Celtic Supremacy
With the Boston Celtics recently clinching their 18th championship in dominant fashion, led by their formidable "Big 6," there's no better time to reflect on the franchise's storied history. While this latest victory showcased their dominance, let's revisit the Celtics' top five toughest championship runs.
5: 1967-68 NBA Championship
Overview:
Regular Season Record: 54-28 (2nd in the Eastern Conference)
Playoff Path:
Defeated Detroit Pistons 4-2 in the Eastern Division Semifinals
Defeated Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 in the Eastern Division Finals
Defeated Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the NBA Finals
Challenges:
Facing the Defending Champions: The 76ers had the best regular season record and were defending champions.
Series Comeback: The Celtics had to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Eastern Division Finals against the 76ers.
Key moments:
Game 7 Heroics: Bill Russell’s leadership and John Havlicek’s crucial points secured a 100-96 victory over the 76ers.
Finals Triumph: Conquered the Lakers, with Russell shining as both player and coach.
4. 1980-81 NBA Championship
Overview:
Regular Season Record: 62-20 (1st in the Eastern Conference)
Playoff Path:
Defeated Chicago Bulls 4-0 in the First Round
Defeated Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals
Defeated Houston Rockets 4-2 in the NBA Finals
Challenges:
Overcoming a Rival: The Celtics faced the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Comeback: They came back from a 3-1 series deficit against the 76ers, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Key Moments:
Game 7 Against the 76ers: Larry Bird's crucial performance helped the Celtics secure a narrow 91-90 victory.
Finals Performance: Cedric Maxwell's consistency earned him the Finals MVP, with standout games that were critical to the Celtics' success.
3. 2007-08 NBA Championship
Overview:
Regular Season Record: 66-16 (1st in the Eastern Conference)
Playoff Path:
Defeated Atlanta Hawks 4-3 in the First Round
Defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
Defeated Detroit Pistons 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals
Defeated Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the NBA Finals
Challenges:
High Expectations: With the formation of the new "Big Three" (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen), the Celtics faced immense pressure to win.
Grueling Playoff Series: They were pushed to seven games in both the First Round and Semifinals, showcasing the competitive nature of the playoffs.
Key Moments:
Game 4 in the Finals: The Celtics overcame a 24-point deficit to win, marking one of the greatest comebacks in Finals history.
Finals MVP: Paul Pierce was named Finals MVP, highlighted by his 38-point performance in Game 5 and his leadership throughout the series.
2. 1983-84 NBA Championship
Overview
Regular Season Record: 62-20 (1st in the Atlantic Division)
Playoff Path:
Defeated Washington Bullets 3-1 in the First Round
Defeated New York Knicks 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
Defeated Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals
Defeated Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 in the NBA Finals
Challenges:
Fierce Rivalry: The Celtics-Lakers rivalry was at its peak, with the Lakers seeking revenge for past defeats.
Intense Finals Series: Multiple games were decided by slim margins, and the series was noted for its physical play and dramatic moments.
Key Moments:
Game 4 Comeback: Trailing by as much as 10 points in the final quarter, the Celtics mounted a significant comeback to win in overtime.
Game 7 Victory: The Celtics secured the title with a 111-102 win in the decisive game, with Larry Bird delivering a standout performance.
1. 1968-69 NBA Championship
Overview:
Regular Season Record: 48-34 (4th in the Eastern Division)
Playoff Path:
Defeated Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in the Eastern Division Semifinals
Defeated New York Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Division Finals
Defeated Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 in the NBA Finals
Challenges:
Underdog Status: The Celtics were the fourth seed in their division, not the dominant force they had been in previous years.
Aging Core: Key players like Bill Russell and Sam Jones were in the twilight of their careers.
Tough Opponents: The Lakers, with Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain, were heavily favored in the Finals.
Key Moments:
Game 7 in the Finals: Played on the road, the Celtics managed to secure a narrow victory (108-106), with Bill Russell delivering a masterful defensive performance and John Havlicek scoring crucial points.
Jerry West’s Performance: Despite West being named Finals MVP (the only time it has gone to a player on the losing team), the Celtics' resilience and teamwork won out.
With a rich history spanning decades, the Boston Celtics are one of the most decorated franchises in NBA history. From overcoming immense challenges in their toughest championship runs to their recent dominant victory, the Celtics have consistently demonstrated excellence. Today, the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue this proud legacy, leading the team to new heights and ensuring that the tradition of Celtics' greatness endures.
