HBO’s ‘Celtics City’ Chronicles Triumphs and Turmoil of Boston’s NBA Team
In 2024, the Boston Celtics won their 18th NBA championship. In recognition of this accomplishment, HBO has produced a nine-hour documentary, “Celtics City,” chronicling the franchise’s history.
Currently available for streaming on HBO Max, the program highlights the Celtics’ successes as a team and its complex history amid the city’s past with race relations. The documentary examines the Celtics’ policy of inclusion that has remained a part of the team’s ethos for decades. Filmmaker Lauren Stowell emphasizes the work of the Celtics’ general manager, Red Auerbach.
Auerbach broke the color barrier in the NBA by drafting Chuck Cooper in 1950. Cooper was one of three African American players who entered the NBA that season. Auerbach made history in 1966 when he appointed Bill Russell his successor. Russell was the first African American head coach of any major U.S. sport. He was known for his vocal stance on race, challenging those opposed to integration and advocating for equality.
Throughout the documentary, several commentators reflect on the various eras of the team and Boston’s changing culture. An appearance by R&B, hip-hop, and new jack swing musical trio Bell Biv DeVoe speaks to the various nuances of the relationship between the fans and their team.
In a commentary for the Catholic Review, Garan Santicola describes the scene when, in 2016, the Celtics introduced their drafted high school standout, Jaylen Brown. “The selection of the African American player was greeted with boos rather than cheers,” Santicola wrote. “This seemed to confirm Beantown’s reputation as a racially hostile environment.”
Brown recounts being contacted by actor Donnie Wahlberg, who reached out to him and said, “I apologize on behalf of the city, and I would like to welcome you.”
“I just thought that was a very kind thing to do,” said Brown, who has become one of the Celtics’ most valuable players.
Santicola summarized his commentary by saying, “Grown TV fans will find ‘Celtics City’ an intriguing study of the way in which a popular sports team can bring healing to an entire city.”