The NBA professional basketball league in the US represents one of the most exciting and evenly balanced sporting competitions on earth. There is no way one can predict the winners at the start of a season. This league showcases sporting competition at its finest. In the last 12 years, 9 different teams have won the Championships. This week it was the turn of the Boston Celtics, but it is not their first time. They have, in fact, won more titles than any other team. Let's look at this win in the context of history shall we.
The Boston Celtics are an embodiment of championship pedigree in the NBA. Founded in 1946 as one of the league's original eight teams, they've built a legacy unmatched by any other franchise, boasting a whopping 18 NBA championships. Their journey to the top is a captivating story filled with iconic players, fierce rivalries, and periods of sustained dominance that have left an indelible mark on the sport.
The Celtics' early years were a struggle. They searched for a winning formula until the arrival of the visionary coach Red Auerbach and the legendary center Bill Russell in the late 1950s. Russell, a defensive powerhouse, along with teammates like the slick point guard Bob Cousy and the versatile John Havlicek, spearheaded a dynasty unlike any other. They ushered in an unprecedented era of eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966, establishing the Celtics as a basketball powerhouse.
This period of dominance wasn't without its challenges. The Celtics faced heated competition from the Los Angeles Lakers, particularly in the 1960s and 1980s, fueling a rivalry that became a cornerstone of NBA history. The Celtics, however, continued to find success. Led by players like Dave Cowens, a relentless rebounder, Larry Bird, a sharpshooter with unmatched basketball IQ, Kevin McHale, a skilled big man with an unorthodox shooting style, and Robert Parish, a dominant center, they added championships in 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, and 1986.
The departures of these legends ushered in a period of rebuilding for the Celtics. The team faced setbacks, but their unwavering pursuit of excellence continued. In the late 2000s, they assembled a new "Big Three" around the ever-reliable Paul Pierce. The arrival of Kevin Garnett, a defensive stalwart with a fierce competitive spirit, and Ray Allen, a lights-out three-point shooter, reignited the Celtics' championship aspirations. Under the guidance of coach Doc Rivers, they reached the pinnacle again in 2008, defeating the Lakers in a thrilling Finals series.
The Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in 2016 and 2017, respectively. This dynamic duo, nicknamed "The Jays," has spearheaded a new era of success for the Celtics. Their talent and determination have propelled the team to six Eastern Conference Finals appearances in just eight years. They fell short in the 2022 Finals against the Golden State Warriors but returned with a vengeance in 2024.
This season was a dominant one for the Boston Celtics. Building on the foundation of the Jays, the team bolstered their roster with trades for Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. This was a smart move by head coach Joe Mazzulla in only his second season in charge. Mazzulla led the Celtics to an unbelievable 64-18 record during the regular season. They then stormed through the playoffs, overcoming challenges from the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers to reach the NBA Finals. There, the Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks and capped off their impressive season with a convincing 5-game series victory this Monday, securing their record-setting 18th NBA championship.
Notably, Joe Mazzulla now holds the highest winning percentage of any coach in NBA history; and the Rhode Island native is now also the youngest head coach to win the NBA Finals in over half a century.
The Boston Celtics are more than just a basketball team; they are a symbol of sporting excellence. And, along with the beloved Red Sox and the all-conquering Patriots, they almost define what it is to be a New England sports fan. The rich history of the Celtics is filled with legendary players and coaches, and a relentless pursuit of winning, and they will remain a force to be reckoned with in the NBA for a long, long time to come.
[Author's note: This year we get to see 3 or 4 of these Celtics players in action during the summer. The Men's basketball competition at the Summer Olympics in Paris takes place in early August, with the Gold Medal game on August 10th. The US should win Gold, but it is never a forgone conclusion. Check out the two documentaries about Team USA's biggest successes and failures at the Olympics under the US BIG 4 link above.]
