On this day: Brown, Poirier, Fall, Vincent debut; Gavitt, Dickey born; Mangurian passes; Cousy, Macauley jerseys retired

On this day, a number of Celtics debuted, former owner Harry Mangurian passed away, and Dave Gavitt was born.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, All-Star forward Jaylen Brown played his first game for the team in 2016, fittingly a 122-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets, the team who had dealt Boston the draft pick that would be used to select him.

The former Cal-Berkeley standout put up 9 points, 2 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and two blocks, with one turnover and two fouls in 19 minutes and 27 seconds of floor time for his debut performance with the Celtics. He shot 3-of-4 from the free-throw line and hit three of his four field goal attempts as well.

Perhaps surprisingly, Brown did not attempt a 3-point shot in his inaugural game in the association.

What are the 5 biggest Celtics trades made during the NBA draft?

The Boston Celtics have made some hugely impactful trades during the NBA draft. Check out the miraculous story behind some of these deals.

The NBA draft is all about roster design. There are a lot of different strategies out there, but let’s stick with what legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach once offered: “They said you have to use your five best players but I found you win with the five who fit together the best.”

With that frame, the draft offers a tantalizing number of opportunities. Sure, you can select the best available player and hope he grows with your system. But fortune favors the bold — the NBA draft is a chance to really swing for the fences and bring in the right player. A smart trade on draft night can change everything.

Boston, unsurprisingly, has a history of moving and shaking far beyond the limited frame of their own specific pick. Following the leadership of Auerbach, the Celtics’ NBA draft trade history is a rich and storied one. As we’ll see, some of the franchise’s best players landed in green by way of a draft-day trade. Let’s discuss.

The Celtics have retired 23 jersey numbers (and one name) – these are the players so honored

It’s no coincidence this team has the most retired jersey numbers with 17 banners hanging alongside them.

There are no teams in the history of the NBA to have more titles than the Boston Celtics — at least not yet — so it makes sense there are no other franchises with more retired numbers to honor the players over the decades who earned and hung those banners.

In fact, there are no teams in any sport with more retired jersey numbers at 22 overall, a reflection of the excellence behind the Celtics mystique built by franchise architect Red Auerbach. From his signing with the team as coach and general manager onward, Boston became one of the premier teams of the greatest basketball league on the planet.

But who were the players for which those jerseys were retired after the latest addition of Hall of Fame big man Kevin Garnett? Let’s take a look at them all.

On this day: Havlicek dies; Cooper, Macauley drafted; ’65 banner won

On this day, Celtics legend John Havlicek died, and Boston legends Chuck Cooper and Ed Macauley were drafted.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary Celtics forward John Havlicek died in 2019 after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 74 in Jupiter, Florida. Hondo, as he would often be called, was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1940, and he played his college ball at nearby Ohio State, with which he won the NCAA championship in 1960.

He was drafted seventh overall in the 1962 NBA draft by Boston and played 16 seasons with the Celtics, winning eight NBA championships and being elected to 13 All-Star games, 11 All-NBA teams and 8 All-Defensive teams among many other honors.

Havlicek’s jersey was retired by Boston immediately after his playing career ended in 1978, and he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics is mobbed by fans and placed on their shoulders after the Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 110 to 109 to win the Eastern Division Championship of the National Basketball Assn. at Boston Garden last night, April 16, 1965. Havlicek intercepted a Philadelphia throw-in, in the last seconds of the game, fed Sam Jones and both sprinted down the court when the Buzzer sounded. (AP Photo)

On this day: Havlicek dies; Cooper, Macauley drafted; ’65 banner won

On this day, Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek died, and Boston legends Chuck Cooper and Ed Macauley were drafted.

On this day in 2019, legendary Boston Celtics forward John Havlicek died after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 74 in Jupiter, Florida.

Hondo, as he was called, was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1940, and would play his college ball at nearby Ohio State, where he would win an NCAA championship in 1960.

He was drafted 7th overall in the 1962 NBA Draft by Boston, and would play for the Celtics for 16 seasons, winning 8 NBA championships and being elected to 13 All-Star games, 11 All-NBA teams, and 8 All-Defensive teams among many other honors in that time.

Havlicek’s jersey was retired by Boston immediately after his playing career ended in 1978, and was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.