And the story of his ill-fated comeback try for one more title with another ex-Celtic teammate as his coach
In the fall of 1980, after a pre-season game at Terre Haute, Indiana, veteran Celtic legend Dave Cowens stood up and addressed his respectful teammates on the bus.
The club had just played a game at Indiana State, the alma mater of its new superstar, second-year great Larry Bird. There seemed to be an air bespeaking a Celtic passing of the guard on the team from Cowens, Boston great of the 1970's, to a once-in-a-lifetime player who resembled Dave in his dedication, intensity and background, a man who would carve out the third Celtic dynasty in the 1980's.