Only one other human being in the history of the NBA has won more titles than Sam Jones did, and that was his former teammate and fellow Boston Celtics lifer Bill Russell. Now, Russell is the only member left of the Celtics’ golden age after Jones left us on the final day of 2021, leaving a legacy behind that has only been paralleled by Russell in the annals of North American pro sports history.
With 10 titles, 5 All-Star appearances, 3 All-NBA team selections, and a spot on the NBA’s 25th, 50th, and 75th-anniversary teams capped off with a retired No. 24 jersey and an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Jones was one of the giants of the game, and often a criminally underrated one at that.
Mr. Clutch — as the North Carolina native was often called as a nickname — was an instrumental part of the Celtics’ most decorated era of title dominance, and a beloved part of the wider Boston sports pantheon.
He will be dearly missed. Rest In Peace, Sam Jones — our thoughts are with those your life touched.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
