The Boston Celtics are once again back in the NBA Finals for the 23rd time in their storied history, a feat that is expected by both their devoted fans and the franchise itself.
The Celtics hold a prominent position in the NBA as one of its most iconic and historic teams. Throughout their rich history, they have been home to legendary players such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Kevin McHale, and Paul Pierce, just to name a few.
Let’s delve into the Boston Celtics’ NBA Finals history.
How many NBA championships have the Boston Celtics won?
The Boston Celtics have secured a total of 17 NBA championships, a record that is currently tied with their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Celtics manage to defeat the Dallas team this year, they will establish themselves as the sole record-holders, surpassing their West Coast adversaries.
How many times have the Celtics faced defeat in the NBA Finals?
Jayson Tatum has yet to win a championship in his career.
Zero. That’s the next milestone in Tatum’s career, despite his impressive achievements as a player – five-time All-Star, four-times All-NBA, and the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals MVP. In Boston, legacies are ultimately defined by championships. If Tatum wants to etch his name among the Celtics’ all-time greats, he must hoist the NBA title (or titles). This quest begins now.
Who are the Boston Celtics players who have won the NBA Finals MVP award?
Five Celtics players have been crowned NBA Finals MVP. Larry Bird holds the record with two accolades in the 1980s (1984 and 1986). Other notable Celtics who have earned the NBA Finals MVP recognition include John Havlicek (1974), Jo Jo White (1976), Cedric Maxwell (1981), and Paul Pierce (2008).
Bill Russell’s name is absent from that list due to the fact that the NBA Finals award was not yet established until 1969, which happened to be the final season of Russell’s illustrious 13-year playing career in the Hall of Fame. Although the Celtics did reach the Finals in 1969 and ultimately clinched the championship, the Finals MVP honor was bestowed upon Jerry West of the Lakers, marking the sole instance in NBA history where the award recipient belonged to the losing team in the series. If the Finals MVP award had existed prior to 1969, Russell would undeniably possess a multitude of trophies in his collection.
Did the Celtics really achieve a remarkable streak of winning 8 championships in a row? Yes, indeed. However, this astonishing feat only scratches the surface of the Celtics’ unparalleled dominance throughout the late 1950s to the 1960s.
During the Bill Russell era, Boston secured a staggering 11 titles within a span of 13 seasons, commencing with their victory in the 1957 Finals and concluding with Russell’s farewell campaign in 1969. These squads were stacked with an abundance of talent, featuring the likes of Russell himself, the exceptional point guard Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Frank Ramsey, and Bill Sharman, all under the tutelage of the legendary coach Red Auerbach.