Bill Russell might be a Boston Celtics legend, but even Los Angeles Lakers fans have to respect a widely renowned civil rights activist who was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama, and also happened to win 11 championship rings during his playing career.
It turns out the respect from Russell is mutual, or it is for at least one member of the Lakers: Former All-Star Kobe Bryant.
Russell said in a video for the Player’s Tribune that Bryant is right up there among the best players he’s ever played against or seen because of how hard he worked to maximize his talent:
“When I think about Kobe Bryant, I think about a young guy that played up to his ability.