Ennis Whatley Almost Played for the Celtics?


Ennis Whatley was a member of the Celtics during the pre-season of 1988.  It's true!  And then, just like that, he wasn't:



If you followed the NBA in the 80s and 90s you totally remember Whatley.  But you may not have known how close he was to playing for the Celtics.  According to the article, the strong play of Brian Shaw in the preseason sealed the fate for Whatley.

Check out Ennis' NBA basketball journey (he also had stops in the CBA, Israel and the Philippines):



I can't lie: I totally resemble Ben Gordon here
If you were to have told me Ennis Whatley actually appeared in 3 games in the 97 season with Portland, I would've assumed you were dead wrong.  I had absolutely no recollection that he kicked the tires that long.  I also wouldn't have known he was the 13th overall pick in the 83 draft, one spot ahead of Clyde Drexler.

So what would've happened had Whatley made the team?  Well for one we may never get to see Otis Birdsong make the team.  Birdsong was the better player, so that wasn't too disappointing.  Whatley would obviously have a WTHHT written about him today, along the lines of other back-up point guards like Andre Turner, Bimbo Coles, and Doug Overton.

Otherwise I'm thinking Whatley's signing doesn't really make the slightest bit of difference.  But it's August and we're bored.

All I know is that Ennis Whatley almost played for the Celtics.  And now, you know that too.