated in November 1963. “It’s a child’s game we’ve made into a man’s game by complicating it. Silly, isn’t it? We entertain people for x number of hours during the winter. They may talk about it for a few minutes, maybe an hour; then it’s forgotten. Is this a contribution? No. Analyze it — it’s a silly game. I’m also a silly man because I enjoy it.”
Russell believed people interacted with him simply because he played and excelled at basketball.
“Basketball — that’s all people want to talk to me about,” he said. “It’s a waste because they have nothing to say. I resent people who talk to you and have nothing to say. So I don’t say anything. ‘How’s the weather up there?’ ‘How are things on Main Street?’ That’s where I live. What the heck kind of question is that?”
Despite making a good living, Bill Russell once said basketball was ‘the most shallow thing in the world’
Russell was a 12-time NBA All-Star who led the league in rebounding in five seasons. He has more championship rings as a player than he has fingers. He wowed capacity crowds with his dominance. Fans flocked to see Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain.
None of that mattered to Russell, even when he was playing.
“I don’t consider anything I have done,” he said, according to Sports Illustrated, “as contributing to society. I consider playing professional basketball as marking time, the most shallow thing in the world.”
He knew basketball was good to him. In fact, he said the sport was probably too good to him, and that was part of the problem.
“One of the saddest things that has happened to me,” Russell said, “is that in basketball so many good things have happened to me it’s hard to get a real thrill anymore. You know what I get excited about now? When my kids say funny things or I get two new speakers for my stereo, although I had a perfectly good system before that.”
Russell used his prowess with the Celtics to help ‘make life better’ for others
NBA History
@NBAHistory
On October 15, 1966, two-time @Hoophall inductee Bill Russell became the NBA's first Black head coach when he was designated as player-coach of the @Celtics.
The #21HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony is Saturday, Sept. 11 in Springfield, MA.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1435301846881423361
What mattered most to Russell was his accomplishments off the basketball court. At the time, he had three young children. He also experienced high levels of racism. While his celebrity status had him in the spotlight, subjecting him to more racism, he focused on making things better for his children and many other Black kids.
“I’ve got three kids now, a certain amount of responsibility to them,” Russell said. “I also have a certain amount of responsibility to a lot of other kids. I give most Negroes a certain amount of pride. Here’s one of our guys doing all right, they say. The world can’t be all bad. That contribution is very shallow.
“The contribution I’d like to make as a person — to my kids and little Black kids all over the world — is to make life better, so their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at. I could have a burning ambition to give my kids a million dollars. If I gave them that alone, I’d be giving them nothing.”
In 1966, Russell became the NBA’s first Black head coach and won two more rings with the Celtics. He will be honored as a coach Saturday during his Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.
Russell is a Hall of Famer as both a player and a coach, but the big man had a bigger impact off the court.
Bob
MY NOTE: When you include everything, his life in a holistic way, Bill Russell really is the GOAT (Muhammed Ali too) because he was so much more than just a freakish athlete. Jaylen Brown could become another, he's on the right path.
.
bobheckler- Posts : 61396
Join date : 2009-10-28
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
Good point(s), bobh. Preaching to the choir here on G.O.A.T.!!
db
db
dbrown4- Posts : 5325
Join date : 2009-10-29
Age : 60
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
When I think back to his playing days, and the things he had to go thru, it is not a surprise that he felt this way. He stayed clear of Boston once he was retired, came only for Red or when the league finally embraced him, added his name to the MVP trophy, and finally was acknowledged for the things he did off the court, rather than on. He had the right to have that chip on his shoulder, Boston only wanted him for glory, not for what or who he was.
The fact that the Mentoring program is still in full function, and will receive part of the proceeds from the auction of his lifetime of awards and rings is a testament to how strongly he feels about this program centered here in Boston.
Remember, he never made the money that these overpaid kids are making today. we can only hope some of them learn from him that money is not everything. A true Celtic in every sense of the word
The fact that the Mentoring program is still in full function, and will receive part of the proceeds from the auction of his lifetime of awards and rings is a testament to how strongly he feels about this program centered here in Boston.
Remember, he never made the money that these overpaid kids are making today. we can only hope some of them learn from him that money is not everything. A true Celtic in every sense of the word
RosalieTCeltics- Posts : 40088
Join date : 2009-10-17
Age : 76
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
Russell’s issues were not exclusive to Boston. The league and the country “only wanted him for glory, not for what or who he was”. Sure he went through some terrible things while living in Massachusetts but he’s speaking in terms of this country and in his words “the world” not just Boston.
Ktron- Posts : 8381
Join date : 2014-01-21
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
I am fully aware of all that Russell went through. I am in no way just saying it was just Boston.
RosalieTCeltics- Posts : 40088
Join date : 2009-10-17
Age : 76
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
Understood. Like you I was born and raised in Beantown. I don’t know if you lived anywhere else but I have lived in 9 other cities and in every one of those cities once folks found out I was from Boston I would be bombarded with how racist the city is and how Russ was treated. Of course I wouldn’t/couldn’t defend those nasty things done to Russ however I did point out that I’ve experienced and seen worse crap going on in at least 7 of those cities that I never experienced in Boston.
If its sounds like I’m defending the nasty things that have went on in Boston, I’m not. But what i did try and do is dispel the myth that Boston is the worst place on earth for people of color and that athletes of color are treated worse there than anywhere else. I know firsthand that it isn’t so in a sense I am defending our city.
So, I am not disagreeing with you or attempting to minimize your points/post. You are right. I just had a flashback when I read it so please don’t take it as an attack on you.
I love Boston as I am sure you do as well. Our city still has issues but these other spots around the country need to check themselves b4 jumping all over Beantown.
If its sounds like I’m defending the nasty things that have went on in Boston, I’m not. But what i did try and do is dispel the myth that Boston is the worst place on earth for people of color and that athletes of color are treated worse there than anywhere else. I know firsthand that it isn’t so in a sense I am defending our city.
So, I am not disagreeing with you or attempting to minimize your points/post. You are right. I just had a flashback when I read it so please don’t take it as an attack on you.
I love Boston as I am sure you do as well. Our city still has issues but these other spots around the country need to check themselves b4 jumping all over Beantown.
Ktron- Posts : 8381
Join date : 2014-01-21
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
2 days ago I watched the documentary Mr. Russell's House. I have watched it before.
I was again blown away by the sheer humanity of Bill Russell.
he means what he says
"“The contribution I’d like to make as a person — to my kids and little Black kids all over the world — is to make life better, so their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at."
I just have to tell my story again.
It was probably around 1964 or 65. I was already a Celtics fan and I had great admiration for Bill Russell. I attended Saint John's Episcopal on Tremont Street. Bill Russell came to that church to talk with a group of young teenage boys. I was one of them.
The scene was surreal. The meeting took place in the kids room in the church basement. The room was furnished with kid's sized furniture (tables, chairs and some stools) All of these were painted in pastel colors. Mr. Russell was a towering giant of a man. He selected one of the stools and sat on it while he spoke with us. I was flabbergasted that a man that tall would sit on a stool made for little toddlers.
He talked to us about having a bright future. He talked about ambition and how we needed to stay focused on achieving our dreams. He told us that we would get there as long as we believed that we could.
Needless to say, he had a positive impact on my life. That one brief encountered has stayed with me to this very day.
I was again blown away by the sheer humanity of Bill Russell.
he means what he says
"“The contribution I’d like to make as a person — to my kids and little Black kids all over the world — is to make life better, so their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at."
I just have to tell my story again.
It was probably around 1964 or 65. I was already a Celtics fan and I had great admiration for Bill Russell. I attended Saint John's Episcopal on Tremont Street. Bill Russell came to that church to talk with a group of young teenage boys. I was one of them.
The scene was surreal. The meeting took place in the kids room in the church basement. The room was furnished with kid's sized furniture (tables, chairs and some stools) All of these were painted in pastel colors. Mr. Russell was a towering giant of a man. He selected one of the stools and sat on it while he spoke with us. I was flabbergasted that a man that tall would sit on a stool made for little toddlers.
He talked to us about having a bright future. He talked about ambition and how we needed to stay focused on achieving our dreams. He told us that we would get there as long as we believed that we could.
Needless to say, he had a positive impact on my life. That one brief encountered has stayed with me to this very day.
dboss- Posts : 18768
Join date : 2009-11-01
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
dboss wrote:2 days ago I watched the documentary Mr. Russell's House. I have watched it before.
I was again blown away by the sheer humanity of Bill Russell.
he means what he says
"“The contribution I’d like to make as a person — to my kids and little Black kids all over the world — is to make life better, so their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at."
I just have to tell my story again.
It was probably around 1964 or 65. I was already a Celtics fan and I had great admiration for Bill Russell. I attended Saint John's Episcopal on Tremont Street. Bill Russell came to that church to talk with a group of young teenage boys. I was one of them.
The scene was surreal. The meeting took place in the kids room in the church basement. The room was furnished with kid's sized furniture (tables, chairs and some stools) All of these were painted in pastel colors. Mr. Russell was a towering giant of a man. He selected one of the stools and sat on it while he spoke with us. I was flabbergasted that a man that tall would sit on a stool made for little toddlers.
He talked to us about having a bright future. He talked about ambition and how we needed to stay focused on achieving our dreams. He told us that we would get there as long as we believed that we could.
Needless to say, he had a positive impact on my life. That one brief encountered has stayed with me to this very day.
Wow awesome story, doesn’t get anymore real than that….!!!
cowens/oldschool- Posts : 27252
Join date : 2009-10-18
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
dboss wrote:2 days ago I watched the documentary Mr. Russell's House. I have watched it before.
I was again blown away by the sheer humanity of Bill Russell.
he means what he says
"“The contribution I’d like to make as a person — to my kids and little Black kids all over the world — is to make life better, so their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at."
I just have to tell my story again.
It was probably around 1964 or 65. I was already a Celtics fan and I had great admiration for Bill Russell. I attended Saint John's Episcopal on Tremont Street. Bill Russell came to that church to talk with a group of young teenage boys. I was one of them.
The scene was surreal. The meeting took place in the kids room in the church basement. The room was furnished with kid's sized furniture (tables, chairs and some stools) All of these were painted in pastel colors. Mr. Russell was a towering giant of a man. He selected one of the stools and sat on it while he spoke with us. I was flabbergasted that a man that tall would sit on a stool made for little toddlers.
He talked to us about having a bright future. He talked about ambition and how we needed to stay focused on achieving our dreams. He told us that we would get there as long as we believed that we could.
Needless to say, he had a positive impact on my life. That one brief encountered has stayed with me to this very day.
dboss,
Wow. Awesome story. You are so lucky.
Bob
.
bobheckler- Posts : 61396
Join date : 2009-10-28
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
This weekend was a time for rememberences.
I watched Bill Russell get inducted into the HOF, this time as a coach. Seeing the reverence paid to him by all time greats like Dr J reminded me of that allstar baseball game and how Ted Williams was surrounded by all those great baseball players.
Earlier on Saturday this country paid honor to the 9 11 tragedy. So many people lost so much.
A close friend from Boston posted her remembrance on Facebook. She was a flight attendant scheduled to be on one of the planes that struck the WTC towers. She called in sick and one of her coworkers took her assignment and died on that flight. My friend Marie, lives with this everday. She moved to Atlanta several years ago and she remains close to me and my wife.
I watched Bill Russell get inducted into the HOF, this time as a coach. Seeing the reverence paid to him by all time greats like Dr J reminded me of that allstar baseball game and how Ted Williams was surrounded by all those great baseball players.
Earlier on Saturday this country paid honor to the 9 11 tragedy. So many people lost so much.
