- 1946
- 1957
- 1957 - 1960
- 1961 - 1963
- 1964 - 1966
- 1968 - 1974
- 1978
- 1981 - 1986
- 1995
- 2008
-
Boston Celtics Team Formation
The Boston Celtics were formed on June 6, 1946, by Boston Garden-Arena Corporation President Walter A. Brown as a team in the Basketball Association of America, and became part of the National Basketball Association after the absorption of the National Basketball League by the BAA in the fall of 1949. In 1950, the Celtics signed Chuck Cooper, becoming the first NBA ... -
Trade for Bill Russell
After the 1955 – 1956 season, Auerbach made a stunning trade. He sent perennial All-Star Ed Macauley to the St. Louis Hawks along with the draft rights to Cliff Hagan in exchange for the second overall pick in the draft. After negotiating with the Rochester Royals a negotiation that included a promise that the Celtics owner would send the highly ... -
NBA Finals Winners 57,’ 59′ – 60′
NBA Finals – 1957 The 1957 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series of the 1956 – 1957 National Basketball Association season and was the conclusion of the 1957 NBA Playoffs. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Conference champion St. Louis Hawks and the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. This was Boston’s first trip to the NBA ... -
NBA Finals Winners 61′ – 63′
NBA Finals – 1961 The 1961 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1961 NBA Playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association 1960 – 1961 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Conference champion St. Louis Hawks and the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. This was the Celtics’ 5th straight trip to the championship series, ... -
NBA Finals Winners 64′ – 66′
NBA Finals – 1964 The 1964 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1964 NBA Playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association 1963 – 1964 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Conference champion San Francisco Warriors and the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. This was the Celtics’ 8th straight trip to the championship series, ... -
NBA Finals Winner 68′ – 69,’ 74,’ 76′
NBA Finals – 1968 The 1968 NBA World Championship Series pitted the Boston Celtics from the East, against the Los Angeles Lakers from the West, for the sixth time in ten years. The Celtics won their tenth NBA Championship in twelve seasons, by defeating the Lakers in six games. Significantly, Game 6 of the 1968 NBA Finals marked the first ... -
Drafting Larry Bird
The Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the 1978 NBA Draft. Since the Celtics had two draft choices, Auerbach took a risk and selected junior Larry Bird of Indiana State with the 6th pick, knowing that Bird would elect to remain in college for his senior year. The Celtics would retain his rights for one year a ... -
NBA Finals Winner 81,’ 84,’ 86′
NBA Finals – 1981 The 1981 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament that followed National Basketball Association’s 1980 – 1981 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. Cedric Maxwell was named NBA Finals MVP. NBA Finals – 1984 The 1984 NBA ... -
Closing Down Boston Garden
In 1995, the Celtics moved from the Boston Garden to the Fleet Center (later TD BankNorth, then TD Garden). Construction began on April 29, 1993. Plans for the new arena stated that it would be slightly north of the old facility. The term “slightly north” ended up meaning that there were only nine inches (23 cm) of space between the ... -
NBA Final Winner 2008
NBA Finals – 2008 The 2008 NBA Finals were held June 5 through June 17 of 2008, to decide the winner of the 2007 – 2008 NBA season, and conclude the season’s playoffs. The Boston Celtics, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, four games to two in a best-of-seven ...
History of the Celtics
The Boston Celtics are one of the most iconic teams in the history of professional basketball. As a National Basketball Association (NBA) member, they have won an unprecedented 17 championships, making them one of the most successful franchises in all sports. But their success didn’t happen overnight—the team has had to overcome many obstacles and face numerous challenges throughout its long and storied history since 1946.
Struggles marked the early years as they tried to find their footing as a franchise, but things started looking up when Red Auerbach was hired as head coach in 1950. He quickly turned around their fortunes on the court with innovative tactics, such as fast-breaking offense, full-court press defense, and a “sixth man” rotation system allowing maximum player flexibility during games. His coaching style also emphasized teamwork over individual performance, which led to great chemistry between players, which helped propel them toward greatness on the court for decades to come!
