Today in Boston Celtics history: Russell, Jones retire; '69 banner, Smith passes

Historic milestones

Today in 1981, Larry Bird somehow anticipated a jumper he’d just released would miss its mark, and managed to collect the errant shot and lay it into the hoop while falling out of bounds in Game 1 of the 1981 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets. The play was so spectacular, that Celtics general manager Red Auerbach said it was the greatest play he’d ever seen. Boston went on to win the game 98-95 and the series in six games.

Five years later in 1986, “Pistol” Pete Maravich was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Maravich, a legend who came to play for Boston in the twilight of his career, helped a Celtics team with a young Bird play to a 61-21 record, the best in the NBA in the 1979-80 season. He averaged 11.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.

Unknown date; Boston, MA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics guard Pete Maravich (44) and Larry Bird (33) during the 1979-80 season at the Boston Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports

It is also the date of the last game in the old Boston Garden, a 95-92 loss to Shaquille O’Neal’s Orlando Magic. Horace Grant of the Magic scored the last official bucket in that hallowed building, a free throw. The building would sit vacant for three years before demolition in 1998.

Gone too soon

Finally, it is the day that former Boston No. 16 overall pick in the 1958 NBA draft Jimmy Smith passed away in 2002.

Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Smith never played for the Celtics, having hurt his knee while serving in the military. He instead made a career for himself as a civil rights activist and public servant but was widely seen as having very high potential as a player before his injury derailed his career as an athlete.

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Russell, Jones retire; '69 banner, Smith passes