Boston Celtics legend Bob Cuosey started out his college career at Holy
Cross, one year after the end of the Second World War and would electrify
the country with his derring-do exploits.
The six-time NBA winner is at the ripe old age of 95, but still has the
flicker in his eye that made him such a danger on the court. The guard not
only led the Celtics to franchise success, but Cousey earned 13 NBA All-
Star appearances and unforgettably had his number (14) retired.
He may be closing in on 100 years of age, and might not be as sprightly as
he was, but Bob Cousey can have fun with the best of them, sharing
anecdotal pearls that are shrouded in basketball lore.
From the iconic “We love you Cooz”, moment inside the Garden to a
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the much-loved Hall of Famer loves
nothing more than to sit in his office and reminisce, with memorabilia
that would make the ‘Pawn Stars’ warehouse look like a shabby outhouse
in the middle of the Vegas strip.
On reaching the milestone of 95 years young, he told NBC Sports Boston,
“I am literally the most fortunate, luckiest S.O.B on the planet. Everything
in my life has kind of fallen together.”
Often calling basketball, “a child’s game”, albeit in reverential tones, he
continues, “All of us have to rely on hopefully good luck or fortune or faith
or whatever we want to call it. Most of the bounces have gone my way.”
He is being both literal and figurative because a large percentage of those
bounces were on a court somewhere some evening in some oft-forgotten era.
Not that he is forgotten, not by a long way. After sending an address by
film to the Worcester State University graduating class, he quipped that
the students must keep the pigeon droppings off his likeness.
They did that, and even came to tell him that they are protecting his statue
– such is the star-like quality of this humble man.
One of the proudest basketball moments in his life is being played out
every year. He started the Players Association and from going to being the
most expensive player in the NBA in 1970 ($35,000 per year) he is proud
when a player breaks the bank of franchise owners.
“I’m most proud about starting the Players Association, because that as
somehow lent itself, 60 years later, in terms if the interaction between the
Players Association and the owners, to guys signing $300 million
contracts for playing a child’s game.”
There are many multi-millionaire players who have Cousey to thank for
their penthouses and boats.
But most of all, he wants his beloved Celtics to win again. Time has been
kind to Cousey, let us hope the bounces go the way of the Boston team in
years to come.
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