1986 Boston Celtics Tribute - The Beautiful Game

[@williamjubi]

The 1986 Celtics vs the 2014 Spurs would be a magnificent game of TEAM basketball.

[@MaciekSadowski]

Shit man, now I'm frustrated I'll never be able to see it.

[@calvinjames9229]

Literally was having the same comparison's going through my mind mid video haha

[@3rdeye931]

MaciekSadowski 2k babyyyyy

[@rodriguerra3639]

@King Tubbzzz we are talking about team basketball, so the only team in recent years that could make competence to the 86 Celtics are the 2014 Spurs, they are very similar and both moved very well the ball

[@josephtesta7432]

That was a great comparison my friend

[@BigDan5309]

Who's here after hearing of Bill Walton's passing this afternoon RIP Bill

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

The '86 Celtics elevated the game from a sport to an art.

[@gumdeo]

The Mozart of basketball 🏀

[@vanmoody]

This is textbook team basketball. Probably the greatest passing team ever.

[@snorman1951]

For sure a wonderful team. Maybe the best ever. The early 70's Knicks were a delight to watch also. The game just isn't right now and I have no interest.

[@astveloria]

@@snorman1951 lol imagine not saying 2014 Spurs🤦‍♂️ old head

[@Roc_Official]

@@astveloria That’s HIS own OPINION. You don’t got to call people names for no reason.

[@BaXiStA]

Not probably, DEFINITELY the greatest passing team ever.

[@jmgonzales7701]

@@BaXiStA i want to play like this in 2k but cant.

[@madddoggsrhymes2871]

I'm a Lakers fan, but holy shit thats so fundamentally beautiful

[@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD]

That was much more than superior fundamentals. It was creative basketball IQ at an unparalleled level ever!!

[@fudgematthew33]

That's how you play the game.

[@wmden1]

Walton and Bird were so good that they had even Parrish and McHale making great passes, often. I almost teared up watching this. I sure miss this quality type of basketball.

[@maxdurk4624]

Watch the Warriors.

[@first25q43]

Sorry the Warriors could not compete.

[@TisEYEthe1]

​​@@maxdurk4624We did watch the Warriors. One of my favorite movies along with Star Wars and Ace Ventura.

[@twil2389]

Three point shooting contests and 1 on 5 is today’s game. 🥲 Players today couldn’t execute a pick and roll to save their lives.

[@slucci9992]

This is the greatest basketball I’ve ever seen. They took something so simple and mastered it, passing to the most open man

[@foreverunited19]

The greatest basketball team of all time. The 96 bulls come close but they didn't have the depth or overall chemistry of this Celtics team. Imagine Len Bias on this team in '87... that would have been a sight to behold.

[@p.g.8145]

+foreverunited19 1960 Celtics: Bill Russell (Hall of Fame), Tommy Heinsohn (HF), Bob Cousy (HF), Sam Jones (HF), Bill Sharman (HF), K. C. Jones (HF), Tom Sanders (HF), Frank Ramsay (HF), and Gene Conley. That's 8 players on one team who went to the hall of fame. Hard to beat this group. The Bill Russell era teams were wonderful, partially because Russell made everyone better. The coach was Red Auerbach.

[@archiveprotector]

+P. G. The 1963 Celtics had all of those guys except Sharman but ADDEDJohn Havlicek and also had Clyde Lovellette (HOFer) and Jim Loscutoff

[@housesports000]

foreverunited19 With Len Bias brought to life in 87 they would have won the championship over the Lakers

[@tubewatcher38]

@@housesports000 Easily, & probably several more in a row.

[@housesports000]

tubewatcher38 And had it not been for the injuries that minimized their winning percentage

[@kenbouck2633]

Being a Laker fan, that was one of the most beautiful display of passing that I've ever seen!

[@richardpare3538]

Lived in Beantown during that time, and we always LOVED when the Lakers came to town - we KNEW that we were gone to see incredible b-ball from 2 great teams - win or lose, we were going to see how the game was supposed to be played!

[@kenbouck2633]

@@richardpare3538 Absolutely! Never see the likes of that style again!

[@sharonhoyt2133]

Basketball will never be this good again. Glad I was able to watch when it happened and can look back again with these videos.

[@mattyowen1969]

Still the greatest team ever assembled!

[@johndardi1334]

Absolutely

[@bradcallaghan8099]

Every high school basketball team should watch the 86 Celtics season. This is how it's done.

[@klaws32]

These Celtics from 84-86 was almost like watching the Globetrotters. They were just simply incredible. I'm so glad i got to watch them live.

[@Tyandaga]

How basketball should be played ^.^

[@superdrybonesbros4680]

Tyandaga Yes it is how basketball should be played at its core ! No doubt, winning basketball unselfishly !!

[@rodriguerra3639]

The Spurs, more specific the 2014 Spurs played very similar and they still have a little of that game, but when Pop goes Spurs are not going to be the same

[@deere3321]

I've been watching pro ball since the ABA. This team was the best I ever watched. I miss those days.

[@FazGaming]

Like watching a poet write, or a painter paint a picture, or even a stream flow into the river, just amazing. Every basketball coach should watch this, then try to teach it to their team.

[@anthonyparkinson5820]

Imagine if every high school and college coach taught this what the NBA would be like.

[@dutchtea8354]

Wish I could “like” this comment more than once, too.

[@usafo6546]

My favorite team of all time...in my 52 years. It helps having the greatest depth of talent in NBA history....Bird, McHale, Walton, Parish, DJ...each a HOFer, two NBA MVPs, four top 50s, and two of the five best NCAA players ever

[@marvinclay4476]

Both the Celtics and the Lakers of this era showed what team basketball was all about. Go Celtics!

[@bm64553]

4:03 One of Larry's signature WTF passes

[@mitchyoung8791]

No 'athleticism' required to do that. No sir.

[@Deuce1042]

The way the game should be played. Beautiful basketball.

[@colonelwhiskey]

Pure team basketball, on both ends of the court. Larry was the standout star but as a collective they had something special, with the wisdom of a legendary coach to guide them.

[@maxdurk4624]

A legendary coach?

[@colonelwhiskey]

@@maxdurk4624 Was referring to Red - even though he wasn’t coaching the team at that point. Was still around and a massive influence on the team.

[@Head318Hunter]

Greatest team ever. Only two types of people disagree. Those who were in diapers in '86 and those fans with typical low basketball iQ's that are only impressed with dunks and crap. The 80's Celtics were never considered a team full of athletes, but no one out runs the ball.

[@alexgalarza6908]

well u also have the 96 bulls.. and im a c's fan. but that was beautiful basketball not that crap they play today

[@wtbdl9280]

it happens today with the.spurs today tho

[@johnnieriot13]

ROA the 69 70 Knicks played the same exact way and had one of the most exciting and iconic finals

[@WarLord645]

id take the 2014 spurs over them honestly

[@Head318Hunter]

+Aaron Schafer That's a great call and I've said it myself that those Spurs teams would be a horrible style match up for the '86Celtics. Because they play the same offensive game with the very superior ball movement etc. but the Spurs have a stiffer D and bigger stronger faster athletes. But at the same time that Spurs team proved what that style of game can accomplish. A title.

[@Primus54]

This is a video I come back and rewatch whenever I need inspiration.

[@cindyknudson2715]

Yes

[@matthewstarrett3363]

Poetry in motion! Yet so simple! The ball moves faster than the legs! Greatest team ever!!!

[@adamr6794]

There is no question that this is the best front line ever, smartest team ever and Best Team Ever. I feel sorry for anyone who is not old enough to have witnessed this legendary team

[@CL-vx9dr]

I disagree that this is 'no question' the best team. There are a few other teams that absolutely have an argument for that distinction.

[@adamr6794]

@@CL-vx9dr Yeah, and they can all fight over who the second best team was

[@CL-vx9dr]

@@adamr6794 Are you a Boston sports fan? I can acknowledge that certain teams have a legitimate claim as the best ever regardless of my fandom. The '96 Bulls, '72 '87 and '01 Lakers, '17 Warriors. All of those teams have a legit claim as the best ever, regardless of which teams you root for.

