Gerald Henderson Sr's Contribution to Celtics Title #15: The Single Most Significant Play in Boston History

With the NCAA East Regional coming to Boston this weekend and Duke, one of the favorites, having the son of former Celtics guard Gerald Henderson on their roster, I was reminded of a play that Henderson Sr. made in 1984 against the Los Angeles Fakers that prevented the C's from going down 2-0 in the NBA Finals. Henderson's key steal with about 15 seconds left in Game 2 tied up the game, which Boston won in overtime. The Celtics would go on to win one of the great NBA Champioinship series in seven games, the only time that Larry Bird beat Magic Johnson in a championship contest.

Harvey Araton of the New York Times feels that Henderson's steal is the most important play in the C's long and glorious history and I don't see how anyone can argue. Excellent article by Araton.

Henderson Sr. was a delight on the court and in interviews. He will always be remembered fondly by true Celtics fans for his contributions, though he still seems stung by the trade the following season by Red Auerbach to the Sonics for their first round draft pick. He remains annoyed, but any knowledgeable fans knows that, had Len Bias not killed himself through cocaine use, Henderson for potential Hall of Fame forward Len Bias would have gone down as one of the three or four most lopsided trades in the history of the NBA.

Henderson Jr. is a much more talented player than his Dad. Junior is 6-5, can shoot with range and has amazingly explosive athletic ability. He is a surefire lottery pick when he goes pro, which is expected to be this offseason. If he has any of his Dad's charisma and intelligence, and I suspect he does, he will do very well for himself in the NBA.

Thanks for the memories Gerald Sr., and good luck to Gerald Jr. this weekend.