Both of these are second. He recently said Russell really didnt have a chance and also dealt with unfair perceptions. Theres been about a 500% increase in the number of international players in the NBA over the last 30 years, from around 20 in 1993 to around 120 now. The retired professional basketball legend, who played center for the Boston Celtics of the NBA, lives here. I know all these guys and theres no point to that., Don Nelson, one of the few surviving members of those Russell-coached Boston teams, enthusiastically confirmed Russells ability as a coach. LeBron James always said that he wasn't chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record, so there was no sense of relief when he actually took over the top spot on the NBA points list. If you really have integrity, there are very few people who can insult you, or honor you. Bill Russell was one of the greatest winners in the history of basketball. Russell, outspoken and relentlessly intelligent when it came to matters of race, was not just the NBAs first Black superstar; as the Celtics quickly came to dominate the NBA, he also became an activist on par with Muhammad Ali. And I hope that one day, in the streets of Boston, children will look up at a statue built not only to Bill Russell the player, but Bill Russell the man.. Even the Boston Red Sox an organization steeped in racism had the nerve . Tonight, Bill Russell will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs, which honor the biggest and best stars in the world of sports. NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away Sunday, July 31, according to a family statement from his. He was the most important person in the franchise, and he wanted to do it. It's a sad day for basketball fans everywhere as the great Bill Russell, the winner of 11 NBA titles in his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday at age 88, his family announced on . Over the years, Russells approach became the teams overall philosophy as athletic players who saw defense as a means to key the fast break were introduced into the roster. But not everyone remembers he also won two NBA titles in eight seasons as a head coach. He was all of those things. Being fearless on the basketball court was easy. James posted the clip on his social channels. Her husband Bill died peacefully at her side at their Mercer Island, Washington, Home on July 31, 2022. In addition to the lengthy notoriety of his achievements and loved ones, the post includes a tender picture of Jeannine and Bill shortly before his death. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. He wasnt good on the hardwood, either. Take a look at St. Andrews, Scotland through the eyes of someone who once called The Home of Golf home. Russell took home one more championship before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969. Some of the best (and worst) looks from Day 1 of The 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews. I dont like to single out guys in public. If yall wasnt so damn boring I wouldnt be sleeping here!, Bill Russell Told Michael Jordan to His Face That His Celtics Played in a Tougher Era Than Did MJs Bulls. Butch Buchholz (born 1940), Hall of Fame tennis player. There are expectations because of that. There's the three-consecutive-MVP club, with only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird as its current members. You got to have the killer instinct. Therefore, out of necessity and also by request, coaching came calling again. Boston then delivered back-to-back titles in 1968 and 69, the last of which was somewhat surprising. Bill came into a situation that wasnt a very good one. Bill Russell is saying goodbye to his Washington home after nearly 50 years. Russell Smith Expand search. Russell has been married four times. In his second season with the Celtics, Russell bought a house in Reading. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. I immediately put them in the garage, said Russell, who didnt retrieve them for years, until after he had hung up his basketball shoes. My heart wasnt too friendly about that, he said. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. In terms of the magnitude of All-Star, this is our largest in our history, he said. Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. To that end, Monday night Feherty sat down with basketball legend Bill Russell. Russell told Golf Channel in 2014 that he received a set of golf clubs as a gift at an NBA All-Star Game but didnt break them out of his garage for years. Bill Russell Salary During the era Russell played he was one of the top earners of the league. Russell once got asked a question about being a Black star in Boston, a city with a complicated history when it comes to race. His departure from the game was uncommonly quiet by todays standards. But it worked for me and Bill because as players we had the respect of our teammates. (Stan Badz/PGA Tour Archive via Getty Images), Bill Russell watches as former Giants infielder Joe Morgan hits a shot in the Willie McCovey, Bill Russell watches as former Giants infielder Joe Morgan hits a shot in the Willie McCovey Golf Classic in 2009 in San Francisco. We all had so much respect for the guy and we did whatever he wanted us to do, and do it best you could. Russell could very easily have never taken up basketball, much less gone on to become one of the sports immortals. Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years - the last two as the first Black head coach in any major US sport - and marched for . Bill Russell, the legendary NBA star who died Sunday at age 88, loved to play golf and to meet other celebrity golfers - including games with Michael Jordan. Erving told the story of how he played golf with Russell, and . And in Bills case, he was the leader of the Celtics from the time he joined the team and the main reason they won all those championships., There was another unusual Celtics arrangement with Russell thats totally foreign now: He didnt have any assistant coaches. Jeannine was with Bill when he passed away on July 31, 2022. Credit: Instagram/realbillrussell. He was great to play for. But not everyone remembers he also won two NBA titles in eight seasons as a head coach. If he was out dining and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Russells usual response was to instead ask the person to join him at the table to have a conversation about life. On April 18th, 1966, Bill Russell was named player-coach of the Boston Celtics upon Red Auerbach's retirement. Not only was this weekend the 30th anniversary of Utahs first time hosting the All-Star Game, but it was also the 30th anniversary of Adam Silvers first All-Star Game as part of the NBA. All-Star ballots were on paper then and distributed in arenas; Michael Jordan was the leading vote-getter with just over 1 million votes. Fellow NBA great, Steph Curry, former President Barack Obama and more famous figures in the sports world and beyond, took to social media following the news of Russell's passing. Bill Russell and his wife, Jeannine, renew their vows. Voting is electronic now; LeBron James got about 8 million votes this year. Bill Russell: Legend begins in July 2022 with Russell's death, before charting a very linear course through his life, from his birth in Louisiana to his move to Oakland as part of the Great . His mind was bigger than basketball, author Taylor Branch, who spent about a year living with Russell near Seattle in the 1970s while working with him on a book, said Sunday. I thought the world of him. He supported Muhammad Ali when the fighter refused to go to Vietnam. The 2021 enshrinement ceremony will be held Sept. 11. Russell also became the first Black coach in any American professional team sport. I loved that guy.. Russell would not stand for racism in sports, which was ironic, given Bostons historical notoriety in that department. Privacy Policy. But the quality of golf displayed by those early foursomes, Russell admitted, werent exactly pretty. A lot of times I'm completely wrong, but all you do is back up and start over. I hope I epitomize the American dream. The world has many of them. Wilt Chamberlain entered the NBA for the 1959-60 season and began an epic 10-year rivalry with Russell. Bill Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2011. . Essentially, the player-coach signaled for any substitutions from the floor and drew up strategies during timeouts, as any coach would. In 1964 they became the first team in the NBA to start an all-Black lineup. His rookie deal was $24000. Frustratingly, his sheer basketball excellence made his actions not only excusable for fans but tolerated in a way that bordered on dismissive. Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends, This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Steve Brown (born 1962), darts player. The great Bill Russell remembered at NBA All-Star weekend By TIM REYNOLDS February 19, 2023 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell. As a player-coach, Bill Russell never lost his trademark focus on winning titles. Just great to be around.. Create unselfishness as the most important team attribute. While Russell contributed significantly on offense, his identity was tied to his defensive performance. 2023 He said, Sometimes things arent going to go your way. He was very realistic about certain situations, but when it came to a championship, all that went away and he expected to win those.. Bill was also the general manager, he had the No. Once again, there was an element of chance involved: Auerbach had never seen Russell play and instead had to rely on the word of a trusted peer. He was born in rural Louisiana. According to a warrant for Morrow's arrest, he's facing charges of assault by strangulation, second-degree kidnapping and communicating threats. It was a breakthrough that would change not only his life but, in the long term, basketball itself. It wasnt at all what I expected, Hill said. firefighter, wildfire, fire, information | 3.1K views, 15 likes, 6 loves, 8 comments, 13 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from CAL FIRE NEU: September 20,. Take away all the on-court accomplishments, and Russell still lived a life. For some reason David and his producer have never . Feb 12, 2021, 1:30 PM. He had made great strides within the game of basketball, but the restless, conscientious Russell felt that there were bigger battles to fight. No pussycats, please. But above all else, Russell was basketballs ultimate winner. When Auerbach retired after the Celtics won the 196566 NBA title, Russell succeeded him as coach. Bill vs. Wilt. Several players were on the court for the performance, including Pascal Siakam and Giannis Antetokounmpo. We really identify with each other because we know each other.. It was, however, a milestone made possible by Russells performance and larger significance. 1 pick and took Pervis Ellison in a draft that didnt have a top guy. Bill Russell smoothly transitioned from standout player to an outstanding player-coach as his playing career with Boston waned. He won five MVP awards, tied for second-most with Michael Jordan, one behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbars league record. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. Bill Russell died Sunday at age 88. Joe Buck (born 1969), sportscaster, football and baseball announcer for Fox, son of Jack Buck. The Sonics had only one winning season before Russell arrived and after a 36-win first season, Russell took them to the playoffs the next two seasons. Tiger Woods' "technology-infused golf entertainment venue" has arrived in Arizona. There are too many reasons why that wouldnt work now. In some ways, Russell still considered himself one of the guys, which, of course, he was. He was not forgotten. Bill Russell is most known for his legendary NBA playing career in which he won five league MVPs and a record 11 championships with the Boston Celtics. Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. Tonight's event will be hosted by Tracy. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Here's when Joe Mazzulla got 'worried' during the Celtics' biggest collapse of the season, 6 takeaways as Celtics blow 28-point lead in loss to Nets, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105. Nelson said: He played so many minutes and played so hard that he developed hamstring issues. Over 400 items from the Hall of Famer's career hammered to a close during a live finale at TD Garden in Boston, with over $7.4 million in . He was hoping to make it better and it never got better. After his retirement, he served as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (197377) and the Sacramento Kings (198788), served as a commentator on television broadcasts of NBA games, and continued to remain active in social causes. There is no greater champion than Bill Russell. He kinda stumbles and everyone laughs, and hes like, Everybody out of practice! Bill Russell (No 6) scores for the Boston Celtics against the St Louis Hawks in 1957. Joy is a current of energy in your body, like chlorophyll or sunlight, that fills you up and makes you naturally want to do your best. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Long before he was running the NBA, Adam Silver was an eager young staffer whose duties included opening mail, writing memos and carrying around large stacks of glossy . Tags: Associated Press, sports, basketball. There is a mistake in the text of this quote. But there was more to it than that: the white Heinsohn was simply a more attractive candidate for many voters. Playing defense, keeping your man off the boards, setting picks, giving a guy the ball when hes free and youre not, all those things. For I came against long odds, from the ghetto to the very top of my profession. Russell only coached the Celtics for three seasons (1966-69), winning championships in two of them. Red Auerbach and Pat Riley and Gregg Popovich wouldnt win with that team, either. Curiously in Russells first season as coach, the Celtics didnt win the title. Rebounds per game in the regular season, good for second all-time behind Chamberlain (22.89). Also, his name was Bill Russell. Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, and in 2011 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As Russell once told it: I think he is a great player and I have the ultimate regard for him. In addition, he was a high-level sprinter and high jumper on USFs track-and-field team (Wilt Chamberlain, his future archrival, also excelled at track and field up until his pro basketball career). afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. Brooks will serve his 1-game suspension Sunday when the Grizzlies visit the Clippers. To his surprise, Schulman agreed to all of them. He helped start the National Basketball Players Association. To him, the best moment within that moment was the reaction of his daughter Zhuri to the record-breaking jumper earlier this month. When I was appointed coach of the Boston Celtics, the players accepted me with no antagonism at all, Russell said years later. Russell, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, died Sunday at 88. He said to me on the bus, he said, Youre gonna have to sit next to me on the bus the whole time. I didnt wanna do that. Here's a look at the numbers behind Russell's Hall of Fame career, his battles against fellow legend Wilt Chamberlain and how Russell revolutionized how NBA defense was played. "Today we lost a . And so was his personality, as great as he was in basketball.. When a player spoke up and called out Russell, he only doubled down on his stance. Bill Russell served as player/coach in his final three seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning the NBA title in 1968 and 1969. A lot of people say great players dont make great coaches. He needed work the most money he made with the Celtics in a season was $100,001, the extra dollar because he wanted that much more than Wilt, the highest paid player at the time. Most professional titles won. He was never hard on anybody, Nelson said. We were out in the middle of the golf course; they had just won the championship. Smith once told a hilarious story about a time Russell actually dozed off during practice and blamed his players (2:47-3:18 in the video above). It wasnt who I was.. That total is truly remarkable -- no other player led the NBA in this category more than five times (and only George Mikan and Tim Duncan did so). (Craig Jones/Getty Images), Bill Russell and LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam pose at the 25th Great Sports Legends Dinner to, Bill Russell and LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam pose at the 25th Great Sports Legends Dinner to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis at The Waldorf-Astoria in 2010 in New York City. As the decade progressed, the Celtics continued to make history. Though he's not known for his passing as much as other facets of his game, that total puts him third among Hall of Fame centers, behind only Bill Walton (4.3) and Wes Unseld (3.8). If somethings not right, let me know. