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83-year-old Bill Russell talking trash was the highlight of the NBA Awards

“I would kick your ass.”
83-year-old Bill Russell talking trash was the highlight of the NBA Awards
83-year-old Bill Russell talking trash was the highlight of the NBA Awards

At age 83, Bill Russell is just as ruthless as ever. 

The NBA honored Russell at its first annual awards show on Monday by inviting five other legendary centers to present him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. It was a very heartfelt presentation, with a touching speech by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a dramatic video package. But then Russell brought the house down with some brutal smack talk. 

The reaction from the crowd was almost as good as Russell’s joke. 

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Drake was great, but maybe Russell should host this thing next year. 

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Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland writes Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, and is the host of the “Stadium Wonders” video series. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).