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CGTN Sports Talk: In memory of the immortal Bill Russell
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CGTN Sports Talk EP167 Bill Russell.mp3

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Bill Russell, one of the greatest legends in NBA history, passed way in peace on July 31, at the age of 88 years old.

Having played 13 seasons in the league, he led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals 12 times and won 11 titles, including eight in a row. The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award was named after him, and he was the one delivering the trophy on most occasions.

Russell was a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, four-time rebounding champion, 12-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA First Team selection and an eight-time Second Team member. He was named to the All-Defensive First Team right after the honor was presented in the 1968-69 season.

The NBA didn't count blocks until the 1973-74 season. Neither was the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Award was given before the 1982-83 campaign. If Russell were in those two eras, he would have been both the blocks leader and DPOY multiple times.

May the most legendary Celtic and the greatest defensive center rest in peace.

Bill Russell (C) poses with the Lifetime Achievement Award and (L-R) David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and Dikembe Mutombo at the NBA Awards Show at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City, June 26, 2017. /CFP

Bill Russell (C) poses with the Lifetime Achievement Award and (L-R) David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar and Dikembe Mutombo at the NBA Awards Show at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City, June 26, 2017. /CFP

Bill Russell (L) poses with 1997-98 NBA Most Valuable Player Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls for a portrait in Chicago, Illinois, May 18, 1998. /CFP

Bill Russell (L) poses with 1997-98 NBA Most Valuable Player Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls for a portrait in Chicago, Illinois, May 18, 1998. /CFP

L-R: Bill Russell, Ray Allen, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics pose with the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, June 17, 2008. /CFP

L-R: Bill Russell, Ray Allen, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics pose with the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, June 17, 2008. /CFP

Bill Russell (L) delivers the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy named after himself to Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers after Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2010. /CFP

Bill Russell (L) delivers the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy named after himself to Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers after Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2010. /CFP

Host: Li Xiang

Guest: Matthew Watson

Cover designer: Feng Yuan

Chief editor: Chen Ran

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei

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