Under his guidance, The Celtics went from having just 11 wins during his first season at the helm (1950–51) to 54 wins the next year! This incredible turnaround saw them win five consecutive NBA titles from 1959–1966, cementing themselves among elite teams within the league while also becoming household names across America due, largely thanks, to Red Auerbach's leadership abilities both off & on the court alike!
In addition to these championship victories came multiple Hall Of Fame inductees, including Bill Russell, who revolutionized defensive play with unique rebounding skills; Bob Cousy, who was known best for dazzling dribbling moves & passing accuracy; John Havlicek, whose clutch shooting ability earned him the nickname "Havoc"; plus Larry Bird whose prowess made him arguably greatest small forward ever seen game today - not forgetting Kevin McHale too who provided invaluable contributions throughout 80s era helping bring three more rings home city Boston bringing total number championships now stands impressive seventeen overall!
Today's current squad still carries the torch lit by those past generations before it carries the same spirit and determination to compete for the highest levels possible each season, no matter what obstacles may arise along the way – something that makes us proud to be part of fans this legendary organization here at heart New England region always...
Established
1946
City
Boston
League History
1949 - Present / National Basketball Association
1946 - 1949 / Basketball Association of America
Team History
1946 - Present / Boston Celtics
Nickname
Celtics - The Boston Celtics are one of the most iconic teams in the NBA, and their nickname has a long and exciting history. The team was founded in 1946 by Walter Brown as part of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with another league to become what we now know as the National Basketball Association (NBA).
At first, they were known as “the Boston basketball team,” but it wasn’t until 1950 that they adopted an official name. That year, Brown decided on “Celtics” after being inspired by his friend Bill Russell who had recently moved to Boston from St. Louis, where he played for an amateur basketball team called The Celtics. He thought it would be appropriate since many Irish immigrants lived in New England then, and this connection resonated with him due to his Irish heritage.
Since then, The Celtics have won 17 championships, including eight consecutive titles between 1959-1966, led by legendary players such as Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, among others – making them one of the professional sports' greatest dynasties! This success has cemented their place amongst some of the sport's most recognizable franchises worldwide. Hence, it's no wonder why fans continue flocking towards them today despite all these years later!
For any true sports fan out there looking for a great franchise worth cheering for - look no further than your hometown heroes: The Boston Celtics!
Championship
NBA Championships 17
2008, 1986, 1984, 1981, 1976, 1974, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1957
Arena
2010 - Present / TD Garden
2005 - 2009 / TD Banknorth Garden
1995 - 2005 / FleetCenter
1993 - 1995 / Shawmut Center (during construction)
1946 - 1995 / Boston Garden
Owner
2002–Present / Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C.
1993 - 2002 / Paul Gaston
1983 - 1993 / Don Gaston, Alan N. Cohen, Paul Dupee
1979 - 1983 / Harry T. Mangurian, Jr.
1978 - 1979 / John Y. Brown, Jr. and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr.
1975 - 1978 / Irv Levin and Harold Lipton
1975 / Robert Schmertz/Leisure Technology, Irv Levin, and Harold Lipton
1972 - 1975 / Robert Schmertz/Leisure Technology
1972 - 1972 / Irv Levin and Harold Lipton
1971 - 1972 / Ballantine Brewery
1969 - 1971 / Trans-National Communications
1968 - 1969 / Ballantine Brewery
1965 - 1968 / Marvin Kratter/Knickerbocker Brewing Company
1964 - 1965 / Lou Pieri and Marjorie Brown
1950 - 1964 / Walter A. Brown/Lou Pieri
1946 - 1950 / Boston Garden-Arena Corporation
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
00 / Robert Parish
1 / Walter A. Brown
2 / Red Auerbach
3 / Dennis Johnson
6 / Bill Russell
10 / Jo Jo White
14 / Bob Cousy
15 / Tom Heinsohn
16 / Tom "Satch" Sanders
17 / John Havlicek
18 / Dave Cowens
19 / Don Nelson
21 / Bill Sharman
22 / Ed Macauley
23 / Frank Ramsey
24 / Sam Jones
25 / K.C. Jones
31 / Cedric Maxwell
32 / Kevin McHale
33 / Larry Bird
34 / Paul Pierce
35 / Reggie Lewis
LOSCY / Jim Loscutoff
MIC / Johnny Most
*Blue is this team’s history