On December 13, 1991, it was decommissioned in honor of guard Dennis Johnson. From 1983 until 1990, "DJ" was a Celtics player for seven seasons. In that time, he made the All-Star Game four times and won two championships. The third man on the Celtics' uniform is Larry Bird.
Bird entered the NBA out of Purdue University in 1978. He immediately became one of the best players in the league, helping lead the Celtics to their first championship in 1986. Bird played eight seasons with Boston, making the All-Star Game six times and winning three more titles. After the Celtics declined following their third title, Bird left as a free agent to join the Indiana Pacers. There he helped bring another championship back to Boston in 1999. He finished his Celtics career as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
As for the current roster of the Celtics, Bird's number 3 has been retired throughout the team's franchise history. Former C's greats like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo have worn it during their careers. As for what number Bird wears now, there are several reports saying he wears #5 with the Pacers.
However, in 2003, Bird told ESPN's Chris Connelly that he still wears #3 with Boston.
Johnson was recognized as a clutch player who made multiple pivotal plays in NBA playoff history, in addition to his reputation as a defensive stopper. The Celtics have retired Johnson's No. 3 jersey, which now hangs in the rafters of the team's home stadium, the TD Garden.
Johnson was transferred from Phoenix to Boston in 1980 and again in 1983. "DJ will be recognized as one of the essential characters in the NBA's comeback in the late '70s and early '80s," Carlisle said. "He transformed the shooting guard position by becoming one of the modern era's first true'stoppers.'"
Larry Bird's number (33) was retired by the Celtics due to his lengthy list of accomplishments. The number has been worn only three times by C's players since Bird last wore it in the 1995-96 season: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Jayson Tatum.
Bird is one of just four players in NBA history to score 100 points in a game while shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line (the other three are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and LeBron James). He also owns several other team records, including most 30-point games (112), most 20-point games (74) and most 10-point games (75).
After nine seasons with the Celtics, Bird joined the Indiana Pacers. He played three more seasons before retiring after the 1998-99 season with the Philadelphia Sixers. Bird finished his career as one of the greatest players in NBA history, winning three MVP awards, six Finals MVPs, eight All-Star Games and making one all-defensive team. He also holds the record for most triple doubles with 12 along with Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Bill Russell.
Bird was named the No.
The number was retired on October 13, 1978. Spent 16 NBA seasons, all with the Celtics... was a member of the Green and White's eight NBA world championship teams from 1963 through 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976.. 13-time NBA All-Star (tied for the most in Celtics history with Bob Cousy)... three-time All-NBA First Team selection (1963-65) and two-time All-NBA Second Team selection (1974, 1975)
He played at Boston College before being drafted second overall by the Celtics in the 1958 NBA draft. The first pick, St. John's star Dave Cowens, decided to stay in school. Bird played only one season at BC before entering the NBA. He immediately became one of the best point guards in basketball and a key player on each of the Celtics' championship teams. In 1961, he helped lead Boston to its first NBA title since 1948. In 1962, he led the team to its first of three straight championships. In 1964, Bird won his third ring as Boston defeated San Francisco in seven games to win its fourth title in five years.
After losing their star guard to injury in the middle of the 1967-68 season, the Celtics failed to win another title until Bird returned in 1973. That year, he helped guide Boston to its eighth championship after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against Los Angeles. In 1974, he was named MVP after leading the Celtics to yet another title.
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