Allen: The NBA needs the Boston Celtics...again

What happened at roughly 6:30 Tuesday night at the TD Banknorth Garden was something that was sorely needed. I’m not just talking about for basketball fans in Boston — this was something the entire NBA needed. With the scandal involving disgraced referee Tim Donaghy dominating headlines in recent weeks, the league needed something big to happen. The trade of Kevin Garnett to the Celtics was big enough to replace the Donaghy headlines, if only for the moment.

Truth be told, the league should be absolutely thrilled that Garnett has ended up in Boston alongside Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The NBA is a much better league when the Celtics are championship contenders. While Danny Ainge still has some work to do in filling out the roster, having these three players automatically vaults the Celtics to the ranks of the Eastern Conference elite. This means a lot more national exposure for the team. And, despite the rough stretch the team has had for the last 20 years, the name “Boston Celtics” still means something. Having the Celtics back could do wonders for marketing and interest in the league.

The league has needed the Celtics from the beginning. Original owner Walter Brown was a big force in the creation of the Basketball Association of America in 1946, which became the National Basketball Association when it merged with the National Basketball League in 1949. Without Brown, the league might not have been formed — or survived, as Brown was known to help out other owners by ensuring their arenas were filled on nights the basketball or hockey teams weren't playing. When the Celtics got Bob Cousy in 1950 — through a blind draw — they immediately became one of the most entertaining teams in the league, helping to establish the credibility of the fledgling NBA. The Celtics were the first team to draft a black player, to play five black players on the floor at the same time and the first professional sports team with a black coach. The league still owes the Celtics for making those innovations.

The dynasty of the 1960s remains the hallmark against which all are measured. Eight titles in a row and 11 in 13 seasons. The Bill Russell/Wilt Chamberlain duels were a staple of weekend television viewing, as old timers will still attest. Again, the Celtics were good for the league. Their dominance brought attention to the league, as they could be compared with the Yankees and Canadiens as the top franchises in pro sports.

The 70's came, and the Celtics had to completely rebuild. After only a couple of down years, they got right back to the top, and their battles with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoffs were fierce, as the two squads met in the conference finals three straight seasons. The Celtics won a title in 1974, and then in 1976, they hooked up with the upstart Suns in the NBA finals, where a national TV crowd was treated to one of the greatest games in NBA history, a triple-overtime Celtics victory in the Boston Garden.

In the late 1970s, the NBA again needed the Celtics. Ratings were low — so low that the playoffs and finals were being shown on tape delay. The league had the image of being filled with selfish, drug-addicted players who alienated the fan base. Enter Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. These two teams singlehandedly turned around the fortunes of the league with their exciting, team-oriented style of play. The Celtics were again a Sunday afternoon staple on national TV. The league hit new highs in terms of popularity. Finally, in 1986, after their 16th NBA title, it all fell apart. The struggles of the last two decades are well-documented, so there is no need to recap them here. The NBA, behind Michael Jordan, soared on, leaving the Celtics behind as many foes even enjoying the downfall of a proud franchise.

Now, the league faces the Donaghy scandal, as well as waning popularity. The NBA finals this year — a whitewash of the Cavs by the Spurs — were a ratings disaster. The Spurs are team considered a dynasty in this day and age, but fail to really generate a lot of excitement among the average fan. Do you think a Celtics-Spurs NBA finals would be a little more appealing across the country? How about a Celtics-Suns or Celtics-Mavs? Should we go so far as to hope that the Lakers can improve around Kobe Bryant to the point that they become contenders?

From the mid 80's to the early 90's, when the Yankees were horrible, Red Sox fans thoroughly enjoyed the struggles of that franchise. However, once the Yankees came back to being contenders — around 1995 and 1996 — we might've been just as glad to be able to hate them again. Around that time, there were so many stories about the Yankees "return to prominence" and how it was so good for baseball. It is the exact same thing with the Celtics. The long-time rivals around the league have enjoyed kicking the Celtics while they were down. A return to glory for this franchise will generate more interest in the league, and create stories about Boston's "return to greatness."

The possibility of the Celtics back contending on a national stage is something that the entire NBA, not just Celtics fans, should be rejoicing in. The team took a huge step in that direction Tuesday. Now, it is up to Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers and company to finish the job and return the Celtics to the ranks of the NBA elite. The league needs them now more than ever.

Bruce Allen is the creator of bostonsportsmedia.com.