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Boston Celtics: Tommy Heinsohn deserves a ‘Tommy Point’

By Justin Trombino

Tommy Heinsohn of the Celtic's, breaks past Al Attles of the Warriors, #16, to lay-up for a basket in the 1st quarter playoff.
Tommy Heinsohn of the Celtic's, breaks past Al Attles of the Warriors, #16, to lay-up for a basket in the 1st quarter playoff. /
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Before the regular season starts, I want to give Tommy Heinsohn his own “Tommy Point” and show him some appreciation for all that he does for his pride and joy that are the Boston Celtics.

Tommy Heinsohn has been with the Boston Celtics organization since he was drafted to the team in 1956, and since then… he has never left. During his rookie season, Tommy played in the All-Star game, was named Rookie of the Year, and won the NBA title. It’s noted that Heinsohn won Rookie of the Year honors over teammate Bill Russell in 1956.

Both on and off the court, Tommy was a leader and engineer of the NBA. He was influential and everyone wanted to be part of anything he was doing. Later on his second career, he took over as President of the NBA Players Association for teammate and creator of the NBAPA Bob Cousy, and helped create free agency in the NBA.

When Tommy’s playing days ended in 1965, he had just about accomplished all that a player could in the NBA. He was part of eight championship teams in nine years, including winning it all seven years in a row and making the  All-Star team six times.

In 1969, Tommy became the head coach of the Boston Celtics which was a ‘dream come true’ for Heinsohn. In his third season as head coach, the Boston Celtics were a league-best 68-14 in 1972-73, before to losing in the playoffs. Heinsohn was named Coach of the Year and went on to win the NBA Finals the following season in 1974.

Heinsohn retired from coaching the Celtics in 1978, earning two NBA titles as a coach; giving him ten in total as both a player (eight) and a coach (two). Tommy is one of four people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

In 1981, Tommy then joined up with Mike Gorman to be the color commentators for the Boston Celtics. Mike and Tommy have become the longest-tenured duo in sports broadcasting history; with nearly forty years of calling games together.

One thing about Heihnson is that he is always pro-Celtics. What I mean by that is from his point of view, Boston would never be in the wrong. The officials always appeared to make a “bad call” when it doesn’t go in favor of his beloved Celtics.

There is nothing like watching a Boston Celtics game and hearing the energy and enthusiasm from Tommy Heihnson over the telecast. He has so much knowledge and information about the Boston Celtics, basketball, and just life in general, that it almost makes it “must watch television” for the avid Boston sports or general basketball fan.

Fans are always able to get analysis from Heihnson; he is on the color commentator during home games, also spends time in the NBC Sports Boston studios on the Boston Celtics telecast doing analysis during away games.

Next. 3 buy-low options for Celtics. dark

Tommy Heinsohn deserves the ultimate “Tommy Point” for everything he has done for the Celtics, and the NBA as a whole. He’s a true pioneer of the franchise and 100% lives and breathes Boston Celtics basketball.