Today in Celtics history: Robert Parish reaches 22,000 points
In a 21-point performance in a 102 - 95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Parish became (at that time) only the twelfth person in league history to reach that mark. In more than three decades since, only five players have passed Parish, and only Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, fellow ex-Boston Celtic Paul Pierce, LeBron James, and Dirk Nowitzki are ahead of him among active players. Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Pau Gasol are theoretically in striking distance, though unlikely to catch Parish before retiring. Only Kevin Durant (18,579 career points) seems likely to reach that level among current active players.
Today also marks the birthday of Meyer "Mike" Bloom's birthday, born in 1915. Bloom, who played one season for the Celts in just their third season (1948), averaged 9.2 points and 14 assists per game for the team in the regular season, and 12 points and 2 assists per game in the playoffs. Meyer would go on to play three more seasons in the Basketball Association of America (one of two leagues that would merge to form the NBA several years later), two for the Minneapolis Lakers (who would later move to Los Angeles), and one for the Chicago Stags in the second-to-last season for the club.
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Stats via www.basketball-reference.com
Top photo via NBA.com
Bottom photo via Trenton Jewish Historical Society
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