That day at Boston Celtics Historically, the storied franchise traded star center Dave Cowens to the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Quinn Buckner in 1982. Cowens had retired from the ballclub as a player in 1980, citing declining health and a need for new blood in Boston’s frontcourt, but he decided to play again two seasons later.
A native of Newport, Kentucky, Cowens was selected by the Celtics with the fourth overall pick in the 1970 NBA draft after playing at Florida State. He played only for the Celtics, who still owned his rights. The former Seminole convinced Boston to trade him to the Bucks, coached by former teammate Don Nelson, in exchange for Buckner to fulfill their contractual obligations. Cowens played 40 more games for Milwaukee before retiring as a player.
While his time in Milwaukee wasn’t particularly remarkable, he won two titles, an All-Star Game and a regular MVP award, eight All-Star nominations and several other accolades during his 10 seasons with the Celtics.
It is also the birthday of former Celtic centre Steve Downing, who won a title with Cowens as his great substitute in 1974.
Downing was born in Indianapolis, Indianain 1950, and selected by Boston with the 17th pick in 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 during that span.
listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article was originally published on Celtics Wire: Celtics History: Former Boston Player Dave Cowens Traded; Steve Downing Born