A True Boston Celtics Legend, Tommy Heinsohn, dies at 86

Tommy Heinsohn has been a huge part of the Celtics franchise since the moment he began his career as a player back in the 1950s. Heinsohn had an outstanding playing career for the Celtics as he was a part of the dynasties of the ’50s and ’60s. He won 8 championships with the Boston Celtics and made 6 all-star appearances. He averaged over 18 points and almost 9 rebounds a game over the course of his career earning himself a spot in the Basketball Hall Of Fame. After his playing career ended with the Celtics in 1969 he became the Celtics’ head coach, leading them to two more Championships in 1974 and 1976. He then furthered his career with the Celtics becoming the LEGENDARY color commentator his career for the Celtics in 1981. In all, Tommy Heinsohn was a part of all 17 Celtics Championships in his 60 years as a player, coach, and broadcaster.

“Celtics games will not be the same without Tommy, and he will be dearly missed by those who share his fervor for basketball,” said  NBA Commissioner Adam Silver via ESPN. The Celtics owner also weighed in stating that, “Tommy was the ultimate Celtic. For the past 18 years, our ownership group has relied hugely on Tommy’s advice and insights and have reveled in his hundreds of stories about Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, and how the Celtics became a dynasty. He will be remembered forever.”

Tommy was there for the start of the tradition of toughness and grit that we have all grown to know and love about Celtics teams. Later in his career, as a broadcaster, he coined the phrase “Tommy Points” which basically were the toughness plays that lead to winning. Things such as diving on a loose ball, securing a crucial rebound or making a go-ahead basket were all types of plays that Heinsohn in the game recaps would reward the “Tommy Point” to. He gave it this title because that’s who he was as a player. One of the toughest guys out there who did what he needed for the team to win. In fact, Heisohn embodied this grit and passion his whole career dating all the way back to his days at Holy Cross. He graduated from Holy Cross in 1956 as the school’s all-time leading scorer and after he was drafted by the Celtics there was no let down when he went on to win rookie of the year in his first season. He beat out teammate Bill Russell for the Rookie of the year that season and scored a crazy 37 points and 23 rebounds in the final game of the NBA finals against the St. Louis Hawks. Tommy just always delivered. Whether it was as a player, coach, or broadcaster you could tell how passionate about winning and then how that transitioned to his love for the Boston Celtics.

My favorite thing about the Great Tommy Heinsohn was that he just never seemed to stop playing for the Celtics. In his days when he was the head color commentator for the Celtics, he captured the whole Boston Sports audience with his familiar Boston accent and the way he would passionately criticize players. The way Tommy would comment on players and situations was similar to the way a die-hard Celtics fan uncle yells at a TV during a game as if the players could hear them. Tommy just sounded like the Boston Celtics and will always sound like the Boston Celtics to me. Tommy influenced many Celtics fans in Boston to only listened and watch Celtics games on the local broadcast and radio networks even when they were are on major networks. It was the relatability, he came off as a fan just like the viewer/listener at home. Tommy highlighted the perspective of a Celtics coach and fan in his broadcasting, he was never neutral, he made it obvious he was riding for his Celtics. If you know anything about Boston sports fans….. they loved that. I loved that and I am personally going to miss hearing his voice call games. As long as I have been a Celtics fan I’ve associated his commentary voice with that parquet floor and loved the moments of games where I felt like the lead Tommy Heinsohn and I shared the same excitement for such a huge play or such a huge win. He was a true legend, professional, and most memorable of all Celtic and he will truly be missed. Rest Easy Tommy, thank you for all you’ve done.

Players and Coaches Weigh in on the Passing of Tommy Heinsohn Via Twitter: