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Along with the New York Knicks, the Celtics remain the only current National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise to still exist in the same form it did upon the creation of the NBA in 1949.

As a member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the Celtics joined the fledgling NBA when it was formed through the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League.

The Celtics began play in 1946, and struggled early on. The most notable event to happen to them took place in 1950, when they signed the NBA's very first African-American player, Chuck Cooper.

The Celtics history took a turn for the better when they hired Arnold "Red" Auerbach as head coach.

During Auerbach's early years, the first major signing of the Celtics was Bob Cousy, an immensely talented guard/forward.

Surprisingly, Auerbach had chosen not to draft Cousy initially, and he was taken by the Chicago Stags, but when that franchise went bankrupt, the Celtics eventually acquired Cousy through the dispersal draft.

A huge event in Celtics history took place after the 1955-56 season, when Auerbach's made what, at the time seemed a nonsensical decision to trade perennial All-Star and future Hall-of-Famer to the St. Louis Hawks for draft picks.

However, it would turn out to be one of the biggest coups in professional sporting history, as with the pick from the Hawks, Auerbach drafted star University of San Francisco center Bill Russell.

Along with the acquisition of 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year Tommy Heinsohn, the Celtics were transformed from an also-ran to a star franchise in the space of one off-season.

Heinsohn and Russell worked particularly well with Cousy, and the dynasty that was the Boston Celtics during this time was created.

Amazingly, in the 13 seasons between 1957-69, the Celtics won 11 titles, including a run of eight in a row, the longest streak of consecutive championships in United States professional sporting history.

Auerbach was at the helm for the majority of these championships, finally retiring as head coach in 1966, but staying with the franchise as General Manager. At this time, Russell took over as player captain-head coach, and won a couple more titles.

Russell's eventual retirement in 1969, and an aging list would see the Celtics amazing dynasty finally come to an end.

After enduring their first losing season in 20 years in 1970, the Celtics were swift to rebuild.

The acquisition of talented players Dave Cowens, Paul Silas and Jo Jo White saw the Celtics return to the Eastern Conference

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