1. Bill Russell??.. ..Hall of Fame?13 seasons?.12 all-star games?..5 MVP awards? All NBA first team 3 times, All NBA second team 8 times?..11 championships??ELROD?S COMMENT: Simply the greatest team sport athlete in history. Bar none. The proof is in the pudding. The term living legend is used loosely in our culture. This is one of the very few living legends that actually is one. I became a Cs fan as the Russell coached team won flags in 68 and, especially, 69. That last Russell team, in 1969, was truly heroic, as it won the title over several vastly younger, athletic and more talented teams. Almost all the key players on that team, aside from Hondo and Nelson, were geezers who were effectively out of the league within two years.2. Larry Bird??? Hall of Fame?.13 seasons?.12 all-star games?.3 MVP awards?.All NBA first team 9 times, All NBA second team 1 time?..3 championships?.. ELROD?S COMMENT: One of the five greatest players in NBA history. Smartest player ever, best rebounding small forward in NBA history, all-world scorer, and a stunning passer. God I loved watching this man play basketball. He is the starting small forward on any all-NBA team worth its salt. He singlehandedly is probably responsible for more people over 30 being Cs fans today than all other players combined.3. John Havlicek?.. Hall of Fame?.16 seasons?.13 all-star games?.. All NBA first team 4 times, All NBA second team 7 times?? 8 championships?. ELROD?S COMMENT: Mr. Celtic. He came in during Cousy?s last season and the year he retired the Cs drafted Bird. So he connected 1950-92. Consistent excellence. Superior defender. For around five or six years, from 1968-74, he was one of the three-five best players in the league, and made first team all-NBA four consecutive years. Could have been MVP just about any of those years. Was true swingman. Had his best years at small forward, but was just as good a player at big guard in the 1960s.4. Bob Cousy??? Hall of Fame?..13 seasons?..13 all-star games?.1 MVP award?..All NBA first team 10 times, All NBA second team 2 times?..6 championships?.. ELROD?S COMMENT: Revolutionized the game and single-handedly put the Celtics on the map. Rare point guard to win MVP award. For most of us who never saw him play, all we get to see are film clips and see his classy presence on occasional telecasts. A very cool guy.5. Dave Cowens?? Hall of Fame?..10 seasons?.7 all-star games?.1 MVP award..?.All NBA second team 3 times?..2 championships?. ELROD?S COMMENT: For the first six years of his career was a force of nature. Unmatched competitor. Could have been greatest power forward of his era; instead played center at 6-8. Had his career extended into his mid 30s, as should have been the case for a player of his talents, he would be considered one of 10 greatest players of all time. He was an absolute pleasure to watch play.6. Robert Parish?? Hall of Fame?.14 seasons?.9 all-star games??All NBA second team 1 time, All NBA third team 1 time??3 championships?. ELROD?S COMMENT: In retrospect we can see what an astonishing career Parish had, while generally being regarded as the third member of the Big Three. Click on his career stats and consider what an unmatched record of consistent excellence he delivered. Had he played on a team that did not have Bird and McHale, he could have produced a lot more offense and had a lot more personal acclaim. It is hard to rack up all-NBA status at center since there is only one slot on the team. He had Moses and Hakeem and Ewing in the league at the same time. Check out how many times Dave Cowens or Bill Russell made first team all-NBA, and Russ is the greatest player in the history of team sports. No Parish, no championships for Larry Bird in all probability.7. Bill Sharman??. Hall of Fame?..10 seasons?8 all-star games?..All NBA first team 4 times, All NBA second team 3 times?.5 championships?.. ELROD?S COMMENT: A player?s whose greatness is lost on most fans, like yours truly, who never saw him play. Great athlete, unreal shooter and all league defender. A recent analysis called him the second best 2 guard in NBA history, second to some guy who played for the Bulls.8. Kevin McHale?....Hall of Fame?.13 seasons?.7 all-star games?.All NBA first team 1 time?..3 championships?. ELROD?S COMMENT: He was Lou Gehrig to Larry?s Babe Ruth. In the mid-80s, before his succession of injuries, McHale played the 4 position better than it has ever been played, except now for Duncan or Garnett. His 86-87 season, when he was at the primetime age of 29, was simply off the charts. If Kevin had stayed healthy and stacked on three or four more seasons like his 86-87 season, the Cs would possibly have another flag or two. And Kevin McHale, not Karl Malone, would be considered the best 4 of all-time, until Duncan or Garnett retire. Or until Big Al Jefferson retires?. I can dream, can?t I?9. Sam Jones???Hall of Fame?.12 seasons?..5 all-star games??All NBA second team 3 times?..10 championships?.. ELROD?S COMMENT: Arguably the best 2 guard of his era, and the second or third best player on maybe six championship teams. The only other persons who can make that claim are John Havlicek and Scottie Pippen.10. Paul Pierce???7 seasons?.4 all-star games?..All NBA third team 2 times?.. ELROD?S COMMENT: His career is truly at the crossroads. He would be in the top 5 all but a few other teams in the league. Hard to see him advancing more than one slot on this list unless he plays another six years in Boston and wins a title. Look around: Paul is in tall timber. He and DJ are the only players in the top 16 not in the Hall of Fame. He probably will be there some day, unless his career takes a major and unexpected nosedive. Why do I rank him this high? Because I think if he played with the sort of talent around him that the next two guys had, they would be naming schools after him in Massachusetts. Most of his career in Boston he has had less support than Ozzy Osbourne?s buttcheeks. realgm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dagameplayer @ Mar 17 2006, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What about A Walk? He was leading Boston to the playoffs before Paul even got there.</div>No he wasn't.
I know the Celtics sucked before Pierce came. They won 15 games in 96 and didnt make the playoffs in 97 if I remember correctly
was Paul in the league in 1998 because Boston made the playoffs that year. I'm not to sure about it so if Im wrong correct me. Anyways I just always thought A Walk was a great addition to Boston and he should be on that list. He sure as hell is on my top 10 list of Celtic players.
DJ's stats weren't as amazing as all those other guys up there, but you are right Zards, he was a great defender/playmaker. His number is retired at the gaaaden though
Antoine definitely does not deserve a spot on that list, and he really did nothing for the franchise.
Does anyone know how Pierce ranks among the top Celtic scorers ever? I think that would be interesting to know, because he must be getting up there
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dagameplayer @ Mar 17 2006, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What about A Walk? He was leading Boston to the playoffs before Paul even got there.</div>Are you freaking kidding me? Lets see, he led them to the playoffs, yet they got Paul w/ the 1oth pick. Tell me, how could a team that made the playoffs own the 10th pick?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Mar 19 2006, 10:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Does anyone know how Pierce ranks among the top Celtic scorers ever? I think that would be interesting to know, because he must be getting up there</div>What do you mean, in terms of PPG or total points scored?
uuh.. i think he's 10th or 11th in total scoring. I know he passed up Tommy Heinsohn early this year.
He's currently 8th all time in points at 13,879 and and 2nd all time in PPG at 23.44, behind only Larry Bird.
When looking at Celtics history it's just to hard to overlook Pierce. Esp if he stays a C for the rest of his career he should just keep climbing that list. If the C's can get any kind of sucess in the playoffs over the next few years that should help secure his C's legacy even more. He is The Truth.
He's definitely getting his number retired and he'll most likely be a Hall of Famer, I think that's the only debateble accolade right now.
