On this day in Boston Celtics history, the Celtics drafted Hall of Fame forward John Havlicek.
Taken seventh overall in the 1962 NBA draft out of Ohio State (with whom he would win an NCAA championship in 1960), the Martins Ferry Native would go on to play sixteen seasons for Boston. In his tenure with the team, he would win eight NBA championships, play in 13 All-Star games, and be elected to eight All-NBA defensive teams among many other honors over the course of his long career. He would finish his career averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game for the Celtics.
He would never play for another club in the league, spending his entire career in Boston.
The Celtics beat the Sacramento Kings 94-86 on this date in 2010 behind 22 points and 8 boards from Pierce. Most importantly Rajon Rondo logged a career-high 18 assists in the victory.
“He affects the game in so many different ways,” Garnett said via the Associated Press at the time. “You want your point guard setting the tone every night. You want your point guard leading us. I’m telling you, man, he’s just growing up in front of us. It’s great to watch.”
Ray Allen added 20 points and Garnett 18 points and 13 rebounds.
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