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10 Best Celtics Players of All Time: 2023 Edition

best Celtics players

Who are the best Celtics players of all time? The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful teams in history having won a record 17 NBA championships.

Best Celtics Players of All Time

Founded in 1946 the Boston Celtics are one of the most storied teams in American sports, and they’ve had some of the greatest players to ever grace a basketball court on their roster. Let’s take a look at the 10 best Celtics players ever.

10. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo is one of the best Celtics players of all time and was a key part of the team from 2006 to 2014, as well as their 2008 championship run. Rondo, one of the best point guards during his era, was known for his exceptional court vision, passing skills, and for his ability to control the pace of games.

While at Boston, Rondo earned four All-Star appearances and he perfectly complemented the “Big Three” era of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Rondo’s unselfish play and ability to elevate his teammates made him a fan favorite and he remains one of Boston’s all-time greats.

9. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is one of the best defenders as well as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. A 15-time All-Star and MVP award winner in 2004, Garnett had an all round game and had an offensive game to match his defense.

He had a deadly mid-range shot, was an excellent rebounder, had great vision, anticipation, and averaged 15.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.7 APG and 1.2 SPG during his time at the Celtics. Garnett was a great leader and led Boston to an NBA championship in 2008 on the back of earning Finals MVP during the run.

8. Robert Parish

Robert Parish is one of the best Celtics players of all time. In 21 seasons he played 1,611 games, a record amount of games played by any player in history. A dominant force in the paint he was one of the games best centers and could shoot, pass, defend and run the floor well.

Parish played 14 seasons in Boston and won three championships with the team. He earned nine All-Star selections on the back of his game in the paint, and he could also rebound and lead his team well.

7. Sam Jones

One of the best Celtics players of all time was Sam Jones, who was a part of the Celtics’ dynasty between 1957 and 1969 led by Bill Russell. Jones played 12 seasons for the Celtics and won 10 NBA championships during that time.

The five-time All-Star was a great scorer, quick with his feet and a clutch shooter, known for stepping up his game in the playoffs and for hitting a famous game-winning shot in Game 4 of the 1969 NBA Finals. 

6. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce played 15 of his 19 seasons in Boston and he’s one of the best Celtics players of all time. Pierce earned himself the nickname “The Truth” from Shaquille O’Neal after a 42-point masterclass in 2001, and Pierce was known as being a highly reliable and productive shooter, as well as being great on defense. 

A 10-time All-Star, Pierce is one of the greatest scorers in Celtics’ history, ranking second all-time in points scored, and is one of only 15 players with over 25,000 points, 7,500 rebounds and 4,500 assists. He reached four conference finals, two NBA Finals and won a championship in 2008.

5. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale played for the Celtics for 13 seasons and won three championships. He was a dominant post player and defender and earned seven All-Defensive Team selections. He was also a six-time All-Star and was known for his incredible footwork in the post.

So dominant was McHale as a defender, Charles Barkley mentioned McHale as being the most difficult player he’d ever face. McHale’s low-post moves were particular impressive which translated into efficient scoring.

4. Bob Cousy

A 13-time All-Star, Bob Cousy starred for the Celtics across 13 seasons where he won six NBA titles. So good was his court vision and passing, he was nicknamed “Houdini of the Hardwood” and he’s one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.

Cousy was also renowned for his incredible ball-handling skills, is considered to be one of the pioneers of the modern fast-break offense and he also led the NBA in assists for eight years in a row. 

3. John Havlicek

John Havlicek enjoyed 16 very successful seasons with the Celtics and is one of their greatest ever players. Primarily a small forward, he was versatile, could play multiple positions and had a strong work ethic and endurance.

Havlicek won eight championships during the Celtics dynasty and was the NBA Finals MVP in 1974. He was also a clutch performer, famously stealing the ball in the closing seconds of Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals to seal victory for the Celtics.

2. Larry Bird

Larry Bird is one of the greatest players of all time and he spent his entire career 13-season career in Boston. Bird is one of the best Celtics players of all time, earning three NBA MVP awards, 12 All-Star selections and winning three championships.

Bird helped to drive the booming popularity of the NBA during the 80’s with the greatest NBA rivalry of all time between the Celtics and Lakers. He was known for his incredible shooting, clutch performances and was defensively strong.

1. Bill Russell

Bill Russell is the best defender of all time and the best Celtics player ever. Russell used his 6-foot-10 height very well and was able to shut down guards from the perimeter as well as dominate big men in the paint with over 22 rebounds per game.

Russell played 13 seasons in the league and he won a record 11 NBA championships. He won five MVP awards, earned 12 All-Star appearances, and he set the record for most rebounds in a game with an astonishing 51 boards against the Syracuse Nationals in 1960.

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