Celtics City

Led by Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, the Celtics become an NBA dynasty, but racial tensions in Boston and beyond augur a turbulent era ahead.

Amid backlash for his commitment to civil rights, Bill Russell makes history as the first Black head coach in professional sports.

The Celtics win a pair of titles in the ‘70s amid racial unrest, and near the end of the decade, they draft Indiana State star Larry Bird.

Larry Bird arrives in Boston as a beacon of hope for a city still grappling with racial tensions and its identity in flux. His blend of talent and tenacity embodies Boston's working-class ethos, while his rivalry with Magic Johnson and battles against Julius Erving help revive a struggling NBA and elevate it to new heights. With the additions of Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, Bird helps lead the Celtics to their 14th championship in 1981. However, internal discord threatens to derail another potential dynasty.

As the Celtics and Lakers battle for basketball supremacy, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's rivalry captivates the sports world. The Celtics and the Lakers trade titles in epic showdowns as the teams' racial identities fuel complex conversations about Boston's lingering reputation. In 1986, Bird helps lead the Celtics to one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history, but then an unthinkable tragedy changes everything.