Spanish
Chinese
Dutch
A TravelShark™ Site
More Shark Guides
Boston Basketball
From football to baseball, hockey, and more sports are a big deal in Boston. Local fans are famous for their loyalty, and when it comes to basketball, there are no exceptions to the energy and love that Bostonians invest in their beloved Celtics.
Basketball in Boston has been as much of a watershed marker in history as it is a sport. The Boston Celtics, formed in 1946, has been the first team in the NBA to break many barriers, including being the first to draft an African American player, and the first to have a starting line-up composed of all African American players.
As a team, the Celtics have undergone a long and storied past, full of epic periods of victory, followed by down periods of waning success. Today, with a total of 17 NBA championship titles to their name, the Boston Celtics are the team with the most titles in NBA history.
Famous Players
Basketball in Boston has been as much of a watershed marker in history as it is a sport. The Boston Celtics, formed in 1946, has been the first team in the NBA to break many barriers, including being the first to draft an African American player, and the first to have a starting line-up composed of all African American players.
As a team, the Celtics have undergone a long and storied past, full of epic periods of victory, followed by down periods of waning success. Today, with a total of 17 NBA championship titles to their name, the Boston Celtics are the team with the most titles in NBA history.
Famous Players
In the 1950s, when the Boston Celtics began their first streak of wins, the team was led by star players Bob Cousy and Bill Rusell. Larry Bird, a young player from Indiana State, led the team throughout the 1980s, and won three consecutive MVP titles. Other greats during the Bird era include Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. The 2007-2008 season saw a restoration for the Celtics. In the 2000s, the big three players include Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Rivalries
As much as Boston fans love their home team, the animosity for outside teams is equally palpable. In no case is this more true than when it comes to the legendary rivalries of the Celtics.
Boston’s rivalry with the Lakers has often been dubbed one of the best in NBA history. The two teams have met periodically over the course of Celtics history, including in the 60s and the 80s, for a total of 12 championship finals.
The Detroit Pistons are another rival for Boston. In the1980s, the two teams met five times in a total of seven season finals.
The Boston Celtics rivalry with the Philadelphia 76ers is nothing short of intense, and has included a total of 18 meetings for the coveted NBA finals title, with the Celtics taking 11 of those victories.
Watching a Celtics Game
Today, visitors can catch a game at any one of Boston’s famous pubs and sports bars. You’ll likely encounter some local fans who can expound further on the history of basketball in Boston. Some of the best sports bars, as voted by boston.com, include The Fours on Canal Street, where it’s been rumored that you might just run into Larry Bird. Other favorites include Beerworks on Brookline Avenue, Game On! on Lansdowne St, and The Banshee on Dorchester Ave.,
If you’re keen to take in a live game, then check out the ticket options available at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics play at TD gardens in Downtown North on Causeway Street. The stadium is accessible by car, or via public transportation terminating at the North Station Terminal.
Basketball elsewhere in Boston
Boston is home to a high concentration of colleges and universities, and because of this, basketball fanaticism extends beyond the NBA and into the NCAA. Fans can be found supporting teams from any of the nearby schools, including Boston College and Holy Cross.
- © Copyright 2012 TravelShark |
- Manage My Booking |
- FAQs |
- Advertise with Us |
- Privacy Policy |
- Terms & Conditions|
- Sitemap
