SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - A brand new 'Boston Celtic's Unlocked' exhibit at the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame is connecting the past to the present through a premiere collection of sports memorabilia dating back to the franchise's inception.

What You Need To Know

  • Several items are on display including Championship rings, Cedrick Maxwell's 1981 finals MVP award, the 1981 Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, Larry Bird's rookie jersey and Bill Russell's NBA finals jersey.

  • Current players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are also featured in the exhibit as well

  • Naismith Hall of Fame's Matt Zeysing said Celtic's legend Paul Pierce, who delivered a championship for the franchise in 2008, played a huge role in bridging the gap between generations

"We thought it was very important for fans to understand that the Boston Celtics," said Naismith Hall Of Fame Vice President Curatorial Affairs Matt Zeysing. "No matter how you look at it, they are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports, especially the NBA."

Zeysing said the items on display have been provided by many private collectors, including past and present Celtics players.

"Championship rings, Cedrick Maxwell's 1981 finals MVP award," he said. "The 1981 Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Larry Bird's rookie jersey. Bill Russell's NBA finals jersey. So all of these things that really elevate the Boston Celtics to the next level."

Zeysing said the project has been two years in the making and it is important to let fans know of the lineage between the previous eras and today. He said Celtics legend Paul Pierce, who delivered a championship for the franchise in 2008, played a huge role in bridging the gap between generations.

"He's kind of a generation connector," he said. "A generational player. The young guys today, the Tatum's and the Brown's, they recognize Pierce. They know what he did. They saw it live. They didn't necessarily see what Larry Bird and the original big 3 did."

Zeysing said it was important to also represent the current era, so players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are also featured in the exhibit as well.

And with the Celtics competing in the finals, Zeysing said not only would it be massive for the state where the game was founded, but also for current players to cement their legacy in Celtics history.

"I think without taking that next step," he said. "You don't quite make legend or immortal. Superstar sure. All-time great sure. But I think their is another level when you win a championship."

Zeysing said the exhibit will be open for a limited time and people can see the vault during normal business hours.