Bryon Russell

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Bryon Demetrise Russell (sometimes incorrectly called "Byron Russell"; born December 31, 1970 in San Bernardino, California), is a former basketball player in the NBA. During a NBA career that spanned most of the 1990s and into 2005, he played for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and was a key member of the Utah Jazz, including helping Utah to back to back NBA finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. He was also a part of the Seattle Supersonics roster for a brief time but never appeared in a game for them.

Russell, although known for hard-nosed defense, is most remembered for an unsuccessful defensive play. Near the end of Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, he was assigned the task of defending Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls' final possession. Russell slipped on the floor as he tried to follow Jordan. Jordan sank the shot that would win the Bulls the game and the championship in his last NBA Finals appearance.

Russell had his best season with the Jazz in 1999-2000, when he averaged 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. From 1997-2000, he played in every single regular season game.

[edit] Trivia

He is known to many of his friends as "B RU$$"

He switched from #34 to #3 with the Utah Jazz to accommodate veteran Chris Morris' wish to return to the #34 he had worn with the New Jersey Nets earlier in his career.

[edit] External links

• NBA.com player page
• Bryon Russell career statistics at Basketball-Reference.com
• Jordan pushes Russell ("Crying Foul," SportingNews.com, 14 March 2005)
• See "Clutch" clip and watch number 1