I seem to often overlook the 1990's as my storied franchise fell to key player retirements and tragedies. With the neglect of this decade, we have not brought mention or give the proper due to many great contributors.
One contributor that has been overlooked is Greg Minor.
Minor had a productive college career with the University of Louisville. He played for three seasons and chipped in with double digit points and a reliable six rebounds per game. Minor was selected 26th over all in the 1994 NBA draft by the LA Clippers. The Clippers traded Minor to the Indiana Pacers who released him before the season started.
The Clippers and Pacers loss was Boston's gain. Soon after being released by the Pacers, Dave Gavit signed him to the Boston Celtics and he was given a roster spot for the 1994-95 season. In his rookie season, he averaged 6 points per game and chipped in a career high 31 points versus the Golden State Warriors.
Unfortunately, Minor joined the team a season after team captain, Reggie Lewis had passed away and most of the carry-overs from the late Bird-era teams had already retired or moved on. Kevin McHale had retired and Robert Parish requested a trade. Kevin Gamble, arguably the leagues' most improved player in 1991 remained a mainstay. Dee Brown and Rick Fox were regular contributors.
As the Celtics had been tossed into disarray with the death of Lewis and the departure of key veterans, they tried to rebuild by compiling a group of over-the-hill, former all-stars. Among them, In his rookie season, Minor had the privlidge of playing with Dominique Wilkens, Xavier McDaniel, Sherman Douglas and Dino Raja.
The Celtics made the playoffs in Minors rookie season but were eliminated in the first round by a young Shaquille O'Neal and his Orlando Magic.
In 1997, the Celtics were given a new hope as M.L. Carr was replaced on the bench by Rick Pitino. That season proved to be Greg's best. He posted nearly double digit points in 47 starts. However, the Celtics record had faltered and they fell to fifth place in the Atlantic Division-- not qualifying for the playoffs. The year was capped off by Minor, following in former champion Dee Browns Reebok pumps, entered the slam dunk competition. He finished third over-all but in a season where the C's finished 15-67, Minors dunk appearance was one of the season's few high points.
1997 proved to be a complete letdown as Pitino had promised fans a return to championship glory and a number one draft pick named, Tim Duncan. While promising a championship mentality, Pitino was instrumental in exiling the only person left who's aura exuded a dynastic reign over basketball.
In order to accept the coaching position with the Celtics, Pitino insisted on complete power. Upon accepting the job, Pitino was named head coach, general manager, president of basketball operations and CEO. Team president and CEO had been an honorary position reserved for team patriarch Red Auerbach. Pitino's demanding those positions and the front office's willingness to pass them on to him, severely injured Auerbach. He rarely attended games during that period and he moved his regular season residence back to Washington DC. Ironically, Minor was there during this whole dark period for Boston.
Pitino, though considered one of the most villainous characters in Boston sports history, he did add talent that would ultimately affect the team for the next decade. In Minor's final final season as a Celtic, he had the privilege of playing with a young rookie named Paul Pierce. Along side Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce, Minor continued to be a solid contributor on poor teams.
Tragically, Minor suffered a career ending injury in 1999. In the years following his playing days, Minor pursued a coaching career. As his former team was marching their way to the 2008 NBA championship, Minor was achieving some goals of his own. The CBA's Lawton-Fort Sill Calvary hired him as an assistant coach and the team won the CBA championship. His experience in the Continental Basketball Asssociate helped to launch an NBADL coaching career.
Over the next two seasons, Greg served as assistant coach in Tulsa and Bakersfield. In August Minor accepted a familiar role. He is now serving as assistant coach for the Idaho Stampede. The Stampede is the "farm team" for the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trailblazers.
Though Greg Minor was a successful contributor to the Boston Celtics for six seasons in the 1990's, his team did not achieve similar success. Despite Boston's decline to the dark days of Rick Pitino, Minor was there to witness it. He was playing for the team when Red was snubbed, M.L. Carr was fired and Rick Pitino was declaring that Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale were "not walking through that door."
Though these were not the best of times for the Boston Celtics, Greg Minor can hold his head high as he spent (if not more) the same amount of time on the Celtics roster as legend like Cedric Maxwell, Bill Walton, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Greg Minor will be remembered as a Celtic alumni and today we honor his contributions.
Greg Minor will be the Featured Guest on Monday night's edition of the Celtics Late Night Show. Tune in at 9 pm to listen to Minor tell us about his past and where he is now.
This article was written by Nick Gelso from CLNS and North Station Sports.
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