When basketball followers consider the Boston Celtics, one thing which will come to thoughts is the notion of profitable. That will surely be acceptable, contemplating that with 18 championship titles below its belt, the C’s are the winningest franchise in NBA historical past. Considered one of its most iconic gamers, Bob Cousy, is properly conscious of the idea of profitable and the way it impacts somebody on a private degree. Cousy really dives into that in a matter-of-fact kind of means in CinemaBlend’s unique clip from the collection finale of HBO’s Celtics Metropolis.
Bob Cousy Doesn’t Mince Phrases When Speaking About Being A Winner
These previous few weeks have seen the docuseries Celtics Metropolis air amid the 2025 TV schedule and stream for Max subscription holders. In that point, the nine-part present has chronicled the historical past of the Boston-based group in addition to non-basketball-related matters. As has been the case with every episode, the ultimate installment appears eager on linking the previous to the current. The video above exhibits modern-day star Jaylen Brown lamenting a playoff loss. From there, the attitude shifts to that of Bob Cousy, whose phrases give me chills.
Famously referred to as “Mr. Basketball” the now-96-year-old former level guard acknowledges that had he and his teammates not skilled success again within the ‘50s and ‘60s, his opinion wouldn’t matter at present. On high of that, he muses that the basketball world would seemingly scoff on the notion of “Celtic Delight.” The beloved NBA veteran – who’s been named one of many 75 biggest gamers of all time – acknowledges that profitable can result in large consideration from the general public at massive however that in any other case, “no person pays consideration” in the event you don’t win.
Bob Cousy – alongside the late Invoice Russell, Tom Heinsohn, John Havlecik, Sam Jones and extra – dominated skilled basketball within the ‘50s and ‘60s. Between 1957 and 1969, the workforce gained 11 championships, with Cousy being part of six of these profitable groups. The mere incontrovertible fact that Cousy remains to be with is nothing wanting superb, however listening to him speak concerning the influence of profitable is simply surreal. If anybody is aware of that feeling and is aware of what it’s wish to be victorious, it’s actually him and, as a fan, I simply love listening to his ideas.
What Was It Like For The Celtics Metropolis Crew To Interview Bob Cousy?
It’s one factor to look at “Cooz” share his recollections, however it’s one other factor completely to have been within the room when he was being interviewed. Lauren Stowell – the director of all 9 Celtics Metropolis episodes – was lucky sufficient to be in that place. CinemaBlend was lucky sufficient to obtain an announcement from Stowell on the expertise of being in Cousey’s presence. One thing that actually stood out to her was the way in which Cousy admired the clock you possibly can see within the clip above, which Invoice Russell and his spouse gifted him upon his retirement:
From the very early levels of outlining the collection, I saved coming again to the clock that Bob Cousy bought from Invoice Russell after his retirement in 1963. It wasn’t only a present—it represented one thing a lot larger between them. I knew we might use it thematically, and to floor us within the passage of time, which is why we return to it earlier than John Havlicek’s funeral and the final time Cousy sees Russell. What stood out to me the day we filmed was the stillness within the room as he checked out it—I couldn’t assist however marvel what was working via his thoughts. I needed to honor that pause, as a result of there was a narrative in his stillness.
Invoice Russell and Bob Cousy’s shut relationship is a significant point of interest of the docuseries, particularly throughout its first few episodes. Lauren Stowell completely makes an incredible level in that it’s greater than only a candy memento — it’s a signifier of a deep friendship shared between two males. Showrunner and EP Gabe Honig additionally shared some sentiments with CB and, like Stowell, he was enamored with the 13-time all-star’s love for his clock:
Again in April of 2023, we have been in Worcester, MA filming the primary of our 98 interviews for ‘Celtics Metropolis’ and I discovered myself looking Bob Cousy’s home on the lookout for a clock that Mr. Basketball needed to inform us about on digital camera. This wasn’t simply any clock – however one given to Cousy 60 years prior by his former teammate Invoice Russell and his spouse, Rose upon his retirement. It was one among Cousy’s most treasured possessions – an emblem of a profession as a basketball champion and a reminder of the difficult relationships solid alongside the way in which.
The best documentaries usually embody a agency emotional hook that attracts in viewers and helps inform the story that’s being instructed. I can actually say that on this case, the clock helps function an emotional touchstone. Gabe Honig went on to talk extra concerning the significance of the clock whereas additionally showering reward on his collaborators:
As a storyteller you at all times seek for which means within the mundane and holding this clock it dawned on me that it represented the whole lot concerning the story we have been making an attempt to inform. The seasons and the passage of time have been one factor, however what did all of it imply? Two years and 9 hours of tv later, our unbelievable workforce of producers and editors led by the imaginative and prescient of director, Lauren Stowell, poured over hundreds of hours of footage and tons of of hours of interviews to place collectively not simply the story of The Celtics, the gamers and the Metropolis of Boston however a narrative about us.
Lauren Stowell, Gabe Honig and their workforce finally delivered a complete piece of labor. These varied interviews are additionally spectacular, as there are sitdowns with C’s legends, group leaders, journalists and even esteemed rivals of the workforce like James Worthy and the late Jerry West. (Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas notably declined the possibility to talk, although.) All of that mentioned although, I believe it’s actually Bob Cousy’s phrases about his triumphs, his friendships and extra which can be actually going to stick with me for years to come back.
The HBO documentary collection Celtics Metropolis is obtainable to stream on Max, with new episodes airing Monday at 9 p.m. ET. You’ll want to take a look at the collection finale, on April 28.