Steve Kuberski

Kuberski was drafted by the Celtics in the 4th round of the 1969 NBA draft, as he was eligible because his original class was graduating. Kuberski signed with the Celtics and GM Red Auerbach in September 1969, foregoing a potential final season of collegiate eligibility. Kuberski rejected an initial one-year contract and signed when Boston offered a three-year contract.[5][3]

As a rookie in 1969–1970, Kuberski played alongside Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers John Havlicek, Satch Sanders, his Quad City friend Don Nelson, Bailey Howell and rookie Jo Jo White, averaging 6.4 points and 5.0 rebounds under Coach Tommy Heinsohn.[13]

In 1970–1971, Kuberski averaged 22 minutes for the 44–38 Celtics, averaging 9.3 points and 6.6 rebounds, playing alongside rookie and future Hall of Famer Dave Cowens.[14]

The Celtics finished 56–26 in 1971–1972, with Kuberski averaging 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. The Celtics were defeated by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals 4–1 after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 4–2 in the earlier series.[15] Coach Heinshohn said of Kuberski in 1972, “Steve’s been playing like a Polish lineman from Notre Dame.”[16]

The Celtics finished 68–14 in 1972–1973 and Kuberski contributed 4.4 points and 2.5 points in nine minutes per game. As in the previous season, the Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks (4–2) in the playoffs before losing to the New York Knicks 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks went on to win the NBA Championship.[17]

The Celtics captured the 1974 NBA Championship under Coach Heinsohn in 1973–1974. Kuberski averaged 5.1 points in the regular season, as the Celtics finished 56–26. The Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson and Bob Dandridge in the NBA Finals.[18][19]

On May 20, 1974 Kuberski was drafted by the New Orleans Jazz from the Boston Celtics in the NBA expansion draft. Later, on October 8, 1974, Kuberski was traded by the New Orleans Jazz with a 1975 2nd round draft pick (Clyde Mayes was later selected) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Russ Lee and a 1975 1st round draft pick (Rich Kelley was later selected).[20]

"We have always thought a lot of Kuberski," Bucks Coach Larry Costello said at the time of the trade. "He's a strong rebounder, he has physical toughness and he can run. He proved himself a winner with the Celtics before New Orleans got him in the expansion draft."[2]

Milwaukee finished 38–44 in 1974–1975, under Coach Costello, despite 30.0 points per game from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Kuberski played sparingly, averaging 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 8 minutes per game.[21]

On October 16, 1975 Kuberski was claimed on waivers by the Buffalo Braves from the Milwaukee Bucks. Kuberski played 10 games with the Braves, and Coach Jack Ramsey, averaging 1.7 points and 2.1 rebounds. On November 20, 1975, Kuberski was waived by the Buffalo Braves.

On December 11, 1975, Kuberski was signed as a free agent by Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics, reuniting with his former team. After the Celtics claimed Kuberski off waivers, they immediately put him into the starting lineup and won 14 of their next 16 games, en route to the Atlantic Division and an NBA title.[22][16]

The Celtics captured the 1976 NBA Championship under Coach Heinsohn, as Kuberski played in 60 games, averaging 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds. He was usually in the starting line-up, enabling Paul Silas to come off the bench. The Celtics defeated Kuberski's former team, the Buffalo Braves, 4–2 and then the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–2 en route to the NBA Finals. In the Braves series, Kuberski started and played for the injured John Havlicek in Game 2 and scored 12 points. In the NBA Finals, the Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 4–2, as Kuberski averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in the series, earning a second championship ring.[23][24][25][16]

In the 1976–77 season, Kuberski played 76 games for the 44–38 Celtics, averaging 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds. The Celtics were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers 4–3 in the Eastern Conference semi-finals after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 2–0.[26]

After playing in three 1977–78 season games, Kuberski was placed on waivers by the Celtics on December 8, 1977. He did not play again in the NBA.[20]

Overall, Kuberski played nine National Basketball Association seasons for the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Buffalo Braves, averaging 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. In 80 career playoff games, Kuberski averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds.[20]

Of his career, Kuberski said, “I was fortunate to be out here (Boston) and play on two championship teams. A lot of guys who are good players and great players never get to experience that. The sense of accomplishment as a team was more gratifying than any individual award I won. Back then you were just one piece of the puzzle and that’s the way Red Auerbach played the game.”[25]