1988–89 Boston Celtics season

1988–89 Boston Celtics season
Head coach Jim Rodgers
Owner(s) Don Gaston, Alan N. Cohen, Paul Dupee
Arena Boston Garden
Hartford Civic Center
Results
Record 42–40 (.512)
Place Division: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finish East First Round
(eliminated 0–3)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television SportsChannel New England, WLVI, WTXX, WTIC-TV
Radio WHDH, WTIC Radio
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

The 1988–89 Boston Celtics season was the 43rd season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] This was the first season for Jimmy Rodgers as head coach. Rodgers had been a Celtics assistant coach prior to this season. This year's Celtics team was severely hindered by the loss of star forward Larry Bird to a heel injury which required surgery. Bird played only six early-season games before being lost to injury. Initially, Bird was expected back in March, but it was delayed and ultimately became a season-ending injury. The results were dramatic as the Celtics, who had averaged over 60 wins per season thus far in the 1980s, fell to just 42 wins in this season. Coming into the season, the Celtics had been the Eastern Conference's #1 seed five years in a row. This season they were the #8 seed, clinching a playoff spot in the season's final game. This season included some bright spots, particularly the emergence of guard Reggie Lewis, who had been only a minimal bench contributor in his rookie season of 1987-88, but averaged nearly 20 points per game as a starter in 1988-89.

The Celtics were still dangerous at Boston Garden (defeating both the Lakers and Pistons) but struggled mightily away from home, failing to record a road win over a team with a winning record.

The Celtics faced the Detroit Pistons in the postseason for the 4th time in 5 seasons, but this time much earlier, in the first round. The Pistons were heavily favored but hope arose for a competitive series when the Celtics activated Larry Bird for their playoff roster. However, Bird never suited for a game and the Pistons easily dispatched the Celtics in a three game sweep.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 24 Brian Shaw SG  United States UCSB
3 74 Gerald Paddio SF/SG  United States UNLV

Roster

Depth chart

PG-3 Dennis Johnson SG-20 Brian Shaw SF-35 Reggie Lewis PF-32 Kevin McHale C-00 Robert Parrish

Regular season

Season standings

Team W L PCT. GB
New York Knicks 52 30 .634 -
Philadelphia 76ers 46 36 .561 6
Boston Celtics 42 40 .512 10
Washington Bullets 40 42 .489 12
New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 26
Charlotte Hornets 20 62 .244 32

Playoffs

East First Round

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Boston Celtics: Pistons win series 3-0

Last Playoff Meeting: 1988 Eastern Conference Finals (Detroit won 4-2)

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Awards and records

References

  1. ↑ 1988-89 Boston Celtics

See also