7 Stars the Celtics missed drafting by a single pick

5. Reggie Theus

The 1978 NBA Draft will forever be the year they selected Larry Bird, but Boston had the sixth and eighth picks. After choosing Bird, they took Freeman Williams. He was traded in a six-player deal to get Tiny Archibald before ever suiting up for the Celtics. Williams played six years in the NBA mostly as a reserve guard and Archibald was well past his prime before arriving in Beantown.

Selected ninth overall was a two-time All-Star guard. Theus averaged 20 points per game in his second season and played 13 years in the league. He was an All-Star in 1981 and 1983. His best days came with the Bulls and Kings before finishing his NBA career playing for three different teams in three seasons.

Theus scored a career-high 46 points against the Celtics in 1982. Fans can bet he never forgot Boston passed on him in the draft, and for one night, he made them pay.

This was a massive miss by the Celtics. Theus and Williams played the same position. Boston would not have needed to trade for a 30-year-old Archibald if they selected Theus. The prospect was a strong playmaker with plus size. Reggie Theus would have filled a need, but Boston went in a different direction.