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. July 31, 2022 1 Bill Russell hated autographs. I cherish those times.. The halftime concert featured three Nigerian artists Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Burna Boy, Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated singer Tems and rapper Rema doing an Afrobeats-themed performance. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar edges them with six MVP seasons. And no All-Star Game will mean more to a local economy than this one, Silver said, with a $280 million estimated impact from the weekend on Salt Lake City businesses. Evidently, he was getting bored and probably felt he wasnt being challenged enough, so he decided to take a bigger role with the team by becoming the head coach while still remaining on the roster. Sam Schulman, who owned the fledgling Seattle SuperSonics, wanted to energize the franchise and turned to Russell for the 1973-74 season. In the case of Who Will Succeed The Legendary Red Auerbach, it was even more simplistic and automatic: Bill Russell was the only logical choice. So there was no reason for him to yell at anybody.. Joy Bang - actress born in Kansas City [6] Kay Barnes - mayor of Kansas City 1999-2007. My most prized possession was my library card from the Oakland Public Library. NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away "peacefully" Sunday, according to a family statement from his. They respected me as a player and my knowledge of the game and they played as hard for me as they used to play for Red Auerbach.. What about (Bill) Sharman?. Bill Russell, who has more NBA rings than fingers, talks titles and golf in For the Record. Antiques, Quality Furniture, Art, a Gun Safe, excellent kitchenware and some fantastic tools! One such round during Jordan and the Bulls heyday produced one of the best smack-talk stories and making the tale even better, Jordan, for once, was on the receiving end. He marched in Mississippi after the slaying of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. The 69 Celtics began to show their age and clearly, the dynasty had wrinkles. The raccoons heard about that, Russell said. The best player in the draft was Tim Hardaway, who went 14th. And all the players respected him.. Heart in champions has to do with the depth of our motivation and how well your mind and body react to pressure - that is, being able to do what you do best under maximum pain and stress. . Saw no point to them. He stood side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. Here's a breakdown of his career numbers, along with the increase or decrease in the postseason compared to the regular season: Assists per 36 minutes for Russell. It just didnt go well. Not just as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but as the man who taught me how to be bigger as a player, and as a man.. Golf Channel, All Rights Reserved. You can win without joy, but winning thats joyless is like eating in a four-star restaurant when youre not hungry. BOSTON (AP) Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years the last two as the first Black head coach in any major U.S. sport and. He was a frequent participant in. He returned in 1973 to take over the Seattle SuperSonics, where he led the team to playoff appearances in two of the next four seasons. If a guy pays you five dollars, you give him seven dollars worth of work. The Celtics barely survived the Knicks to reach The Finals, and once there, fell behind 2-0 to the Lakers of Chamberlain and Jerry West. Trailing him are Tim Duncan (106.3), Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon (94.5) and Chamberlain (93.9). Bill Russell Autographed Signed 8X10 Photo Framed HOF 74 JSA COA Authentic Celtics Autograph. There was no tearful good-bye, no press conference, nothing like that. When he finally bought himself a left-handed set, Russell scratched his competitive itch in matches against friends. Bill Russell with Lee Elder. There was a huge crowd of fans on the floor for the halftime show. Today, some of those same people are calling him the G.O.A.T. But the Celtics kept winning, and he remained the engine that made them go. He defined the teams philosophy and its strategy. Russell, who propelled the Celtics to 11 N.B.A. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Bill Russell. Auerbachs lineup came out of necessity; he was notoriously indifferent to social causes and the opposing backlash. Russell didnt have as much success when he returned to the sideline in 1987 to take over the Kings. The rewards, where they worth it? Remember that basketball is a game of habits. Share. He was kinda like Bear Bryant. He also has an average of 22.5 rebounds per game in regular seasons. It wasnt until after his playing career ended, though, that he took up golf. He recorded a winning record in five of his first seven seasons as a head coach, so when he started losing games in bunches in Sacramento, he began to lose interest. