When Bill Russell called basketball the 'most shallow thing in the world'
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Beyond bestowing fame, glory, and a fortune worth millions, basketball immortalized Bill Russell as the sport’s greatest winner. However, for the Boston Celtics legend, these aspects paled compared to life’s true essence. Moreover, during his playing days, the 6’10” center even referred to basketball as the ‘most shallow thing in the world.’
Russell never appreciated certain aspects
Bill The Hill’s dominance around the rim was unmatched, and the fact that he led the Celtics to 11 championships in 13 years spoke volumes about the kind of basketball IQ he possessed. However, when people tried to gain insights, Russell disapproved of the notion of them trying to make conversation with him solely because of his success on the hardwood.
“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,” Russell said. “‘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?'”
Why did Bill label basketball like that?’
Russell’s defensive prowess as a fierce shot blocker and a rebounding machine was so influential that it shaped the playing style of the next generation of centers, teaching them how to put their team in a winning position despite having offensive voids in their game.
Moreover, his rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain mesmerized fans and shattered records, making the NBA a household league for all basketball fanatics, yet for the 12-time All-Star, his contributions on the court held little significance compared to the efforts in bringing about societal change and his community work.
“I don’t consider anything I have done as contributing to society,” Russell added. “I consider playing professional basketball as marking time, the most shallow thing in the world.”
In contrast to other NBA stars who primarily focused on their job as a player, Russ leveraged his fame and spotlight to champion the fight against racism. He solemnly vowed to improve conditions not only for his children but also for countless other black youth, ensuring they would have equal opportunities in the future.
“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,” Russell concluded. “So, their ambitions aren’t stifled when they face the world, to give them the opportunity to do what they’re most skilled at.”