| "What's a hockey?" - hillarious
As a completely biased Celts fan I can tell you the celtics do have a rather modest system for retiring numbers.
I know number 1 was Walter Brown, the first owner and not a player at all.
Number 2 was Red Auerbach and according to some # 2 was the number he wore as a player at Navy. Others say its cause he's number 2 only to Brown in importance in club history.
Besides the 5 or 6 household names on the list, these guys fall into 3 groups (in my opinion)
1. Lesser known stars but hall of famers all the same who definitely deserve to have their numbers retired.
2. Solid veterans who helped win titles (in fact, ALL of the players whose numbers are retire won titles except for Reggie Lewis, and all but 1, Maxwell won multiple titles) whose numbers and individual achievements may not jump out at you and might not have a number retired anywhere else. Also may have number retire for accomplishments in coaching.
3. Reggie Lewis
Group 1
D.J # 3 (although not a hall of famer....yet)
Jo Jo White # 10 (not a hall of famer either)
Bill Sharman # 21
Ed Macauley # 22
"Sad" Sam Jones # 24
Cedric Maxwell # 31 definitely not a Hall of famer but my earliest sports memories was of Max taking over the 81 finals. I never saw a team ride a player like that again until Dwyane Wade in 06. I think he deserves it for that alone. Also was a sensational player for about five years.
Tom Heinsohn # 15 - Also just looking at what he did as a player - in truth he was a great coach who guided to the Celts to two titles in the 70's and with one coach of the year award to go along with his nine rings as a player and six all star appearances and 4 all-nba 2nd teams.
Group 2
Tom "Satch" Sanders # 16 - lots of titles, not a lot of individual accomplishments.
Don Nelson - # 19 - That's right, Nellie! Coach of the Warriors - see above comment - also one of the top coaches of all time.
Frank Ramsey # 23 - It is said he "revolutionized" basketball by being the Celtics original "sixth man" helped win a lot of titles, solid piece of the puzzle player - maybe should let some else where # 23.
KC Jones # 25 - probably has his number retired for what he did as a player AND coach - unless they retired his number before he became a coach - in which case, never mind he should also let someone else wear 25.
Jim Looscutoff - LOSCY - by all accounts a solid hard nosed player, better rebounder than scorer, no noteable individual achievents - asked that his no. 18 not be retired so someone else could wear it. That player was Dave Cowens....whose no. 18 WAS retired and if you don' think HE deserved it, you're crazy and you don't know basketball.
After all that, there are only four that may not be on the same level as everyone else. If you completely devoid of sentiment and heart you might exclude Auerbach, Brown and lewis, and I'll even throw in Maxwell - but thats still an amazing 14 hall of famers that deserve their number retired.
As it is I believe Max's belongs, as does Aurbach, Brown and Lewis so thats 18 of 22 superstars!
If Garnett has a couple more seasons like last one, maybe wins another title - he'll definitely have his # 5 up there; and I think it will be well deserved. Pierce's 34 won't be the next number retired. There have been rumors around Beantown since just before the finals last year that ol' no. 44 will be raised to the rafters -- Thats right Danny Ainge! Supposedly its going to be for what he's done as a player and GM. Ugh! I think I'd rather see # 8 up there.
Whatever you think, I know this - If the Devil Rays can retire Wade Boggs' number and the Heat can retire Alonzo Mourning's number, then the Celts can have every one of theirs and be justified. |
Retired Yankee Numbers 
St. Louis Cardinals' Retired Numbers 
L.A. Dodgers' Retired Numbers
