On this day in Boston Celtics history, the franchise retired Hall of Fame forward Larry Bird’s No. 33 jersey in a special, sold-out ceremony at the TD Garden in 1993.
Larry Legend played his college ball primarily at Indiana State (he briefly played at Indiana under iconic coach Bob Knight before transferring) and was drafted before he graduated via a loophole in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement that was exploited by legendary Celtics general manager Red Auerbach in the 1978 NBA draft (and in turn allowed Bird and his agent to extract a record-breaking rookie deal from Boston in the process).
The Hick from French Lick (as the Indiana native was called) signed a historically large rookie contract and began racking up accolades in his inaugural season.
AP Photo/Bruce Allen
Over the course of his 13-season career, Bird won 3 titles, 3 MVP awards, 2 Finals MVPs, a dozen All-Star nods, and All-NBA selections among many other honors.
Larry Legend averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game over the course of his career, spent entirely with Boston.
Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson and Boston Celtics guard Orien Greene battle for a loose ball during the first half of their basketball game in Orlando, Florida, Friday, March 17, 2006. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
It is also the birthday of former Celtic guard Orien Greene, who came into this world in 1982 in Gainesville, Florida.
Greene played his college ball at the University of Florida and LSU. He was selected from the latter by Boston with the 53rd pick of the 2005 NBA draft.
The Gainesville native played one season for the Celtics before being waived, averaging 3.2 points, 1.8 boards, 1.6 assists, and a steal per game.
Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach is assisted from the shower by Jim Loscutoff where he was placed by players after the Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks 121-112 to win the NBA championship at Boston Garden last night. It was the Celtics third straight NBA championship and fourth in five years. AP Photo/J. Walter Green
It is also the birthday of former Celtic legend Jim Loscutoff, born this day in 1930 in San Francisco, California.
Loscy — as he was called — was drafted third out of the University of Oregon and won seven titles with the franchise between 1957 and 1964.
His name rather than his number was retired by the club because Loscutoff wanted other players to be able to wear his number.
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire