The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NBA, tied with the Los Angeles Lakers — their bitter rivals because of this fact — with a whopping 17 league championships.
For those of you keeping track at home, that means the Celtics have won an average of one championship for every five years the franchise has existed, a rate of success that fans of any other team should be jealous of.
Here’s a look at what has made the Celtics great, whether it’s their storied past or their current run of success: we’ll start with the present.
Celtics Present and Predictions
The Celtics are the current favorite to add to their lofty resume this year, as they’re listed with the best odds to win it all this year at these Massachusetts betting sites.
They’re off to a blazing hot start, winning each of their first five games. It hasn’t been particularly close, either, as they’re winning by an average of 16.4 points per game — although that margin is skewed by their 155-104 obliteration of the Indiana Pacers.
The team won 57 games last season, one game behind the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks. After a Game 7 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, it would’ve been easy for them to rest on their laurels and leave their roster largely unchanged. In recent seasons we saw them do just that, standing pat at the trade deadline and making supplemental moves instead of swinging for the fences.
Brad Stevens Shakes Things Up
The cautious approach didn’t work out for the Celtics, so general manager Brad Stevens decided to roll the dice instead. The third-year executive nabbed Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday via trades, giving the Celtics additional scoring options behind their two-headed monster of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
They sacrificed a bit of defense in doing so, trading away 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, but Holiday is a three-time member of the All-Defensive First Team, and Porzingis is an underrated defender in his own right.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about this Celtics team is that they might not even be firing on all cylinders yet. It can take time for a revamped roster to develop chemistry together, but they’ve already hit the ground running in spite of that. If this is their floor, the Celtics could be a shoe-in to raise their 18th championship banner next June, helping Tatum and Brown to cement their legacy with a franchise filled with legends.
Bill Russell
Bill Russell is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, amassing five MVP trophies and 11 league championships during his 13 year career. Known as the Secretary of Defense for his strong play in the paint, Russell established the greatest dynasty the league has ever known — no matter how many teams played in it at the time — firmly cementing the Celtics as one of the best franchises in league history. It’s no surprise that the Finals MVP award bears his name.
Unfortunately, Russell didn’t always receive the praise he deserved during his playing days, even with an impact that spanned far beyond the basketball court. Even as a superstar player, Russell still dealt with racist abuse: he could overcome just about any challenge on the court, but as a Black man, he was still seen as less than other players.
Russell participated in the 1963 March on Washington and was a vocal supporter of the Black Power movement and Muhammad Ali. Once his playing career ended, Russell continued to break down barriers, becoming the first Black coach in the league.
Larry Bird
Bill Russell may have won 11 of the Celtics’ 17 championships, but it’s not like they sat back and coasted on their early success once his playing days were done.
Larry Bird helped Boston add three more championship banners in a span of six years, and his rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in a trio of NBA Finals appearances made for must-see TV, helping to elevate the league into the powerhouse we know and love today.
Bird was a trailblazer on the court, one of the best shooters of all time in an era where the three-point line was still seen as a novelty. Speaking to Bird’s shooting ability doesn’t come close to doing him justice as a player, though, as he excelled in pretty much every facet of the game.
The forward won All-Defensive team honors, a pair of Finals MVPs and Three-Point Contest championships. He averaged 6.3 assists per game and was known for his clutch ability, eventually receiving one of the highest honors in the history of the league as a member of the NBA’s All-Time starting five lineup.
Summary
In summary, the Boston Celtics, with 17 NBA championships, have a legendary legacy. Currently, they’re off to a strong start and are favorites to add another championship this season. General Manager Brad Stevens made key acquisitions to strengthen the team, balancing offense and defense.
Reflecting on Celtics history, Bill Russell’s impact on and off the court is celebrated, while Larry Bird’s era brought further success and a historic rivalry with the Lakers. Overall, the Celtics are a symbol of excellence and resilience in the world of basketball.
