'It was harsh, mean, and racist' - Worthy explains Celtics fans never appreciated Bill Russell

Former NBA star James Worthy noted that five-time MVP's time in Boston while thriving on the court, was marred by a city grappling with its racial tensions.

"In '52 or' 53, there was no life after high school for a Black athlete," Worthy said. "He used to tell a story of how he was tall and the best, but he was going down to that textile mill to work around cotton and stuff. He wasn't going to college... They gave him a chance out here, and he reconciled with a lot of stuff that happened to him in Boston, but it was harsh, mean, and racist, Jim Crowish."

A storied legacy

The 12-time All-Star's career with the Celtics is unmatched. Winning 11 titles and earning 11 All-NBA nods, Russell became the first Black head coach in a major U.S. sport. His crowning achievement was winning 11 championships in 13 seasons—a record that has never been approached. However, all these accolades didn't always translate into universal respect.

"11 championships; you know how many championships Ted Williams won, and he got a statue put up immediately. He can shoot, but he has no championship. He [Russell] hated being an object; a lot of us do when people are disrespectful," Worthy added.

Bill was the architect of Boston's golden era, and while his teammates and peers revered him, many failed to fully appreciate his contributions.

Even after retirement, Bill's legacy faced a delay in recognition. It wasn't until decades later that Russell's contributions were universally celebrated, including the retirement of his jersey number league-wide, his statue outside Boston City Hall, and the creation of the NBA Finals MVP award in his honor.