Boston Celtics as significant as they played on Christmas in 2017. "List of the last five seasons completed by the Celtics. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Boston Celtics seasons." "Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Winning Percentage"; The Celtics have an NBA record 17 Championships including 8 in a row, and 11 championships in 13 years. They also have 52 playoff appearances. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame have 40 enshrined players who played for the Celtics, and the franchise has retired 22 jersey numbers, more than any other American sports
Celtics–Lakers rivalry was actually laid down in college basketball of the late 1970s. During the 1978–79 NCAA season, Michigan State was led by Magic Johnson to the championship game of the NCAA Tournament, where they faced Indiana State University, which was led by senior Larry Bird. In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever, Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Magic Johnson would go on to be drafted by the Lakers, and Larry Bird by the Celtics. The personal rivalry formed by these two basketball greats during college would transfer