Happy Birthday Sam Jones

Setting aside the draft, the Brexit, and other debates of the day; Happy Birthday Sam Jones!

Happy 83rd to the Celtic legend whose name this forum proudly bears!

A super Celtic - Because we had Cousy, Sharman, Ramsey and K C Jones to handle the back court in those days I thought that he should have been traded for a big man to back up Russell. it was about that time, as a 28 year old, that I learned just how little I knew about the game. I had a meeting during that time frame with Walter Brown and mentioned that to him. It turned out to be the most embarrassing memory of my life. From that point on I have always understood the value of my amateur opinion.

swish

swish wrote:A super Celtic - Because we had Cousy, Sharman, Ramsey and K C Jones to handle the back court in those days I thought that he should have been traded for a big man to back up Russell. it was about that time,  as a 28 year old, that I learned just how little I knew about the game. I had a meeting during that time frame with Walter Brown and mentioned that to him.  It turned out to be the most embarrassing memory of my life. From that point on I have always  understood the value of my amateur opinion.

 swish

Swish,

I'd love to hear more about this! How and why did you meet with Brown? What made it so embarrassing? Regardless, I'm sure it must be a talk you look back on with great memories.

Regards

ditto

Happy Birthday Slippery Sam!!!!

NYCelt and cowens

Sports have always been my number one passion, both as a participant and fan, and like millions of others had dreamed of a career in sports. Being a Celtic fan since they entered the league in the late 40's I decided one day in the late 50's to call Walter brown to see if he would grant me an interview regarding career opportunities in the nba. To this day I am amazed to think that this great man took the time to council an off the street total stranger. It was a fantastic visit but like the Robert Frost poem depicts in "The Road Not Taken" I eventually  chose a different career path but have often wondered about what might have been. Of course the Celtics were discussed and somewhere during the conversation I mentioned the Sam Jones trade. I guess the embarrassment that I mentioned, was a feeling that I had later on as a result of the great career that Sam Jones had. I've been a lot more cautious about making predictions about the future ever since. While I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable in the major sports, I realize that I'm not part of the inner circle of professionals who have so much more information to base their decisions on.

  swish

Happy Birthday Sam!!! You had the best bank shot I have ever seen in all my years of watching Basketball!
You gave me so much enjoyment in the 60's, it was such fun going to the Garden and watch you , Russ, Cousy, Havlicek Tommy, and company win title after title. Some were alot harder than others. But, in the end, they could always count on you to hit that one shot that would put them over the top.

God bless you and here's hoping you have many, many more.

Rosalie

PS: Your friend, who used your name to create this forum thought the world of you. We talked many times about how great you were. And, your voice is still on my phone recording from when you so kindly called me during a hard time in my life and gave me a lift..

swish I have greater appreciation for Walter Brown that he was open to actually meet you and give you some guidence/time....great story!!

Mr. Brown was the greatest owner any major league basketball (or any other sport) could have. He hired Red and together they weathered the storm and created what we have today. Many times they used their own money to make payroll. What a wonderful man. How lucky you were to be able to meet and talk to him. I am envious. I was just out of high school and business school when I got my season's tickets. Greatest time of my life (other than marrying my husband and having my two kids)!!!!

I was surprised when I saw the shirt that Brown held up, #1. That was the number they retired in memory of Mr. Brown after he passed away. Kind of sad that that is the first number they have decided to unretire.
Must be pretty special to the kid for them to do it. I think the next one you will see unretired is 31, Maxwell's number. He has said he would be more than willing to have someone wear his number.

So much for them putting Dnnny up there!

Great story Swish!!!

Rosalie

Happy birthday Slippery Sam!!! If not for you, we may not exist!b

Thank you both for your dedication & commitment to the game!, and to us!!!!

Pete

Swish,

That is a great story! It also points out a radically different era in sports when approachable wasn't a term reserved for the ice cream vender. Your time with Brown obviously had a lasting impact on you, even if you did take a different route. Thanks for sharing that with us!

Regards