The Celtics Call

After averaging 6.8 points for the Zephyrs of Walt Bellamy, Terry Dischinger and Sihugo Green in 1962-63 and being waived by the Lakers after two relatively unproductive seasons, Nelson was at a crossroads. For 14 seasons, Nelson was one of those average players, slow of foot but quick of mind. No one claimed the 6-foot-6-inch, mop-haired forward off waivers.

Then one night, perhaps it was early morning, Nellied received a call from Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics, but no promises, only an invitation to a tryout. He stayed 11 seasons, played in 150 playoff games and earned five championship rings. As he said, maybe the others - the superstars -didn't have to work so hard.

He was thinking about another profession when the Celtics called.

"(Tom) Heinsohn had retired and Ron Watts didn't pan out," said Nelson. "They were looking for another guy, and it was between me and Jackie Moreland. They chose me because I was younger."

Nelson, awkward, slow and always in the right spot, went on to play for five NBA championship teams in Boston, even winning one himself in 1969 with a funky push shot to defeat the Lakers in Game 7 of the finals. In that game on May 5, 1969, the Celtics had blown a 17-point lead and the Lakers pulled within one with 1:17 left when John Havlicek lost the ball. But it rolled--luckily?--to Nelson, who took his shot-put-like shot.

The ball hit the back rim, bounded perhaps 5 or 6 feet in the air, and then dropped through the rim, giving the Celtics a three-point lead and the cushion to hold of the Lakers for a two-point win.