- Home court: TD Garden
- G.M. Brad Stevens
- Coach: Ime Udoka
- Star: PF Jayson Tatum
- 2021 Season: 51-31, lost in six games in the NBA Finals to the Warriors.
- NBA Titles: (17) - 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008,
- Greatest Player: C Bill Russell
- Factoid: The Celtics have won more games than any franchise in NBA history – 3,513.
The NBA has its share of franchises that have never won a championship and that’s got to stick in the skin like a bleacher splinter. The Celtics aren’t one of those franchises – not by a Red Auerbach
victory cigar. Boston has won 17! But Boston fans have been dealing with their own pain – and it gets worse and more searing with every season. The Celtics haven’t won a title since 2008.
During that time the hated Los Angeles Lakers (you can hear the echoes of “Beat L.A! Beat L.A! reverberate around TD Garden) have won three titles. Now the East Coast-West Coast rivals have each won 17 titles. Boston’s claim to being the most successful NBA franchise can be
challenged by that Showtime team from Tinseltown. It’s the worst kind of pain because the Celtics and Lakers are opposites,or at least that’s the narrative they prefer. Boston is working class and harsh winters. L.A. is Hollywood and sunshine.
L.A. is Magic. Boston is Bird.
The Celtics came this close in 2021 to moving ahead of L.A. by winning an 18 th title. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
With all due respect to the Lakers, Bulls, and Pistons, no NBA franchise is as steeped in history and tradition as the Celtics. From the arrogant greatness of the victory cigar-smoking coach Auerbach, to the dominance of Bill Russell, to the fierce competitiveness of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Shamrock signifies greatness. Yet there has been no title since 2008. That drought has created a parching thirst in Celtics fans that all the Sam Adams all Massachusetts can’t quench. Only 18 the title will make things right in Boston.
Other NBA franchises would love to have this problem. Boston isn’t just
another NBA franchise.