In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown made a fashion statement by wearing green sneakers with the face of Celtics great Bill Russell on them. The sneakers showed Russell wearing a red shirt and a black jacket with a smile on his face.

Bill Russell was a famous Celtics center and good person. After he died in 2022 at the age of 88, the NBA retired his No. 6 shirt. Russell had an amazing career. As a player, he won 11 titles, and as a coach, he won two. But he had an effect on people far beyond the basketball court, especially when there was race tension in the world.

Jaylen Brown said that he admired Russell’s character and legacy, saying that he stood for respect and nobility that went beyond sports. Brown said he was thankful for the chance to shake Russell’s hand and accepted the huge amount of respect Russell continues to receive from others.

Even though he missed the Celtics’ last two regular-season games with a hand injury, Jaylen Brown started Game 1 and showed how great he is. Brown scored an average of 26.7 points per game during the regular season, which was the highest of his career.