Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics are an American Basketball team competing in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division of the NBA. Celtics were founded in 1946 and play their home games at the TD Garden. Celtics have won 17 NBA Championships, the most by any team in the history of NBA.

Celtics history

Boston Celtics won their first NBA Championship in 1957 and won 8 Championships in a row from 1959-1966. Bill Russell was picked by Celtics in 1957 and the Center went on to win 11 NBA Championships with the franchise, making him the most decorated NBA Player in history. Post the Bill Russell era, Celtics won 2 Championships in the seventies and three in eighties. After winning the championship in 1986 with Larry Bird leading the war, Celtics suffered a 22-year trophy drought. In 2008, 'Boston Three Party' (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett) inspired Celtics to their 17th NBA Championship. Their rivalry with Los Angeles Lakers is well documented and the two teams have met a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, of which Celtics have won 9.

Celtics in recent years

The Celtics in 2013 announced that Brad Stevens would take up the role of the head coach of the franchise. They missed the playoffs that season but it was universally recognized as a work in progress. The franchise acquired Marcus Smart in the NBA Draft as the sixth overall pick as they continued to build for the future. With the mid season acquisition of Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics were boosted by having a player of his caliber and it propelled the team to the seventh seed, enough to qualify for the post season. They were eventually swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

The following season pretty much was the same as Boston clinched fifth spot in the playoffs race. The drafted Terry Rozier with the 16th overall pick. Again in the playoffs they were eliminated in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks.

The 2016-17 season saw the Boston Celtics make the Eastern Conference Finals. This was largely down to the impressive season Thomas was having and the addition of Al Horford on a four-year deal. Their campaign ended when Thomas went down with an hip injury.

The next season was constructed on the team trading Thomas, Jae Crowder and Zizic in return for Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers along with the drafting of Jayson Tatum. They once again had a remarkable season as the team was led by Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, as Kyrie Irving was ruled out for the majority of the campaign with an injury.

With high hopes and expectations, 2018-19 term ended in disappointment as there were rumors of dressing room turmoil involving Kyrie Irving. Since he was a free agent, they decided to not renew his contract but instead move of Kemba Walker as their young core have much more of a chance to blossom with him leading the team.

Boston Celtics Record - Last 10 Seasons