On this day: Fitch resigns; Lakers crushed in Game 1 of ’85 NBA Finals
On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics small forward Fred Saunders signed with the team as a free agent in 1976. Saunders played his college ball with the Syracuse Orangemen before being drafted in the second round with the 31st pick in the 1974 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Chocolate Thunder — as he was sometimes called — played for the Suns for two full seasons before joining Boston, with which he played just two seasons, averaging a total of 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1 assist over 13.8 minutes per game with the franchise over that stretch.
He was dealt to the New Orleans Jazz for draft assets in 1978. He played 30 games before being waived in his final stop in the NBA.
Elvin Hayes (11) of the Washington Bullets, drives around Jo Jo White (10) and Fred Saunders (20) of the Boston Celtics, as he heads for the basket in the second period of their NBA game at Boston Garden, March 25, 1977. AP Photo
Head coach Bill Fitch resigned on this day in 1983 after four seasons as the team’s head coach. He won an NBA championship in 1981.
Being swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals the season prior was likely a factor, as was the sale of the team by owner Harry Mangurian.
Larry Bird, center, becomes the richest rookie in sports history at $3.25 million for five years as he signs a contract with the Boston Celtics in Boston, June 9, 1979. At left is Celtics President Red Auerbach. At right is Celtics head coach Bill Fitch. AP Photo
Legendary general manager Red Auerbach stepping into a more advisory role was another.
“Without Harry being here, and with Red having said he won’t be here for another five years and eat Chinese food with me, a change is good,” said Fitch (via the New York Times).
Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, right, goes up for two under heavy defensive pressure from Boston Celtic Robert Parish during the first half of NBA Championship action on Monday, May 27, 1985, at the Boston Garden. AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan
In 1985, Celtics small forward Scott Wedman hit four 3-pointers without missing, going 11-for-11 from the floor overall as Boston crushed the Los Angeles Lakers, 148-114, in Game 1 of that year’s NBA Finals.
The Celtics’ 148 points and 62 field goals in what has been called the “Memorial Day Massacre” remain NBA Finals records.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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