It’s been more than a while since former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has been part of the organization he led to an NBA title in 2008, but the memory of Boston Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell remains with him just the same.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Celtics’ 126-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on opening night that was also to honor Russell’s life and legacy, the Sixers head coach was asked about his memories of the Celtics legend, and what he had meant to him since his days coaching the team they both won championships with.
“He meant a lot,” said Rivers “He meant a lot before I arrived here just for what he stood for, what he went through being the first black coach and being a winner.”
“I still don’t think he gets enough credit,” added the 76ers coach. “He did so many things that I still don’t think we talk enough about, his winning.”
“Not just at the NBA level, everywhere he went, he won, but then when I got here, I got a chance to meet all of (the Celtics legends) including Bill several times. The thing I’ll remember the most is how emotional he was when we won it and I actually thought that with all the ex-players, you don’t see that very often.”
“It’s just the connection that they have to this franchise, but he was visibly emotional and that was cool,” shared Rivers.
The game itself was a fitting tribute to Russell with Boston outrebounding and outhustling a much larger team also expected to contend for a title this season.
Played on a court with multiple homages to the USF alum in uniforms he helped design, after a speech from Jaylen Brown worthy of his legacy.
It might not have been the win Rivers wanted for his Sixers, but at least on this night, we are also fairly certain he can see why it was still an ideal outcome.
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire
