The Boston Celtics, founded in 1946 as one of the NBA's original clubs, have a long and illustrious basketball history. They are a formidable power in the league, participating in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference and based in Boston. The Celtics play their home games in the TD Garden, which they share with the NHL's Boston Bruins. Their illustrious history is highlighted by 17 NBA titles, a number shared only with their archrivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics are an enduring force in the world of professional basketball, with the most wins in NBA history.

Boston Celtics in a Glimpse

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History of Celtics throughout the years

In 1946, the Boston Celtics was one of the founding teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). They encountered a number of difficulties in grabbing the city's interest, as baseball and hockey dominated it. However, in their first home game in 1946, Chuck Connors, afterward known as "The Rifleman," broke a backboard with a slam dunk, generating excitement. In 1949/50, the BAA developed into the National Basketball Association (NBA). With the hire of great coach Arnold "Red" Auerbach in 1950, the Celtics went on a historic journey, launching their illustrious sports heritage.

1950s to 1990s

From the 1950s to the 1990s, the Boston Celtics' history is one of NBA domination, memorable rivalries, and great players. It all started in the late 1950s, when coach Red Auerbach arranged for the acquisition of the renowned Bill Russell in 1956. Russell, along with other talents such as Bob Cousy, led the Celtics to their first NBA title in 1957. This signalled the start of an unprecedented period of success. Russell helped the Celtics become a dynasty, winning eight straight NBA championships from 1959 through 1966. A tremendous supporting cast of future Hall of Famers, including John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K. C. Jones, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, and Bill Sharman, helped to cement the team's history.

Following Russell's retirement in 1969, the Celtics went through a rebuilding phase before making a comeback in the mid-1970s. They won titles in 1974 and 1976 under the leadership of talents such as Dave Cowens, John Havlicek, and Jo Jo White. The Celtics recovered their dominance in the 1980s, reigniting their rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Celtics' "Big Three" of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish won titles in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Their dramatic clashes with the Lakers, including a spectacular victory in the 1984 Finals, are in the annals of NBA history.

The Celtics-Lakers rivalry, with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson at the helm, became one of sports' most memorable rivalries. The two teams met in the NBA Finals a record 12 times, with the Celtics winning nine of those meetings. Furthermore, the Celtics have produced four NBA Most Valuable Players (MVPs), for a total of ten MVP trophies, solidifying their position as an NBA superpower. The nickname "Celtics," as well as the mascot "Lucky the Leprechaun," pay reference to Boston's rich Irish heritage and the Original Celtics, a notable team prior to the NBA. From the 1950s to the 1990s, the Boston Celtics' history is one of excellence, famous players, and unforgettable rivalries that have left an everlasting stamp on the NBA.

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Mid 1990s to 2013

From the 1990s to 2013, the Boston Celtics had a rollercoaster journey filled with highs and lows, famous players, and huge transformations.?The Celtics suffered a shift in the early 1990s, as important players including as Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish retired or moved on, signaling the end of the original "Big Three" era. The squad experienced difficulties, and Reggie Lewis, a bright young star, tragically died as a result of heart problems, complicating matters even further.?The Celtics hired M. L. Carr as vice president of basketball operations in the mid-1990s while they went through a rebuilding phase. In 1995, the team relocated from the Boston Garden to the Fleet Center (later TD Garden) and struggled to make the playoffs.

Rick Pitino was named president, director of basketball operations, and head coach of the team in 1997, bringing with him tremendous expectations. The Celtics drafted young players such as Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer, but despite their efforts, the team was unable to achieve the required level of success.?A combination of seasoned veterans and hopeful newcomers characterized the late 1990s and early 2000s. Notably, Paul Pierce was drafted in 1998 and immediately showed potential, but the Celtics failed under Pitino's direction.?With Pitino's retirement, Jim O'Brien took over as coach, and the team improved slightly. Although Paul Pierce developed into an NBA superstar, the Celtics still faced obstacles to success.

When the team recruited Danny Ainge as general manager, he oversaw the formation of a new "Big Three" consisting of Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. The 2007-08 season featured a spectacular turnaround, with the squad improving by 42 games over the previous season.?The Celtics went on to win their 17th NBA championship in 2008, reigniting their glory days. The next seasons witnessed a mix of success, playoff appearances, and Rajon Rondo's rise as a standout player.?The departure of important players like Ray Allen, as well as subsequent injuries, tested the Celtics' stability, but the club remained competitive.

2013 to present

From 2013 until the present, the Boston Celtics have gone through considerable changes and endured numerous hardships, all while being a competitive NBA organization. The Celtics shifted from the "Big Three" era to Brad Stevens as head coach in 2013, prioritizing player development and laying a solid basis for the future. The franchise launched a youth movement by dealing established players such as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for future draft picks and new talent.?Brad Stevens took over as head coach, emphasizing player development and bringing in talented players like Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum. The new "Big Three" lineup included Irving, Horford, and Tatum.

The Celtics made the playoffs in 2017-18, finishing as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they were defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Cleveland Cavaliers, therefore ruining their title chances. The Celtics endured injuries and performance swings in the following seasons.?Brad Stevens will take over as President of Basketball Operations in 2021, succeeding Danny Ainge, who is retiring. He oversaw a number of roster changes, including the acquisition of Al Horford and the selection of new players.

The Celtics reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, but were defeated in six games by the Golden State Warriors. To form their roster, the team made numerous major transactions, including trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and obtaining Kristaps Porzingis.?The Celtics are competitive in the Eastern Conference as of 2023, thanks to a mix of young talent, seasoned veterans, and a new front staff under Brad Stevens.

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Ownership of the New York Knicks

• The owner of Boston Garden-Arena Corporation from 1946 to 1950 was Walter A. Brown/Lou Pieri.


• Lou Pieri and Marjorie Brown, wife of the team?s founder, were the team's owners from 1964 to 1965.


• Marvin Kratter/ Knickerbocker Brewing Company owned the team from 1965 to 1968,


• Ballantine Brewery owned the team from 1968 to 1972.


• Trans-National Communications owned the team from 1969 to 1971,


• Robert Schmertz/ Leisure Technology owned the team from 1972 to 1975.


• John Y. Brown, Jr. and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. were owners from 1978 to 1983,


• Paul Gaston owned the team from 1983 to 2002.


• Boston Basketball Partners L.L.C. has been in operation since December 2002.

Overall Stats of the Knicks (2022-23)

The New York Knicks Roster

1. G 45??? Banton, Dalano


2. F 12 ??? Brissett, Oshae


3. G/F????? 7????????? Brown, Jaylen


4. G???????? 20??????? Davison, JD (TW)


5. F????????? 13??????? Gabriel, Wenyen


6. F????????? 30??????? Hauser, Sam


7. G???????? 4????????? Holiday, Jrue


8. F/C????? 42??????? Horford, Al


9. C???????? 40??????? Kornet, Luke


10. G/F????? 50??????? Mykhailiuk, Sviatoslav


11. F/C????? 8????????? Porzingis, Kristaps


12. G???????? 11??????? Pritchard, Payton


13. C???????? 88??????? Queta, Neemias (TW)


14. G???????? 55??????? Scrubb, Jay Injured (TW)


15. F????????? 77??????? Stevens, Lamar


16. G???????? 26??????? Steward, DJ


17. F????????? 0????????? Tatum, Jayson


18. G???????? 27??????? Walsh, Jordan


19. G???????? 9????????? White, Derrick

Top-paid players of the New York Knicks

• Contract: 4 years, $134,997,333

• Contract: 5 years, $158,253,000

• Contract: 5 years, $163,000,300

• Contract: 4 years, $$106,333,334

• Contract: 4 years, $70,000,000

Official Handles and Team Information