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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Justin Quinn

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd among those who’d have preferred the NBA honored Bill Russell more in his lifetime

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd knew Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Bill Russell for most of his life and can be counted among those who would have preferred the NBA had done more to honor the Celtics great while he was still with us, according to recent reporting from Sports Illustrated’s Landon Buford.

“I think it’s incredible that we have an opportunity to honor Bill Russell,” said Kidd after a recent Mavs practice. “Unfortunately, we did lose a great man, but sometimes we should think about honoring people when they are still around, but it’s still the right thing to do, to retire No. 6.”

“I’ve known Bill since I was 10 years old,” Kidd continued. “I’ve been very fortunate to have met him when I was a little kid in the Bay Area because of Jim Hadnot (Jason Kidd’s godfather and a lifelong friend of Russell).

“He’s always going to be one of my favorite athletes, one of my favorite people to be around, because I was always scared of him.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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