Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown laced up with a very interesting pair of sneakers for Game 1 of the 2023 NBA postseason. Brown wore green and white shoes which featured a photo of Bill Russell, a nice homage to the eleven-time champion.
Russell passed away this summer at the age of 88. Brown, the Celtics, and the entire NBA have honored Russell’s legacy throughout this season, and Russell’s No. 6 was universally retired across the league. Brown’s sneakers are just one of many ways the Georgia native in particular has worked to highlight the life and legacy of one best to ever do it.
Russell was a strong advocate for social justice and racial equality during his playing days and beyond, setting a precedent and culture for the Celtics for years to come. Brown, meanwhile, has been a vocal advocate for social justice and change in the city of Boston and throughout the country since joining the league in 2016.
Is the Boston Celtics – Atlanta Hawks first round series going to be a short one? https://t.co/5dcyyS38I2
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 15, 2023
Brown opened the 2022-23 Celtics season with an address to the Boston crowd celebrating Russell’s life and legacy.
“Bill Russell was a legend,” Brown said. “He was much taller than he was in person just because of what he stood for, what he represented, so may he rest in peace.”
JB honoring the legend, Bill Russell, with his sneakers pic.twitter.com/xawbfQ44EY
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 15, 2023
Fast-forward to the postseason, and Brown once again leaned on Russell for inspiration. The shoes feature a photo of Brown and Russell from Brown’s earliest days as a Celtic. In an interview earlier this season, Brown explained Russell is a source of encouragement and strength.
“At times when I get overwhelmed, where my spirit is just being aggravated, or I just feel weak, I just remind myself that I have one of the greatest examples, Bill Russell.” Brown said.
It’s a stylized version of this picture https://t.co/gMP8l3hJSH pic.twitter.com/lBopCA5gPB
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) April 15, 2023
Brown and the Celtics face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
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