On this day, Boston Celtics legendary forward Larry Bird stole the ball and passed it to point guard Dennis Johnson for the winning layup of a wild, 107-106 Game 5 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the East Conference Finals.
Detroit point guard Isiah Thomas had scored a late basket to put the Pistons up 106-105 with 17 seconds remaining, and when Bird tried to respond with a layup on the next play, it was blocked.
Detroit got the ball back and it seemed the game was all but over with just five seconds of play remaining, but the Hick from French Lick would pick off the inbounds pass to connect with Johnson for the win.
In 1999, a “Bill Russell Tribute” is held at the FleetCenter to honor the Celtics legend’s Hall of Fame career.
Guests included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Tom Brokaw, Jim Brown, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Johnny Mathis, then- NBA commissioner David Stern, Bill Walton, among many others.
The event lasted over two hours and even featured a videotaped greeting from then-president Bill Clinton.
“The one thing I don’t like about these [ceremonies] is they’re so serious,” said Russell via the Hartford Courant’s Alan Greenberg.
“When they introduce me, it sounds like my obituary. I’m not dead yet. But I know I’m getting old because I talk about what I’ve done, rather than what I’m going to do. . . . I don’t compare myself to anyone, as far as who is the best player. All I do is put up the rings.”
It is also the anniversary of the Celtics eliminating the Philadelphia 76ers in a Game 7 win over their Atlantic Division rivals in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.
The 85-75 triumph came via a strong performance by point guard Rajon Rondo, who scored 18 points, 10 rebounds and as many assists, while Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 13 boards of his own.
Paul Pierce chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds, and forward Brandon Bass scored 16 points as well.
“Last year is in the past,” Rondo said via the Associated Press. “This year we’re a totally different team. We feel we can beat Miami. We got to this point; there’s no doubt in my mind we can. We’ve got to go down there and take care of business.”
