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Jo Jo White's 5 Greatest Games

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Unfortunately, NBA Hall of Famer Jo Jo White passed away yesterday on January 17th, 2018 at age 71. White began his NBA career in 1969 after being drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 9th overall pick. White's career would span a total of 12 years with three different teams before retiring in 1981. For his career, White averaged 17.9 points, 4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44% from the field. Along the way, White racked up several accolades, including seven all-star appearances, two selections to the All-NBA 2nd Team, and two NBA Championship victories, the second of which saw him take home the Finals MVP in 1976 after averaging 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. White was honored in 2015 with an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, rounding out his excellent career. Aside from basketball, White started the Jo Jo White Foundation to provide support for brain cancer research. In honor of his memory, I'm taking a look at the five greatest games Jo Jo White ever had.

 April 29, 1977 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Following a 1975-76 season where White led the Boston Celtics to an NBA Championship victory, White & the Celtics looked to repeat as champions the next season. However, the #1 seed Philidelphia 76ers were in their way in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and they weren't going to go down quietly. In a hard-fought, back and forth series, the Celtics found themselves down 3-2 heading into Game 6 against the Julius Erving-led Sixers. However, White would not go down quietly, as he dropped 40 points on the 76ers to lead the Celtics to a 113-108 win, adding 5 assists and 5 steals along the way to force a Game 7. Unfortunately, the Celtics would lose Game 7.

February 4, 1973 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Long before the 1977 Playoffs, White was already giving the 76ers trouble back in 1973. Following his third all-star selection of his career, White and the Celtics met the unfathomably bad Philidelphia 76ers, a team who had a record of (and I'm dead serious) 4-54 heading into this game while also being on a 15-game losing streak. The 76ers seemed like dead meat, but they held their own for the most part. However, they were no match for Jo Jo White, who recorded 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead the Celtics past the Sixers 123-115.

April 15, 1977 vs San Antonio Spurs

The defending champion Boston Celtics looked ready to repeat as champions but faced tough competition in the opening round of the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs. Led by George Gervin, the Spurs gave it their all against Boston but ultimately lost the series 2-0 to the Celtics, led by reigning Finals MVP Jo Jo White. In Game 2 of the series, White recorded 38 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals as he led the Celtics past the Spurs 113-109 to win Game 2 and the series. They would move on to the semi-finals, only to lose in 7 games to the Philidelphia 76ers.

March 20, 1977 vs Kansas City Kings

Looking to make a big run at the playoffs, the then 36-34 Celtics found themselves with a tough task ahead as they faced the 37-33 Kansas City Kings. Led by four-time all-star Ron Boone, the Kings were also looking to make a run at the playoffs, a feat they missed out on last year. However, standing in their way was Jo Jo White, who didn't give the Kings a chance to start that run at the playoffs. White dropped a career-high 41 points on the Kings on 18/25 (72%) shooting and added 4 rebounds and 8 assists as the Celtics beat the Kings 118-110. The Kings would miss the playoffs for the second straight year as the Celtics would lose in the Eastern Conference sem-finals against the Philidelphia 76ers.

December 3, 1976 vs Chicago Bulls

It must have been the high of leading a team to an NBA Championship victory because the 1976-77 season saw Jo Jo White put up the best games of his entire career statistically. The reigning Finals MVP was looking to make a statement as he attempted to lead the Celtics to another title win. One of the teams he made a statement against were the Chicago Bulls, who were stuck in the post-Bob Love and pre-Michael Jordan eras. It was a truly awful time to be a Bulls fan. Going into this game with a 2-14, the Bulls were able to hold their own against the Celtics, but White was too much for them. White recorded 38 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists to lead Boston past Chicago 115-109 in overtime.
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