Question QUESTION: What is the relation between the "Original Celtics" and the Boston Celtics? All publications say there is no relation but I was recently at the Garden and saw a collage of Celtics greats which included a picture of a man in that "Original Celtics" uniform. I also own a couple of Nike Swingman jerseys that read 1925 on the tag and are designed like the "Original Celtics" jersey. Doesn't make sense if there is "no relation"?
ANSWER: Kevin,
the Boston Celtics were born in 1946 when Walter Brown, the first owner of the Boston-based team, picked the name because the city was full of Irishmen and because of the tradition of the New York Original Celtics. Howie McHugh, the promotions man of that team, recalled that Brown toyed with other names like "Whilrwinds" and "Unicorns" before choosing the "Celtics", so it is clear that the New York Celtics and the Original Celtics had no relation.
Maybe the pictured you saw were meant to honor the New York Celtics and their winning tradition that had influenced Walter Brown's decision.
I hope it helps
Fabio Anderle
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: First, let me thank you for your assistance. This information is for a project that I am doing so you've been extremely helpful in me maintaining historic accuracy. I was aware of Mr. Brown's geographical and cultural rationale but not of his sports influence by New York. -- thanks.
A couple of new questions for you. In your reply, you say it is obvious that "the New York Celtics and the Original Celtics had no relation." Did you mean New York (Original) and BOSTON? Also, your answer is the best I've heard about the homage theory but does it not seem odd that likeness would be included with all the BOSTON Celtics greats? I think I understand why Nike would produce a like jersey with Pierce's name and number...mo' money, right?
Thanks again.
Kevin
Answer Hello again, Kevin.
Here we go:
"Did you mean New York (Original) and BOSTON"?
Yes I did. My fault.
"but does it not seem odd that likeness would be included with all the BOSTON Celtics greats"?
In fact this is quite strange. But to support my theory I add this excerpt from Dan Shaughnessy's "Ever Green", a history of the Boston Celtics: "Brown suddenly hit on 'Celtics'. The name had a great basketball tradition from the Original Celtics in New York. And Boston was full of Irishmen. They'd put the team in green uniforms and call them the Boston Celtics".
Probably, Nike wanted to emphasize the red line linking the Original Celtics with the Boston Celtics, but as you see the tradition created by the barnstorming New York Celtics was only one of the reasons why Walter Brown picked the "Celtics" nickname.
