Celtics Trivia Game (2024)

[Jammer]

There's only 4 players in Celtics history with career averages in Celtics jersey of at least 10ppg, 5rpg and 5apg.
Last season Al Horford become 4th such player. Two of them are Bob Cousy and Larry Bird. Who's the other one?

Russell/Cowens were probably close but not quite there in assists. KG probably similar. I can't think of anyone in the Bird era who would have done it. Probably also not quite there in assists but I'll guess Havlicek.

Russell did it twice.

[Elrod is Back]

What team cut John Havlicek in 1962 --in their final roster cut-- such that Havlicek was almost immediately signed by the Cs?

Cleveland Browns

roger that!

[Elrod is Back]

Name the five NBA Hall-of-Famers who played no more than a season for the Cs, very late in their careers, but never played on a title team with the Cs, and who earned their way into the hall-of-fame playing for other teams.

1. Pete Maravich (10 year average of 24 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg)
2. Dave Bing (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 time scoring champion?)
4. Gary Payton?
5. I was going to say Clyde Lovellette, but he won 2 Championships with the C's in addition to an NCAA championship with Kansas. I'm thinking maybe Arnie Risen???

Can't be John Thompson because although he played one season for the Celtics he's in the Hall as a coach.

No wait, Arnie Risen played more than one season. He played 2 or 3 years with the C's, and won 1 or 2 championships with the C's. So who is the 5th? Artis Gilmore???

The correct answer is SIX !!!! You are forgetting Dominique Wilkins.

1. Pete Maravich (NBA Scoring Champion)
2. Dave Bing. (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 Time NBA Scoring Champion)
4. Gary Payton
5. Artis Gilmore
6. Dominique Wilkins (NBA Scoring Champion)

So your question had some leeway, since you only asked for 5. Ha Ha.

I did not include McAdoo because it was mid-career for him. Red parlayed him into Parish and McHale.

But I did forget Payton! Good catch.

You forgot Shaq.

[Jammer]

There's only 4 players in Celtics history with career averages in Celtics jersey of at least 10ppg, 5rpg and 5apg.
Last season Al Horford become 4th such player. Two of them are Bob Cousy and Larry Bird. Who's the other one?

Russell/Cowens were probably close but not quite there in assists. KG probably similar. I can't think of anyone in the Bird era who would have done it. Probably also not quite there in assists but I'll guess Havlicek.

Russell did it twice.

I think everyone I can think of just misses on rebounds or assists when you take into account career Celtics average. Havlicek, Rondo, Pierce, Jo Jo White are all around 4.8 either in rebounds or assists.

I'll have to cheat and resort to google. Oh, Evan Turner's 4.96 apg is rounded up to 5.0 on most stat boards. But technically, Evan Turner did not average 5.0 per game, so the list is probably three (Bird, Cousy and Horford). Am I "technically" correct.

[Jammer]

Name the five NBA Hall-of-Famers who played no more than a season for the Cs, very late in their careers, but never played on a title team with the Cs, and who earned their way into the hall-of-fame playing for other teams.

1. Pete Maravich (10 year average of 24 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg)
2. Dave Bing (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 time scoring champion?)
4. Gary Payton?
5. I was going to say Clyde Lovellette, but he won 2 Championships with the C's in addition to an NCAA championship with Kansas. I'm thinking maybe Arnie Risen???

Can't be John Thompson because although he played one season for the Celtics he's in the Hall as a coach.

No wait, Arnie Risen played more than one season. He played 2 or 3 years with the C's, and won 1 or 2 championships with the C's. So who is the 5th? Artis Gilmore???

The correct answer is SIX !!!! You are forgetting Dominique Wilkins.

1. Pete Maravich (NBA Scoring Champion)
2. Dave Bing. (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 Time NBA Scoring Champion)
4. Gary Payton
5. Artis Gilmore
6. Dominique Wilkins (NBA Scoring Champion)

So your question had some leeway, since you only asked for 5. Ha Ha.

I did not include McAdoo because it was mid-career for him. Red parlayed him into Parish and McHale.

But I did forget Payton! Good catch.

You forgot Shaq.

Forgot that they finally admitted him to the HOF. Knew he was an automatic.

[Elrod is Back]

In what year did Red try to sign the best player from Europe to come over and join the then-champion Celtics, more than a decade before any Euro had any success in the NBA?

In 1976 Red tried to bring legendary European SG/SF Dražen Dalipagić (former Yugoslavia)

wow. way to go. The deal apparently came very close. Would have been Hondo's replacement.

[Jammer]

Name the five NBA Hall-of-Famers who played no more than a season for the Cs, very late in their careers, but never played on a title team with the Cs, and who earned their way into the hall-of-fame playing for other teams.

1. Pete Maravich (10 year average of 24 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg)
2. Dave Bing (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 time scoring champion?)
4. Gary Payton?
5. I was going to say Clyde Lovellette, but he won 2 Championships with the C's in addition to an NCAA championship with Kansas. I'm thinking maybe Arnie Risen???

Can't be John Thompson because although he played one season for the Celtics he's in the Hall as a coach.

No wait, Arnie Risen played more than one season. He played 2 or 3 years with the C's, and won 1 or 2 championships with the C's. So who is the 5th? Artis Gilmore???

The correct answer is SIX !!!! You are forgetting Dominique Wilkins.

1. Pete Maravich (NBA Scoring Champion)
2. Dave Bing. (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 Time NBA Scoring Champion)
4. Gary Payton
5. Artis Gilmore
6. Dominique Wilkins (NBA Scoring Champion)

So your question had some leeway, since you only asked for 5. Ha Ha.

I did not include McAdoo because it was mid-career for him. Red parlayed him into Parish and McHale.

But I did forget Payton! Good catch.

You forgot Shaq.

Minor point on who parlayed what. Red did ship McAdoo to Detroit for Detroit's 1979 1rst Round pick, which ended up #1. Golden State had a 4th year 7' center (Parish) who, after 4 seasons of 17 ppg, 11 rpg wanted to get paid. Indiana 7' center Joe Barry Carroll was seen as a potential 25/12 guy. Golden State proposed swapping Parish & their #3 pick for the Celtics #1 and #13 pick. Red, initially, did not want to do it. Coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird had to talk him into it, so credit for the trade should be split between the Warriors, Celtic coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird. In hindsight, looking back at the 4 elements of this lopsided trade, it is evident:

1) Parish was exactly the same player he was in Golden State, averaging 17/11 for the next 9 seasons in Boston.
2) Joe Barry Carroll did average 21 ppg and 8 rpg in his 3rd NBA season so he was not a complete bust.
3) McHale was WAY BETTER than the tweener C/PF he was suspected of by some. Bird and Coach Fitch obviously already knew this.
4) There was absolutely no one available with the #13 pick that was worth a damn. So in effect the Celtics were able to get something for a "useless pick."

[Elrod is Back]

1. Pete Maravich (10 year average of 24 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg)
2. Dave Bing (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 time scoring champion?)
4. Gary Payton?
5. I was going to say Clyde Lovellette, but he won 2 Championships with the C's in addition to an NCAA championship with Kansas. I'm thinking maybe Arnie Risen???

Can't be John Thompson because although he played one season for the Celtics he's in the Hall as a coach.

No wait, Arnie Risen played more than one season. He played 2 or 3 years with the C's, and won 1 or 2 championships with the C's. So who is the 5th? Artis Gilmore???

The correct answer is SIX !!!! You are forgetting Dominique Wilkins.

1. Pete Maravich (NBA Scoring Champion)
2. Dave Bing. (NBA Scoring Champion)
3. Bob McAdoo (3 Time NBA Scoring Champion)
4. Gary Payton
5. Artis Gilmore
6. Dominique Wilkins (NBA Scoring Champion)

So your question had some leeway, since you only asked for 5. Ha Ha.

I did not include McAdoo because it was mid-career for him. Red parlayed him into Parish and McHale.

But I did forget Payton! Good catch.

You forgot Shaq.

