Celtics
The 96-year-old Celtics legend helped the team win its first NBA championship in 1957.
Bob Cousy takes the field during the championship banner raising at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran / Staff of the Globe
On Tuesday, the 18th banner was raised and the Celtics celebrated their historic NBA Championship victory earlier this summer. The festivities at City Hall Plaza and TD Garden before the season opener against the Knicks were truly an opportunity to reflect on the team’s past and future.
Among the participants was Celtics legend Bob Cousy, who helped Boston win its first championship in 1957. However, the 96-year-old former NBA MVP did not want to deprive the current team of glory.
“I had a moment in the sun,” Cousy told the Boston Globe. “We’ve been through this six times. “I’m just here to pay tribute to these guys and not get involved in any other way.”
Cousy reflected on how much the league has changed since the 1950s and 1960s, when grand ceremonies like Tuesday night’s were unheard of – instead, a banner was raised in an empty arena before the game.
“When I think about the old days, one of the things that means the most to me is that we set the table for it. We really thought we were doing something special,” said the 13-time NBA All-Star. “I remember offering $9,000 for my first contract. To see what the league has become is truly something. Hearing that this team is now being sold for $5 billion, I can’t relate to that.
The two things Cousy is most proud of accomplishing with the Celtics are not only being an NBA champion, but also being a champion for social change and civil rights. Boston drafted Chuck Cooper in 1950, the first black player in the NBA, and had its first all-black roster in 1964. To this day, the Celtics still pride themselves on being at the forefront of the fight against social inequality.
“Setting the table for things like this is very important,” Cousy said.
Sign up for Celtics updates🏀
Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox during basketball season.