On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team hired their second coach, Alvin “Doggie” Fred Julian, in 1948. Julian joined the team after coaching Holy Cross and future Celtic legend Bob Cousy at the collegiate level.
His tenure with the Celtics was a brief one. Recording a 47 – 81 record with the team over two seasons, the collegiate champion coach was soon let go by Boston, at the end of his second season as head coach for the franchise. Julian is one of only three coaches hired directly from the NCAA ranks in the history of the storied franchise to date.
The others are Rick Pitino (previously with Kentucky) and Brad Stevens (previously with Butler).
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On this date in 1982, Celtics owner Harry Mangurian met with the owners of Suffolk Downs about building a new facility on Boston’s North Shore as a ploy to get their rent at Boston Garden — then as now (though in a different iteration) owned by the Boston Bruins.
Ultimately, the threat of the Bruins to move to New Hampshire themselves would send the two teams sharing the garden down another path, but for a short while, nearly saw the facilities move to Revere, Massachusetts.
Atlanta Hawks Cliff Levingston (rt.) tries to impede the progress of Boston Celtics David Thirdkill as he heads up court with the ball during second half NBA Playoff Action at the Boston Garden on Sunday, April 28, 1986. Boston beat Atlanta, 103-91. (AP Photo/Paul R. Benoit)
Ex-Celtic forward David Thirdkill was born today in St. Louis Missouri in 1960.
Thirdkill’s NBA career ended in Boston, but he did it winning a ring with the team in 1986 while averaging 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game with the Celtics over two seasons.
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (20) works against Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Philips Arena in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
It is also the anniversary of four wins since the season of the Celtics’ last championship in 2007-08. The first was a 99 – 89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in 2008 with reserve guard Sam Cassell scoring 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
“Sam’s performance was vintage Sam,” said Paul Pierce via ESPN. “He’s been playing really well as of late … and he’s going to be big for us in the postseason.”
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 24 points and 6 rebounds, and both Pierce and Ray Allen added 14 points.
Apr 12, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) and Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) battle for a rebound in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
In 2014, Boston beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111 – 99 as rookie big man Kelly Olynyk matched a career-high 25 points and 12 boards. Guard Avery Bradley added 25 points, and forwards Jeff Green and Brandon Bass each chipped in 19 points.
“It was nice to have an extra opportunity to get in and start tonight, and I jumped on it,” Olynyk said via the Associated Press. “It’s every player’s dream to be able to play through stuff and stay in.”
Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins (3) shoots against Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics crushed a resting Cavs 117 – 78 a year later in 2015, with LeBron James watching from the bench.
Point guard Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 17 points and 6 assists from the bench, while wing Evan Turner added 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Apr 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reaches in to knock the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks guard Rashad Vaughn (20) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, The Celtics clinched the top seed in the East for the 2017 NBA Playoffs with a 112 – 94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wing Gerald Green led Boston from the bench with 18 points and 6 boards, with forwards Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson both logging 16 points and 5 boards, giving IT some time to rest late in the game.
“It’s very special. For me, it is,” Thomas said via the A.P. “I’ve never been a No. 1 seed. I’m excited now. But once you get the playoffs, the seedings go out the window.”
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