Maxwell, McHale drafts; Clyde, Shannon born; Brightman passes; G3 2008 Finals

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On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team drafted small forward Cedric Maxwell out of UNC Charlotte with the 12th overall pick of the 1977 NBA draft, their sole selection of note.

Maxwell would play eight seasons for the Celtics, averaging 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, and would win two championships with Boston in that stretch (in 1981 and 1984), winning Finals MVP in 1984. After losing his starting role to forward Kevin McHale after an injury, the North Carolina native would be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for legendary sixth man center Bill Walton.

Maxwell maintains a close relationship with the Celtics and their fans to this day, hosting an eponymous podcast and making frequent appearances on local sports media.

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

In that same draft (there were many more rounds to the draft in that era), the Celtics also selected Skip Johnson of Wake Forest, Jeff Cummings of Tulane, Bill Langloh of Virginia, Roy Pace of Rutgers, Dave Kyle of Cleveland State University, and Tom Harris of Bowling Green.

None of them ever suited up for the Celtics, however — not an uncommon occurrence for those taken so late in the draft.

It is also the anniversary of the 1980 NBA draft, in which the aforementioned McHale was drafted out of Minnesota with the third overall pick by Boston.

The former Golden Gopher had a Hall of Fame career with the Celtics, winning three championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986), and would be elected to seven All-Star games and six All-Defensive teams among many other

McHale would play 13 seasons for Boston, the only team he would play for as a professional.

He would average 17.9 points, 7.3 boards, and 1.7 assists, and as many blocks per game over that stretch.

Along with McHale, Boston also drafted Purdue’s Arnette Hallman, Holy Cross’ Ron Perry, Idaho’s Don Newman, Iona’s Kevin Hamilton, Maine’s Rufus Hamilton, Norfolk State’s Kenny Evans, Virginia Tech’s Les Hanson, Boston’s Steve Wright, Northwestern’s Brian Jung, and Providence’s John Nolan.

As was the case in the 1977 draft, none of these players made the team.

Today is…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/day-maxwell-mchale-drafts-clyde-080057768.html?src=rss

Author : Celtics Wire

Publish date : 2023-06-10 08:00:57

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