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- A Tragic Start to a Title Defense
A Tragic Start to a Title Defense
Date: 1986-87 season
The Celtics barely got to celebrate their 16th NBA World Championship title when Len Bias, the No. 2 overall pick, passed away just two days after the 1986 NBA Draft and 11 days after the end of the NBA Finals. Flush with a veteran roster, the Celtics were still primed for another title run in the 1986-87 season, but the tragedy cast a pall on the team. The Celtics won the Atlantic Division for the fourth straight year, led by the stellar output of Kevin McHale. He earned All-Star, All-NBA First Team and All-Defense First Team honors while becoming the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 60 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line in a season.
( C ) NBA/Celtics