The Boston Celtics are in mourning as the iconic player, coach and broadcaster, Tom Heinsohn, dies at 86 years old at his home in Newton, Mass. The Hall of Fame forward played with the Boston Celtics on eight NBA championships. He also coached them to two titles, and for more than forty years, became their ardent broadcaster.
According to Jeff Twiss, the cause of his death was renal failure and added the fact that Heinsohn also had several illnesses like diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
From 1956 to 1965, Heinsohn had started playing at the old Boston Garden and brought a shooting style to the dynasty engineered by Coach Auerbach. He was also the 1957 rookie of the year in the NBA and was a six-time All-Star.
Remembering Tom Heinsohn
With ties as far back as the formation of Boston’s basketball dynasty, Heinsohn has always been with the Celtics for most of his career. He originally played college basketball at Holy Cross in Union City, New Jersey, until the Boston Celtics drafted him in 1956.
Aside from being NBA’s rookie of the year in 1957, he also helped deliver Boston’s first NBA championship in that year. His playing career, which was from 1956 to 1965, consisted of six All-Star selections and eight championship runs.
In 1969, he became the Boston Celtic’s head coach, and after winning the championships in both 1974 and 1976, he retired in 1978. But, his career in basketball did not stop there. He became a broadcaster and a play-by-play announcer for the Celtics. Heinsohn also became the fourth person who got inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach.
A Devastating Loss for the Boston Celtics
The Celtics are in deep shock but are doing their best to let Heinsohn’s legacy continue to live on. According to their statement:
“It’s hard to imagine the Boston Celtics without Tommy Heinsohn. There isn’t a generation of Celtics fans for whom Tommy’s presence hasn’t been felt. He is the only person to be an active participant in each of the Celtics’ 17 World Championships, an extraordinary and singular legacy.
“For all of his accomplishments as a player, coach, and broadcaster, it is Tommy’s rich personality that defined the man. A loving father, grandfather, and husband. A talented painter and a lively golf partner. Unofficial mentor to decades of Celtics coaches and players. A frequent constructive critic of referees. Originator of the most “Celtic stat” of them all, The Tommy Point. And a boundless love for all things Boston Celtics, a passion which he shared with fans over 64 years.
We take this time to celebrate his life and legacy, and to share in the sorrow of his passing with his family, friends, and fans. As long as there are the Boston Celtics, Tommy’s spirit will remain alive.”
Despite this devastating loss, the Celtics will continue on, and all its fans will still be there to give them the support that they need. If you are looking for trusted bookie sites, you can check out our partner VOdds bookmakers. Sign up with this sportsbook and get a chance to bet comfortably and conveniently for your favourite NBA team!
