Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn dies at 86
Multiple sources associated with the NBA have informed the Boston Globe that Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn passed away at age 86. Heinsohn established himself as a towering figure both in Boston and across the NBA with a career spanning over 60 years as a player, coach, and broadcaster.
The Celtics originally drafted Heinsohn in 1956, and he won rookie of the year over Bill Russell in his first season. Heinsohn won eight championships in nine seasons with the Celtics alongside Russell, in 1957 and from 1959-65. He was also a six-time All-Star during his playing career, averaging 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as one of the premier forwards of his time.
Heinsohn became the Celtics’ head coach in 1969 and compiled a 427-263 record, leading the team to two more NBA championships over a span of nine seasons. Heinsohn won coach of the year in 1973.
His broadcasting career began between his time as a player and coach, getting his feet wet from 1966-68. In 1981 he joined play-by-play man Mike Gorman as the Celtics’ TV color commentator and the duo called games together for the majority of the ensuing four decades. Heinsohn’s notorious venom toward officials as a coach translated well to his career as Celtics color commentator, when he became famous for never letting the refs off the hook.
Tributes have already begun pouring in from Heinsohn’s contemporaries in Boston broadcasting, as well as former Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, whom Heinsohn endearingly called “The Little Guy.”
Damn RIP Tommy Heinsohn!!! “The Little guy” that’s the nickname he gave me. Will miss his voice and everything he brought to the game especially Celtics basketball
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) November 10, 2020
There is no tweet.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) November 10, 2020
There is no podcast, no documentary, no mini-series that can come close to encapsulating what Tommy meant to the game through the generations.
As immeasurable a loss for our organization as was the privilege of 19 years of his personal tutelage.
Legend.
— James Stewart ☝️ (@IAmJamesStewart) November 10, 2020
So sad to hear about Tommy. RIP buddy, keep giving it to those refs up there
— scottzolak 🏈 (@scottzolak) November 10, 2020
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