The Boston Celtics' 1980-81 season looked to be over before it even began when Dave Cowens unexpectedly prior to the end of training camp. However, General Manager Red Auerbach had hoarded draft picks. After an elaborate round of trades, he came away with center Robert Parish and power forward Kevin McHale – both future Hall of Famers – who joined Larry Bird, Chris Ford and Nate Archibald to create one of the most dominant teams ever to wear the Celtics colors.
Still, the Atlantic Division was a grudge match between Boston and Philadelphia, ultimately clinched on the final day of the season by the Celtics. After sweeping the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston faced Philadelphia again – this time in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Sixers took the lead after four games, but the Celtics prevailed in seven thanks to Larry Legend's dramatic jumper late in Game 7. In the Finals, Boston defeated Houston in six, highlighted by Bird's incredible follow-up off his own miss in Game 1 when he switched hands in mid-air to somehow get the right angle before falling out of bounds.
One of the heroes of Boston's 1980-81 championship run reserve shooting guard, Terry Duerod. After being waived by the Dallas Mavericks early in the season, he was claimed by Boston and quickly became a fan favorite as the team's budding 12th man. Celtics fans would chant "Doooo!" whenever he checked in to games. Upon winning his lone NBA title with the team, Duerod praised the fans. "Best fans in the world. Period. They treat the players great, and support the team no matter what the record is. It was a super experience for me to play in front of them!" On November 13, 2020, Duerod – a Detroit native through and through who attended high school and college there befiore getting drafted by the Pistons – died of leukemia at the age of 64.
Featured here is Terry Duerod's 1981 NBA Champions 14-karat gold ring. “NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS” surrounds the perimeter of the ring’s face surrounding a green stone with a diamond at its center. The right shank has an enamel green clover with “XIV CELTICS” in gold with a gold ribbon engraved with “DUEROD” above and a chevron with “PRIDE” below. The opposite shank has the NBA logo with “1981” and a chevron engraved with “TEAMWORK” below. The interior band has a "Balfour 14K" hallmark. The size 11 ring weighs 35 grams and shows evidence of moderate wear with light surface scuffs and a few dings; although none of this affects the engraving or enamelwork which remains sharp and bright. An awesome piece of NBA history from a now-deceased man who brings back fond memories among Celtics fans.
Includes LOA from Rosemary Duerod, Terry's widow.