On this day, the Boston Celtics won their 16th banner as they defeated the Houston Rockets in six games.
It was the third title for the trio of forward Larry Bird, center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale, and the last for Boston until 2008.
The Celtics would finish with a 67-15 record and only one home loss, one of the most dominant teams in all of NBA history.
The collection of talent on the roster is nearly unparalleled, with four first-ballot Hall of Famers in Bird, McHale, Parish and big man Bill Walton as well as point guard Dennis Johnson and shooting guard Danny Ainge.
It is also the anniversary of Larry Bird signing with the Celtics in 1979.
Boston had taken a gamble by drafting Bird before he’d finished his collegiate career by using a now-closed loophole, but ended up paying through the nose to do it, lest they risk Bird simply returning to the draft next year.
After considerable negotiations, the Hick from French Lick would sign a five-year, $3.25 million contract to become the highest-paid rookie in any sport up to that time.
