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News of the passing of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell has shocked the basketball world. It has also given people an opportunity to look back on his life and contributions to the sport.
Having lived till the age of 88, Russell had a full life. He retired as one of the most successful athletes in sporting history. After an illustrious 13-year career that resulted in 11 NBA titles and five MVP awards, Bill Russell is undoubtedly one of the greatest to have ever graced the court.
He retired after winning his final NBA title with the Celtics in 1969. He also had his #6 jersey retired by the Boston Celtics in 1975.
Although Russell retired, the competitive fire in him stayed strong. Having stayed in Boston for his entire career, the mentality and cheeky banter that are characteristics of the city stayed with him.
Russell was often seen taunting celebrities and former athletes in his unique manner, flipping them off even in old age. Here are some of the celebrities Bill Russell gave the middle finger to:
#1 Charles Barkley
As Barkley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar prepared to honor Bill Russell at the NBA Awards event, the Celtics legend pulled off a cheeky move. Russell was hilariously caught on national television flipping off Barkley in the middle of his statement of gratitude.
Russell went on to apologize on Twitter shortly after. He mentioned that when it came to Barkley, him showing the finger was "pure instinct". Barkley also took no offense to the incident as he felt it was one of the coolest things to happen to him.
#2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Bill Russell was closely connected to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Although Abdul-Jabbar joined the league a year after Russell retired, the Celtics legend has always had a bone to pick with the Lakers legend.
As was the case with Charles Barkley, Russell was seen flipping off Abdul-Jabbar at a Lakers game.
However, Russell's statement directed towards other great centers in the NBA remains one of his most iconic interactions. He once pointed at Abdul-Jabbar, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson and Dikembe Mutombo and said:
"I would kick your ass."
#3 Vince Carter
Vince Carter was one of the most recent victims of Russell's one-finger salute. A small interaction between Bill Russell and Sacramento Kings GM Vlade Divac during the Summer League led to an introduction with Carter.
As Carter got up out of his seat at the scorer's table, Russell greeted him with the finger that had spectators laughing.
Carter was seen laughing as he got back into his chair while Divac could barely contain his own.
#4 Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups was also indirectly a recipient of Bill Russell's one-finger salute. Although Russell didn't directly flip the bird to Billups, a picture of the two showed Russell flipping the cameraman off in a rather serious manner.
Billups posted the picture to his Instagram, captioning it:
“Paved the way for all of us that’s been blessed to play hoop for a living.”
The irony wasn't lost on Billups given the nature of the photo.
#5 Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins was one of the premier forwards of the '80s. As an athletic big man of the highest caliber, Wilkins earned the nickname "The Human Highlight Reel".
But even the superstars were brought down to Earth in the presence of Bill Russell. Russell apparently flashed the middle finger towards Wilkins after locking eyes with him on the sidelines of the 2019 All-Star game.
