Bill Russell Reminds Fan on Twitter He's Still Alive During Blazers vs. Celtics

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured ColumnistAugust 2, 2020

Bill Russell arrives at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Richard Shotwell/Associated Press

Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell is still alive.

At least the last time he checked.

When someone suggested the all-time great was "looking down from heaven smiling" when Marcus Smart blocked Carmelo Anthony's shot and kept it inbounds, which is something Russell consistently did during his playing career, the 12-time All-Star sent out a reminder (NSFW language in original tweet):

TheBillRussell @RealBillRussell
Just in case anyone cares, I am still alive, at least I was the last time I checked. I’m watching @celtics vs @trailblazers @NBA @NBAonABC Hey @paulpierce34 can you let them know I’m still hanging in there https://t.co/McGp25rdvd

On the floor, the Boston Celtics held on for a dramatic 128-124 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers behind 34 points from Jayson Tatum and 30 points from Jaylen Brown.

Off the court, the five-time MVP didn't miss an opportunity to weigh in on the action with a friendly reminder when his name was mentioned.