NBA legend Bill Russell raised his middle finger to Vince Carter while the Boston Celtics great was sitting courtside during a Summer League match, reenacting his antic on Charles Barkley weeks ago.
Russell was alongside Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Diva. Carter, a few seats away, greeted them. All of a sudden, The NBA Hall of Famer decided to flip him off. Below is the clip as posted by Lina Washington of ABC 10.
CLASSIC 😂 Vince Carter getting the Bill Russell treatment at #NBASummer League had Kings GM Vlade Divac and Assistant GM Ken Catanella cracking up pic.twitter.com/YX66MnhvHe
— Lina Washington (@LWashingtonTV) July 11, 2018
The moment was reminiscent of Russell's antics with Charles Barkley a few weeks ago. The main difference: Russell was caught on live TV. The 84-year-old apologized quickly via Twitter, saying that it was just pure instinct:
Sorry everyone, I forgot it was live TV & I can’t help myself whenever I see Charles it just is pure instinct. @NBAonTNT @NBA #birdman #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/0zQLvWhuKi
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) June 26, 2018
Russell's fans said that he need not apologize. Ever. One even said that winning 11 rings allows you to behave in such a way.
It seems odd and downright funny that an 84-year-old would casually flip the bird. This, however, is not the first or second time that Russell's middle finger was caught on camera. A post by Chauncey Billups last February shows him and Russell posing for the camera.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Beq58aYjker/?utm_source=ig_embed
Maybe back in his playing days, Russell's middle finger was more active? Who knows? This certainly has become a trademark for him. Some may call it crass or unacceptable. But the guy has 11 championship rings and was a major social activist. Can't he do whatever he pleases?
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