Expert: Fabio Anderle - 1/19/2003

Question
In 1940 there was a professional team by the name
of "The Kate Smith Celtics". Is this the same team
that came to be known as The Boston Celtics years
later.

Answer
Dear Mr. Roulusonis,

The "Kate Smith Celtics" were not the same team which later set the NBA on fire. They were based in the New York area, and were part of the defunct American Basketball League. Obviously, the influence of their great tradition was instrumental when the Boston Celtics first owner Walter Brown picked the nickname, but there were no relations between the two teams other than a deep respect for the Irish heritage they both shared. The "Kate Smith Celtics" were christened with that name when they were bought by Kated Incorporated, a corporation which produced the shows of the "America's songbird" and of other artists. I hope this helps....

Fabio Anderle