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Today in Boston Celtics history: Celtics 1st title; Loscy draft; Barnes, Kappen, Barros, Olowokandi born
TL;DR
On this day in 1957, the Boston Celtics won their first championship, defeating the St. Louis Hawks 125-123 in double overtime. Rookie Bill Russell set a record with 32 rebounds, while Tommy Heinsohn contributed 37 points and 23 rebounds.
Today in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise secured their first of 18 championships in 1957, ending in a sizzling 125-123 double-overtime match at the historic Boston Garden against the St. Louis Hawks (now known as the Atlanta Hawks). The series was tied at three games apiece heading into the pivotal Game 7, where rookie and future `legend Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell pulled down a record 32 rebounds, the highest number recorded by a rookie in any NBA Finals game at that time.
It also saw fellow future Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn, a 6-foot-7 rookie forward, score 37 points and 23 rebounds in the win.
The win sparked a short-lived rivalry between the two clubs that would end in the early 1960s, supplanted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Transaction
It is also the date that former Celtic forward Jim Loscutoff was drafted by Boston in the 1955 NBA Draft – third overall – out of Oregon. Loscutoff would play for the Celtics for nine seasons, averaging 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds over that stretch. Boston would win six championships while he was on the team, with his bruising defense being a significant factor in many of them.
BOSTON - 1962: The World Champions of basketball Boston Celtics pose for a team portrait seated (L-R): K. C. Jones Gary Phillips, President Walter A. Brown, Head Coach Red Auerbach, Treasurer Lou Pieri, Captain Bob cousy, Sam Jones. Standing Frank Ramsey, Tom Sanders, tom Heinsohn, Bill russell Gene Guarillia, Jim Loscutoff, Carl Brown, Trainer Buddy LeRoux in Boston, Massachusetts in 1962. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2002 (Photo by NBAP/ NBAE/ Getty Images)
He requested "Loscy", his nickname -- not his jersey number, No. 18 -- be retired so future Celtics would still be able to wear it.
Birthdays
Several Celtics were born today, starting with Anthony George Kappen, better known as Tony, when he played for Boston in its inaugural season of 1946-47. Born in 1919, Kappen grew up in New York City but did not play college basketball, joining the first iteration of the storied franchise on the strength of his reputation as a player. The guard appeared in just 18 games for Boston before being dealt to the (now defunct) Pittsburgh Ironmen, averaging 4.1 points per game with Boston.
It is also the birthday of Boston guard Dermie O'Connell, who joined Boston after going undrafted out of Holy Cross in 1949. Born this day in 1928, the fellow New Yorker appeared in 58 contests for the Celtics over two seasons before being waived in 1950, putting up 6.6 points and 2.2 assists per game with the team.
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Olowokandi #41 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Indiana Pacers on November 15, 2006 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Pacers 114-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The pair share their birthday with Jim "Bad News" Barnes, who came into the world today in Tuckerman, Arkansas in 1941. Barnes played collegiately for Texas-El Paso and was drafted first overall by the New York Knicks in 1964. After stints there and with the (then) Baltimore Bullets (now, Washington Wizards), Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers, and Chicago Bulls, the Arkansas native's rights were bought by Boston in 1968. He'd win a title with the Celtics that season while logging 126 games with Boston over two seasons, averaging 5.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Michael Olowokandi also shares the birthday with them, coming into the world in Lagos, Nigeria on this day in 1975. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1998 NBA Draft, Olowokandi disappointed in his time with L.A. and later the Minnesota Timberwolves, and was dealt from the latter to Boston in 2006. He played just 40 games for the team, logging 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game over two seasons as a Celtic.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Celtics 1st title; Loscy draft; Barnes, Kappen, Barros, Olowokandi born
Q&A
When did the Boston Celtics win their first championship?
The Boston Celtics won their first championship on April 30, 1957.
Who were the key players in the Celtics' first championship win?
Bill Russell and Tommy Heinsohn were key players, with Russell recording 32 rebounds and Heinsohn scoring 37 points.
What was the final score of the Celtics' first championship game?
The final score of the Celtics' first championship game was 125-123 against the St. Louis Hawks.
Who was drafted by the Celtics in the 1955 NBA Draft?
Jim Loscutoff was drafted by the Celtics third overall in the 1955 NBA Draft.
