On this day in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame big man Dave Cowens took a leave of absence from the team after several days of trying to get permission from team owner Irv Levin and legendary Celtics general manager Red Auerbach.
Cowens never revealed what caused him to want the break — it came after a four-game losing streak in a season that saw friend Paul Silas traded away while Cowens was embroiled in a lawsuit, any of which or all could have been the culprit. “Dave came into my office today, and said he’s got a lot of personal problems and feels he can’t play,” said Auerbach via the AP’s Dave O’Hara.
“These things happen,” added Red. “He’s a fantastic human being and sincere. This is a shock to everyone, no one anticipated it. I ache.”