Popular NBA analyst and longtime Boston Celtics fan Bill Simmons is set to co-produce an HBO docuseries called ‘Celtics City.’ Simmons is producing the series alongside Connor Schell, the co-founder of ESPN’s 30 for 30. HBO and Simmons originally teased the show with a 10-second clip in November.
Now, the official release date is set for March 3rd, and there is a full two-minute trailer. Ironically, this falls on Jayson Tatum‘s birthday and 3/3 lines up with Larry Bird‘s iconic number 33. Moreover, the trailer was released on Bill Russell‘s birthday. It’s no coincidence that this series is being released after the Celtics won their 18th championship last season. The series will encompass the Celtics’ entire history from Russell to Tatum. Let’s dive into some takeaways from the trailer and what to expect from the show.
Coming March 3 on Max — our new @HBO docuseries, ‘Celtics City.’ It’s about 8 decades of the Celtics, the NBA, Boston and America. I’m an EP. Find it 3/3 on @StreamOnMax. (I swear we didn’t pick that date cuz of Larry.) Here’s the trailer. pic.twitter.com/POKxge6SYZ
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 12, 2025
Bill Simmons’ HBO Docuseries ‘Celtics City’ Sets Official Release Date
The trailer opened with clips from the Celtics 2024 championship celebration, along with Jaylen Brown discussing his respect for Boston’s illustrious history, followed by clips from the 1960s Celtics. It then cut to Tatum discussing the Celtics’ incredible success, followed by clips from the Bird-era Celtics, including some iconic fights.
With the 1960s and 1980s being the most successful eras of Celtics’ basketball, they will be central to this series. The Celtics’ rivalry with the Lakers in the ’80s, especially considering the legendary rivalry between Bird and Magic Johnson, will be intriguing to watch unfold, especially considering how this rivalry helped save the NBA. As will a closer look into the Celtics 11 championships and unmatched dominance in the ’60s. Of course, the Celtics 2024 championship run will also be a key element of this series. The Celtics’ overall connection to the city of Boston will be explored, given the show’s title and trailer.
While the series focuses on the Celtics’ unmatched history, it will also touch on some more serious topics, including Bill Russell‘s fight for racial justice and battle with racism. Additionally, it will talk about Len Bias‘ and Reggie Lewis‘ untimely deaths, along with Paul Pierce‘s stabbing before the 2000-01 season. Given the Celtics’ eight-decade-long history, these are important stories to be told. Overall, the series will give viewers a complete picture of the Celtics’ history.
The Last Word
While the series targets Celtics fans, it should excite all NBA fans as it will touch on some of the most important eras and moments in league history. Furthermore, the series includes over 80 interviews and unseen archival footage. The first episode of Celtics City will air on March 3rd at 9:00 p.m. EST on HBO, with all episodes available to stream on Max. The series will air weekly on Mondays from March 3rd to April 28th, meaning there will be a total of nine episodes. Each episode appears to focus on a different era of Celtics basketball and will be told in chronological order.
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