Celtics legend would see banner 18 raised – under 1 term

Bob Cousy is used to seeing championship banners being hoisted. The legendary Boston Celtics point guard was part of six championships during his thirteen seasons in Boston. He teamed with Hall of Famers Bill Russell and Tom Heinsohn to form the foundation for a franchise that won 11 championships in 13 years from 1957 to 1969.

Cousy is 95 years old. He’s still sharp. He is still passionate about the Celtics. NBC Boston’s Chris Forsberg spoke with the legend after the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals and asked if he would be there when the team raises its 18th championship banner next season. Cousy said he would be happy to attend, but only under one condition.

Bob Cousy would attend the banner ceremony as the only other living member from the ’60s is invited

Cousy admits he’s on borrowed time. At 95, he has lived a great life, but has seen several teammates, including Russell and Heinsohn, move to basketball heaven in recent years.

Before the 2024 NBA Finals, Cousy admitted he was “in overtime” in the game of life and wanted to be there when the Celtics won their NBA-best 18th championship.

“I’m 95 years old and I have one foot in the grave and I can barely move,” Cousy told Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe. ‘I know I have overtime. So that everything in your life becomes more meaningful. And one of the last things I want to see is the Celtics putting up banner No. 18.”

The Celtics granted Cousy’s wish and defeated the Mavs in five games. Forsberg asked Cousy if attending the banner ceremony at a game next season would be something he would be interested in doing.

“It’s something I would like to participate in,” Cousy said. “I would have one condition that I share it with my dear friend and the only remaining player from the ’50s and ’60s, Satch Sanders. He doesn’t get enough attention. I would like to have him by my side.

“The other friend I would like to ask to join me is Governor Maura Healey, who has become a good friend and obviously has a basketball background. She was captain of Harvard years ago and always refers to the Celtics. We talk about the ball, and then we solve the problems in the state. I would love to have those two friends by my side.”

Cousy is widely regarded as the best point guard in Celtic history

Cousy’s job was to run the show for the Celtics in the 1950s and early 1960s. When Russell and Heinsohn came on board together as rookies in 1956, they received a lot of headlines, but much of it had to do with Cousy’s play.

In their first season together, they won the first of those eleven championships over a thirteen-year period. Cousy was the floor leader and was named MVP of the 1956-57 season. The 6-foot-4 general dished out 7.5 assists in the league and averaged 20.6 points. He also grabbed 4.8 rebounds.

Cousy was an All-Star in all 13 seasons with the Celtics. His 6,945 assists are the best in the franchise. He averaged a career-high 18.5 points and shot better than 80% from the free-throw line.

He is considered the best point guard in team history and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.

In an earlier interview with Forsberg, Cousy said that being 95 is nothing special.

“It’s just a number,” he told Forsberg. “I have said many times over the years that I am literally the most fortunate, happiest SOB in the world.”