Bill Russell gives Charles Barkley the middle finger during NBA Awards

Michael Singer | USA TODAY

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The NBA Awards show is a staid, relatively mundane event and honors players more than two months after the regular season ends.

While Monday night’s award show went largely as planned – Ben Simmons took home Rookie of the Year and Dwane Casey, formerly of the Toronto Raptors, won Coach of the Year – Bill Russell had other plans as Charles Barkley introduced Oscar Robertson for his Lifetime Achievement Award.

As Barkley went around the room, thanking NBA legends for their contributions, he got to Russell, who promptly flipped Barkley the bird.

It wasn’t apparent what the issue was, but does Bill Russell need any justification?

(Warning: middle fingers ahead)

BILL RUSSELL IS THE TRUE GOAT pic.twitter.com/KaQu6OgzJU — Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 26, 2018

Russell's official Twitter account offered up a humorous apology that also included a screen-grab of the moment.

Sorry everyone, I forgot it was live TV & I can’t help myself whenever I see Charles it just is pure instinct. @NBAonTNT @NBA #birdman #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/0zQLvWhuKi — TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) June 26, 2018

"Sorry everyone, I forgot it was live TV & I can't help myself whenever I see Charles it just is pure instinct," the tweet read.

MIDDLE FINGERS: Often in the middle of sports controversy