On this day: Celtics win Banner 16 vs. Rockets; Larry Bird signs

On this day, the Celtics won Banner 16 by defeating the Rockets in Game 6 of the 1986 NBA Finals; they also signed Larry Bird in 1979.

Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images

After considerable negotiations, the Hick from French Lick signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract to become the highest-paid rookie in any sport up to that time.

“I should have told Mr. Auerbach,” joked Bird via the AP’s Dick Braude, “I would have played for nothing.”

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