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Bill Russell, a Celtics legend and Hall of Famer, has died at the age of 88

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Bill Russell, a basketball Hall of Famer, Celtics icon, and civil rights pioneer, died at the age of 88.

Russell’s family announced his death on Twitter on July 31st, saying, “Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.”

Russell, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1956 NBA Draft, is one of the most decorated athletes in team sports history and a pioneer in sports, culture, and civil rights.

Russell won 11 NBA championships, five MVP awards, was named to 12 All-Star games, and was named to 11 All-NBA teams during his 13-year playing career.

Russell made the transition from player to coach in 1966, becoming the NBA’s first Black coach. Russell won two championships as a player-coach for the Celtics before retiring as a champion in 1969.

Russell remained one of the NBA’s most iconic figures after retiring, spending time on the sidelines as a coach, in the broadcast booth, and as a fixture at league events.

Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996, received the NBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, and will be a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Russell’s legacy as the greatest champion in NBA history lives on through the NBA Finals MVP Award, which was renamed in his honour in 2009.

In a statement following Russell’s death, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said:

Bill Russell’s professional accomplishments and honours

NCAA

  • NCAA champion twice (1955, 1956)
  • Consensus First-Team All-American twice (1955, 1956)
  • Most Outstanding Player in the 1955 NCAA Tournament

NBA

  • 11-time NBA champion (1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969)
  • 5x MVP (1958, 1961-63, 1965)
  • NBA All-Star 12 times (1958-1969)
  • 11 All-NBA selections
  • Four-time NBA rebounding champion
  • NBA anniversary team (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th) (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award in the NBA

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Top 10 Tallest NBA Players in History

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Top 10 Tallest NBA Players in History

The NBA’s tallest players take a risk. These giants have dominated games because of their height, blocking, and rebounding. NBA shot blockers are tall. Their height and wingspan make them shot-blockers. Height lets them grab more boards. Due to their height and girth, these guys score well in the paint.

They scare and defeat opponents easily. The mid-range jump shot is improved, giving some more attacking possibilities. Ha Seung-Jin blocks shots. Bol and Eaton have the most blocks per game in NBA history. Yao Ming, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Gheorghe Muresan scored inside or midrange.

Arvydas Sabonis and Rik Smits were respected for their passing, court vision, and ball handling despite their height. Their height allowed them to view the entire field and deliver accurate passes to teammates. The NBA’s tallest players, on average, stand out due to their great physiques and skill at using their height. NBA’s tallest.

  1. Gheorghe Muresan – 7 feet 7 inches
  2. Yao Ming – 7 feet 6 inches
  3. Manute Bol – 7 feet 7 inches
  4. Shawn Bradley – 7 feet 6 inches
  5. Rik Smits – 7 feet 4 inches
  6. Arvydas Sabonis – 7 feet 3 inches
  7. Mark Eaton – 7 feet 4 inches
  8. Vladimir Stepania – 7 feet 2 inches
  9. Ha Seung-Jin – 7 feet 3 inches
  10. Zydrunas Ilgauskas – 7 feet 3 inches

Gheorghe Muresan

Romanian Gheorghe Mureşan played professionally for several years before retiring. born in Tritenii de Jos, Romania, on February 14, 1971. He’s one of the NBA’s tallest players at 7’7″ (2.31 meters). After the Bullets and Wizards, he joined the New Jersey Nets. The Bullets drafted him in the second round in 1993. He was the NBA’s tallest player and twice earned Most Improved. His mid-range jump shots and shot-blocking were well-regarded. In 2000, he returned to Romania.

Yao Ming

NBA legend Yao Ming retires. born in Shanghai, China, on September 12, 1980. He’s one of the NBA’s tallest at 7’6″ (2.29 m). Houston Rockets, 2002–2011 He quickly became one of the NBA’s most beloved and productive foreign players after being drafted first overall in 2002. He was named an All-NBA player twice and an All-Star eight times. He won five All-Star Game MVPs. Despite retiring from basketball in 2011 due to injuries, he is still revered in China and throughout the world.

