Celtics player-coach Bill Russell notched his first victory in 1968 when the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 124-109 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Bill Russell played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics and participated in 11 NBA championships after leading the U.S national basketball team to victory at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. He is widely considered one of the best basketball players in history and helped revolutionize defensive playing during his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics. In between his time as coach, Russell became a sports color commentator, often paired with Rick Barry on televised basketball games. Under his direction as coach, the Celtics held a 60-21 regular-season record and advanced to the NBA Finals. In 1970, he was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame four years later.
Today in Sports History: May 2
INGLEWOOD, CA - CIRCA 1987: Sacramento Kings head coach Bill Russell smiles against the Los Angeles Lakers circa 1987 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)