Today in Boston Celtics history, the team dealt Hall of Fame big man Dave Cowens to the Milwaukee Bucks for Quinn Buckner in 1982. Cowens had retired from the league as a player in 1980, ostensibly due to his declining health and a need for younger players in the team’s frontcourt, but he returned to play once again two seasons later. The Newport, Kentucky, native had been picked up from Florida State University by the Celtics with the fourth pick of the 1970 NBA Draft, had only played for the Celtics at the time, which still held his rights.
The former Seminole convinced Boston to deal him to the Bucks — coached by one-time teammate Don Nelson — in exchange for Buckner to satisfy their contractual obligations. Cowens played 40 more games for Milwaukee before retiring for good as a player.
While his Milwaukee stint was not especially noteworthy, he won two titles, an All-Star game and regular MVP award, eight All-Star bids, and several other honors in his 10 seasons with the Celtics.
Birthdays
It is also the birthday of ex-Celtic center Steve Downing, who won a title with Cowens as a backup big behind him in 1974. Downing was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1950, and drafted by Boston with the 17th pick of the 1973 NBA draft out of Indiana University.
The former Hoosier played 27 games over two seasons for the Celtics between that year and 1975. He averaged 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds over that stretch.