Boston Celtics Memorabilia Buying Guide

Sean J. O'Rourke

Formed all the way back in 1946, the Boston Celtics have gone on to become one of the most successful franchises in all of sports. The Celtics' 16 NBA Championships are the most in league history and, although dynasties have come and gone in sports, none could ever compare to the Celtics teams of the late 1950s and early 1960s. With legendary head coach Red Auerbach at the helm and a future Hall of Famer in Bill Russell playing center, the Boston Celtics would go on to win 11 NBA Championships in 13 seasons. Most notably, the Celtics won the NBA Finals an unbelievable eight straight seasons, the longest consecutive championship winning streak of any franchise in American sports history.

The point guard for six of those championships was Hall of Fame point guard Bob Cousy, who Auerbach originally did not want on the team. Acquired in 1950, Cousy was practically ambidextrous, giving him never before seen ball control ability on his way to becoming the NBA's "Houdini of the Hardwood.” Bill Russell, who would retire with 11 championships in 13 seasons, was drafted second overall by the Boston Celtics in 1956. Statistically there is no more accomplished athlete in sports history than Russell, who along with 11 NBA Championships, won two NCAA Championships as well as an Olympic Gold medal in 1956. After winning the NBA title in 1966, his ninth, Auerbach would retire from coaching and move strictly to the front office of the team. With Russell serving as NBA player-coach, the first African-American to do so, the Celtics would go on to win the NBA titles in 1968 and 1969, Russell's final two seasons.

After adding NBA titles in both 1974 and 1976, the team decided to rebuild around draft picks and trades. With the sixth pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, then-general manager Red Auerbach selected Indiana State junior Larry Bird. At the time, professional teams could draft players and retain their rights until after graduation; this was the case with Bird. After Bird's Indiana State Sycamores were defeated by Magic Johnson's Michigan State Spartans in the 1979 NCAA Championship game, Bird signed with the Celtics and debuted for Boston the following season. Auerbach, after a stand-off with then owner John Y. Brown, gained full control of the team's roster and would build his second great dynasty. With Bird on board, Red made one of the greatest trades in sports history when he dealt the first overall pick in the 1980 draft to Golden State in exchange for Robert Parrish and the Warriors' third overall pick. Auerbach used that pick in selecting future Hall of Famer Kevin McHale from the University of Minnesota. The three future Hall of Famers in Parrish, McHale and Bird, teamed with great role players such as defensive specialist M.L. Carr and ball-distributing point guard Gerald Henderson, the Celtics would embark on another historic torrent through the NBA. The 1984 NBA Finals would change the game forever as it renewed Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's rivalry which stretched back five years to the aforementioned NCAA Championship. In what became known around sports simply as "the Rivalry,” Bird and Johnson's battles on the court resurrected basketball from declining fan attendance and television viewership. Bird's Celtics beat Magic's Lakers as Boston claimed their 15th NBA Championship. After the tables turned and the Lakers beat the Celtics in 1985, Boston added future Hall of Famer Bill Walton to their roster for the 1985-6 season. Content to come off the bench, Walton along with Bird, McHale and Parrish, became the nucleus of one of the greatest teams in basketball history.

The Celtics would win 67 games going 40-1 at home on their way to their unmatched 16th NBA Championship. Bird, following statistically his greatest season won his third NBA Most Valuable Player award while Walton won the league's Sixth Man of the Year award. The NBA Championship of 1986 is the last title to date for the storied Celtics. A string of tragedy and bad luck took its toll on the team in the years after, most notably the death of rookie Len Bias, who was thought of as the team’s heir-apparent. Bird would retire in 1992 after winning Olympic Gold with the "Dream Team" during the summer Olympics. After years of poor play, bad off-season decisions and failed trades, the Boston Celtics would seem to constantly rebuild. During the 2006-7 season, after the death of Red Auerbach earlier in the season, Boston recorded a humiliating 24-58 record, second worst in the NBA. Things were about to change for the Boston faithful as during the off season, the Celtics would create another "Big Three" as they teamed superstar Celtic guard Paul Pierce with fellow NBA all-stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The Celtics are yet again the team to beat in the NBA as they eye their 17th Championship.

The Celtics are the most accomplished franchise in basketball history, period. There is no team that carries the banner of greatness like the Boston Celtics with an unmatched 16 NBA World Championships. Invest today in a franchise that is synonymous with winning, glory and greatness. With Hall of Famers Red Auerbach, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell lining their historical lineage, there is no shortage of options as to where to turn to add greatness to your collection today.

• Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish Autographed Big Three Jersey: This authentic-style Boston Celtics “Big Three” jersey is the perfect centerpiece for any Celtic fan's collection. Three members of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Greatest team hand-signed this Boston "Big Three" commemorative jersey in that trademark Celtic green and white. The Celtics' "Big Three" consisted of Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. They lead to the Boston Celtics to utter domination during the 1980s, winning three NBA Championships. This commemorative limited-edition jersey brings these hardwood legends together forever as Naismith Hall of Famers Robert Parrish, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird have all hand signed this exclusive commemorative Celtics jersey. This piece is a great centerpiece for any sized sports collection and the perfect way to remember the trio that dominated an entire decade of NBA history.

• Signed Larry Bird Photograph: An absolute, 100 percent must-have for every single Celtics fan. This amazing 16x20” photograph captures Larry Bird waving to the fans at the legendary Boston Garden on the night of his retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993. Bird played 13 seasons for the Celtics, leading Boston to three World Championships while becoming an American icon in the process. Inducted to the Naismith Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, Bird is remembered for his creativity and selfless play which has cemented him as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Own this absolutely beautiful photograph hand-signed by Bird today and make a Hall of Fame addition to your collection!

• Bill Russell Autographed Basketball: This is an official NBA Spalding basketball hand-signed by 12-time NBA All-Star center Bill Russell. Russell is the winningest championship player in American sports history to go along with five NBA Most Valuable Player awards. One of the greatest, most dominant players to ever step foot onto a basketball court, adding this very limited-edition signed basketball to your collection is an absolute necessity for every serious basketball fan. An item that will only grow in value and admiration, add this authentic NBA basketball tagged by one of the all-time greatest to your hobby room today!

• 1986 Champs Framed Photograph: With a squad built around the Big Three, the Celtics went on to win their 16th NBA Championship in 1986 by defeating the Houston Rockets four games to two. Larry Bird won his third NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award surrounded by one of the most talented all-around teams in NBA history. Players such as Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Larry Bird and Robert Parrish lead the Celtics to an incredible 67-win season, going 40-1 in Boston. This framed photograph is hand signed by Dennis Johnson as well as Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Bill Walton, Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale. Measuring 21x33,” this framed autographed collage makes a great centerpiece for any NBA fans collection. Some of the greatest players in hardwood history have donned the green and white.  Here's a chance to commemorate five of them with this beautiful collage, fitted with a black wooden frame.

• Autographed Bill Russell Basketball with Career Stats: The most accomplished athlete in American sports history; Bill Russell was as dominant as any player, a force so great that lead him to an unbelievable 11 NBA Championships in 13 seasons. Russell started his success in college winning two NCAA Championships and continued beyond the NBA, winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 1956 playing for Team USA. A dominant big man known for his defense, Russell is one of the greatest athletes to ever touch the NBA hardwood. On this NBA basketball, Russell has signed his name and inscripted his notable career achievements: "11 Time Champion Olympic Gold Medal 5 Time MVP All Time MVP 63 and 12 Time All Star." This basketball is an ultimate NBA collectible and an extremely lucrative asset. Add true greatness to your collection today!

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