Manute Bol

Manute Bol played basketball for the US in Sudan. born in Turalei, Sudan, on October 16, 1962. He was one of the NBA’s tallest players at 7’7″ (2.31 m). His NBA teams included the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Washington Bullets. all-star shot-blocker and three-point shooter. His humanitarian work in Sudan, his homeland, made him famous. He helped Sudan’s Dinka people with health, education, and shelter using his NBA money and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador status. He died in Charlottesville on June 19, 2010.

Shawn Bradley

Shawn Bradley retired from basketball. Born in Landstuhl, West Germany, on March 22, 1972. He’s one of the NBA’s tallest at 7’6″ (2.29 m). He played in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks. The Sixers drafted him second overall in 1993. He blocked shots and ran well for a large man. He retired in 2005 due to back problems. Bradley, a devout Latter-day Saint, served a mission in Sydney, Australia, after retiring from the NBA.

Rik Smits

Rik Smits retired from basketball. Eindhoven, Netherlands, was his birthplace. Height: 2.24 meters (7.4 ft). Indiana Pacers from 1988 until 2000 He was drafted second overall by the Indiana Pacers in 1988. He was known for his mid-range shooting and low-post trickery. He was an NBA All-Star twice and helped the Pacers reach the 2000 NBA Finals. He retired in 2000 due to a knee injury. Smits owned a car dealership, restaurant, and sports academy after leaving the NBA.

Arvydas Sabonis

Arvydas Sabonis, a Lithuanian national basketball player, retired. born in Kaunas, Lithuania, on December 19, 1964. At 7 feet, 3 inches, he is one of the finest big men in history (2.21 m). He won numerous medals for the Soviet Union and Lithuania, including the 1988 Olympic gold. He played for Algiris Kaunas, the most successful European team, before joining the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA in 1995. Despite his senior age, his basketball IQ, passing, shooting, and ability to play above the rim made him a league standout. He retired from the NBA in 2001.

Mark Eaton

Retired NBA player Mark Eaton resides in the US. born in Riverside, California, on January 24, 1957. He’s one of the NBA’s tallest at 7’4″ (2.24 m). Utah Jazz, 1982–1993. After a tryout, he made the team. He was twice named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and four times named to the NBA All-Defensive Team for his blocks and rebounds. His injuries forced his 1993 retirement. After retiring from basketball, Eaton opened “The Mark Eaton Restaurant” in Park City, Utah, and spoke on motivation.

Vladimir Stepania

Inactive Belarusian basketball player Vladimir Stepania was born in Minsk, Belarus, on September 15, 1976. He towered above most at 2.18 meters (7.2 inches). Before joining the Seattle SuperSonics in 1999, he played throughout Europe and Asia. Former Seattle SuperSonics, New Orleans Hornets, and Atlanta Hawks player He was a backup center with size and defense. He returned to Belarus to coach after retiring in 2008.

Ha Seung-Jin

South Korean basketball player Ha Seung-Jin was born in Goyang, South Korea, on January 27, 1986. He is one of the tallest South Korean Basketball League players at 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m). He won multiple South Korean Basketball League titles with Wonju Dongbu Promy. He is famous for shot-blocking and his height. The Portland Trail Blazers drafted him second overall in 2004. He instead played in South Korea.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Former Lithuanian basketball player Zydrunas Ilgauskas was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, on June 5, 1975. He’s one of the NBA’s tallest players at 7’3″ (2.21 meters). He played for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat from 1997 to 2011. The Cavaliers picked him twenty-first in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was large and skilled in the post and mid-range.

The Cavaliers retired his No. 11 jersey from his two NBA All-Star seasons. He helped the Cavaliers reach the 2007 NBA Finals. He retired in 2011. After retiring, Ilgauskas worked in business and analyzed the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Who will be the Fan Favorites in NBA All-Star Voting 2023

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Who will be the Fan Favorites in NBA All-Star Voting 2023

Who will be the Fan Favorites in NBA All-Star Voting 2023

There have been some incredible battles for NBA All-Star Voting in years past. But LeBron James has consistently been the most popular candidate and has faced off against Kevin Durant in the majority of polls. The forward for the Los Angeles Lakers has a significant lead in the NBA All-Star voting. Although LeBron currently leads Kevin Durant by a slim margin (3.2 million to 3.1 million votes), Durant has a good chance of catching up in the near future. This article will detail all of the fan favorites for NBA All-Star voting in 2023. We will also review the voting results from previous seasons and share the news of the next voting update.

NBA All-Star Voting features the race between two amazing forwards

LeBron James is having yet another fantastic season, and he is very close to passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The four-time MVP has a chance to take the lead before the All-Star break if he maintains his current level of health and production (29.1 points per game). On February 19, 2023, Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City will host the NBA All-Star Game. James is expected to lead the All-Star team for the sixth year in a row after his incredible play this season.

With 50,000 fewer votes than the Lakers forward, Kevin Durant is in second place in the NBA All-Star Voting. KD is having a great season and is very efficient, just like LeBron. Durant was injured on Sunday night and will likely miss some time due to his recovery. The Brooklyn Nets forward is likely to maintain his East lead over Giannis Antetokounmpo despite Kevin Durant’s injury. Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry are the best backcourt players in their respective conferences. Because of the size of their leads, it is highly unlikely that anyone will catch up to them before the polls close.

Previous NBA All-Star Game vote leaders

LeBron James has led the NBA All-Star Voting for the past six seasons. For the 2016 NBA AllStar Game, Kobe Bryant received more fan votes than LeBron James did for the first time in his career. The East’s frontcourt last year was led by Durant, while Steph Curry and DeMar DeRozan topped the voting among guards. In 2021, things were essentially the same except that Bradley Beal was leading the East. The NBA no longer solicits fan votes for the All-Star Game starting lineup. Fans don’t get much of a say in the matter, though; they only cast half of the votes. The other half are cast by players and media members. The next update to the NBA All-Star Voting will be posted on Thursday, January 12th. 

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Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown decided to end their relationship with Kanye West’s Donda Sports

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Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown decided to end their relationship with Kanye West’s Donda Sports

The musician is already having issues as a result of Kanye West’s most recent comments. Now, Jaylen Brown (NBA) and Aaron Donald (NFL) have made the decision to sever ties with Donda Sports. Donda Sports, owned by Kanye West, is a marketing firm for all types of celebrities. Naturally, this involves players of all stripes, but the owner’s behavior has not been the finest, and as a result, some of the biggest stars he once had for his business are leaving.

The Rams’ Aaron Donald and the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown have had enough of Kanye West’s recent antics. This October, both athletes took the initiative and cut ties with the marketing firm.

Why did Jaylen Brown and Aaron Donald quit working with Kanye West’s Donda Sports?

Using their social media accounts, Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown announced the dissolution of their partnership with Donda Sports on October 25. Of course, this action caught everyone off guard, but there is a very good reason for it. Kanye West, who has now officially changed his name to Ye, has been tweeting crude and divisive remarks. After tweeting “go death con 3 on Jewish people” on October 9, he was accused of being antisemitic.

In his justification, West claimed that “black people are actually Jews as well.” The problem continued after his account was disabled and the tweet was removed. Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown, who were both clients of Donda Sports, decided they had had enough. They cut ties with West’s organization and accused him of “anti-Semitism and misrepresentation.”

For Ye, this is not his only issue. According to a TMZ report from October 25, Adidas will also be severing its partnership with the rapper as a result of these remarks. The renowned Yeezy shoes were the result of a collaboration between Kanye and the sportswear company, but this will reportedly come to an end and they won’t be producing them any longer.

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