On this day, Boston’s first coach, John “Honey” Russell was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1902.
Russell had a long career as a player and player-coach before being recruited to join the Celtics in their inaugural season of 1946-47, over which they logged an unimpressive 22-38 record.
The following season, Russell’s last before returning to Seton Hall to coach their collegiate basketball program, Boston recorded a 20-28 record, good enough for a postseason berth in that era.