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Today in Boston Celtics history: Stevens, Olynyk, Pressey, Johnson, Langford debut; Rondo 24 asts
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- Today in Boston Celtics history: Stevens, Olynyk, Pressey, Johnson, Langford debut; Rondo 24 asts
Today in Boston Celtics history, current Boston President of Basketball Operations and former head coach Brad Stevens coached his first regular-season game for the Celtics in 2013 after being hired from the Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA ranks earlier that year. He was one of the first college coaches making the jump to the NBA in some time.
The tilt ended in a narrow loss to the Toronto Raptors , 93-87, marking the beginning of the Stevens era with the Celtics. Veteran forward Jeff Green led the storied ball club with 25 points and 5 rebounds, while big man Brandon Bass contributed another 17 points to the win.
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The game wasn't just Stevens' first with the Celtics.
Sep 28, 2018; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens stands on the court in the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Historic milestones
That night was also the regular-season debut of Phil Pressey, who also had a stinker in his first game. The Missouri alum pulled down a single rebound, missing both of his field-goal attempts in under four minutes of floor time. Kelly Olynyk debuted that game as well. The Gonzaga alum logged a meh first outing too, scoring just 4 points with one less turnover in a performance that was fortunately not auspicious.
Center Vitor Faverani also debuted in that game, and his stat line would make you think his career would have been much longer than it ended up being with Boston. The Brazilian big man surprised with 13 points and 3 blocks in just under 27 minutes played.
Jan 22, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) shoots over Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) and power forward Trevor Booker (35) during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Today is also the date of former Celtic forward Joe Johnson's debut with the team, a 108-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on this date in 2001. The Arkansas native had a solid inaugural game, scoring 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in just under 33 minutes of play.
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Johnson shares that debut date with ex-Celtic center Jared Sullinger, whose first game with Boston was a 120-107 loss to the Miami Heat. Sully had a bit of a dud to start, scoring just 2 points and a rebound in 8 minutes of floor time, but he'd soon turn things around with his new team.
Dec 22, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Joe Johnson (55) moves the ball against The Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Former Celtic wing Romeo Langford debuted on this day as well, in 2019 in a 116-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He played just 14 seconds of game time though, and thus was hardly on the court long enough to breathe – never mind score.
Kedrick Brown debuted on this date in 2001 in a 108-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. In what was an auspicious start, the Louisiana native went scoreless in just 5 minutes of floor time. It was the same game in which shooting guard and 21st pick of the draft for the Celtics that year Joseph Forte made his debut for the team. The Georgia native scored 2 points, dished out 2 assists, and pulled down a single board in 13 minutes of game time.
Jun 20, 2019; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Romeo Langford (Indiana) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Another duo of Celtics made their debut on this date as well, Red Morrison and Hall of Famer Frank Ramsey. It was in 1954 in a 98-95 loss to the (then) Rochester Royals (now, Sacramento Kings). Morrison recorded a single point off of a free throw while Ramsey put up an impressive 15 points, hinting at the career to come for the Kentucky product.
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And they were not the last Celtics duo to share a debut, with guards Charles Bradley and Tracy Jackson both playing their first game for Boston in a 124-100 blowout of the (then) Washington Bullets (now, Wizards) in 1981. Bradley (23rd pick) and Jackson (25th) were drafted by the Celtics that summer and the former put up 8 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 13 minutes on the floor, while the latter played just 7 minutes and recorded 1 point, assist, and rebound each.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 18: Celtics legends Tom "Satch" Sanders, Bill Russell, Frank Ramsey, Sam Jones, Tommy Heinsohn, Bob Cousy and Jim Loscutoff, members of the 1962 Championship team, celebrate for the 50th anniversary during half time against the Orlando Magic on April 18, 2012 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Finally, on this day in 2010, former Boston floor general Rajon Rondo logged a (then) career-high 24 assists in a 105-101 win over the New York Knicks.
The Connect Four wizard outdid himself connecting teammates that night, chipping in 10 points and as many boards to help secure the win.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Today in Boston Celtics history: Stevens, Olynyk, Pressey, Johnson, Langford debut; Rondo 24 asts