[@adamr6794]

@@CL-vx9dr That's a really good start for all the teams that want to argue about being 2nd best all-time. There is no bias on my part I just don't think anyone played better together. And the 96 Bulls are on everyone's list. I don't think much of them. No balance, no depth, all of their centers sucked, very little competition. 2001 Lakes lost 26 games so maybe you picked the wrong year. 72 & 87 Lakers are both fantastic teams. 2017 Golden State I laugh at. They are excellent for the way the game is played now. Which of those teams has a League MVP,/ finals MVP/Hall of Famer on their bench?

[@CL-vx9dr]

@@adamr6794 Did you say the '96 Bulls had no competition? What league are you talking about? They were competing against the Stockton/ Malone Jazz, the Olajuwan Rockets, the Ewing Knicks. Those are some all time great teams. The only reason the Bulls seemed like they had no competition is because they won everything. The Celtics of this era lost half the time to the Lakers. The Bulls did not lost a single Finals appearance in the 90's. Not one. And regardless of how you feel about today's game, the 2017 Warriors are undeniably great, and they would be in a lot of eras. Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of all time, Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers of all time, Klay is a top 10 shooter, Draymond is a top 10 defender. Don't let 80's nostalgia cloud your judgement, that team deserves to be in the conversation.

[@marinescionce]

Greatest team ever, in my book

[@mitchelle4322]

Knick fan here who lived through these years. Wished I could have seen more of these Celtics besides seeing them crush the Knicks and occasionally on CBS. They were epic...so much respect for how they played the game.

[@richardpare3538]

Lived in Boston during that time, and the games against the Knicks were always great!

[@CatCrave]

Greatest team I ever watched. The Lakers at the time were a great running team but the Celtics could run and, more importantly, they could kill you in the half court offense by moving the ball. Each player has to be unselfish and a good passer and they all were.

[@MP-tf7cc]

Celtics won in '84, Lakers won in '85, then skipped the '86 finals because they knew what they had coming.

[@stanjanusas2885]

I've never seen a better team. 40--1 at home. The best ever.

[@tomdigangi2722]

This is the best team I've ever seen, and not just in their passing capabilities. Five Hall of Famers, Danny Ainge (who played pro baseball and was the only [still, I think as of 7/4/23] person to be named H.S. All-American in baseball, football and basketball, Scott Wedman [who averaged almost 20 ppg. before coming to the Celts and was an All-Star] and Jerry Sichting, [who shot 58% that year, mostly on 16-22 foot jumpers]). Thanks so much for posting. This is something to which I turn again and again.

[@cindyknudson2715]

Yes.

[@TorresinhoLFC]

Absolutely amazing. This is the way all teams should try to emulate!

[@gt8432]

+Doug in San Diego Nobody practices passing everyone is selfish. I see it in the youth leagues too its disgusting. Ego always prevails

[@MrMaxXxus]

+Top Skills Wow Top Skills, didn't expect to see you here! ;) How bout makin' another volume eh? ;P

[@TorresinhoLFC]

MrMaxXxus someday maybe. I have one video which is 60% done

[@ethanahoia8619]

+Doug in San Diego The modern Warriors are a great example of phenomenal passing. Wish more teams did this.

[@maxdurk4624]

+Brown Mamba im trying to come up with a list of greatest passing teams ever, and of course you have the classics, but youd be surprised how many modern teams are in contention. Its difficult to play this way, but in the new age many teams have been up for the challenge

[@joelj1355]

Absolutely beautiful, I could watch this all day

[@thegodofpez]

Love’em or hate’em, basketball doesn’t get more fundamentally beautiful than this.

[@chendaddy]

Fucking beautiful. Reminds me of the present day Spurs, though without nearly as many corner threes.

[@evanypsilantis7850]

+chendaddy yes...but the Spurs do not have nearly as many skilled passers

[@nujrz4lyfe]

I thought the same exact thing man

[@chrisbr1969]

+Prince Cyrill: Warriors fan since 2015! Keep dreaming! None of those teams could have beaten any of the champions in the 80s, never mind the greatest team if all-time the 85-86 Celtics!

[@archiveprotector]

+Prince Cyrill: Warriors fan since 2015! You cannot use 1 game to support your opinion of how great a player was. I’m tired of people referring to MJ’s 63 point playoff game vs Larry Bird’s Celtics in 1986. Ok, MJ had a great individual performance in that game. If that means the 1986 Celtics were not that good or that it means MJ was so great, then let’s talk about the entire series and for that matter all 6 playoff games MJ played against Bird’s Celtics. The Celtics swept the Bulls in 1986 and in 1987. 6 wins to 0 wins. 4 out of the 6 games were not close games. The Celtics closed out the Bulls in Chicago in both years, yes on MJ’s home court. In both close out (elimination) games, MJ had horrible games. In game 3, in 1986, in Chicago; MJ was held to 44% FG shooting and 19 points while the Celtics won by 18 points. In 1987, game 3 in Chicago, MJ shot 9 of 30 (30% fg%). If you’re going to reference 1 game to prove your point, be ready to hear the counter argument. Looking at just 1 game out of 6 is not a fair assessment. The 1986 Celtics are arguably the greatest team of all-time and they did a much better defensive job on MJ then people remember. If you read any books, or listen to Kevin McHale talk about that 1986 series, the Celtics knew MJ was a ball hog in those days and not a team player. (He would not become a great team player until Phil Jackson came along). They let him shoot because they knew they would win the games. After the first two games, in which the Celtics did win, all the media would talk about is MJ and not that the Celtics won. This motivated the Celtics to “D” up on MJ and prove a point. They held him to 19 points on 44% shooting on his home court. The next year they held him to 42% shooting in a 3 game sweep and closed him out in Chicago while he shot 9 for 30 (30%). FYI: Bird had more assists, rebounds, 3P fg, a higher FG%, higher FT%, took far less shots, and oh yeah, won all 6 games.

[@archiveprotector]

+Prince Cyrill: Warriors fan since 2015! Coaching, not as advanced? Popovich was an assistant under Larry Brown and Don Nelson. Popovich himself will tell you they know more about basketball then he does. Derek Fisher is gonna out coach Pat Riley? Steve Kerr is gonna out coach Bill Fitch? Doc Rivers is gonna out coach Jack Ramsay? Please do some research on these guys and get back to me

[@larrylegend199]

GOAT team, I uploaded a lot of Celtics games from the glory 80's on my channel, those were the days... great video man! thanks!

[@ColinStanton215]

+Larry Legend No, thank you. Your channel was a tremendous resource of mine while making this video. You have the best 80's NBA channel on KZbin. Thank you.

[@contrabandosydney9466]

+Colin Stanton Guys just watching this brought a tear to my eye - this team is the reason Ive been a huge fan of basketball for 30 years. Thanks so much for the video - really special

[@benavidesr22]

I just don't understand why the Boston Celtics are not one of the most expensive teams in the NBA, they WON more Championships than any team. And don't tell me because is a small market, Look at the Dallas Cowboys most expensive team in the NFL and its in Dallas.

[@jpowers55]

+benavidesr22 Boston is a small market? That's news to me.

[@joesmith8725]

Boston is not a small market. LOL

[@danimalplanimal]

one of the best highlights videos I've ever seen for one of the best basketball teams I've ever seen

[@Amick44]

San Diego I find it amusing when some call some 90's Bulls teams the greatest ever. I (like many) pick MJ as the best, but he and Scottie just wouldn't be enough to top those powerful 80's Celts or Lakers teams. Grant was good, not great and Rodman, while a beast on the boards, didn't contribute much in other areas.

[@dutchtea8354]

Bird is best precisely because of his leadership. He actively sought to keep his teammates involved, so their stats improved, too. Parish said he owed his 5,000 points to Larry. Larry was the main reason his teammates achieved HoF. Grant and Rodman would have been better if they had played with Larry. MJ was all about his own stats and showing off to wow the crowd. Larry was about winning.

[@dutchtea8354]

Wish I could like this video more than once.

[@thebops4180]

That's the best 5 minutes I've watched on KZbin. Would have loved to have watched a game at Boston Garden . . .

[@khaledahmed2847]

Wow! This is true team basketball, hit the open man.

[@Amick44]

jack flash They did it too.

[@miltonjoyner4201]

I’ve been a Celtics fan for almost 50 years. That was THE best passing team I’ve EVER seen!

[@pr1nce381]

Beautiful video man, especially for us the younger generations that haven`t had the chance to watch them play.Funny how the game is completely different today, focusing so much on isolation plays, screens and pics.I doubt we`ll ever see organic team play like this again.

[@JoshuaWSiegel]

+GimmeTheApples Well the present day Spurs do, but that's it.

[@TFMnillA]

+Josh Siegel hawks played good team ball last year we'll see if they can do it again and maybe advance further

[@andyhammer9218]

+Pr1nce the spurs where compared to them yet this generation doesn't like that kind of game.. why? beacuse everyone wants to be the "go to" guy..

[@tmanley111]

+Pr1nce In reality, the NBA is trending towards more of the team play and passing. From the late 90's to around 2014, iso was definitely very prevalent. The Spurs are what really popularized this kind of style, and the Warriors have definitely popularized the small-ball movement, which emphasizes passing more as well. Players that would have been valued highly ten years ago because of their iso skills are not as valued today because of their inability to fit in with an offense. The league is definitely changing.

[@knee-colayo-kitc104]

tmanley111 preach... basketball is position less now-a-days and great to watch

[@antangelone]

My favorite team to use on 2k and to piss off my friends with when Larry Legend is hittin every shot 🙌🏻

[@mikjord]

That`s how basketball should be played...

[@KawhiLeonard-NBAMVP]

Larry bird still averaged about 6 APG and the celtics played like a team which goes to show how great of a passer bird was. I still think he is better than LEbron

[@calvinjames9229]

Bird is top 5 if not top 3 of all time imo. lebron is top 10

[@desitterspace2127]

If you throw LeBron into Isaiah Thomas’s hypothetical room with magic, Michael, Isaiah and Bird, Bird’s still the first one coming out. LeBron would be nothing more than a speed bump for the others to step over!

[@birthabutt9555]

Picking a team I take Larry Ledgend first every time.

[@brandonterzic]

Its close. I love them both. Lebron is the better athlete and man to man defender, but Larry is the better shooter and rebounder.

[@jamesgarcia2905]

Marlon James Larry made his team better overall. Larry Legend was something else to see.

[@Amick44]

When you pass like that you deserve to win. Celts, Lakers, recent Spurs figured it out. Everybody stays involved, everyone feels a part of the team. Unlike teams with an Iverson, Wilkins on it.

[@johndailey2323]

Iverson and especially Wilkins didn't have the teammates and depth of these Celtic teams. For the most part they had to carry their teams offensively

[@mushaudiqbal6244]

just realised that Larry Bird is the only player who could post you up on the 3 point line... and score...plus the foul..🏀

[@Hopkinsmusicman]

Until Jocic, he can do it too.

[@ToastedAlmond77]

The way they would move he ball just confused the hell out of everyone, you never knew who was going to shoot it, they were always ready yo get the ball at all times. Poetry in motion.

[@williammoore6361]

Len Bias’ sad passing changed the landscape of the nba for the rest of the 80’s and possibly early 90’s. A sad day for his family and a loss the Celtics never recovered from.

[@triciacallahan1680]

This team - so much fun to watch….what a special year.

[@armandorodriguez6447]

Oh man ,wow wow wow how I remember those days. That style of play in that era witch brought so much entertainment will never ever be seen in the NBA because of selfish ball hugging. Thank you KZbin for making this video available so newer generations can witness how good they were

[@kellygreen3888]

became a CELTICS FAN IN 1959 ..... YES 1959 , BASKET BALL is my passion , played , coached , and followed the game at all levels . the 86 Celtics are my favorite by far .

[@dearkazuscorner2549]

Wow!! You have all my respect!!! You must have seen all the greats in their prime! the Big O, West, Kareem, Dr. J, even friggin' Bill Russell!! I'm curious about where do Bird, Jordan and LeBron stand in your all-time top 10!

[@rolexmarcelo3218]

Im also interested Kelly. Ive only seen bill russell's celtic team play in youtube so he is quite a mythical winner, and id pick him first in my top 5, followed by bird. Your perspective and opinion is much more reliable.

[@chrisgarbiso]

Love that team. All team, win over ego. I am a Lakers Showtime guy, Boston was absolutely the best to go against. 1987 Lakers VS 1986 Celtics. That's a seven game series.

[@steverakes6182]

I was a Sixers fan during that era but must say that the 86 Celtics proved that great teamwork wins championships.

[@johndillinger1268]

How can u not like watching this just absolutely amazing

[@gv0808]

86 was one championship I saw when I was a Celtics fan, and boy they did win that year with unselfishness, and today with everyone throwing threes this to me is the greatest in basketball unselfishness period.

[@Rtizzy]

I cried a little

[@mitchyoung8791]

The music, man, the music.

[@yampavalleyarts2015]

Me too. Bird at the 4 minute mark. Wow...just wow!!

[@rolexmarcelo3218]

Ditto. We all miss watching these players play.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Poetry in motion Ladies and Gentleman, poetry in motion

[@unclejoe5541]

it should be a requirement for every player, at every level, to watch this video 3 times a day, every single day. Enough said, end of story, no discussion...period. This is basketball, not this junk they have this day and time.

[@leonardwest7930]

1986 Celtics, best if all time. I don't give a fuck who disagrees!!!

[@johnnyguit8168]

+Leonard West -GS's gettin close @ 55-5 now but I agree about Birds 84-86 Celtics teams! They were a perfect team!

[@adamr6794]

fuckin right

[@adamr6794]

my comment was backing up the comment made by Leonard West. I can't even watch today's NBA

[@reneep9972]

Leonard West, anyone who disagrees is either blind or an abject, blithering idiot. 86 Boston Celtics are the most legendary team of all time and would crush anyone like a cockroach.

[@PetalMagick]

95-96 Bulls 70-71 Milwaukee Bucks Way Better Basketball Teams I don't give a fuck who disagrees!!!

[@ArborEco]

The ball never touches the floor, incredible!!!! Closest these days would be the Spurs.

[@Jondsmusic]

And even they would fall woefully short compared to this!

[@jacob336]

and thats a stretch

[@Jondsmusic]

@@jacob336 exactly!

[@kenshattuck550]

As a Celtics fan the Russell teams were just before my time. I first watched the Havlicek, White, Cowens, Chaney and Nelson squad win a couple of championships. Then a few down years (crummy ownership), Then the Bird, McHale, Parrish, Johnson and Ainge squads. We have been blessed here in Boston. 😊

[@Lefty8013]

That's the game I love.

[@ckreuzer4001]

Such beautiful passing and movement. Everyone worked in sync. Great team!

[@mrudulalele3358]

The addition of Bill Walton and Larry playing like the MVP he was made this team

[@heathjohnson8840]

As a Celtics fan I really hope during my lifetime I can see a Celtics team win a championship with this style of play

[@douggriggs1499]

I AM AN ANCIENT (65 yrs old) CELTICS FAN. I adored this video. Btw, at roughly 2:10 there was an EXTREMELY RARE event. Kevin McHale didn't shoot even though he had an open 14-footer ... he passed to the Chief (Robert Parish) for a 5-footer!!! The Celtics teased Kevinmeboy by nicknaming him The Black Hole. Once a pass went into him it never came back out. But he was voted in late 1990s overwhlemingly by NBA writers around the league as having the very best offensive moves in the pivot ...... so his teammates didn't mind.

[@reneep9972]

That's why he was the black hole. If you've got basically an automatic two points in the paint, you don't want him passing up those shots. Best low post moves in history.

[@thunder8590]

Yes. He was the black hole. I am also a diehard Celtics fan. Unbelievable in the post

[@tradehead]

every team on earth should be required to watch this magic passing team, the greatest ever!

[@garymaccagnone3669]

When you infuse the minds of Walton and Bird into any team, you end up with unselfish play and championship rings.

[@garymaccagnone3669]

@MANCHESTER UNITED F.C I once owned a professional soccer team in North America. You are wrong. Soccer will never be the number 1 sport in America. It has to pass up, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, NASCAR, and golf. Due to the British navy avoidance of the states, the game was never cultivated here. America is 150 years behind the world in regard to the men's game.

[@alandenson6649]

Than why did they lose to the '86-87 Lakers?

[@garymaccagnone3669]

@@alandenson6649 Walton didn't play that year. Come on.

[@alandenson6649]

@@garymaccagnone3669 He most certainly did. He didn't play as much as he had the previous year but he did play especially in game 5 of the finals.

[@garymaccagnone3669]

@@alandenson6649 He was in bad shape and played sparingly. Many of the Celtics were injured.

[@riptothegoodtimes2437]

Best team ever, they would beat any of today's teams by 50 points or more. The game was played so beautiful in the 80's.

[@charlieadcock6259]

riptothegoodtimes no way

[@snorman1951]

Depends which era refs were used. The '86 Celts would probably get out-muscled in today's game. And don't forget the three point shot. It was not used much back then and there are a lot of good shooters now. The three point line has about outlived its usefulness.

[@franklukas4527]

Loved watching these guys.. I get goosebumps watching this video... how basketball should be played

[@jaydrfish]

Such athletic beauty! They often make one, or more, passes than needed. Pure team focus. Very fun to watch. Thank you!!😊

[@cindyknudson2715]

Just for the sheer fun of it The ball could move up the floor without one dribble. Everyone involved. The ball moving between teammates before a defender knew his guy had even touched it. Beautiful.

[@historicalperspective7253]

As a long-time basketball fan, this was just beautiful to watch. The 1986 Celtics were just amazing. Bird was essentially at his pre-injury peak (though 85 was pretty good as well) Your starting 5 was amazing--DJ and Ainge (both so underrated) In DJ you had a clutch player, who always seemed to show up in big games. Ainge could hit from anywhere, and also passed the ball and played with scrap. McHale was becoming an unstoppable force. Get the ball to McHale in his spots and it was game over. Parish was his consistent self. Double-double machine, but someone who never worried about getting his, or being the "superstar". And then the bench. It was pure joy to see Walton (who, but for injuries would've been a top 5 center of all time) embrace the role of a sixth man. Add in deadeye shooters and great passers like Sichting, Carlisle, and Wedman to go along with Walton and the starters and you have an amazing, complete team. They could destroy you on the break, they could destroy you in the 1/2 court set. They were the best rebounding team in the league. There seriously wasn't any team that was going to beat Boston in a series this year. The really scary thing is that they could've been even better the following year had Bias not died of an overdose and injuries not have piled up---what could've been.

[@pbasswil]

That collection of plays was a poem in the form of basketball. How do you even play against a team like that?? Their opponents must have been fans!

[@abelhansen]

Boston Celtics The best team of all time. This team made me a big fan of the game. 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@7kikinho7]

this is the art of baskatball... MAGNIFICENT

[@scottv9667]

Poetry in motion. This is the stuff that made me fall in love with basketball

[@blasterofmuppets4754]

This is my favorite video on KZbin.

[@Mr_fubar]

What an amazing team. Sure do miss them

[@danielclark1247]

Would've loved to see a full 7 game series between the 87' Lakers and 86' Celtics with both teams healthy....

[@maxdurk4624]

86 Celtics easily. Beat up Celts gave the Lakers a real run for their money in 87.

[@josecarranza7555]

Cause the celtics are the only team to be beat up in the NBA Finals.

[@shawnflanagan7390]

Michael Carranza really last time I checked most teams don't have a guy like Mchale with a broken foot and Walton was hurt as well

[@shawnflanagan7390]

Michael Carranza Walton was a key bench player so he would have had a big impact plus that hurt team took them 6 games so I think it would be close but if healthy I give the edge to the Celtics both were great teams tho

[@reneep9972]

So true Max Durk. If not for bullshit officiating in Game 4, the series would've been tied at 2 and a good chance Boston goes back to LA up 3-2. I hate to say it though but I think LA still would've won that year because we just couldn't beat anyone on the road past the All Star break in 87. But yeah, 86 Boston vs. 87 Lakers would be a joke. Boston in 5 at the most. And that's coming from someone who considers the 87 Lakers as the 2nd greatest team of all time, only behind the 86 Celtics. That's how much better 86 Boston was than ANYONE!!! And yeah Michael Carranza, let's see that pussy Worthy or AC Green play an entire series or two with a broken foot! Never would've happened. Let's not forget that Magic and Scott sat out the entire 89 Finals against Detroit with injuries that most likely anyone on the 87 Celtics would have played through. Yes, a lot of teams go into the Finals banged up and injured but for Boston to go 6 games against the greatest Laker team ever with basically half a team was really saying something special about their character.

[@twil2389]

Has to be one of the greatest team basketball video ever put together…the three point shooting game of today doesn’t compare

[@danacarter4793]

Grew up on bird 🐦, chief, McHale, dj and so I biased, lol but his talent is undeniable, bird was diff ,he did it all and that team ,it was like watching video game it was so unreal ,they had a 1000 moves and thrived off each other we miss yall and this Era of bball #thebigthree ,not fair dj was amazing but him and larry are side by side on that banner ❤❤❤🐦

[@seymourcuts]

i grew up with rondo being my floor general, the way he saw the game was so special. makes me really appreciate guys like bird and walton, wish i couldve been around to watch them live. truly special vision that becomes infectious to a team

[@jabo6479]

The Chief always jumping off 1 foot fir the tomahawk...love it

[@mikeholt1248]

This may just be the most inspiring sports video I have ever seen in my entire life, and that’s taking in a whole heck of a lot of sports and videos!

[@knuclear200x]

The addition of Walton as the back-up(!) center is what made the '86 team extra special for a Celtic fan like me

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Those passes to Chief in the paint were just ... Glorious.

[@RenatoCAC]

Esse Celtic era sensacional!

[@itsnotme6644]

Outstanding!!!

[@tmanley111]

I love how the commentators are the same ones they have 31 years later

[@brianodonnell8553]

My favorite sports team of all time. It truly was art. Big props to the camera guy beginning at 425 against the bucks. I don’t know he didn’t get whiplash trying to follow the ball.

[@werpo123]

Various plays throughout the video I saw Larry Bird passing up a good shot to an open man with a great shot. This is Larry Bird we're talking about. LARRY FREAKING BIRD. The guy who will tell you where he's gonna get the ball but still nail the game-winning shot. It's unreal how this Celtics team were in the 80's.

[@RM-xk6iu]

Exactly. if Mr Larry Bird would have been even half the ball hog todays players are, he would have averaged way over 30ppg for his carrer. Instead of that, he teached us all how to share the ball and play basketball.

[@JM-wu8bh]

The greatest game I went to was the Celtics at Dallas either '85 or '86. It was a shoot-out between Larry Bird and Rolando Blackman. My uncle forgot extra diapers for my cousin and missed the last part of the game. Decades later, that cousin is working for the Mavs and Cuban stopped by their seats to say hi.

[@TheBird33Legend]

Best team to ever play basketball

[@Johnlock19]

That was fantastic 👏

[@ivozoricic]

GOAT team. Absolutely amazing video.I love Celtics

[@joevece4812]

When I see this footage it reminds of why I love basketball…I miss it..

[@aha3885]

The goat of the teams. The green team. Beautiful game. Thank you, guys.

[@tomhazelton3070]

Great video. I just watched it twice in a row.

[@dcfunhouse]

'86 Celts, greatest team of all time

[@oldgreg1184]

every player on this team could dish

[@bruceschaffer101]

Thanks for posting these terrific highlights. This passing and teamwork is off-the-charts spectacular. Truly, as your title says, "The Beautiful Game."