Minor point on who parlayed what. Red did ship McAdoo to Detroit for Detroit's 1979 1rst Round pick, which ended up #1. Golden State had a 4th year 7' center (Parish) who, after 4 seasons of 17 ppg, 11 rpg wanted to get paid. Indiana 7' center Joe Barry Carroll was seen as a potential 25/12 guy. Golden State proposed swapping Parish & their #3 pick for the Celtics #1 and #13 pick. Red did not want to do it. Coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird had to talk him into it, so credit for the trade should be split between the Warriors, Celtic coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird. In hindsight, looking back at the 4 elements of this lopsided trade, it is evident:

1) Parish was exactly the same player he was in Golden State, averaging 17/11 for the next 9 seasons in Boston.
2) Joe Barry Carroll did average 21 ppg and 8 rpg in his 3rd NBA season so he was not a complete bust.
3) McHale was WAY BETTER than the tweener C/PF he was suspected of by some. Bird and Coach Fitch obviously already knew this.
4) There was absolutely no one available with the #13 pick that was worth a damn. So in effect the Celtics were able to get something for a "useless pick."

I don't doubt this story, but I have never seen any evidence to support it, nor is it widely known as it should be if true. Do you have any offhand?

[Jammer]

I did not include McAdoo because it was mid-career for him. Red parlayed him into Parish and McHale.

But I did forget Payton! Good catch.

You forgot Shaq.

Minor point on who parlayed what. Red did ship McAdoo to Detroit for Detroit's 1979 1rst Round pick, which ended up #1. Golden State had a 4th year 7' center (Parish) who, after 4 seasons of 17 ppg, 11 rpg wanted to get paid. Indiana 7' center Joe Barry Carroll was seen as a potential 25/12 guy. Golden State proposed swapping Parish & their #3 pick for the Celtics #1 and #13 pick. Red, initially, did not want to do it. Coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird had to talk him into it, so credit for the trade should be split between the Warriors, Celtic coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird. In hindsight, looking back at the 4 elements of this lopsided trade, it is evident:

1) Parish was exactly the same player he was in Golden State, averaging 17/11 for the next 9 seasons in Boston.
2) Joe Barry Carroll did average 21 ppg and 8 rpg in his 3rd NBA season so he was not a complete bust.
3) McHale was WAY BETTER than the tweener C/PF he was suspected of by some. Bird and Coach Fitch obviously already knew this.
4) There was absolutely no one available with the #13 pick that was worth a damn. So in effect the Celtics were able to get something for a "useless pick."

I don't doubt this story, but I have never seen any evidence to support it, nor is it widely known as it should be if true. Do you have any offhand?

I remember reading it in 2003 when I was writing the RealGM article about the history of the Celtics drafts/trades/free agent signings between 1950 ( Red''s arrival) until he hired a GM in 1985 (but remained Team President). The interesting thing, looking back, were the numerous errors in books (Larry Siegfried and John Havlicek were not on the 1960 Olympic Team, but Two books said they were). Anyway, I can't remember where I read that anecdote. I doubt that it was a chat board. Would have probably been either a newspaper article or book, but I can't remember. I don't think that it was from a magazine article. This is a case where a term paper like citation would have tracked it down. There is a reason books are annotated. Alas, I did not bother when writing the article. But Larry Bird would be able to clarify the extent of his and Bill Fitch's involvement, so there is a way to "track down the report's accuracy." Someone should just email Bird.

[Elrod is Back]

Minor point on who parlayed what. Red did ship McAdoo to Detroit for Detroit's 1979 1rst Round pick, which ended up #1. Golden State had a 4th year 7' center (Parish) who, after 4 seasons of 17 ppg, 11 rpg wanted to get paid. Indiana 7' center Joe Barry Carroll was seen as a potential 25/12 guy. Golden State proposed swapping Parish & their #3 pick for the Celtics #1 and #13 pick. Red, initially, did not want to do it. Coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird had to talk him into it, so credit for the trade should be split between the Warriors, Celtic coach Bill Fitch and Larry Bird. In hindsight, looking back at the 4 elements of this lopsided trade, it is evident:

1) Parish was exactly the same player he was in Golden State, averaging 17/11 for the next 9 seasons in Boston.
2) Joe Barry Carroll did average 21 ppg and 8 rpg in his 3rd NBA season so he was not a complete bust.
3) McHale was WAY BETTER than the tweener C/PF he was suspected of by some. Bird and Coach Fitch obviously already knew this.
4) There was absolutely no one available with the #13 pick that was worth a damn. So in effect the Celtics were able to get something for a "useless pick."

