the last book I ever read (King of the Court: Bill Russell and the Basketball Revolution, excerpt thirteen)

from King of the Court: Bill Russell and the Basketball Revolution by Aram Goudsouzian:

Russell still embodied that interracial team spirit. He hosted teammates in Reading, and they visited Slade’s for barbecue and sweet potato pie. While a callow rookie, Counts was surprised when Russell offered a ride home in his Lamborghini—a small gesture that built an easy camaraderie. Russell also made grander offerings. After practice on Christmas Eve of 1965, he learned that Nelson was spending Christmas alone. Russell invited him to Reading. Nelson demurred, not wishing to intrude. But Russell insisted. The next day, the Russells had wrapped him presents, and Nelson had a great time. “I’ll never forget that,” he said. “No one can ever say anything bad about Bill Russell to me.”