Expert: Fabio Anderle - 5/8/2003

Question
In the fifties, the Celtics were one of the first teams to field an all black lineup. The players were the Joneses, Bill Russel, satch Sanders and....?
Who was the fifth player?

Thanks for your help.
I was at the Nets gane last night and the question came up. As a Boston born and bred, it is hard to live in New Jersey these days.


Answer
Dear Tom,

it was not in the Fifties. Actually it happened in 1963-64 season. Usually the Joneses, Russell and Sanders were joined by John Havlicek as the only white player in the starting five, but from time to time Auerbach decided to play Willie Naulls in Havlicek's place. And it was the first NBA team that put five black players on the floor simultaneously. I hope this helps

Fabio

P.S. Don't lose your faith in the Green. Good times will be back soon.... and tell the Nets' fans that their team has an history, while Boston has a mystique.....