Today in Boston Celtics history, the preseason was shelved in 1998 as union bargaining between the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and franchise owners on putting together a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) faltered after finding themselves in a deadlock ahead of the first work stoppage interrupting the regular season in the history of the league. It not only forced the shuttering of preseason games but also cut into the regular season quite a bit, with games not resuming until January of the following calendar year.
Mainly fought over the portion of basketball-related income that would go to the players, an accord was reached several months later to finish what was the most severe labor row in Association history up to that point. The so-called “Larry Bird” exception was another point of significant contention. Per the New York Times’ Mike Wise, “it was created to allow the Hall of Fame forward to re-sign with the Boston Celtics near the end of his career.”
Advertisement
“The clause benefited Jordan the last two years, as the Chicago Bulls paid him over $30 million a season — more than $5 million more than a team is allowed to spend on all its players.” Ultimately, it would be kept, but modified with limits on the amount of annual pay increases allowed, and brought on the introduction of the much-hated luxury tax.
Birthdays
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Confetti covers the Boston Celtics logo after Boston’s 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Today is also the birthday of Celtics small forward Reggie Hanson, who came into the world today in 1968 in Charlotte, North Carolina. An alum of Kentucky, Hanson was signed in 1998 after a few seasons playing abroad, an undrafted prospect from the 1991 NBA draft. Hanson played just 8 games with Boston, over which he averaged 0.8 points and as many rebounds per game.
Advertisement
Rest in Peace
Finally, it is also the date of the passing of former Boston small forward George Kaftan in 2018. An alum of Holy Cross, the New York City native was selected by the Celtics in the second round of the 1949 Basketball Association of America (BAA — a precursor league of the NBA) draft.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 20: A general view of the Celtics Championship Banners ahead of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 20, 2025 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
He played a total of 76 games for the Celtics over two seasons, logging 11 points and 2.7 assists per game, before being dealt to the New York Knicks for cash in 1950.
Listen to “Havlicek Stole the Pod” on:
Spotify: https://tiny.ee/CdKp
iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47
YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Preseason canceled ahead of ’98 lockout; Kaftan dies