Basketball legend Magic Johnson has urged NBA Commissioner Adam Silver the NBA to retire number 6 league-wide to respect the late five-time NBA Most Valuable Player Bill Russell via Twitter.
Number 6 is inseparable from Russell, who had 11 NBA titles on his CV. The Boston Celtics have stopped putting the number 6 on their players’ jersey since 1972, but Johnson wants the NBA to take formal action as a tribute for one of the best players ever played in the league.
“Commissioner Adam Silver should retire number 6 across the @nba in honor of Bill Russell’s legacy!” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
On the day of Russell’s passing, the 62-year-old said that Russell was a role model for him both as a player and a person, adding that Bill had a huge impact on his journey as an athlete.
“Bill Russell was my idol. I looked up to him on the court and off. His success on the court was undeniable; he was [dominant] and great, winning 11 NBA championships. Off the court, Bill Russell paved the way for guys like me,” he wrote via a series of tweets Sunday.
Marc Stein
2022-08-02 19:28
Should the NBA retire Bill Russell’s No. 6 like Major League Baseball did with Jackie Robinson’s No. 42? The Tuesday Newsletter Extravaganza delves into this topic with another title-winning No. 6 and features much, much more on William Felton Russell: https://t.co/9hiVKoGTn2
208
39
There is, however, one possible challenge to Johnson’s plan — which might not go over really well. LeBron James currently wears number 6 on his Lakers jersey. It is the same number he wore during his four-year run with the Miami Heat, and it’s unlikely that he’d be willing to let it go.
“It’s always been a part of me, to be honest,” James said in 2021. “Six has a lot of meaning to me, from my family and numbers and things of that nature to what I believe in and things of that sort, but my mentality doesn’t change.”
Tributes from big names
Aside from his exploits in the court, Russell played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement, having marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and stood with Muhammad Ali. He was a role model for many people, not only in sports but also in terms of humanity. His fight against racism and his wildly successful basketball career has left a significant impression on younger generations.
It is no wonder, then, that Johnson is not the only notable name in basketball who paid tribute to Russell. Michael Jordan, who currently serves as chairman of the Charlotte Hornets, praised Russell via the club’s official Twitter account, where he wrote:
“Bill Russell was a pioneer – as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first black head coach and as an activist. He paved the way and set an example for every black player who came into the league after him, including me. The world had lost a legend. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.”
Former Lakers forward Paul Gasol also paid tribute to Russell, saying he was honored to meet the five-times NBA MVP in person. He wrote on Twitter:
“One of the most dominant players in @nba History. An 11 times NBA Champion and one of the best to have ever done it. I’ll forever be honored to have met you. Thank you for everything you have given to the game and all of us. Rest in peace, @realbillrussell.”
