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This story first appeared in SLAM 251.
It’s exhausting to imagine however there was a time when the Boston Celtics weren’t a high crew. You’ve gotta hand it to them, although, that they had a stable begin—profitable nearly 11 successive titles from 1957 by means of the next decade. Following that, if the trophy wasn’t residing in Bean City, they beautiful a lot remained within the championship dialog till the late ’80s. Regardless of their wealthy, dynasty-defining imprint on NBA historical past, one thing modified within the early ’90s. The mixture of Larry Chicken inevitably calling time on his storied legacy, then the tragedy of Reggie Lewis, passing away in 1993 meant that some shaky seasons adopted.
Positive, some stable draft picks made for potential franchise gamers (we see you, Toine), and there have been a few savvy signings (a lot love, Dana). However chemistry lacked and the newly constructed TD Backyard (then the FleetCenter) felt like an unworthy new tackle for the banners imported from their previous dwelling. Boston’s lack of success could be mirrored of their notable absence from the primary 5 years of SLAM covers (not counting iconic gatefold joints), with a worthy face not rising till 1999—Concern 35, to be precise.
Within the 1998 NBA Draft, the Celtics would use their tenth choose to pick Paul Pierce. Regardless of Pierce’s hatred of the franchise (comprehensible, being from Cali), he would show to be a wonderful selection, placing up numbers that positioned him within the Rookie of the 12 months dialog towards the tip of the ’98-99 season.
This dialog was seemingly large open and crashed into the SLAM workplaces in what would show to be a poisonous vogue. Some crew members selected Vince (the eventual Rookie of the 12 months), Scoop was relying on J-Will and Tony G had The Fact as his choose. “If we had been a band, we might’ve cut up up,” was how Tony described how actual it obtained on the SLAM Dome. Three dope covers was the compromise and, consequently, the Celtics would solidify their greatest basketball achievement of that individual decade: their first solo SLAM cowl.
Boston’s journey to the championship over these previous few years has been a protracted flight with turbulence. I do know I communicate for the worldwide hoops group after I say that it’s dope to see such a storied franchise persevering with to construct on its legacy and reclaim its place as one of the best in NBA historical past.
Little doubt.
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