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The Excellent Eighties

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For the Celtics, the 1980s can be summed up in one word: dominance. The original Big Three rose to power with superstars Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Celtics legend K.C. Jones made his triumphant return to Boston as the team’s head coach. And the Celtics made the playoffs every season of the decade, which resulted in three NBA World Championship titles and another chapter in the rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was lights, camera, action for Boston and the Celtics lived up to the hype. Learn more about Boston’s second dynasty here.

Larry Bird in white Celtics warm up uniform playfully pulls open Lakers warm-up jacket of a laughing Magic Johnson, revealing a Boston Celtics T-shirt.
Magic vs. Bird
B&W shot of Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Larry Bird standing on court and talking.
The Original Big Three
Red Auerbach smoking cigar smiles while holding Larry O'Brien trophy with Cedric Maxwell standing behind him also touching trophy.
Red and Max Lead the Way
Video from the 1984 NBA Finals
Watch: The Countdown to No. 15
Video of Larry Bird against the Philadelphia 76ers
Watch: The Doctor is Out
Video of Gerald Henderson’s steal in Game 2 of the 1984 NBA Finals
Watch: Henderson Saves the Day
Bill Walton and Julius Erving stand on court with hands on their hips as they humorously stare at each other.
Walton’s Hall-of-Fame Staredown
Green Celtics jersey with no. 00 on it.
The Most From the Chief
Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale pose in white Celtics uniforms with three Larry O'Brien trophies.
The Big Three’s Hardware
Larry Bird dribbling on basketball court while surrounded by four men in purple Lakers jerseys, one reading, Abdul Jabbar 33.
Bird Crashes the Party
Framed, autograph black & white photo of Larry Bird in Celtics jersey smoking cigar next to smiling Red Auerbach and Larry O'Brien trophy.
One Photo, Two Legends
Wide shot of four Celtics players in white jerseys surrounding opposing player as he looks to pass the basketball.
Defense Leads the Way
Slightly stained white baseball hat with The 1986 NBA Finals written on it.
1986 NBA Finals Locker Room Hat
Three men in suits standing behind six green folding chairs. In three of the chairs sits three men in red basketball uniforms that read
All-Star Celtics in ’86
White baseball hat with blue brim and an illustration of a basketball above
The Big Three’s Last All-Star Game
Celtics players in street clothes waiving to large outdoor crowd.
200,000 Of Their Closest Friends
K.C. Jones in Celtics zip-up sweater holding notepad pointing while talking to Robert Parish in white jersey.
Jones Shows the Way
Wide shot of Rockets players attempting to block Larry Bird as he inbounds ball to his teammates.
NBA Finals Back at the Garden
White pennant with text in white and green reading, World Champions 1985-1989 Boston Celtics along with names of players on the roster.
The 1986 Pennant Winners
Close-up of the Larry O'Brien trophy,
1986 Championship Hardware
Green pennant with names of Celtics players, team logo and World Champs Boston Celtics 1981 written in white.
Green With Envy
Man in suit talking to Danny Ainge in white Celtics uniform wearing a white baseball hat that reads, Celtics 1986 World Champions.
Ainge in the Spotlight
Cedric Maxwell shirtless kisses Larry O'Brien Trophy.
The MVP Kisses the Crown
Larry Bird smiles in Celtics hat while holding up Larry O'Brien trophy outside with an unidentified person grabbing his arm.
Shiny Objects for the Bird’s Nest
Dennis Johnson in green Celtics jersey dribbles basketball during a game.
DJ Sets the Play
Front right side view of a white baseball hat with green circle that reads, Boston Celtics surrounding illustration of a man spinning a basketball while wearing a vest and hat with a three leaf clover pattern. Hat is also covered in autographs.
A Haul of Hall-of-Famers
Jerry Sichting in white Celtics uniform attempts to dribble ball around opposing player in red uniform.
Never Cease-Sting
Kevin McHale, Dany Ainge and Robert Parish smile with Charles Barkley who is holding a microphone.
Old Friends, New Uniforms
Official scorer's box score from NBA Finals game between the Celtics and Houston.
A Record of a Title
Green T-shirt with man in white Celtics uniform dribbling a basketball surrounded by text A Tribute to Dennis Johnson 3 December 13, 1991.
A Tribute to Dennis Johnson