2008 east finals – Syndication Server

On this day: McAdoo inducted into Hall of Fame, win vs. DET in ’08 ECF; Red Claws become Maine Celtics

On this day in 2000, former Celtic short-timer Bob McAdoo was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the Red Claws became the Maine Celtics.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics forward Bob McAdoo was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame alongside Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas and several others in 2000.

McAdoo was, at best, a reluctant Celtic, traded to the franchise from the New York Knicks. He was concerned about the racial climate of the city, which had a reputation for being particularly hostile to African Americans. Conversely, team president Red Auerbach had not been consulted on the deal by ownership, and nearly quit as a result. But all parties stuck it out for six months, and McAdoo was dealt to the Detroit Pistons for draft assets.

McAdoo played 20 games for Boston, averaging 20.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2 assists per game with the franchise.

On this day: Celtics defeat Pistons to advance to 1st Finals since ’87

On this date in 2008, the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1987 on their way to Banner 17.

On this day, the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 89-81 in Game 6 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1987, where they would face the Los Angeles Lakers on their way to winning their 17th banner.

The Celtics beat the Pistons with 27 points and 8 rebounds from forward Paul Pierce, 17 points from shooting guard Ray Allen, and big man Kevin Garnett added 16 points and 6 rebounds.

Detroit led by as much as 10 points in the final frame, but ultimately could not hold it, the Game 6 loss in the Conference Finals their third such exit in three years.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Garnett said via ESPN. “Probably hasn’t even hit me yet because we haven’t slept in about four days, going on five days now. Going to the Finals, I’m just hoping to get some sleep.”

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On this day: Celtics beat Pistons in G1 of ’08 ECF; Kanter, Mehen born

On this day, the Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 88-79 in G1 of the ’08 East Finals, and Boston bigs Enes Kanter and Dick Mehen were born.

On this day, the Boston Celtics lost a single player to the newly-formed New Orleans Jazz expansion team in the 1974 NBA Expansion Draft.

That player — Steve Kuberski — a big man the Celtics drafted out of Bradley with the 52nd overall pick of the 1969 NBA Draft, would go on to win two championships with the franchise (1974, 1976) during the first of two stints with Boston over his eight seasons with the franchise.

Kuberski was the last player to wear jersey No. 33 before Larry Bird did, and would return to the Celtics as a free agent in 1975 after being dealt by the Jazz to the Milwaukee Bucks, who waived him — and another short stint with the Buffalo Braves (now, Los Angeles Clippers), who also waived him.

The Illinois native logged 5.9 points, 4 rebounds and 0.6 assists while with the team.

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