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Bill Russell, the inspirational leader and dominating basketball superstar who led the University of San Francisco to back-to-back national championships and 11 NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics, passed away on Sunday morning July 31, his family announced via social media. "And if you think that wasn't enough, then we had another seven games against them in the playoffs, if it went seven games. What are you going to say to your team when youre down 40? Back then, he was special assistant to Commissioner David Stern. Russell, however, wasnt at all eager to break in his new set. There are other parts of the game which are just as important. If you make the other guy deviate from his habits, you've got him. Russell at 34 wasnt dominant and the league saw younger big men Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Nate Thurmond among them challenge Russell nightly. Or the mating habits of bees, something he penned a column about once. Aug 16, 2022. How Abdul-Jabbar remembered Russell's response: Im not getting up to meet some kid., They met anyway, and became very close over the years, with Russell notorious for disliking autographs even signing a Celtics jersey for Abdul-Jabbar a few years ago. (Denise Truscello/WireImage), Ethel Kennedy and Bill Russell attend the 22nd annual RFK Center Golf Tournament at the Hyannisport, Ethel Kennedy and Bill Russell attend the 22nd annual RFK Center Golf Tournament at the Hyannisport Golf Club in 2011 in Hyannis Port, Mass. Wilkens held that role with the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers and he laughed recently at the thought of that happening today. Thats what I did, Russell said in 2009. Everybody knew when William Felton Russell was in the room, Erving said. Worse, the N-word. Reynolds summed up the Bill Russell coaching experience in Boston, Seattle and Sacramento with this: Were all flawed and he had his flaws, but I have nothing but respect for Bill Russell. A Hall of Famer on the court, and now a Hall of Famer on the sideline. Before his arrival, the Celtics had been a shot-happy, nearly out-of-control team, led by passing wizard Bob Cousy. His first wife, Rose Swisher, was black, but the next three have been white. The NBA Hall of Famer, considered by many to be the sports greatest player (and certainly big man) of all-time, is best known for winning 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family to Oakland, California, where the job prospects were better. The biggest problem Bill had was the team wasnt any good, Reynolds said. When Russell had surgery to replace a valve in his heart, he was on the golf course just about every day. Among the many in attendance: retired skiing great Lindsey Vonn, EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner Jennifer Hudson, actor-director Spike Lee, retired baseball star Albert Pujols, tennis standouts Frances Tiafoe and Naomi Osaka, snowboardings Shaun White and, of course, Utah Jazz Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. Post Malone performs before the NBA basketball All-Star game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Salt Lake City. "Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions," Russell once said. Added Nelson: He was the whole package great guy, great player, great coach. Nobody could play, he said. Kenny Smith, who was a rookie on the Kings during Russells lone season in charge, once told a story that perfectly embodied what Russell was like as a coach. It was the perfect scenario for Red to step down and Bill to take over. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. Makes a great gift for any collector or sports fan! Speaking recently from his home in Maui, Nelson also in the Hall as a coach said the arrangement with Russell was ideal.. Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts around 1958. At an agile 6-foot-9, the Hall-of-Famer was a late-comer to golf. What distinguishes a great player is his presence. I didnt even know that all that time., For The Record: Champion and mentor, Bill Russell. Russells impact was immediate. Russell was reading The New York Times, and Celtics coach Red Auerbach suggested he meet the player then known as Lew Alcindor. There were five player-coaches in the 1960s and Russells former teammate, Bob Cousy, even came out of retirement to hold those dual roles for one season with the Cincinnati Royals. The entire season. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. Then they set up a cushy, over-sized chair under a canopy for Bill Russell just off the field, so he could watch Seahawks practice in comfort and. No one dominated on defense, won titles like Bill Russell, Morant to miss two games after video with gun, Curry, Iguodala probable to return vs. Lakers, Sources: Suns hiring Pistons' Bartelstein as CEO, Grizzlies' Clarke tore Achilles, out for season, Kerr touts 5-0 homestand: Dubs 'turned a corner', KD: Mavs tilt, Kyrie meeting 'just another game', Sources: Dragic joining Bucks for rest of season, Nets filling out big-man depth with Noel signing, The paths of KD and Kyrie: How one month changed three franchises and two superstar legacies. The home is about 17,500 square feet, according to a Zillow listing, and boasts six bedrooms (each with its own terrace), 11 bathrooms, a bowling alley, an indoor sports court, a golf simulator . When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current . 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? Back then, they called him an ass. Russell was a no-nonsense coach during games and behind the scenes, and he never hesitated to tell his players how he really felt. Players, including Russell, who won an NCAA title, an Olympic gold medal and an NBA title. He was 88. The Hall. Bill Russell is an 11-time NBA champion, and 12-time All-Star and is perhaps the game's greatest champion. Sale beg Russell took a liking to the young team and was hooked on the city of Seattle, which he found more welcoming to Black athletes than Boston. Russell went to the police, who surmised that raccoons must be the culprits. There is no luck involved. Bettmann/Getty Images. That last title was so hard, it was in L.A. and everything was against us. (Larry Siegfried, a reserve, did help with some bench duties. So Bill Russell was a very keep-it-real coach, Smith concluded. Corrections? Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf.