Dave Cowens
David William Cowens was born on the 25th of October 1948, in Newport, Kentucky. He grew up as one of six children to Jack and Ruth Cowens. His early years were spent playing basketball at Newport Catholic High School. There he excelled and caught the attention of college scouts. Florida State University recruited him for their program. Coach Hugh Durham led the team from 1967 to 1970. Cowens scored 1,479 points across 78 games during his time there. He averaged 19.0 points per game while leading the team in scoring. His rebounding numbers were equally impressive with 1,340 total rebounds. That average came to 17.2 rebounds per game. In the 1968, 1969 season he grabbed 31 rebounds against LSU. This performance remains the second-best all-time for the school. His number hangs in the rafters of the Donald L. Tucker Center today.
The Boston Celtics selected Cowens fourth overall in the 1970 NBA draft. Bill Russell recommended him strongly despite concerns about his size. Russell stated no one should tell that kid he could not play center. Jim Loscutoff had declined to retire jersey number 18 so Cowens wore it instead. During his rookie year he averaged 17.0 points and 15.0 rebounds per game. He shared the NBA Rookie of the Year award with Geoff Petrie of Portland. Cowens also led the league in personal fouls that same season. The Sporting News named him to their All-America second team in 1970. These early achievements set a high bar for his professional career ahead.
Cowens won the 1973 NBA Most Valuable Player award after averaging 20.5 points and 16.2 rebounds. That season the Celtics finished with a 68, 14 record. He scored 20 points and grabbed 32 rebounds against Houston Rockets in a home win. In the playoffs they defeated the Buffalo Braves and New York Knicks before losing to them again. Cowens recorded 15 points and 18 rebounds in Game 1 of that series. He won MVP honors alongside being named MVP of the All-Star Game that year. The following season he helped guide Boston to a 56, 26 record. They defeated Milwaukee Bucks in seven games to claim their 12th championship. Cowens recorded 28 points and 14 rebounds in the decisive Game 7 victory. He won another ring in 1976 when the Celtics defeated Phoenix Suns four games to two.
Eight games into the 1976, 77 season on the 10th of November 1976, Cowens left the team for undisclosed reasons. Speculation arose regarding contract disputes involving Paul Silas who was traded to Denver Nuggets. Others believed he was unhappy with coach Tom Heinsohn. A lawsuit from the previous season where he allegedly struck a fan also surfaced as a factor. Cowens returned to the team in January 1977 and led them to the playoffs. They lost in the second round to Philadelphia 76ers. This mysterious departure remains one of the most talked-about events of his career. It highlighted tensions within the organization during that period.
After Satch Sanders was fired following a 2, 12 start to the 1978, 1979 season Cowens took over. He served as player-coach for the remainder of that year. The team finished with a 29, 53 record under his dual leadership. He quit coaching after the season and returned as a full-time player before retiring in 1980. This brief tenure showed his willingness to take responsibility beyond playing. It also demonstrated the unique nature of his relationship with the franchise. No other center had ever attempted such a role at that level of competition.
Cowens coached the Bay State Bombardiers of the Continental Basketball Association in 1984, 85. He returned to NBA ranks as an assistant coach for San Antonio Spurs from 1994 to 1996. Charlotte Hornets hired him as head coach from 1996 to 1999. Golden State Warriors appointed him head coach for the entire 2000, 2001 season. He was fired 23 games into the 2001, 2002 campaign. In 2005, 06 he became head coach of Chicago Sky in the Women's National Basketball Association. Detroit Pistons employed him as an assistant coach from 2006 to 2009. These roles spanned multiple decades and leagues showing his adaptability. His career extended far beyond his time as a star player on court.
Cowens averaged 17.6 points and 13.6 rebounds over 766 career NBA games. He made eight All-Star Games and three times earned All-NBA Second Team honors. The league named him to its Defensive First Team in 1976. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell as centers averaging five assists per game. Only five other players have led their teams in all five major statistical categories for a season. Cowens accomplished this feat during the 1977, 78 season with Boston finishing 32, 50. He was honored as one of the league's greatest players by being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996. October 2021 saw him again honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. The Athletic ranked him as the 57th greatest player in history that same year. In 1991 he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Common questions
When and where was Dave Cowens born?
David William Cowens was born on the 25th of October 1948, in Newport, Kentucky. He grew up as one of six children to Jack and Ruth Cowens.
What were Dave Cowens college statistics at Florida State University?
Dave Cowens scored 1,479 points across 78 games during his time there while averaging 19.0 points per game. His rebounding numbers totaled 1,340 rebounds for an average of 17.2 rebounds per game.
Why did Dave Cowens leave the Boston Celtics in November 1976?
Eight games into the 1976, 77 season on the 10th of November 1976, Cowens left the team for undisclosed reasons. Speculation arose regarding contract disputes involving Paul Silas who was traded to Denver Nuggets and unhappiness with coach Tom Heinsohn.
How many championships did Dave Cowens win with the Boston Celtics?
Cowens won another ring in 1976 when the Celtics defeated Phoenix Suns four games to two after claiming their 12th championship in the previous season. He helped guide Boston to a 56, 26 record before defeating Milwaukee Bucks in seven games to claim that title.
When did Dave Cowens serve as player-coach for the Boston Celtics?
After Satch Sanders was fired following a 2, 12 start to the 1978, 1979 season Cowens took over. He served as player-coach for the remainder of that year while the team finished with a 29, 53 record under his dual leadership.
What major awards has Dave Cowens received throughout his career?
Dave Cowens won the 1973 NBA Most Valuable Player award after averaging 20.5 points and 16.2 rebounds. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell as centers averaging five assists per game and was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996.