Three Celtics Legends Share March 22 Birthday as Boston Basketball History Celebrates

March 22 holds special significance in Boston Celtics history, marking the birthday of three distinguished alumni who contributed to the franchises championship legacy across different generations. Don Chaney, Ed Macauley, and Brian Shaw all entered the world on this date, eventually finding their way to Boston where they helped establish the organizations reputation for excellence.

Don Chaney, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1946, represents the bridge between two of the most iconic eras in Celtics history. The University of Houston product was selected 12th overall in the 1968 NBA Draft, beginning a remarkable journey that would see him capture two championship rings with Boston while becoming the only player to compete alongside both Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

Chaneys rookie season proved immediately successful as he contributed to the 1969 championship team, though his path to a second title proved more circuitous. After brief stints with the ABA Spirits of St. Louis and rival Los Angeles Lakers, Chaney returned to Boston in 1977 to capture the 1974 championship before retiring in 1979. His decade with the Celtics produced averages of 8.7 points and 3.9 rebounds, modest numbers that belied his significant contributions to team chemistry and defensive intensity.

Following his playing career, Chaney transitioned seamlessly into coaching, spending 22 additional years on sidelines across various levels of basketball. His coaching tenure demonstrated the basketball acumen and leadership qualities that had made him valuable during his playing days, extending his impact on the sport well beyond his retirement as an active player.

Ed Macauley, born in 1928, predates both Chaney and Shaw by decades but established many precedents for Celtics excellence that his younger colleagues would later follow. The St. Louis native initially starred at his hometown university before being drafted by the St. Louis Bombers in a territorial draft during the BAA era, a precursor to the modern NBA.

When the Bombers disbanded following that season, Macauley became available through a dispersal draft that brought him to Boston, where he quickly established himself as one of the leagues premier talents. His impact was immediate and sustained, earning MVP honors in the first NBA All-Star Game and receiving five additional All-Star selections during his Celtics tenure.

Macauleys Boston statistics reflected his exceptional all-around capabilities, averaging 18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game throughout his Celtics career. However, his most significant contribution to franchise history came through his departure, as Boston traded him and Cliff Hagan to the St. Louis Hawks in exchange for a young center named Bill Russell, a transaction that fundamentally altered basketball history.

Brian Shaw, born in 1966, represents the most recent addition to this distinguished birthday trio. The UC Santa Barbara product was selected 24th overall by Boston in 1988, though his early career featured complications that foreshadowed the global nature modern basketball would eventually embrace.

After signing a one-year contract with the Celtics, Shaw departed for Il Messaggero Roma, spending two years developing his skills in Italian basketball. His 1990 return to Boston came with a five-year commitment, though contract disputes arose when Shaw initially planned to return to Italy for another season. The legal proceedings ultimately favored Boston, forcing Shaw to honor his Celtics obligation before being traded to Miami in 1992 for Sherman Douglas.

The March 22 birthday connection also coincides with organizational changes, as this date marked the dismissal of coach Alvin Doggie Julian after his disappointing 47-81 record over two seasons. Julian, ironically, had been a Holy Cross teammate of Celtics legend Bob Cousy, demonstrating how interconnected basketball relationships often influenced franchise decisions.

These three birthday celebrations remind fans of the diverse pathways that led talented players to Boston, whether through draft selection, trade acquisition, or international development, all contributing to the rich tapestry of Celtics basketball history.