Tempted by 16x NBA Champ?s Million-Dollar Offer, HoF Confesses to Celtics Draft That Never Took Place

The Boston Celtics have consistently remained one of the NBA?s most successful teams. Barring their 15-year drought from 2007 to now, the Celtics have won 17 NBA championships in total.

The Boston Celtics have the highest number of NBA championship rings in NBA history. They are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for this impressive record. In a recent interview, an NBA Hall of Famer confesses about his Celtics draft that never took place.

Hall of Famer?s Shocking Confession

In a recent interview on ?TermineRadio?, NBA Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson reveals an incident from when he was in college. The former Houston Rockets star reveals the time when Red Auerbach (the Boston Celtics Head Coach at the time) visited Ralph Sampson?s home when he was in college. He reveals he was tempted to leave college early and get drafted by Boston as the 1st overall pick in 1980.

Ralph Sampson confesses in the interview, ?If I knew what I know today, I would?ve definitely been a Celtic. He (Red) came to my parent?s house and he put a million dollars in a suitcase. At least it looked like a million dollars. He wouldn?t let me see it?there were hundred dollar bills on the top but you never know what was under there.?

The Houston Rockets star further says, ?He and Mr. Fitzgerald came to the house and knocked on the door. They asked me to come to play for the mighty Boston Celtics.? Ralph Sampson then confesses that the offer tempted him. However, after talking to his parents, he decided to stay at home and finish college first.

In the interview, Ralph Sampson repeats the fact that had he known what was brewing in Boston, he would?ve joined the Boston Celtics in 1980. But what was so special about the Celtics that made them win 17 NBA championships (the highest ever)?

Red Auerbach?s NBA career

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Red Auerbach is an NBA legend who started his NBA journey as the coach of the Boston Celtics from 1959 to mid-1970s. During this period, the Boston Celtics made the playoffs every year. Under Auerbach?s leadership, the Celtics won eight straight NBA championships from 1959 to 1966. After retiring as coach in 1966, he became the President and the general manager for the Boston Celtics. Under his role as the president and general manager, the Celtics won six more NBA championships.?

In total, under Red Auerbach?s leadership as the coach, general manager, and president, the Boston Celtics won a whopping 15 NBA championships. In 1968, the Boston Celtics legend was elected into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

There was another legendary player who was a player in the Boston Celtics during Red Auerbach?s time in Boston. It was none other than Larry Bird, who was a natural and fair leader. After his decorated NBA career, Larry Bird took on the role of ?President of Basketball Operations? for the Indian Pacers in 2003. Then in the 2011-2012 NBA season he was named NBA Executive of the Year. He is the only man in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Coach of the Year, and the Executive of the Year.

Clearly, the Boston Celtics organization of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s had some incredible role models. Role models who would give the right type of guidance to rookies and other young players who are still trying to find the ?right? direction.

So, it is not surprising for Ralph Sampson to say that he would choose to go to the Boston Celtics had he known what he knows now. What are your thoughts on Ralph Sampson?s confession? Comment below!

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