In the 1980s, the Celtics returned to dominance, as well as renewed competition with the "Showtime" Lakers, who were led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In the mid-1970s, the Celtics became contenders once again, winning two championships in 19 under the leadership of center Dave Cowens, forward John Havlicek, and point guard Jo Jo White. After Russell retired in 1969, the team entered a period of rebuilding. Jones, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, and Bill Sharman, would usher the Celtics into the greatest period in franchise history, winning eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966. Russell, along with a talented supporting cast of future Hall of Famers including John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K. Led by Russell and point guard Bob Cousy, the Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1957. The Celtics' rise to dominance began in the late 1950s, after the team, led by coach Red Auerbach, acquired center Bill Russell, who would become the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty, in a draft-day trade in 1956. Both the nickname "Celtics" and their mascot "Lucky the Leprechaun" are a nod to Boston's historically large Irish population, and also to the Original Celtics, a marquee team prior to the NBA. Four Celtics players ( Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Dave Cowens and Larry Bird) have won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for an NBA record total of 10 MVP awards. The franchise has played the Lakers a record 12 times in the NBA Finals (including recent appearances in 20), of which the Celtics have won nine. During the two teams' many match-ups in the 1980s, the Celtics' star, Larry Bird, and the Lakers' star, Magic Johnson, had an ongoing feud. The Celtics have a notable rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, which was heavily highlighted throughout the 1960s and 1980s. The Celtics currently hold the record for the most recorded wins of any NBA team. The franchise's 17 NBA championships are the most of any team, tied with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics are the most successful team in NBA history. Founded in 1946 as one of the league's original eight teams, the Celtics play their home games at TD Garden, which is also the home of the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics ( / ˈ s ɛ l t ɪ k s/ SEL-tiks) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston.
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