10 Average Questions about Boston Celtics

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the first Celtic player inducted into the NBA Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame?

Answer: "Easy" Ed Macauley

Charles Edward "Easy Ed" Macauley played with the St. Louis Bombers (1949-1950), the Boston Celtics (1950-1956), and the St. Louis Hawks (1956-1959). After a career in which he played in the first seven NBA All-Star Games (named MVP in the first), and scored 11,234 points in ten NBA seasons, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1960, at the age of 32.

The Celtics traded him and Cliff Hagen to St. Louis and ended up with Bill Russell in return. As players, Bob Cousy entered in 1971 and Bill Russell in 1975. John "Honey" Russell (Celtics coach from 1946-1948) was inducted in 1964 for his playing in the pre-NBA era.

2. In the 20th century, the Boston Celtics, formed in 1946, won an amazing 16 NBA Championships. In which year did they win their first?

Answer: 1957

In 1957, the Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks four games to three for their first championship. In the 20th century, they also won in 1959-60-61-62-63-64-65-66, 1968-69, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984 and 1986.

3. In 1950, the Boston Celtics were the first NBA team to draft an African-American. Whom did they draft?

Answer: Charles "Chuck" Cooper

Charles Henry "Chuck" Cooper, who played his college ball at West Virginia State (1944-45) and, after his World War II service in the US Navy, Duquesne (1946-50). He was selected by the Celtics in Round Two, the 14th overall pick.He played for the Celtics from 1950-1954, and then for the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks from 1954-56. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1977 as a contributor.

Earl Lloyd was the second African-American to be drafted in 1950 (Round Nine, the 100th overall pick. On October 31, 1950, he became the first African-American to play in an NBA game. From 1950-1960, he played for the Washington Capitols (1950-51), the Syracuse Nationals (1952-1958) who won an NBA championship in 1955), and the Detroit Pistons (1958-1960), whom he later coached in 1971-72. He entered the NBA Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor.

Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton was the third African-American to be drafted in 1950. After playing with the Harlem Globetrotters (1947-59), he was taken by the New York Knicks (1950-56), and then played for the Detroit Pistons (1956-57). He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as a player in 2014.

4. In the 20th century, the Boston Celtics had three persons inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall Of Fame as coaches. Who was *not* one of them?

Answer: Bill Russell

Russell was player/coach for the Celtics from 1966-1969, winning NBA titles in 1968 and 1969. He is in the NBA Hall of Fame as a player, not as a coach. Julian was inducted as a coach in 1967, Auerbach in 1968, and Thompson in 1998-99.

5. How many years after their 16th title did the Boston Celtics win their 17th NBA Championship?

Answer: 22

Their 16th was in 1986 and their 17th title 22 years later in 2008, when the Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks (4-3), the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3), and the Detroit Pistons (4-2) before defeating the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) for the NBA Championship.

6. When the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship in 2008, who was their coach?

Answer: Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers coached the Celtics for nine years (2004-2013). Prior to him, Rick Pitino was coach from 1997-2001, and Jim O'Brien from 2001-2004. Brad Stevens was hired to coach the Celtics immediately after Rivers.

7. In what is usually called "The Larry Bird Era," (1979-1992), the Celtics won three NBA Championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) not only with Bird but also with Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. In 1986, the Celtics were able to select the Number Two pick in the 1986 draft. What All-American forward from the University of Maryland, a player with the potential to extent the success of the Celtics, did they select?

Answer: Len Bias

Len Bias had superstar potential and the Celtics hoped he would compliment their three stars and help maintain the viability of the team in the future after those players retired. Bias, however, less than 48 hours after he was drafted and signed a contract, died after overdosing on cocaine celebrating his success.

8. The Boston Celtics have retired many numbers of NBA Hall of Fame inductees (and of several persons not so inducted). Whose number 14 was retired?

Answer: Bob Cousy

Cousy played for the Celtics from 1950-1963; his #14 was retired in 1963. Havlicek (1962-1978) had his #17 retired in 1978. Bill Sharman (1951-1961) had # 21 retired in 1966. Sam Jones (1957-1969) had #24 retired in 1969. Among other retired numbers of Hall of Fame inductees are: #3 (Dennis Johnson), #6 (Bill russell), #18 (Dave Cowens), #32 (Kevin McHale), and #33 (Larry Bird).

9. Between 1950 and 1969, the Boston Celtics had only two coaches. Who were they?

Answer: "Red" Auerbach and Bill Russell

"Red" Auerbach coached from 1950 until 1966, winning eleven NBA Championships. Bill Russell was player-coach from 1966-1969, winning two NBA titles. "Honey" Russell coached from 1946-1948, "Doggie" Julian from 1948-1950, and Tom Heinson coached from 1969-1978.

10. What is the name of the long time mascot of the Boston Celtics?

Answer: Lucky the Leprechaun

Lucky the Leprechaun reflects the team's Irish heritage and the large Irish population in Boston. the Shamrock, Harp, and Piper are also symbols of Ireland.

Source: Author lowtechmaster

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

10 Average Questions about Boston Celtics

Founded in 1946, the Boston Celtics have been a successful franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for more than 60 years. How much do you know about this legendary team?

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