From the pioneers who fearlessly integrated our league, to the legends who excelled against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, to the stars of today who use their platforms to confront systemic racism, the NBAs past, present and future is inextricably linked to the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. Today, on Bill Russells 87th birthday, we celebrate that legacy and the leadership of NBA and WNBA players pushing for change by remaining committed to a simple idea he championed: the most important factor is respect.