This content is taken from an article by Nick DePaula for translated into Italian by Edoardo Viglione for Around the Game.
In the debut against the Philadelphia 76ersi Boston Celtics have trod the parquet of the TD Garden wearing a brand new and meaningful look. With a deep shade of dark green, black borders and gold-colored trophy designs, the Celtics showed off their City Edition a month ahead of all the other teams in the league. Because? To honor Bill Russellpassed away on July 31st.
The details and commemorative design honor the extraordinary legacy of the great Bill, the first black coach in the whole NBA (as well as the first to win the title). Bill Russell simply changed the league, helping to make it what it is today on and off the pitch.
“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in team sports history. The countless accolades he garnered while playing for the Celtics serve only as an introduction to the story of his wonderful impact on our league and society in general. Bill was something greater than a simple sportsman, he has imprinted the values of equality, respect and inclusion in the DNA of our league. “
Adam Silver, commissioner NBA
The team initially wanted to reveal the jersey in November, but then it was decided to play the season opener with that: one of the many ways the entire NBA intends to honor the icon of Bill.
“We started working on this concept already two years ago and over time we have been able to get important input from both current team leaders and those of the entire community, in order to better understand Bill Russell’s perception of impact. Not just in the world of basketball or the Celtics, but in the city of Boston. “
Nicole Federico, vice president of marketing and content for the Boston Celtics
The Celtics had basically always focused on their classic colors: white and green. In fact, their current uniform had remained substantially unchanged from the one with which Russell himself had dominated the NBA, winning eleven titles and five MVPs in his 13-year career as a player. For their new City Editionthat is the shirt that is created annually by the franchise in collaboration with Nike Referring to local themes, the Celtics took inspiration from Bill’s memories and favorite places in the city: namely the Jazz Lounge and the soul food restaurant Slade’s Bar & Grill, which Russell himself owned in the 1960s. This restaurant had hosted civil rights leaders, athletes and celebrities such as Martin Luther King o Muhammad Ali. The “Celtics” font on the shirt is inspired by the restaurant branding during those years, with the gold edges being taken from the logo itself.
The side has a parquet graphic reminiscent of the deductible. On the sides there are eleven gold diamonds, which represent the titles won by Russell, while on the central part of the shorts there is the number 6, also surrounded by eleven diamond crowns.
“We are really grateful that Bill was able to get involved and be proud of this project, prior to his tragic passing in July. The Boston Celtics will always continue to honor his memory and his legacy. “
Nicole Federico
Usually, in fact, the franchises begin to design the City Edition with two or three seasons in advance, they already identify the plots and themes they want to deal with, to start the timeline.
“Unfortunately when people fail, you reflect and you can see the impact they have had on society and the game. Bill is all of these things in one person, and what we’re doing to honor him is a well-deserved tribute to the impact he’s had. “
Christopher Arena, responsabile on-court delle partnership NBA
The Celtics have already planned to wear the shirts in honor of Bill eleven times during the course of the season. The first time they will wear it during an away match will be on 13 December, against Lakersa team that Russell has faced six times in the NBA Finals. The second home tribute, however, will come against the Grizzlies on February 12, his birthday.
The franchise then established the first Bill Russell Mentoring Legacy Awardan award that will be given at the end of the year to those who will be able to exemplify Bill’s dedication in the role of mentor of the youngest.
After the season opener against the Sixers, the Celtics have auctioned the shirts signed by all members of the roster and the sum will benefit MENTOR, an organization of which Bill was a founding member of the board of directors.
Throughout the league each arena will feature the number 6 in the center of the pitch, and for the first time in history Boston will paint a number on both sides of the pitch, representing Bill’s dominance in the picture.
“We want to remember it in addition to simple representations. Having that uniform allows us to honor and celebrate him as he deserves, but not only: you will see the number 6 everywhere, in every match, in every uniform, even in the All-Star Game. “
Cristopher Arena
Usually the teams used a black band at shoulder height, or a logo with numbers or initials, to remember a player or manager. The fact that each team will have the number 6 at the top right of the shirt will be a real rarity: in the 2001/02 season, for example, all the kits had a ribbon with the United States flag to commemorate 11 September; at the All Star Game 2020, however, all players had the number 24 or the number 2 in honor of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna; finally, in the Orlando bubble, players could add a message of social justice to the back of their jersey.
The patch with the number 6 on the jerseys will only be worn this year, but the league has already announced that no one else will be able to wear that number in the future, withdrawing a league-level number for the first time. A choice equal to the one that had made the MLB with the number 42 of the pioneer of baseball Jackie Robinson. Some franchises are planning to raise a banner to emphasize the gesture even more, as is usually done for withdrawn numbers.
“His number had to be collected. It had gigantic significance for basketball, not just for the Boston Celtics, but for the league in general. Even off the pitch he was instrumental in the contributions his activism made to the community of color. “
LeBron James
In 2009 the NBA had renamed the Finals MVP award “Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP“. The first to win it was Kobe, LeBron himself owns four and the last one was Stephen Curry, last year, right in Boston.
“He was always nice to see him at matches. When I had the chance to win the titles, the fact that he was the one giving me the award was special. Certainly among the best moments of my career. I will continue to wear the 6 this year to continue honoring his legacy. “
LeBron James
In short, the numbers on the parquet, the patches on the jerseys, the celebrations planned for the next All Star Game, the Celtics uniform, the withdrawal of number 6: yes, the 2022/23 season will be entirely in memory of Bill Russell.
