Hall of Fame NBAer Rick Barry very nearly ended up joining the Boston Celtics late in his playing career according to the man himself in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s Eric Jay Santos.
“I reached out to them because I wasn’t happy with what was happening in Houston,” Barry said of the contract dispute that eventually led to his retirement.
But the Celtics elected to cut back their roster by one player, which Barry blames for spoiling the possibility.
“I was going to play with the Celtics, but they cut the rosters back from 12 to 11 players,” he explained. “I was really looking forward to it.”
“I probably could’ve played (for) two (or) three more years,” continued Barry. “It would’ve been great to go play with the Celtics like so many other players did.”
Emergency podding to talk over the unexpected Smart news, and what it means for the team, for fans, and for the future. https://t.co/vsQcPcd6AU
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 24, 2023
“Bill Walton did it. Tiny Archibald did it. Look at the guys who went there later in their careers to do it, and I would’ve been able to do that,” suggested the Hall of Fame forward.
“I would’ve been a backup to (Larry) Bird and played with all those guys. It would’ve been fun.”
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