Today in Boston Celtics history, the storied ball club signed veteran guard Dana Barros in free agency. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Barros played for a local school, Boston College, before the Seattle SuperSonics selected him in the 1989 NBA Draft, where he spent four seasons of his Hall of Fame career. In 1993, Barros was traded to the Charlotte Hornets; however, he had little opportunity to acclimate to his new team, as they traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers just two days later, a move that would offer him a more stable environment.
The Massachusetts native played two seasons for the Sixers – making the All-Star team in 1995 – before he left the team in free agency for his hometown club. Barros played five seasons for the Celtics
in a reserve role, including four in his first stint. He was dealt away in a massive four-team deal that ultimately landed him with the Detroit Pistons for two seasons. Barros returned to Boston for that final season in 2003-04. He originally rejoined the club as an assistant coach but played a single game for the Celtics in 2004 before retiring a second and final time.
He averaged 10.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as a Celtic.
Birthdays
It is the birthday of former Celtic forward Horace Albert "Al" Brightman, born this day in 1923 in Eureka, California. A standout at the University of Charleston, the Californian joined the team in its inaugural season in the Basketball Association of America (BAA - a precursor league to the NBA), playing 58 games for the team.
Brightman averaged 9.8 points and an assist per game (rebounds were not yet tabulated) while with the team that season. He went on to have a long and successful coaching career afterward.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Today in Boston Celtics history: Dana Barros signed; Al Brightman born
