Only 13 days ago, the NBA lost one of its most influential players. Bill Russell was arguably the greatest winner in sports history. The Boston Celtics legend won a record 11 NBA championships. In addition, it wasn’t just his on-court legacy that made him a revolutionary. Off the court, Russell was a fearless man. Paving the way for African-Americans, he was a civil rights activist all the way to the end. His greatness deserved a tribute, and the NBA found a way. However, the Miami Heat may be taking a different approach, putting LeBron James in mind.

Michael Jordan undoubtedly had one of the greatest careers in the NBA. Heading to the end of his journey, he matched up against the Miami Heat. However, Pat Riley had planned a special tribute. Right before His Airness prepared for a final battle, Miami had a ceremony. MJ became the first player to have his iconic number 23 retired by a franchise he didn’t represent. And seven years later, the King had to abandon his desires and pick the number 6 on his jersey. Likewise, regardless of the number, James left behind a legacy.

Now, all the NBA teams are waving the number 6 in the rafters to honor Bill Russell. However, Miami has made reservations for the Akron Hammer.

LeBron James taking Bill Russell’s spot?

Russell was a huge reason the NBA became the biggest basketball league. His presence and impact resonated with the world. The 11-time champion used his platform to stand for the betterment of society. A league-wide jersey retirement was only fitting for what the Hall of Famer did for the game. But the Miami Heat have another great who helped shape their franchise.

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Fans were left bitter as reports revealed that the Miami Heat won’t be following the NBA’s tribute to Russell. Instead, Vice City plans to put number 6 in the vault when the King retires. Here are some of the reactions to the news on NBA Twitter:

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LeBron James is certainly one of the best players in the history of the Miami Heat. He became the face of the franchise when he joined forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The King was on a journey to win. And along the way, he took Miami to great heights. Winning back-to-back championships, they were pretty much unbeatable at the time. Catching dunks from D-Wade became the most popular culture in the NBA. A true great for the franchise, it is out of respect that the city wants to honor the four-time MVP.

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However, past actions are proof that the Miami Heat don’t fail to show respect. And it is no different for Russell. The franchise and everyone in the NBA felt the loss of an all-time great figure. The ultimate sign of respect is never forgetting the legend of Bill Russell, a true pioneer.

Do you think the Miami Heat should retire the number 6 jersey now for Bill Russell? Or wait for when LeBron James retires? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.