Red’s jersey retired; Parish 2000th block; Jefferson, Kreklow, Kleine born
On this day in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise retired legendary head coach and team president Arnold Jacob “Red” Auerbach’s jersey number in 1986.
Auerbach had quit the sport of basketball as a player years before he joined the Celtics team. He had previously played for George Washington University in college before the Second World War. It was more in recognition of his contribution to building the NBA’s most successful team, winning 16 titles as head coach and general manager over a period of time that spanned from 1957 through 1986.
His executive career was und is unmatched in basketball and professional sports.
(AP Photo/Paul Benoit)
Auerbach was awarded the No. 2 jersey to retire in a ceremony to ensconce it in the Celtics’ home arena — first the original Boston Garden, then their current home of TD Garden.
The Celtic legend began his coaching career in 1950 as the third-ever coach. He continued to serve the team until his death in 2006.
Today also marks the birthday of Wayne Kreklow (ex-Celtics shooting guard), who was born in Neenah in Wisconsin on this date in 1957. Kreklow is a Drake University graduate and was the 53rd pick in the 1979 NBA Draft.
He played just one season with the Celtics after another prior spent with the Maine Lumberjacks of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA – that era’s version of the G League), averaging 1.2 points per game.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
He shares his birthday with Joe Kleine (Boston big man alumnus), who was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1962.
Kleine is a product of Arkansas and Notre Dame Universities. In 1985, the Sacramento Kings drafted him out of Arkansas. He played three seasons with them before he was traded to Boston in 1989. Ed Pinckney was involved in his trade for Danny Ainge.
He spent parts of five seasons in Boston where he averaged 4.4 points and 4.2 boards per night before he was freed to sign with the Phoenix Suns.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former Boston big man Al Jefferson was born on this date as well, in Monticello, Mississippi in 1985.
Jefferson was the 15th overall pick by the Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft. Jefferson played parts of three seasons for Boston before being traded to Minnesota Timberwolves. Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair were all part of Jefferson’s 2007 deal.
As a Celtic, he averaged 10.3 rebounds and 6.9 points per game.
USA TODAY Sports
It is also the anniversary for the 2,000th career blocked shot by legendary Celtics center Robert Parish.
That would come in a 100 – 96 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992, Parish then only the fifth player in league history to reach such lofty heights.
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