The Celtics have revealed that they will wear Bill Russell-themed City Edition jerseys 12 times during the 2022/23 season to honor the life and legacy of the 11-time Boston champion, reports Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston (Twitter link), who recaps a Celtics press statement announcing the news. Two of those city jersey appearances will happen during a pair of Russell-themed home tribute contests, one against the Sixers in October and the other against the Grizzlies in February.
The Celtics’ press statement notes that Russell himself was consulted for the development of the tributary City Edition uniform in recent years, in collaboration with the team and the NBA. Russell, a 12-time All-Star and five-time NBA MVP, passed away last month at age 88.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Fresh off a 2022 Finals run, the Celtics are hoping a bolstered bench can help them win a title in 2023. Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe unpacks the team’s current roster. The club added point guard Malcolm Brogdon – who started while with his prior club, the Pacers – but clarified that 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart will remain the team’s starting point guard. Another new addition, veteran forward Danilo Gallinari, will also help strengthen the club’s second unit. Himmelsbach notes that head coach Ime Udoka will prioritize Boston’s health heading into the postseason and lean on the team’s improved depth, particularly given the age of starting center Al Horford and the injury history of starting center Robert Williams.
- The Nets are reportedly holding out hope that All-Star forward Kevin Durant will reconsider his request to be traded away from Brooklyn, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told Malika Andrews on NBA Today (YouTube video link). Windhorst revealed that, even as the Nets front office continues to parse through a variety of potential deals, the team is trying to suss out exactly what Durant would require for a return. He recently met with team owner Joe Tsai in London to demand that the team fire president of basketball operations Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash.
- Though the Nets were allotted 26 national television appearances during the 2021/22 regular season, the NBA has opted to slash that tally in half heading into 2022/23, perhaps indicating that the league itself is dubious Kevin Durant will remain with the club long-term, writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Lewis notes that, amidst the uncertainty surrounding the futures of stars Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn may not hold as much national appeal to audiences.
- In some more positive news, Lewis notes that the Nets‘ third star, Ben Simmons, should be fully healthy in time for the team’s October 19 season opener against the Pelicans.
Opening night if everyone is available, Brogdon needs to start. I’d think if not smart then horford would come off the bench
Malcolm Brogdon is definitely someone you need to manage his minutes. The guy gets banged up way too much and you need him in the playoffs. How about bringing him off the bench and maximizing his availability for the season?
He’s definitely going to come off the bench.
Why would you break up this starting lineup? It took half of last season to get it healthy & then the Celtics took off moving from 11th to 2nd with the best +/- stats as a starting group in the NBA.
Everyone trying to Capitalize on this Bill Russell passing…
Capitalize? Rather I think the Celtics are trying to honor the man who brought them so many championships. I think it’s a good thing, no?
Then honor the man while he’s still here/alive. Doing it now really serves no purpose other than to sell merchandise and virtue signal.
They did. Many times. There a statue of him in front of Boston City Hall.
What are you going on about?
Apparently it isn’t cool to honor him while alive, and after death, you gotta pick one.
Bill Russell was the last NBA player and Boston athletes to get a statue. Yet he played before everyone. Hmmmm
He was the last NBA player and Boston athlete to get a statue? I think they’ve been quite a few boston NBA Players to not get statues bro.
Stonkzilla, probably because it was a team of stars and he didnt stand out back then as they do with guys today.., he really wasn’t a high volume scorer and tantalizing charismatic guy like Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson or Shaquille O’Neal etc. He was quiet, played in the 60s, and before all this individual recognition stuff going on now. But they named the MVP thing after him and he was widely known as the greatest champion in NBA history. Well deserved.
Todays Superstar is a product of …….
Dr J …….
Larry and Magic ……
Then MJ just took it to another level (Dollars). That’s where we are today. That is the order of the superstars rise. Before No player was bigger than the team. Wilt tried even Kareem tried.
Dr J was bigger than any team. That’s where it started (don’t mean you win by yourself).
Bill Russell in his career. Accomplished more than ALL of them …… we didn’t honor it cause. We didn’t appreciate it until the game grew. And yet Bill Russell grew to be bigger than the Game. Honor him
Well said Al.
Thank U sir ……
Bill was a world class athlete. He turned down the high jump in Olympics. To play ball instead. In those days you could only play one sport.
Bill Russell still holds the University of San Francisco school record in the high jump. It’s stood for 66 years.
Bill Russell won two NCAA tournaments in three yrs. And won 11 NBA championships in 13 yrs. He is the Definition of Winner. He took on Wilt. When Wilt totally dominated the league. Like no one has Since lol.
Bill Russell is an American Sports Legend.
God forbid they celebrate the man…
Awwwwwww! Ben Simmons has some “happy news”!! Decided to grow a set and show up perhaps?
What do they mean “the NBA has alotted” half the appearances on national TV from what the Nets had last year? Don’t the networks have a say? And is there flexibility in case KD and Kyrie stay or they acquire at least one star in any trades? Personally, I prefer the Nets broadcast team of Ian, Sara, RJ and Michael Grady to the usual national broadcasters, but the team should still get national attention.
I hope the Nets’ front office is correct that KD will come around.
I think KD has to much pride now not to be traded but the Nets are not getting a Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown or Scottie Barnes for him. They should have taken Ayton when they could have. Right now all they can get is Herro or Maxey.
Michael Grady signed with the Twolves.
“Spida” at The Rucker ….
It’s all about the City Game. Let’s do this
link to nypost.com