The Boston Celtics signed Ray Williams as a free agent in February of 1985, and gave the Knicks two second-round draft picks as compensation. The Williams deal was made necessary after the Celtics traded Gerald Henderson to Seattle for what became the Len Bias pick, and Quinn Buckner, pegged as Henderson's replacement, couldn't shoot it in the ocean.
After vegetating for most of the season because of a contract impasse with the Knicks, Williams became the Celtics third guard and occasional sixth man (McHale was starting due to Maxwell's knee injury), making a strong contribution in the Celtics' opening-round play-off victory over Cleveland.
Williams also helped polish off the 76ers in the playoffs with a nine-point spurt during a five-minute stretch in the clincher.
In the Finals, however, KC Jones went with his horses, using Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge, and DJ more than 40 minutes per game.
That spelled the end of the Ray Williams Era in Boston.
It also spelled the end of the Celtics hopes of repeating, as their tired legs couldn't keep up with Showtime.
After vegetating for most of the season because of a contract impasse with the Knicks, Williams became the Celtics third guard and occasional sixth man (McHale was starting due to Maxwell's knee injury), making a strong contribution in the Celtics' opening-round play-off victory over Cleveland.
Williams also helped polish off the 76ers in the playoffs with a nine-point spurt during a five-minute stretch in the clincher.
In the Finals, however, KC Jones went with his horses, using Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge, and DJ more than 40 minutes per game.
That spelled the end of the Ray Williams Era in Boston.
It also spelled the end of the Celtics hopes of repeating, as their tired legs couldn't keep up with Showtime.
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