The Green Dynasty: Past, Present, and the Uncertain Future of the Celtics
Four months before the season plunged into unexpected chaos, the Boston Celtics franchise gathered in a theater to celebrate another championship. The atmosphere, imbued with history and mystique, was reminiscent of high society gatherings where witnesses and priests of a glorious past met. Bill Russell, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown were central figures in this celebration, surrounded by legends and basketball personalities.
The main event was the premiere of the HBO documentary series, “Celtics City”, which narrated the history of Boston through its basketball team. Sam Cassell, who won a title as a substitute guard in 2008 and another last season as an assistant coach, shared the atmosphere with players and staff from different generations. “This is a lifestyle!” exclaimed Cassell, highlighting the significance of being a Celtic.
The celebration revolved around the 2024 Larry O’Brien trophy, a shining symbol of the glory of the previous season. Tatum, as the main heir, faced the dilemma of honoring the past and focusing on the future. Tradition, although vital, also carries burdens. The current team, with two finals appearances and one championship, felt the pressure of time due to the new NBA collective bargaining agreement, designed to prevent dynasties.
In the theater lobby, Wyc Grousbeck, owner of the Celtics, met Mal Graham, a retired state judge and two-time champion with the Celtics. Both shared laughs and compared their rings, a symbol of different eras of success. The conversation focused on the possibility of the Celtics not achieving consecutive titles since 1969, Bill Russell’s last year. Nine different teams have achieved this feat since then.
Currently, only two men, Bob Cousy and Satch Sanders, survive from that golden era. Cousy, with six rings, and Sanders, with eight, are pillars of the Celtics culture. Brad Stevens, Celtics’ president of basketball operations, recognizes the importance of these icons. Cousy’s calls still provoke reactions, and his legacy lives on.
Cousy and Sanders often joke about death, remembering their companions and the ephemeral nature of life. Sanders, in particular, faces the sadness of loss and reflects on the passage of time. His apartment, filled with memories, is a testament to his life and the importance of living in the present.
After a year following the Celtics’ attempt to repeat as champions, the team faced an uncertain end. Defeats and Jayson Tatum’s injury added uncertainty to the season. The question was: how long would Tatum be out? Would he be the same again? The sale of the team also raised questions about the future. The team was at a crossroads, with a glorious past and an uncertain future.
Ted Tye, a Celtics fan, saved the original scoreboard from the Garden. This symbol, which witnessed Bill Russell’s last championships, is now on display in a new building. The Celtics legend is rooted in many aspects of Tye’s and the city’s life, and everyone was hoping for Tatum’s triumphant return.
On October 22, 2024, the Celtics unveiled the championship rings and raised the franchise’s eighteenth banner. Bob Cousy, in a wheelchair, was the center of the ceremony. Past champions gathered on the court, each recognized as royalty. The crowd chanted “COOZ”, celebrating the legacy of Cousy, who was the only player to see the first two and the most recent Celtics banners raised.
Satch Sanders recounts an anecdote about Cousy and British royalty, showing the respect the franchise has for its legends. Sanders reflects on aging and the decline of physical abilities, sharing the difficulties of age. The conversation reflects the reality of a life dedicated to basketball and the nostalgia of the past.
The image of Sanders in a photo, with Wilt Chamberlain about to “posterize” him, evokes memories and laughter. Sanders’ apartment is a reflection of his life, with photos and objects that evoke his history and his love for the game.
The camaraderie of the 1950s and 1960s Celtics, recounted in books and memoirs, reveals an enduring brotherhood. Russell and Cousy, although not always in agreement, shared an unbreakable bond. The players supported each other, with anecdotes highlighting their unity, from antics on international tours to locker room jokes.
Cousy’s departure as a player in 1963 was an emotional moment. The “Bob Cousy Day” ceremony was a moving event, with owner Walter Brown highlighting Cousy’s commitment to the team. Russell, in a gesture of respect, gave him a desk clock engraved with a message of affection. The final scene is a testament to the friendship and legacy of these players.
Jayson Tatum, at the Auerbach Center, seeks perfection. The effort to be the best is a solitary path, where the past and future of the Celtics intertwine.
