The concept of ‘Ubuntu’ in NBA circles started with the Boston Celtics last title team. A team-oriented concept derived from a Nguni Bantu term meaning ‘humanity,’ it is sometimes translated to mean “I am because we are.” That ought to make its application to a team setting evident.
In terms of the 2008 title team, it has become something canonical, representative of what made that Celtics squad so great — complete with its own lore and origin story. That story was re-told by former Celtic champion center Kendrick Perkins on the team-produced podcast ‘View From the Rafters: Behind the Scenes with the Boston Celtics.”
Now a media personality and co-host of the Celtics’ new podcast, Perkins regaled its audience with the story of how ‘Ubuntu’ became part of Boston lore.