When one speaks of champion’s legacy in the NBA, it’s impossible to ignore the tradition and greatness of the Boston Celtics. Once upon a time, they were the rulers and dominant team in the NBA. Those two periods are divided into two golden eras.
The first golden era for the Boston Celtics was undoubtedly during the late 1950s and through the 1960s under the leadership of head coach Red Auerbach and star center Bill Russell. The Celtics won an unprecedented 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons from 1957 to 1969. This includes an incredible run of eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966, a record that still stands unbroken in the NBA.
The Celtics experienced another golden era of dominance in the 1980s, with the emergence of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, commonly referred to as “The Big Three.” The Celtics captured championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986, and the decade featured a storied rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, spearheaded by Magic Johnson.
However, for a short period, in the early 2000s, there was a spark that could have been a golden era. We are going on a trip in the past, not so far ago. Let’s talk about the best season of the Boston Celtics in the 21st century (so far!).
The Prelude
Coming into the 2007-08 season, the Boston Celtics faced a challenging period. After finishing last in the East Conference the season before, nobody would have guessed that they would be champions the season afterwards. Recognizing the moment and circumstances were right, the management, led by Danny Ainge, took charge and cleared the squad changes. The need for rejuvenation was recognized and done so perfectly.
The Transformation
The summer of 2007 laid the grounds for the championship team for the Celtics. Lots of departures were seen, but fresh and world class players were brought in. The first big name arriving was Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics. But the cherry on top was the genius trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves to land Kevin Garnett. Together with the Celtics’ homegrown talent, Paul Pierce, they formed a new ‘The Big Three’. The transformation was instantaneous and showed a game of dominance.
Season Highlights
From having one of the worst records in the previous season, the Celtics skyrocketed to the top of the standings. The Celtics finished the regular season with an impressive 66-16 record, the best in the league. The Big Three were spectacular, but it wasn’t just them. This season saw the rise of players like Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins. They played pivotal roles, making the team’s play cohesive and electric.
The playoffs were a testament to the team’s resilience. The Celtics faced multiple challenges, including a seven-game series against the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, with each challenge, they rose, showing a blend of experience and hunger. It was not only a pleasure to watch the Celtics play by their fans but by the whole NBA audience.
And the NBA Finals was something special. We were treated with an old familiar rivalry – the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a literal clash of titans, a throwback to the iconic battles of the 80s. In six games, the Celtics showed their dominance, with Kevin Garnett’s rallying cry, “Anything is possible!” echoing in the hearts of fans.
A New Era in Sports Betting
It’s worth noting that while the 2007-08 season marked a turning point for the Celtics, it also marked the beginning of an evolution in the world of sports betting. The rise of Bitcoin bookmakers had begun, offering fans new, decentralized ways to engage with and bet on their favorite sports and making it the preferred way of betting in basketball. Just as the Celtics had modernized and evolved, so too had the world of sports betting.
Legacy and Beyond
The 2007-2008 season remains etched in fans’ memories not just because of the championship but because of the journey. From the formation of The Big Three to the final victory against the Lakers, it was a season of passion and glory.
The following season (2008-09), the Celtics team only reached the Conference Semifinals. However, the season afterwards nearly repeated the success of the 2007-08 season, but they lost in game seven in the NBA finals to the great Los Angeles Lakers led by the killer duo Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. It was officially the end of the short dominance of the 21st century ‘The Big Three’. In the coming years we slowly saw the departure of all big names, and the team was rebuilding slowly.
Boston Celtics reached the final in 2021-22 again, the NBA Final led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However, the current dominance of the Golden State Warriors was just too big of an obstacle for them.
Is it possible for the Boston Celtics to dominate the league once again? Well, Magic Johnson gave the best advice – another similar transformation as they did in 2008. With fresh players, and a bit of luck to avoid injuries, it can easily become a reality. Celtic fans should be optimistic of the club’s future cause’ big things are coming!
