Samuel “Sam” Jones wrote the golden age of the Boston Celtics, the one that saw the Massachusetts franchise win eleven titles between 1957 and 1969. Alongside Bill Russell, one of the most iconic players in the American League – 11 rings -, the native of Wilmington (North Carolina) became the second most successful day in NBA history with 10 coronations (only that of 1957, the year of his draft), missing from the fabulous record. His lifelong franchise (he will stop his career in the wake of his last title) announced on Friday that Jones, 88, died the day before, of natural causes.
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« The Jones family is on our minds as we mourn the loss of Sam Jones and fondly remember the life and career of one of America’s greatest sports champions. “, Have published the Celtics on social networks.
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A few minutes before the start of the meeting on the program Friday night between Boston and Phoenix, a tribute and a minute of silence were rendered in honor of the one who wore the No. 24, shirt removed in 1969. Jones ( 1.93m), out of the University of North Carolina, was chosen in 8th position in the draft by the Boston Celtics, while his rights had once belonged to the Minneapolis Lakers. Rights lapsed when Jones decided to return to school after his military service.
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Five selections for the All-Star Game
During his career, the full-back registered 15,411 points in the regular season, and his reputation as a “clutch” player (decisive) had earned him five All-Star Game selections (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968) as well as three League second best five nominations (1965-1967). ” His scoring ability was so prolific, and his style so pure, that he got a simple nickname., “The Shooter,” added the C’s. He was also known as ”Mr. Clutch”. One of the many witnesses to his clutch performance remains the fact that his point average in the play-offs (18.9) was higher than that in the regular season (17.7). »
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Fifteen years after the end of his career – he was an assistant for one season, in 1974-1975, with the New Orleans Jazz – in 1984, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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