Tag: john thompson

On this day: Thompson, Counts, Bonham drafted; Garnett cut; Jones signed

On this day, Celtics champions John Thompson and Ron Bonham were drafted in 1964, and several notable roster changes took place.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, the storied Massachusetts franchise would select four players of note in the 1964 NBA draft, held in New York City as it typically was in that era.

They did not however draft future Celtics champion forward Paul Silas, who was instead taken out of Creighton University by the (then) St. Louis (now, Atlanta) Hawks in the second round of the draft with the 10th overall pick (there were many more rounds with far fewer teams in that era of the draft). Silas would play for the Hawks in St. Louis and after they moved to Atlanta, Georgia as well as the Phoenix Suns before being dealt to Boston in the spring of 1972.

There, he would win two banners, be elected to multiple All-Defensive teams, and an All-Star Game — among many other honors.

Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 5

This is every player in Boston’s history who wore the Celtics’ No. 5 jersey for at least one game.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack in some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the 21 players who wore No. 5 over the years.

Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 18

This is every player in Boston’s history who wore the Celtics’ No. 18 jersey for at least one game.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack in some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the seven players who wore No. 18 over the years.

Sixers legend Allen Iverson gives birthday love to late John Thompson

Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson gives a happy birthday post to the late John Thompson.

The NBA and basketball world as a whole is still recovering after losing a basketball legend on Monday when former Georgetown Hoyas coach John Thompson passed away. Thompson influenced so many young men to help them grow not only in basketball but as men in real life.

One of those players he helped was Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson who credits Thompson for saving his life. The 6-foot guard from Georgetown made an emotional tribute to Thompson on Monday when he passed and he then had a happy birthday post for Thompson on Wednesday. Thompson would have turned 79-years old on this day.

Thompson definitely had a huge influence on Iverson as he entered Georgetown as a supremely talented kid who just needed a little bit of guidance. Thompson helped him through it all and he went on to have a terrific Hall of Fame NBA career. The world will miss a guy like Thompson who cared deeply about his players. [lawrence-related id=37370,37366,37363]

Etan Thomas: He focused on their …

Etan Thomas: He focused on their education, enforced discipline and structure, and educated them about society and being a Black man in America. He was a father figure in that he actually cared about his players far beyond wins and losses (although he definitely wanted to win). He made sure he stressed that his players graduate and not squander their time allowing the system to use them. Of course that was the coach and program I wanted to be a part of. Also, he coached one of my favorite players, Alonzo Mourning – someone who I wanted to pattern my game after. He also coached Patrick Ewing, one of my favorite players growing up (as a New York Knicks fan). I wanted to be able to block shots like Dikembe Mutombo and have defenses literally draw plans to avoid bringing the ball inside. I wanted to carry on the tradition and wear No. 33 at Georgetown (which is one of the reasons why I wore No. 33 at Syracuse, but I’ll explain that later).

Casey sent a text message Monday to the …

Casey sent a text message Monday to the Detroit Free Press paying his respects to Thompson. “He was a pioneer for African American Coaches,” Casey wrote. “He was one of the first coaches who fought for social justice. He fought for us as coaches. I remember when I was fighting the NCAA he stood up for me at a National Coaches meeting. Every time I would see him I would thank him! He came to numerous practices when I took my Toronto teams to Georgetown University to practice at his practice facility. He always had colorful advice. He was a man’s man!!! What you saw is what you got! We as African American coaches, all coaches are indebted to ‘Big John!’ RIP.”

Greg Monroe: 2020… man. Idk even know …

Greg Monroe: 2020… man. Idk even know where to begin on this one. We lost another great man today. A great coach but even better humanitarian. I dont know anyone who loved the game of basketball more. And as much as you loved the game you loved people more. You sat in McDonough every time a ball bounced on the court willing to share your knowledge to anyone walking through there, not just hoyas. This one hurts fr. Every conversation was priceless and was always deeper than the surface and that was by design because you knew what we were up against as we were growing into men. I thank you for all of your wisdom and guidance. RIH “Don’t let the sum total of your existence be 8-10 pounds of air” a statement that has always stuck with me and you for sure lived by that. Love you Big John

The phone buzzed on Monday morning, …

The phone buzzed on Monday morning, followed by a most uncomfortable hush. No hello. No words. Only moments of silence turning into a muffled heave, and finally, a brokenhearted sob. “You had to come from Maryland and D.C. and Prince George’s County to know what Coach Thompson meant to us,” Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams finally said on the phone Monday. “I played in his gym one summer, and he cussed me out because I wasn’t doing something right, and man, it was an honor. Patrick [Ewing] and Alonzo [Mourning] were there playing pickup, and I felt for a moment like I was part of their family, because Coach didn’t talk to everyone like that. “… He looked like my granddad, and every time I saw him …”

For a moment today, everyone should …

For a moment today, everyone should also reflect on the role Ewing played in Thompson’s life and legacy. His decision to attend Georgetown in 1981 changed everything. Ewing delivered Thompson the platform to reach the masses in a way that inspired and challenged and forced all kinds of people to consider — and reconsider — how inequality was rooted in the fabric of the American experiment. Now, Ewing is Georgetown’s coach, a most worthy of heirs to a seat Thompson made one of the most influential in sports. “I wouldn’t be here without John Thompson,” Williams, a Notre Dame graduate, said on Monday morning. “He was a hero for us. We had our parents, and we had Len Bias, and Len died. And then we had John Thompson.