Vault Gallery: Iconic Celtics Pictures

SI Staff | Aug 20, 2012

Vault Gallery: Iconic Celtics Pictures

Bob Cousy

Hy Peskin/SI

Bob Cousy, the original Houdini of the hardwood, demonstrates the behind-the-back dribble in this multiple exposure shot.

Bill Russell

John G. Zimmerman/SI

Bill Russell, widely regarded as the greatest center in Celtics history, won 11 championships in 13 seasons.

Bob Cousy

Hy Peskin/SI

Bob Cousy drives for a layup during a December 1956 game against the Rochester Royals.

Bob Cousy

Cousy spent 13 seasons with the Celtics, making the All-Star game each season and carving out a reputation as the best point guard in franchise history.

Tommy Heinsohn and Bill Russell

Richard Meek/SI

Tommy Heinsohn (No. 15) and Bill Russell (No. 6) watch as St. Louis Hawk forward Cliff Hagen grabs a rebound during the 1957 NBA Championship. The Celtics won the series in seven games.

Sam Jones and K.C. Jones

Tony Triolo/SI

Sam Jones (bottom) and K.C. Jones started out as backups for Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, but soon were vital parts of the rotation. K.C. won eight championships as a Celtic while Sam won 10.

Dave Cowens

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Dave Cowens shoots a sky hook over Steve Mix during the 1980 Eastern Conference Finals.

Robert Parish

Manny Millan/SI

Robert Parish battles for a rebound with Philadelphia forward Bobby Jones during the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals.

Kevin McHale

Andy Hayt/SI

Kevin McHale celebrates after the Celtics beat Houston to win the franchise's 14th championship.

Cedric Maxwell and Red Auerbach

Andy Hayt/SI

Red Auerbach celebrates a championship with his trademark victory cigar.

Larry Bird and Julius Erving

Manny Millan/SI

Larry Bird and Julius Erving exchange glares during a game at the Boston Garden.

Larry Bird

Andy Hayt/SI

Larry Bird hits the clinching shot to secure his second of three consecutive Three-Point Shooting contests during All-Star weekend.

Red Auerbach

Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach enjoys a cigar during this 1992 photo shoot.

Red Auerbach, Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Tom Heinsohn, John Havlicek

Manny Millan/SI

Celtics greats Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Tom Heinsohn and John Havlicek got together to celebrate Red Auerbach's 75th birthday.

Reggie Lewis and Len Bias

Manny Millan/SI (Lewis); AP (Bias)

There are two dark clouds in Celtics franchise history. The first was the tragic death of Reggie Lewis during the summer of 1993. The other was the unexpected death of Len Bias hours after being drafted by the Celtics in June 1986.

Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker

Peter Gregoire/SI

Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker stike a pose outside the Celtics' practice facility in Waltham, Mass.

Greg Kite

Gary Bogdon/SI

Former Celtics reserve Greg Kite, who was featured in SI's 2006 'Where are They Now' issue, runs a real estate company in Orlando.

Gerald Green

Chad Griffith/SI

Former Celtic Gerald Green spends some quality time with his dog.

Paul Pierce

Winslow Townson/SI

Paul Pierce celebrating the Celtics 2008 NBA Finals championship on the mound at Fenway Park.

Paul Pierce

Gray Hamner/SI

Pierce's back tattoo covers up some of the stab wounds he endured during a nightclub incident in September 2000.

Paul Pierce's Sneaker

John W. McDonough.SI

A close-up of Pierce's sneaker, taken during the 2008 NBA Finals.

Rajon Rondo

Michael J. LeBrecht II/1Deuce3 Photography

Point guard Rajon Rondo shows off his other love, roller skating.