The 1988–89 Boston Celtics season was the 43rd season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] This was the first season for Jimmy Rodgers as head coach; Rodgers had been a Celtics assistant coach prior to this season.[2][3][4][5] This year's Celtics team was severely hindered by the loss of All-Star forward Larry Bird to a heel injury, which required surgery to have bone spurs removed from both heels; Bird only played just six early-season games before being lost to injury, averaging 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.[6][7][8][9][10] Initially, Bird was expected to be back in March, but it was delayed and ultimately became a season-ending injury.[11][12][13][14]
1988–89 Boston Celtics season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Jimmy Rodgers |
General manager | Jan Volk |
President | Red Auerbach |
Owners | Don Gaston Alan N. Cohen Paul Dupee |
Arena | Boston Garden Hartford Civic Center |
Results | |
Record | 42–40 (.512) |
Place | Division: 3rd (Atlantic) Conference: 8th (Eastern) |
Playoff finish | First round (lost to Pistons 0–3) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | WLVI (Gil Santos, Bob Cousy) SportsChannel New England (Mike Gorman, Tom Heinsohn) |
Radio | WEEI (Johnny Most, Glenn Ordway) |
Without Bird, the Celtics struggled and played .500 basketball, holding a 23–23 record at the All-Star break.[15] At mid-season, the team traded Danny Ainge, and second-year forward Brad Lohaus to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Ed Pinckney, and Joe Kleine.[16][17][18][19] The results were dramatic as the Celtics, who had averaged over 60 wins per season thus far in the 1980s, fell to just 42 wins and 40 losses this season, third in the Atlantic Division.[20] Coming into the season, the Celtics had been the Eastern Conference's #1 seed five years in a row. This season, they were the #8 seed, clinching a playoff spot in the season's final game.
This season included some bright spots, particularly the emergence of second-year guard Reggie Lewis, who had only been a minimal bench contributor in his rookie season of 1987–88, but showed improvement averaging 18.5 points and 1.5 steals per game, starting in 57 out of the 81 games he played this season; Lewis finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting.[21][22][23] In addition, Kevin McHale averaged 22.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game,[24][25][26][27][28] while Robert Parish provided the team with 18.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and Dennis Johnson contributed 10.0 points, 6.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. First round draft pick Brian Shaw provided with 8.6 points and 5.8 assists per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Jim Paxson also contributed 8.6 points per game off the bench.[29]
The Celtics were still dangerous at the Boston Garden, posting a 32–9 home record (defeating both the Lakers and Pistons), but struggled mightily away from home, failing to record a road win over a team with a winning record.
The Celtics faced the Detroit Pistons in the postseason for the 4th time in 5 seasons, but this time much earlier, in the Eastern Conference First Round. The Pistons were heavily favored, but hope arose for a competitive series when the Celtics activated Bird for their playoff roster. However, Bird never suited for a game and the Pistons easily dispatched the Celtics in a three-game sweep.[30][31][32][33] This was the first time since 1956 that the Celtics lost their opening round playoff series. The Celtics had won their previous 28 opening round playoff series dating back to 1957. The Pistons would reach the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, and defeat the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games, winning their first ever championship.[34][35][36][37][38]
Draft picks
editRound | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | Brian Shaw | SG | United States | UCSB |
3 | 74 | Gerald Paddio | SF/SG | United States | UNLV |
Roster
editPlayers | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster Notes
edit- Small forward Larry Bird played 6 games but missed the majority of the season after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from both of his heels.