A close friend from Boston posted her remembrance on Facebook. She was a flight attendant scheduled to be on one of the planes that struck the WTC towers. She called in sick and one of her coworkers took her assignment and died on that flight. My friend Marie, lives with this everday. She moved to Atlanta several years ago and she remains close to me and my wife.
dboss- Posts : 18768
Join date : 2009-11-01
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
I can imagine how much she is haunted, so many people lost, so much heartache, to have almost been a victim is almost as bad, the memory must be terrible for her.
Watching Russell get inducted into the HOF again, watching how frail this vibrant powerful man has changed is heartbreaking. He is the contact to the dynasties that I will fear losing. I cannot Imagine a world with him gone. But his words still ring of pride, humanity and even gratefulness that he shows every time he speaks. No one is perfect, but the NBA should be so proud that he was once a major player in their growth.
By the way, Chris Bosh should be smacked for the way he handled his
Induction, pure crap coming out of his mouth
Watching Russell get inducted into the HOF again, watching how frail this vibrant powerful man has changed is heartbreaking. He is the contact to the dynasties that I will fear losing. I cannot Imagine a world with him gone. But his words still ring of pride, humanity and even gratefulness that he shows every time he speaks. No one is perfect, but the NBA should be so proud that he was once a major player in their growth.
By the way, Chris Bosh should be smacked for the way he handled his
Induction, pure crap coming out of his mouth
RosalieTCeltics- Posts : 40088
Join date : 2009-10-17
Age : 76
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
I have a friend too who had to take care of his house, took that fateful day off….my heart goes out to all those who lost their lives and the families that are still dealing with the loss.
cowens/oldschool- Posts : 27252
Join date : 2009-10-18
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
RosalieTCeltics wrote:I can imagine how much she is haunted, so many people lost, so much heartache, to have almost been a victim is almost as bad, the memory must be terrible for her.
Watching Russell get inducted into the HOF again, watching how frail this vibrant powerful man has changed is heartbreaking. He is the contact to the dynasties that I will fear losing. I cannot Imagine a world with him gone. But his words still ring of pride, humanity and even gratefulness that he shows every time he speaks. No one is perfect, but the NBA should be so proud that he was once a major player in their growth.
By the way, Chris Bosh should be smacked for the way he handled his
Induction, pure crap coming out of his mouth
As a player, I didn’t think he was good enough to get into the Hall, he was no where near Garnett or Duncan, he was always soft.
cowens/oldschool- Posts : 27252
Join date : 2009-10-18
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
Call it fate. So close to death and yet so far away because of circumstances.cowens/oldschool wrote:I have a friend too who had to take care of his house, took that fateful day off….my heart goes out to all those who lost their lives and the families that are still dealing with the loss.
dboss- Posts : 18768
Join date : 2009-11-01
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
While I have the utmost respect for Russ and his infinite wisdom, I would like to point out that this statement was made prior to Keeping up with the Kardashians or Instagram.
Shamrock1000- Posts : 2709
Join date : 2013-08-19
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
Shamrock1000 wrote:While I have the utmost respect for Russ and his infinite wisdom, I would like to point out that this statement was made prior to Keeping up with the Kardashians or Instagram.
+1
_________________
gyso- Posts : 22120
Join date : 2009-10-13
Re: Bill Russell Once Claimed Basketball Was ‘the Most Shallow Thing in the World’
cowens/oldschool wrote:RosalieTCeltics wrote:I can imagine how much she is haunted, so many people lost, so much heartache, to have almost been a victim is almost as bad, the memory must be terrible for her.
Watching Russell get inducted into the HOF again, watching how frail this vibrant powerful man has changed is heartbreaking. He is the contact to the dynasties that I will fear losing. I cannot Imagine a world with him gone. But his words still ring of pride, humanity and even gratefulness that he shows every time he speaks. No one is perfect, but the NBA should be so proud that he was once a major player in their growth.
By the way, Chris Bosh should be smacked for the way he handled his
Induction, pure crap coming out of his mouth
As a player, I didn’t think he was good enough to get into the Hall, he was no where near Garnett or Duncan, he was always soft.
Bosh being inducted into the HOF gives me hope that someday I may get in too. What a fkn joke!
Ktron- Posts : 8381
Join date : 2014-01-21
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