I don't doubt this story, but I have never seen any evidence to support it, nor is it widely known as it should be if true. Do you have any offhand?

I remember reading it in 2003 when I was writing the RealGM article about the history of the Celtics drafts/trades/free agent signings between 1950 ( Red''s arrival) until he hired a GM in 1985 (but remained Team President). The interesting thing, looking back, were the numerous errors in books (Larry Siegfried and John Havlicek were not on the 1960 Olympic Team, but Two books said they were). Anyway, I can't remember where I read that anecdote. I doubt that it was a chat board. Would have probably been either a newspaper article or book, but I can't remember. I don't think that it was from a magazine article. This is a case where a term paper like citation would have tracked it down. There is a reason books are annotated. Alas, I did not bother when writing the article. But Larry Bird would be able to clarify the extent of his and Bill Fitch's involvement, so there is a way to "track down the report's accuracy." Someone should just email Bird.

Based on what you say, however, it sounds like a dubious story. If it were true it probably would have gotten a lot more play, given the importance of that one trade for not just Celtics history, but NBA history in the 1980s. Do as you please but I would need somewhat harder evidence to make that claim. At this point I doubt Larry would acknowledge the story even if it were true, because of his own modesty and his respect for Red.

[Jammer]

I don't doubt this story, but I have never seen any evidence to support it, nor is it widely known as it should be if true. Do you have any offhand?

I remember reading it in 2003 when I was writing the RealGM article about the history of the Celtics drafts/trades/free agent signings between 1950 ( Red''s arrival) until he hired a GM in 1985 (but remained Team President). The interesting thing, looking back, were the numerous errors in books (Larry Siegfried and John Havlicek were not on the 1960 Olympic Team, but Two books said they were). Anyway, I can't remember where I read that anecdote. I doubt that it was a chat board. Would have probably been either a newspaper article or book, but I can't remember. I don't think that it was from a magazine article. This is a case where a term paper like citation would have tracked it down. There is a reason books are annotated. Alas, I did not bother when writing the article. But Larry Bird would be able to clarify the extent of his and Bill Fitch's involvement, so there is a way to "track down the report's accuracy." Someone should just email Bird.

Based on what you say, however, it sounds like a dubious story. If it were true it probably would have gotten a lot more play, given the importance of that one trade for not just Celtics history, but NBA history in the 1980s. Do as you please but I would need somewhat harder evidence to make that claim. At this point I doubt Larry would acknowledge the story even if it were true, because of his own modesty and his respect for Red.

Probably true. Now you have got me looking for confirmation. Perhaps a reporter from that era knows how it went down.

It would nice to find the original source story I read 14 1/2 years ago, but a quick google of articles of that time indicates:

- Celtic Draft Board had McHale at #1, but they thought they could get him lower
- Golden State wanted Joe Barry Carroll
- Celtic Coach Bill Fitch wanted proven Robert Parish over unproven Joe Barry Carroll

Will keep looking. Would love to hear from a beat writer on WHO CALLED WHO first (Golden State inquiring about trading up, or Boston about trading down). The article I remember reading in 2003 had it Golden State trying to trade up, and thus making the initial proposal. Alternatively, a Golden State beat writer might remember if the team was hesitant to re-up Parish at the level Parish's agent wanted.

[Fencer reregistered]

Microphone for Johnny most? Or is that something other teams have done.

"Loscy" of course

Yep. Johnny Most's microphone.

The idea has been copied at least once, for Chick Hearn.

[Fencer reregistered]

Only 3 Celtics have played for the Cs in three different decades. Who are they?

Don't know the third, but two are Don Chaney & Paul Pierce.

