The Boston Celtics were founded by Walter A. Brown in 1946 and were one of the original eight NBA teams. The team was named after the original Boston Celtics, a defunct basketball team that had dominated the game in the 1920s and 1930s. The Celtics struggled in their early years, but their fortunes changed in 1950 when they drafted Bob Cousy, who would become one of the greatest players in franchise history.

The Greatest Players

The Boston Celtics have had many great players over the years, but a few stand out as the greatest in franchise history:

Bill Russell: Considered by many to be the greatest winner in sports history, Russell led the Celtics to 11 championships in his 13 seasons with the team. He was also a five-time NBA MVP and a 12-time All-Star.

Larry Bird: Bird is one of the greatest all-around players in NBA history. He led the Celtics to three championships and won three consecutive MVP awards from 1984 to 1986. Bird was also a 12-time All-Star and won two NBA Finals MVP awards.

Bob Cousy: Cousy revolutionized the point guard position with his ball-handling and passing skills. He led the Celtics to six championships and was a 13-time All-Star.

John Havlicek: Havlicek was a versatile player who could play multiple positions. He won eight championships with the Celtics and was a 13-time All-Star.

Paul Pierce: Pierce was the face of the Celtics in the 2000s, leading the team to its most recent championship in 2008. He was a 10-time All-Star and won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2008.

Championships Galore

The Boston Celtics have won a record 17 championships, the most in NBA history. The team's first championship came in 1957, when they defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games. The team's most dominant stretch came in the 1960s, when they won 11 championships in 13 seasons, including eight in a row from 1959 to 1966. The Celtics also won championships in 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, and 2010.

The Epic Rivalries

The Boston Celtics have had many great rivalries over the years, but a few stand out as the most intense:

Los Angeles Lakers: The rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers is perhaps the most famous in NBA history. The two teams have met in the NBA Finals 12 times, with the Celtics winning nine of those matchups. The rivalry was renewed in the 1980s, when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson led their respective teams to multiple championships.

Philadelphia 76ers: The rivalry between the Celtics and the 76ers dates back to the 1960s, when the two teams battled for Eastern Conference supremacy. The rivalry was renewed in the 1980s, when the Celtics and 76ers met in the playoffs multiple times.

New York Knicks: The rivalry between the Celtics and the Knicks dates back to the 1950s, when the two teams battled for Eastern Conference supremacy. The rivalry was renewed in the 1970s, when the Knicks and Celtics met in the playoffs multiple times.

While the team has experienced its share of ups and downs over the years, the Celtics always manage to stay relevant and competitive. Today, the team is led by a talented young core and looks poised to compete for championships in the coming years. For fans of basketball, the Boston Celtics will always remain one of the greatest and most iconic teams in NBA history.