Bill Russell flips off Charles Barkley at NBA Awards show
Bill Russell clearly hasn’t lost his sense of humor.
During the NBA Awards show on Monday night in Santa Monica, California, Charles Barkley started thanking the Celtics legend while speaking on stage.
Russell, when the cameras panned to him, gave Barkley a “thank you” of his own.
He gave Barkley the middle finger.
BILL RUSSELL IS THE TRUE GOAT pic.twitter.com/KaQu6OgzJU
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 26, 2018
Why? Well, Russell tweeted out that it was just “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
“Sorry everyone. I forgot it was live TV and I can’t help myself whenever I see Charles it just is pure instinct,” Russell tweeted.
This isn’t a new thing for him, either.
Kevin Garnett posted a photo to Instagram earlier this year of Russell with Chauncey Billups where Russell flipped off that camera man, too.
…. AYYYYYEEE…. 2 of my FAV ‘s….
A post shared by Kevin Garnett (@tic_pix) on Feb 2, 2018 at 6:19pm PST
I guess when you’ve won the most NBA championships in league history, you’re allowed to flip the bird on live television.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Swedish players defend teammate targetted by racist trolls
• Egypt’s 45-year-old goalie saves penalty, sets World Cup record
• Julian Edelman reportedly planning major defense against suspension
• Rapper T.I. plans to boycott NFL over national anthem rules