On This Day in Celtics Lore: Birthdays of Jerryd Bayless, Si Green, and Quinn Buckner
Every franchise has dates etched into its history that hold more than just the outcome of a game. For the Boston Celtics, today marks a unique moment in team lore—not for a championship banner raised or a legendary playoff run, but for the birth of three men who, in their own distinct ways, helped shape the green and white: Jerryd Bayless, Si Green, and Quinn Buckner.
Si Green: A Pioneer in Celtics Green
Before the modern NBA exploded into a global phenomenon, Si Green was laying down the early bricks. Born in 1933, Green was a star at Duquesne University before joining the professional ranks. His NBA career took him through various stops, and although his time in Boston wasn’t long, it was part of the early chapters of the Celtics’ dynasty-building era. Green was known for his relentless effort and versatility, embodying the grit that would come to define Celtics basketball in the decades that followed. His role may not have been headline-grabbing, but he represented the type of player Red Auerbach prized—unselfish, hardworking, and willing to do the little things that mattered most.
Quinn Buckner: The Champion’s Mentality
Fast forward to the late 1970s and early 1980s, and another birthday being celebrated today belongs to Quinn Buckner, born in 1954. Buckner wasn’t just a basketball player—he was a winner through and through. A star at Indiana under Bob Knight, Buckner helped the Hoosiers go undefeated in 1976, a feat unmatched in modern college basketball. When he landed in Boston in 1985, he brought leadership and defensive toughness to a roster already brimming with Hall of Fame talent. Though his stint with the Celtics lasted just one season, it ended with the ultimate prize: an NBA championship in 1986. Buckner’s contribution may not have filled stat sheets, but his presence embodied the winning mentality that kept Boston at the league’s summit.
Jerryd Bayless: The Modern Spark Plug
The youngest of the trio, Jerryd Bayless, born in 1988, brought his game to Boston in the 2013–14 season. Though his Celtics tenure was brief, Bayless offered a different kind of spark—an explosive guard capable of shifting momentum with his scoring bursts. Coming during a transitional era for the franchise, Bayless represented the stopgap players who kept Boston competitive while the team prepared for its next era of contention. His name doesn’t echo with the same historical weight as others, but his role was part of the ongoing story: every era of Celtics basketball has needed players who kept the flame alive.
A Unique Celtics Connection
It’s rare for three players, across three different generations, to share the same birthday and Celtics connection. Si Green, Quinn Buckner, and Jerryd Bayless may not be immortalized in the rafters, but together they highlight the franchise’s continuity—hard work, leadership, and resilience across eras.
Today in Celtics history isn’t just about remembering championships; it’s about celebrating the individuals who, in their own way, wore the green and added to Legacy
