Bill Russell may be the greatest player to ever suit up for a game in the history of the NBA. After being presented with the NBA’s lifetime achievement award Monday night, he let some fellow Hall of Famers know it, too.
Russell was joined on stage by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and David Robinson at the NBA Awards. A better group of big men you’ll never find, to be sure.
After being presented with his award, the legendary former Boston Celtics center pointed at all four of the men before delivering a line we’ll never forget.
Bill Russell just pointed to Kareem, Mourning, Shaq, Robinson and Mutombo on stage at the NBA Awards and said: "I would kick your ass!"
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) June 27, 2017
Here’s a video of the entire exchange, which was absolutely amazing.
Bill Russell accepts the @NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/MhlEyhm1q1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 27, 2017
During the course of his career, Russell won 11 championships, was a five-time NBA MVP and was voted to the All-Star Game 12 times. He’s the only person on the planet who could point to all four of those men and say he’d kick their asses.
This moment was absolutely the highlight of the NBA Awards program.