1976–77 Boston Celtics season in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics and San Antonio Spurs met in the opening round of the 1977 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics dispatched the Spurs easily, winning two games to none for the right to face the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers and Celtics played a hard-fought seven-game series, with the Sixers prevailing in the seventh game 83–77. 1976–77 Boston Celtics season The 1976–77 Boston Celtics season was the 31st season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Even though the Celtics were the defending NBA champions, they were an aging team in transition. 35-year-old Don Nelson retired
Bill Green (basketball) work on it [the fear] and come back later." Green quit the Celtics right before the regular season began and never returned to attempt professional basketball (or any other professional sport), knowing that in order to play he would have to get over his fear of flying, which was something he could not do. Realizing that any future as a professional athlete was out of the question, Green earned a master's degree from Brooklyn College. He taught in several New York City public schools afterward, and then in 1971 became the principal of Jordan L. Mott School in the South