Cousy and Sharman came close. They both started in 1950. The equivalent is true for McHale and Parish.

[Fencer reregistered]

I don't doubt this story, but I have never seen any evidence to support it, nor is it widely known as it should be if true. Do you have any offhand?

I remember reading it in 2003 when I was writing the RealGM article about the history of the Celtics drafts/trades/free agent signings between 1950 ( Red''s arrival) until he hired a GM in 1985 (but remained Team President). The interesting thing, looking back, were the numerous errors in books (Larry Siegfried and John Havlicek were not on the 1960 Olympic Team, but Two books said they were). Anyway, I can't remember where I read that anecdote. I doubt that it was a chat board. Would have probably been either a newspaper article or book, but I can't remember. I don't think that it was from a magazine article. This is a case where a term paper like citation would have tracked it down. There is a reason books are annotated. Alas, I did not bother when writing the article. But Larry Bird would be able to clarify the extent of his and Bill Fitch's involvement, so there is a way to "track down the report's accuracy." Someone should just email Bird.

Based on what you say, however, it sounds like a dubious story. If it were true it probably would have gotten a lot more play, given the importance of that one trade for not just Celtics history, but NBA history in the 1980s. Do as you please but I would need somewhat harder evidence to make that claim. At this point I doubt Larry would acknowledge the story even if it were true, because of his own modesty and his respect for Red.

Also, when a leader's subordinates change his mind so that he makes the right decision, that's to his credit.

The funniest one for me is an EDS executive saying "Ross, you don't understand", whereupon Perot yelled to his secretary to call a meeting of top management for 15 minutes later, at which meeting a policy got changed.

[chakdaddy]

3) McHale was WAY BETTER than the tweener C/PF he was suspected of by some. Bird and Coach Fitch obviously already knew this.

Funny to think C/PF tweener ever existed. I remember guys like LaSalle "Tank" Thompson and Alvan Adams being considered undersized for the 5 and better off at the 4. Maybe even Cownes. Yet IMO anyone who can play 5 is a 5, and if they're a borderline 5, they'd be out of the league at 4 since smaller and faster guys would do better. I'd say any great 5 can play 4, and that's why Duncan as GOAT PF is a joke - he's just a top 10 C who got to play PF because of a disgusting tank job.

[Elrod is Back]

Name the seven point guards who have started on Celtics championship teams.

[Elrod is Back]

What years did the Cs make it to the NBA Finals...and lose?

What years did the Cs make it to the ECFs...and lose?

[Jammer]

What years did the Cs make it to the NBA Finals...and lose?

What years did the Cs make it to the ECFs...and lose?

1958 Finals - Russell twisted his ankle in, I think, Game 3?
1967 ECF - 68-13 Philadelphia prevailed, despite losing the regular season series to the Celtics (Boston prevailed 5-4)
1973 ECF - Havlicek dislocated his shoulder in Game 2
1982 ECF - 6' 1" Nate "Tiny" Archibald dislocated his shoulder in Game 2
1985 Finals - Lakers prevail. Maxwell ends up traded for Walton after series.
1987 Finals - Lucky to make it back after Len Bias's passing and Bill Walton breaking his foot again at the start of the season.
1988 ECF - Detroit over Boston.
2010 Finals - Perkins (Knee) and Powe (ACL) go down, Garnett was never the same after his 2009 knee injury.

[Jammer]

Name the seven point guards who have started on Celtics championship teams.

Bob Cousy (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963)
K.C. Jones (1964, 1965, 1966)
Larry Siegfried (1968, 1969) - but backup Emmett Bryant scored 20 points in Game 7 of the 1969 Finals.
JoJo White (1974, 1976)
Nate "Tiny" Archibald (1981)
Dennis Johnson (1984, 1986)
Rajon Rondo (2008)

Think I did this one in under 60 seconds

[chakdaddy]

Name the seven point guards who have started on Celtics championship teams.

Cousy
Kc Jones
JoJo white (kc and JoJo, ha)
Tiny
Dj
Rondo.

Uh oh. Replace dj with Henderson and Ainge?