Boston Celtics - 1998 dated Stock Certificate

Stock printed by American Bank Note Company.

The Boston Celtics, founded in 1946 as a charter member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged into the NBA, stand as the most successful franchise in league history, boasting an impressive 18 championships. Despite initial challenges, the team’s fortunes took a turn for the better in 1950 when they hired coach Red Auerbach. Under Auerbach’s guidance, the Celtics acquired key players like Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, forming a formidable core that would become one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties. Their remarkable journey began in the 1956-57 season, with their first championship, followed by an unprecedented eight consecutive titles from 1958-59 to 1965-66. This remarkable feat stands as a record across all major North American professional sports. Russell’s legacy extended beyond the court as the first African American head coach in any U.S. professional sport, leading the team to two more titles in 1968 and 1969.

Throughout its history, the Celtics have maintained a winning tradition that spans several eras. In the 1970s, the team secured two more championships, led by players like John Havlicek and Dave Cowens. The 1980s witnessed the rise of the “Big Three” of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, who dominated the league, winning three NBA titles and engaging in a legendary rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers. After a significant drought, a new “Big Three” featuring Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen emerged in the 2000s, leading the Celtics to their 17th championship in 2008. The current era, centered around young stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, has delivered the record-setting 18th championship in 2024, further solidifying the Celtics’ enduring legacy of excellence.