The city of Boston lost a legend today as Tom Heinsohn, whose association with the Celtics lasted over 60 years, passed away at the age of 86.

Debuting for the Celtics in 1956, Heinsohn played at Power Forward for nine seasons, going to six All-Star Games and averaging 18.6 Points and 8.8 Rebounds per Game. Heinsohn was also named the Rookie of the Year, was a four-time All-NBA Selection and helped lead the Celtics to eight Championships.

Following his playing career, Heinsohn called play-by-play for WKBG, but that lasted only three years as he took over as Boston’s Head Coach in 1969.  He held that role until 1978, winning two more titles, and was the Coach of the Year in 1974.  Following his coaching career, Heinsohn would again go back to calling Celtics games.

Heinsohn was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame twice; in 1986 as a player and 2015 as a coach.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends, fans and family of Tom Heinsohn.

Tom Heinsohn would play his entire playing career with the Boston Celtics (1956 to 1965), but that was just the beginning of what he would do with the team.  As a player, he would help Boston win eight titles while being named a Second Team All-NBA Selection at Power Forward for four straight years (1961-64).  He was not the primary star for the team, but he didn't have to be, as he provided Bill Russell, the perfect frontcourt partner as he was more adept at scoring than Russell was.  Heinsohn would average 18.6 Points per Game and had three 20 PPG years for Boston while also providing useful boarding metrics with an 8.8 average.