Editing Boston Celtics (section)

===1969–1978: Rebuilding and further success===
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|image1 = John Havlicek 1960s.jpeg 
|caption1 = [[John Havlicek]], 16 years with the Celtics
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|caption2 = [[Dave Cowens]], two titles and MVP in 1973
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The 1969–70 season was a rebuilding year, as the Celtics had their first losing record since the [[1949–50 NBA season|1949–50 season]]. However, with the acquisition of [[Paul Silas]] and future Hall of Famers [[Dave Cowens]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/dave-cowens/|title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Dave Cowens|website=www.hoophall.com|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716102027/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/dave-cowens/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Jo Jo White]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/jo-jo-white/ |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Jo Jo White |access-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006160802/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/jo-jo-white/ |archive-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the Celtics soon became dominant again. After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1972, the Celtics regrouped and came out determined in 1973 and posted an excellent 68–14 regular season record. But the season ended in disappointment, as they were upset in seven games by the [[New York Knicks]] in the Conference Finals. [[John Havlicek]] injured his right shoulder in game six and was forced to play game seven shooting left-handed.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1970s.html Season Recaps&nbsp;– 1970s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209150820/http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/Recap_1970s.html |date=February 9, 2012 }}, nba.com. Retrieved August 2, 2003.</ref> The Celtics returned to the playoffs the next year, defeating the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in the [[1974 NBA Finals]] for their 12th NBA championship.<ref>[http://www2.jsonline.com/sports/buck/other/may01/bucks-finals2.asp Bucks NBA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216071455/http://www2.jsonline.com/sports/buck/other/may01/bucks-finals2.asp |date=December 16, 2008 }}, jsonline.com. Retrieved April 16, 2005.</ref> Boston took a 3–2 series lead and had a chance to claim the title on their home court. The Bucks won Game Six in Boston when [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] nestled in a hook shot with 3&nbsp;seconds left in the game's second overtime, and the series returned to Milwaukee. Cowens was the hero in Game 7, scoring 28 points, as the Celtics brought the title back to Boston for the first time in five years.

In 1976, the team won yet another championship, defeating the [[Phoenix Suns]] in six games. The Finals featured one of the greatest games in NBA history. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Suns trailed early in the Boston Garden, but came back to force overtime. In double overtime, a [[Gar Heard]] turn-around jumper at the top of the key sent the game to a third overtime, at which point the Celtics prevailed.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/suns/history/greatestgame_index.html Greatest Game Ever] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210025753/http://www.nba.com/suns/history/greatestgame_index.html |date=February 10, 2012 }}, nba.com/suns. Retrieved March 2, 2002.</ref> After the 1976 championship and a [[1977 NBA playoffs|playoff appearance in 1977]], Boston went into another rebuilding phase. In the [[1977 NBA draft]], the Celtics drafted a young forward from [[University of North Carolina at Charlotte|UNC Charlotte]] named [[Cedric Maxwell]].<ref>[http://www.sportsfilter.com/cat.cfm/sports/Basketball.html Boston Drafts Cedric Mexwell], sportsfilter.com. Retrieved December 2, 2001. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020408231011/http://www.sportsfilter.com/cat.cfm/sports/Basketball.html |date=April 8, 2002 }}</ref> "Cornbread" Maxwell did not contribute much in his rookie season, but he showed promise. Auerbach's job became even tougher following the [[1977–78 NBA season|1977–78 season]] in which they went 32–50 as Havlicek, the Celtics' all-time leading scorer, retired after 16 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retirement of Havlicek to Remove Another Link to. Celtic Glory Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/29/archives/retirement-of-havlicek-to-remove-another-link-to-celtic-glory-years.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 21, 2021 |date=January 29, 1978 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120065159/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/29/archives/retirement-of-havlicek-to-remove-another-link-to-celtic-glory-years.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the [[1978 NBA draft]].<ref>[http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/okla-thousand-point.html Oklahoma Sooners Official Athletic Site&nbsp;— Men's Basketball] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215113145/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/okla-thousand-point.html |date=February 15, 2008 }}, soonersports.com. Retrieved February 17, 2008.</ref> Auerbach took a risk by selecting junior [[Larry Bird]] of [[Indiana State]] with the sixth overall pick, knowing that Bird would stay in college for his senior year but believing that his potential would make him worth the wait. The team retained Bird's rights for one year and signed him soon after he led Indiana State to the NCAA championship game. In 1978, Celtics owner [[Irv Levin]] traded franchises with [[Buffalo Braves]] owner [[John Y. Brown Jr.]]<ref>Distel, Dave (July 20, 1978). "Celtics for Braves: It's Not Chopped Liver for Levin". The Modesto Bee.</ref> Two weeks before the swap of franchises was made official, details of a six-player trade between the two teams were reported. Boston sent [[Freeman Williams]], [[Kevin Kunnert]], and [[Kermit Washington]] to the Braves for "Tiny" Archibald, Billy Knight, and [[Marvin Barnes]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1978/07/17/822808/will-red-and-brown-harmonize-the-celtics-smoothly-changed-hands-but-the-new-owner-and-old-gm-have-yet-to-shake-on-it|title=WILL RED AND BROWN HARMONIZE?|first=Ron|last=Reid|website=Vault}}</ref> The move turned Boston fans against Brown, both because Kunnert and Washington were seen as key pieces of the team's future and because Auerbach publicly stated that he was not consulted about the trade.<ref name="auto" />