Episode
Kareem in a Rocking Chair. Larry Bird Made ONE Phone Call. Bill Russell Just Disappeared. — Bob Ryan
- Published
- Jul 25, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 986
- Processing state
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Summary
Nobody retires the same way. Bill Russell walked away in secret — no announcement, no ceremony, gone. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar got a season-long farewell tour with a rocking chair waiting in every arena. Larry Bird picked up the phone at 8:45 in the morning and told one writer. And Bob Ryan was there for all of it. In this episode, Bob remembers how the greatest players in NBA history said goodbye — the exits that matched the men: Russell’s silence, Kareem’s long goodbye, Bird’s phone call, Wilt, Dr. J’s send-off, and Jordan leaving three different times. Which legend got the exit right? That’s the debate. NBA History and Storytellers on CLNS Media is Powered by: 💰 Prize Picks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $150 instantly in lineups when you win your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices