Tag: 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals

On this day: Boston wins 12th championship in 1974; Keith Bogans born

On this date in 1974, the Celtics won their 12th championship against the Bucks; it is also the birthday of former Celtic Keith Bogans.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, the Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 102-87 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Milwaukee to win their 12th NBA Championship. It was Boston’s first championship with legendary big man Bill Russell, and head coach and former player Tommy Heinsohn’s first as coach.

Celtics center luminary Dave Cowens led the team with 28 points and 14 rebounds, forward John Havlicek added 16 points and 9 boards, and 6 assists while point guard Jo Jo White chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. Reserve forward contributed Paul Silas 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals for good measure. Dropping their usual man-to-man defense to double and triple Bucks star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar proved critical to the win.

It was Boston’s first championship since 1969.

On this day: Bill Walton inducted into Hall of Fame; Adams passes; Boston advances in several series

On this day in Celtics history, former president Charles H. Adams passed, and Bill Walton was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, William Theodore Walton III (better known as Bill) was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

An NCAA champion under iconic head coach John Wooden at UCLA, the California native was selected with the first pick of the 1974 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, for whom he played for four seasons and won an NBA title in 1977. He also played for the Clippers in both their San Diego and Los Angeles incarnations before being dealt to the Celtics in 1985.

The La Mesa native, who is one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players, won a second title with Boston in 1986 before constant pain from injuries forced his retirement in 1987.