'I respect what people have laid here before'
HBO Sports Documentaries is launching a multipart docuseries on the 18-time NBA champion Boston Celtics in 2025.
The documentary “Celtics City” was written and produced by sportswriter, podcaster, and avid Celtics fan Bill Simmons. It chronicles the history, cultural impact and extraordinary tale of the NBA’s winningest franchise, including interviews with Celtics legends Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“There’s no story quite like the Boston Celtics. Everything went right for 40 years, then nothing went right, then suddenly, things started going right again,” Simmons said, per a release. “But beyond the 18 titles and all the legends and memories, the team’s connection to the city and almost a century of American history was the most compelling piece for us. This story is bigger than basketball, and yet, it’s everything you ever loved about basketball, too.”
In a nine-second tease of the docuseries, images of Red Auerbach, Bird and the championship banners follow words from Brown.
“I respect what people have laid here before,” Brown said.
The docuseries is directed by seven-time Emmy award-winner Lauren Stowell.
“The Celtics are more than a basketball team,” Stowell said in the release. “They’re a symbol of resilience, unity, and success. While chapters of the team’s story have been told, the full scope of their cultural impact has never been fully explored. Making this documentary was an incredible opportunity to delve into generations of legendary personalities, defining struggles, and extraordinary triumphs that have left a lasting mark not only on the game of basketball, but on the city of Boston and the spirit of America.”
The Celtics, led by Bill Russell, won 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons and eight consecutive championships from 1959-1966. Since 2020, the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have been tied with 17 titles, however, Boston won its league-leading 18th championship last June.