Boston’s ‘Sweet 16’ Celebration Should Turn Rest of NBA Green With Envy

Bursting with pride and roaring their devotion, a green-tinted, beer-drinking throng of more than a million jammed city streets Tuesday to hail the Boston Celtics as the champions of the National Basketball Assn.

Sunday the Celtics won their 16th NBA championship with a 114-97 win over the Houston Rockets. They won the best-of-seven series, 4-2.

“Welcome to Sweet 16!” growled Johnny Most, the radio voice of the Celtics, to start off a mammoth “Celtics Pride Day” rally on City Hall Plaza.

Responding to chants of “Larry! Larry!” team captain and three-time Most Valuable Player Larry Bird received a huge ovation when he appeared on the City Hall balcony, waved to the crowd, and held aloft the championship trophy.

“Go ahead, make my day,” Bird said. “We’re very proud. We as a team feel we got the greatest team ever assembled here. Hopefully, we can prove it by getting back-to-back championships.”

Mayor Raymond Flynn presented two boxes of cigars to Celtic President Red Auerbach, who thanked the fans and declared: “This year is the sweetest.”

“We love it. We enjoy it. Thank you,” Celtic Coach K.C. Jones said.

In scenes reminiscent of a warm-weather St. Patrick’s Day, Celtic fans upheld a strict green-and-white dress code. Signs praised the Celtics and taunted Rocket forward Ralph Sampson, who was ejected from Game 5 for punching Celtic guard Jerry Sichting.

“Jerry Sichting might not have been able to whip Ralph Sampson, but I know I can,” Bird said. “Akeem Olajuwon never heard of Celtics’ tradition, but, but I bet he’s had sleepless nights the last couple of days.”

Despite the drinking and rowdiness, there were few arrests or reports of injuries. Police said 25 people were treated at the scene for minor ailments by emergency medical teams and seven were arrested for being disorderly.