When newcomers arrive in Boston, they inevitably gravitate toward the franchise’s illustrious history.
From the iconic parquet floor to the proud display of 17 championship banners and the distinguished honor of retiring 24 numbers – a record unmatched by any other professional sports team in North America – the legacy is palpable.
The reality of the franchise’s rich history was even more tangible in the home press conference room before Friday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Displayed in front of an orange National Basketball Hall of Fame backdrop was Larry Bird’s Converse sneaker from the 1985-86 season, during which he won his third-consecutive MVP award, and the Celtics secured the championship. Behind that was Paul Pierce’s St. Patrick’s Day alternate uniform from the 2008 season. To the left of that was Robert Parish’s 20,000th point ball.
On the other end of the dais gleamed the championship trophy from the 1981 season.
These are just a few of the items that will be on display at a brand new exhibit coming to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this spring. The Basketball Hall of Fame announced that it will soon launch a new yearly exhibit called “The Vault,” and the Celtics were chosen as the inaugural team. The exhibit will feature authentic game-worn jerseys, championship rings, trophies, long-lost footage, and more.
“We are so pleased to be working with the Boston Celtics,” John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame, said. “It’s a natural for us. There are more Celtics than any other team in the NBA in the Basketball Hall of Fame.”
The roughly 1,100 square-foot vault will feature items such as 11 authentic championship rings, including Bob Cousy's from 1957, Sam Jones' from 1959, and Red Auerbach's from 1962 and 1974, alongside Jo Jo White's from 1976, and two of Robert Parish's, among others. Also on display will be Bill Russell's jersey from the 1964-65 season, Ray Allen's iconic jersey worn and champagne-stained during Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals, a blazer worn by Tommy Heinsohn during a 1973 White House visit with John F. Kennedy, and a pair of clogs donned by Larry Bird during the 1992 Dream Team era.
“This is a storied franchise, and we plan to really represent it,” Doleva added.
There will also be more current items, and Jayson Tatum and Paul Pierce will be the gallery’s voices.
The items were sourced from a blend of the team, players, and premier collectors worldwide. Among these collectors, one stands out with a collection so rare and valuable that it warrants a 24-hour armed guard protecting the storage site.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the unique memorabilia for a limited period beginning on May 31st.
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