The Boston Celtics
1979–92: The Bird era
In 1977–78, the Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the 1978 NBA Draft.[26] Since the Celtics had two draft choices, Auerbach took a risk and selected junior Larry Bird of Indiana State with the 6th pick, knowing that Bird would elect to remain in college for his senior year. The Celtics would retain his rights for one year, a rule that was later changed, and Auerbach believed that Bird's potential would make him worth the wait. Auerbach also felt that when the college season ended the Celtics would have a great chance to sign Bird. Auerbach was right and Bird signed soon after leading Indiana State to the NCAA Championship game, where they fell to a Michigan State University team that was led by Magic Johnson.[27]
"The (1980s) Big 3"
Larry Bird was drafted 6th overall by the Boston Celtics and spent his whole career with the team.
Robert Parish was traded to Boston and joined Larry Bird in 1980.
Kevin McHale was drafted 3rd overall in the 1980 NBA Draft.The other important story of the Celtics' 1978–79 season was the ongoing dispute between Auerbach and new owner John Y. Brown.[28] The dispute nearly led Auerbach to resign as General Manager for a position with the New York Knicks. With public support strongly behind Auerbach, Brown elected to sell the team rather than face the wrath of the city for being the man who drove Red to a hated rival. During his short ownership, Brown orchestrated a trade for Bob McAdoo that Auerbach despised, and the team unraveled.[29] The Celtics would struggle through the season, going 29–53 without Bird.[30] Newcomers Chris Ford, Rick Robey, Cedric Maxwell and Tiny Archibald failed to reverse the team's momentum.[31]
Bird debuted for the Celtics during the 1979–80 season, a year after his selection.[32] With a new owner in place, Auerbach made a number of moves that would bring the team back to prominence. Auerbach traded the unhappy McAdoo, a former NBA scoring champion, to the Detroit
In 1977–78, the Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the 1978 NBA Draft.[26] Since the Celtics had two draft choices, Auerbach took a risk and selected junior Larry Bird of Indiana State with the 6th pick, knowing that Bird would elect to remain in college for his senior year. The Celtics would retain his rights for one year, a rule that was later changed, and Auerbach believed that Bird's potential would make him worth the wait. Auerbach also felt that when the college season ended the Celtics would have a great chance to sign Bird. Auerbach was right and Bird signed soon after leading Indiana State to the NCAA Championship game, where they fell to a Michigan State University team that was led by Magic Johnson.[27]
"The (1980s) Big 3"
Larry Bird was drafted 6th overall by the Boston Celtics and spent his whole career with the team.
Robert Parish was traded to Boston and joined Larry Bird in 1980.
Kevin McHale was drafted 3rd overall in the 1980 NBA Draft.The other important story of the Celtics' 1978–79 season was the ongoing dispute between Auerbach and new owner John Y. Brown.[28] The dispute nearly led Auerbach to resign as General Manager for a position with the New York Knicks. With public support strongly behind Auerbach, Brown elected to sell the team rather than face the wrath of the city for being the man who drove Red to a hated rival. During his short ownership, Brown orchestrated a trade for Bob McAdoo that Auerbach despised, and the team unraveled.[29] The Celtics would struggle through the season, going 29–53 without Bird.[30] Newcomers Chris Ford, Rick Robey, Cedric Maxwell and Tiny Archibald failed to reverse the team's momentum.[31]
Bird debuted for the Celtics during the 1979–80 season, a year after his selection.[32] With a new owner in place, Auerbach made a number of moves that would bring the team back to prominence. Auerbach traded the unhappy McAdoo, a former NBA scoring champion, to the Detroit