| Eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959-1966. Nine championships
in the 1960s, another two in the 1970s and three more in the 1980s. Between
1957-1969, the Celts won 11 times in 13 seasons, the best stretch run
in any major sport.
The legends who played on those teams, men like Cousy, Russell, Heinsohn,
Jones (both K.C. and Sam), Bird, Parrish and McHale, still role off the
tongues of Celtics adult fans. And, of course, the great Red Auerbach
presided over it all. Now, one season removed from just 24 wins,
the Celtics are back as NBA champions, crushing the Los Angeles Lakers
in Game 6 on June 17 to win the 17th world title for the storied franchise—and
their first since 1986.
After the stunning 131-92 defeat of the Lakers, the Celtics now have
a 17-3 mark in the NBA Finals.
And all of this is making a lot of youngsters very happy at the Make-A-Wish
Foundation® of Massachusetts and throughout New England,
as Nikco Sports announced today a project that will continue to raise
monies for many deserving youngsters who have some life-threatening medical
conditions and who depend upon the Make-A-Wish Foundation for support.
To honor the Celtics return to championship glory, and to continue to
raise monies for children’s charities, Nikco Sports will distribute
a limited edition, full-sized Spalding NBA Championship basketball to
recognize a Celtics team which went 66-16 during the regular season, and
then downed Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit to get to the final round against
Los Angeles. In recent years, Nikco Sports, which has been a leader
in the industry since 1991, has raised more than $1.6 million for children’s
charities.
Only 5,000 basketballs will be produced, and each one is priced at $99,
with $7.50 per ball going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts.
Fans can order by calling toll-free 1-800-345-2868 or
visiting www.nikcosports.com.
Each basketball comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity to enhance
the value and collectibility of the product.
The basketball is historical in nature as well, as one of the three white
panels will contain Celtics franchise information, including the number
of world championships (17), conference and division titles won, and the
number of Celtics (32) in the Hall of Fame. That same panel will also
chronicle the Celtics Road To The NBA Finals, listing
series wins over Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit, as well as listing the
Celtics 4 games to 2 conquest of the Lakers, right alongside the Celtics
familiar green and white logo.
Another white panel will have the official colorful NBA Finals logo,
with “World Champions” printed on that panel, along with the
date of the Finals.
“With all due respect to what the Patriots and Red Sox have accomplished
in recent years, long ago the Boston market, as well as New England in
general, was owned and dominated by the Celtics dynasty teams, the ones
led by of Bill Russell and later Larry Bird,” said Nikco Sports
president and CEO Craig Bidner, whose company has continued to give back
to the community since its inception in 1992. “It has to be a great
feeling for New England sports fans to see this once proud franchise return
to its past glory days and win its first title since 1986—and 17th
overall.
“We are honored to be a small part of recognizing this historic
turnabout, and proud to present a commemorative item that will certainly
be the envy of all Celtics fans, young and old, while at the same time
raising even more funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of
Massachusetts so that some smiles can be put on the faces of
many deserving youngsters.”
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has almost $1.6 million
for charitable organizations across the nation with the issue
of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has honored amateur and professional
teams, as well as select athletes such athletes as Dan Marino,
Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger, along with Peyton Manning,
Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John Elway, David Robinson, John
Stockton, Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Ryne Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby
Puckett, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey
Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken Jr.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization
which fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses,
to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Make-A-Wish
Foundation is headquartered in Phoenix, and got its start in 1980. There
are presently 67 chapters in the United States and its territories, along
with 27 international affiliates. More than 153,000 wishes have been
completed around the world.
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