Expert: Fabio Anderle - 12/24/2007

Question
I have a framed 16/20 photo entitled the: 1920 Original Boston Celtics Team. Can you tell me more about them? Their names etc. There are seven players, plus 2 men on either end in suits in the front row and 1 small young man in the middle in the top row who looks to me a trainer.
Thank you, George Christodal

Answer
Hi George,

the Original Celtics aren't related in any way to the Boston Celtics, so technically this answer would be outside of the boundaries of my expertise topic. However, since I already answered a couple of questions on the matter, I think I can help you.
The Original Celtics were were one of the best known barnstorming professional basketball teams in the 1920's. Formed initially as an all-Irish team playing around the Celtic Park area of Manhattan, they kept adding great player after great player and eventually started to bring the pro game its first national attention. As reported in the Hall of Fame short team bio, "The team disbanded during World War I, but was reformed as the Original Celtics in
1918 by promoter James Furey. In its first season, the squad, featuring burly forward Dutch Dennert, compiled an impressive 65-4 record. The Original Celtics were a delight to watch, and would entertain 4,000 spirited fans who packed the Celtics' home arena, the Central Opera House. Dazzling passer Nat Holman was added to the squad in 1921, leading the Celts to a national title. After spending a couple of years in fledgling pro leagues, Furey sent his team barnstorming through a 205-game national schedule. The Celtics dominated everyone, finishing the tour with a 193-11-1 record. To strengthen his roster, Furey added powerful center Joe Lapchick. For the next few seasons, the team continued its amazing success, touring the country and playing nearly 140 games each year. The Original Celtics are credited with many innovations, including the post play, zone defenses and switching man-to-man defenses. More importantly, the Celtics carried the message of professional basketball across the country". Of course it is not an easy task to tell who was part of the team shown in your photo without watching it because there weren't "official" rosters back then, and the players were signed whenever deemed necessary.
If you need to know the players' names you can send me (legend33@libero.it) a scan of the picture and I can help you in finding them out.


Fabio