|
|
The Celtics were formed in 1946 as a team in the Basketball friendship of America . After the union of the BAA and the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball friendship. The Celtics had struggled throughout their early years. But the hiring of Coach Red Auerbach would alter all that. One of the first major players to join the Celtics was Bob Cousy . Auerbach at first refuse to draft him. Cousy finally became the property of the Chicago Stags.
When that franchise went bankrupt, Cousy was acquired by the Celtics in a dispersion draft. Cousy would become a huge part of the Celtic's success and would become good friends with his new coach in time. Under Auerbach , the Celtics acquire rookie Bill Russell in 1956. Russell was even more of an important acquistion than Cousy. He was the player Auerbach would build the Celtics around for more than a decade. Russell had an instant impact during the 1956 season; the Celtics superior to the NBA Finals and defeated the then St. Louis Hawks in seven games, giving the Celtics the first of their record 16 NBA Championships. In 1957, the Celtics once more advanced to the NBA Finals, this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games. However, with the gaining of K.C. Jones , the Celtics began a dynasty that would last 8 seasons.
|
|
|
