Hall of Fame NBAer Rick Barry very nearly ended up joining the Boston Celtics late in his playing career according to the man himself in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s Eric Jay Santos. “I reached out to them because I wasn’t happy with what was happening in Houston,” related Barry of the contract dispute that would eventually lead to his retirement.
But the ball club was elected to cut back their roster by one player, which Barry blamed for spoiling the possibility. “I was going to play with the Celtics, but they cut the rosters back from 12 to 11 players,” he explained. “I was really looking forward to it.”
“I probably could’ve played (for) two (or) three more years,” continued Barry. “It would’ve been great to go play with the Celtics like so many other players did.”
“Bill Walton did it. Tiny Archibald did it. Look at the guys who went there later in their careers to do it, and I would’ve been able to do that,” suggested the Hall of Fame forward.
“I would’ve been a backup to (Larry) Bird and played with all those guys. It would’ve been fun.”
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire