HBO’s “Celtics City” continues its chronicle of Boston basketball history, moving from the dynasty’s foundational years into a new era marked by both triumph and turmoil. “Chapter III: All Swept Up” revisits the 1970s, a decade that saw the Celtics reclaim their championship glory, even as the city of Boston grappled with intense racial tensions and the controversial busing mandate.
This episode shifts its focus to players like John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Paul Silas, and Jo Jo White, the new generation of Celtics stars who carried the torch forward. Their victories on the court provided a much-needed source of pride for the city, even as it struggled with social and political division off the court. “Celtics City” examines how the team’s success became intertwined with the city’s identity during this tumultuous period.
The episode also acknowledges the eventual decline of the Celtics towards the end of the 1970s, setting the stage for another pivotal moment: Red Auerbach’s gamble on a young, unproven talent named Larry Bird. With its blend of archival footage and contemporary interviews, “Celtics City” provides context not just for the team’s history, but for the changing times.
“Celtics City” airs Mondays at 9:00 PM on HBO.