Regular season
editSeason standings
editW | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-New York Knicks | 52 | 30 | .634 | – | 35–6 | 17–24 | 18–12 |
x-Philadelphia 76ers | 46 | 36 | .561 | 6 | 30–11 | 16–25 | 19–11 |
x-Boston Celtics | 42 | 40 | .512 | 10 | 32–9 | 10–31 | 19–11 |
Washington Bullets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 12 | 30–11 | 10–31 | 17–13 |
New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 26 | 17–24 | 9–32 | 9–21 |
Charlotte Hornets | 20 | 62 | .244 | 32 | 12–29 | 8–33 | 8–22 |
# | |||||
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Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | z-Detroit Pistons | 63 | 19 | .768 | – |
2 | y-New York Knicks | 52 | 30 | .634 | 11 |
3 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 57 | 25 | .695 | 6 |
4 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 52 | 30 | .634 | 11 |
5 | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 49 | 33 | .598 | 14 |
6 | x-Chicago Bulls | 47 | 35 | .573 | 16 |
7 | x-Philadelphia 76ers | 46 | 36 | .561 | 17 |
8 | x-Boston Celtics | 42 | 40 | .512 | 21 |
9 | Washington Bullets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 23 |
10 | Indiana Pacers | 28 | 54 | .341 | 35 |
11 | New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 37 |
12 | Charlotte Hornets | 20 | 62 | .244 | 43 |
Record vs. opponents
edit1988-89 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | NJN | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | – | 3–1 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Boston | 1–3 | – | 6–0 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 |
Charlotte | 1–4 | 0–6 | – | 1–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–5 |
Chicago | 2–4 | 3–1 | 4–1 | – | 0–6 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Cleveland | 2–4 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 6–0 | – | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Dallas | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 6–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 |
Denver | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | – | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 6–0 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–0 |
Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | – | 1–3 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 |
Indiana | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 5–0 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Miami | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–4 | 0–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 |
Milwaukee | 0–6 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 4–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 |
New Jersey | 1–4 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | – | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–5 |
New York | 2–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | – | 2–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 4–2 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 2–3 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 0–5 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | – | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | – | 2–2 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
San Antonio | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | – | 0–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 |
Seattle | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 4–0 | – | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–3 | – | 2–0 |
Washington | 1–3 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — |
Game log
editRegular season
edit1988–89 game log Total: 42–40 (home: 32–9; Away: 10–31) | |||||||||
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November: 8–7 (home: 6–3; road: 2–4)
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December: 5–7 (home: 4–2; road: 1–5)
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January: 7–8 (home: 6–2; road: 1–6)
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February: 6–7 (home: 3–1; road: 3–6)
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March: 11–4 (home: 10–0; road: 1–4)
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April: 5–7 (home: 3–1; road: 2–6)
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1988–89 schedule |
Playoffs
edit1989 playoff game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
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1989 schedule |
Player statistics
editGP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
Season
editPlayoffs
editAwards and records
edit- The Celtics would win the 1988 McDonald's Open after winning games against the Yugoslavia national basketball team and Spain's Real Madrid Baloncesto.
Season
edit- Robert Parish was named to the All-NBA Third Team
- Kevin McHale was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Brian Shaw was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team
Transactions
editFebruary 23, 1989: Danny Ainge was traded with Brad Lohaus to Sacramento Kings for Joe Kleine & Ed Pinckney
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2013) |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 1988-89 Boston Celtics
- ^ Berger, Jerry (May 3, 1988). "Boston Celtics Coach K.C. Jones Said Tuesday, He Will..." United Press International. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "K. C. Jones to Retire as Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Winderman, Ira (November 13, 1988). "Top of His Profession, Celtics Coach Jimmy Rodgers Is in a Great Place to Start". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ Cart, Julie (November 25, 1988). "A Celtic Crossroad: After 16 Years as an Assistant, Rodgers Lands Job He Wanted Most". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Bird Out 3 Months for Surgery". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 18, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Justice, Richard (November 18, 1988). "Bird Opts for Surgery on Heels Now". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (November 20, 1988). "Surgery for Bird". The New York Times. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ "Bird's Heel Surgery Is Successful". Los Angeles Times. November 20, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ McCallum, Jack (November 28, 1988). "The Bird Is Grounded; The Struggling Celtics Have Lost Larry Bird to Bone Spurs Until at Least March". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Bird's Back, But Celtic Fans Still Have a Wait". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 28, 1989. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Waterman, Frederick (March 10, 1989). "Larry Bird's Return from Foot Surgery Suffered Another Delay..." United Press International. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (March 26, 1989). "Problems Run Deep in Celtics' Transition". The New York Times. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (April 26, 1989). "Bird's Status Is Still to Be Decided". The New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "The Boston Celtics traded Guard Danny Ainge and Second-Year..." United Press International. February 23, 1989. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (February 24, 1989). "BASKETBALL; Knicks, In a Surprise, Get Vandeweghe; Celtics Trade Ainge". The New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Celts Send Ainge to Sacramento; 8-Year Veteran Surprised, But Vows He'll Make the Best of it". Deseret News. February 24, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Cotton, Anthony (February 25, 1989). "Several Teams Make Moves Before Trading Deadline". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1988–89 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "IN BRIEF: Suns' Johnson 'Most Improved'". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 15, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. May 15, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (February 1, 1989). "BASKETBALL; Jackson and Ewing Are Chosen as All-Stars". The New York Times. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ McManis, Sam (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights". Sun Sentinel. February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "1988–89 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Waterman, Frederick (May 2, 1989). "Pistons Sweep Celtics". United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Gold, Allan R. (May 3, 1989). "Pistons' Defense Smothers Celtics' Season". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Aldridge, David (May 3, 1989). "Pistons Finish Sweep of Celtics". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Celtics vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (June 13, 1989). "Pistons Win NBA Title". United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Sweep to NBA Title". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.