Boston Celtics Top 25 Moments In Franchise History

By Bill Speros | Mar 24, 2016

BOSTON - 1996: Red Auerbach, former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in front of Celtics championship banners in Boston Massachesetts in 1996. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Greg Foster/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Original Caption) College basketball player of the year, Larry Bird of Indiana State is all smiles with Celtics’ General manager Red Auerbach, after signing the Bird to a thee-point-25-million dollar, five-year contract with the Boston Celtics. The Bird now becomes the highest paid rookie in sports history. /

6. Pick The Hick From French Lick

Red Auerbach never cared much for conventional rules or wisdom. That was never more evident than in 1978 when Auerbach drafted a little-known junior-eligible forward out of Indiana State and French Lick named Larry Bird with the sixth overall pick.

Although he still had one more year of college eligibility, Auerbach knew Bird was worth the wait and the risk. Bird’s ISU Sycamores would go 33-0 until their loss to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the 1979 NCAA title game.

Once again, Auerbach’s many critics were left stewing in their silence. Bird eventually signed and Auerbach famously said: “With one or two more other small moves, we’re ready to contend.” With Bird, the Celtics won three NBA titles battling likes of the “Showtime” Lakers, the “Bad Boy” Pistons and “Twin Towers” of Houston.

Next: No. 5

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