As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that
players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided
to defy those odds.
The Boston Celtics entered the NBA in 1946 as one of the league’s
original teams. Both the nickname “Celtics” and their mascot “Lucky the
Leprechaun” are reflective of Boston’s prominent Irish population and
also the Original Celtics.
Though the Celtics have won just one NBA title since 1986, in that span
seven teams have won multiple titles, the franchise is also tied with their
rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers with 17 NBA championships -- the most
in the sport’s history. The franchise has also appeared in 26 NBA Finals.
The Celtics have had 35 Hall of Fame players, four Hall of Fame coaches
and six Hall of Fame contributors.
The Celtics struggled in their early years until the arrival of head coach Red
Auerbach. Between 1957-1969, Boston fashioned a dynasty that belongs
in select company, if not at the top of the list. In that span, the Celtics won
11 NBA titles, including eight in a row from 1959-1966. The franchise
won two more titles in the 1970s and three in the 1980s. The 2007-2008
broke a 22 year dry spell with another NBA championship.
Today, I put together a Celtics Dream Team. There are some rigid criteria in
making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the
Celtics for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free
agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year
rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-
NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Celtics during a season of being a championship contender
does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Celtics
during a bad season, though there are very few, is no deterrent to getting a
spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get
considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless
basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The
starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the
rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just
tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before
you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take
off the list at that position?”
With this franchise, there is an embarrassment of riches in that good ones
are not selected.
Starting five
Point guard: Bob Cousy
Cousy brought a blend of ball-handling and passing skills that earned him
the nickname “The Houdini of the Hardwood.” Cousy was a pivotal cog
in the original Celtics dynasty. During his time with the Celtics, he helped
them win six NBA championships. Today's point guards have more of a
scoring mentality.
Cousy was a facilitator who also had the ability to score. On the way to a
Hall of Fame career, Cousy was a 13-time All Star, 12-time All NBA, led
the NBA in assists eight times and was the NBA MVP in 1957. Cousy
averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds.
Shooting guard: John Havlicek
Havlicek is quite simply one of the best shooting guards ever to put on an
NBA uniform. Havlicek is one of four players to have won a championship
with only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones having one more. Havlicek
spent all 16 of his NBA seasons with the Celtics.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Havlicek averaged 20.8 points, 6.3
rebounds and 4.8 assists. He was NBA Finals MVP in 1974, 13 time All Star,
11-time All NBA (four first-team). Besides his scoring prowess, Havlicek
was also a defensive standout as he was an eight-time NBA All-Defensive
selection, five as a first-teamer.
Small forward: Larry Bird
Bird is one of the best players ever to put on an NBA uniform. He was known
as “Larry Legend” and the “Hick from French Lick.” Bird is also one of the
greatest shooters ever to put on a uniform. Besides his scoring prowess, Bird
was also an excellent passer and even though he was not fleet of foot, Bird’s
ability to anticipate made him an excellent defender.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Bird led the Celtics to three NBA
championships. He was also a three-time NBA MVP and two-time NBA
Finals MVP. Bird was also a 12-time All-Star and 10 time All NBA selection.
He was also NBA All Defensive team on three occasions and was the NBA
Rookie of the Year in 1980. Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and
6.3 assists.
Power forward: Kevin McHale
This one was a close call but McHale edges out Kevin Garnett for the starting
spot. McHale is one of the best power forwards in NBA history and together
he, Bird and center Robert Parish formed one of the best NBA frontcourts
in history. McHale helped the Celtics deliver three NBA championships.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, McHale was a seven-time All-Star, All
NBA first team in 1987 and a six-time NBA All-Defensive team (three as a
first teamer). McHale was also the two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year and
NBA All-Rookie first team in 1981. In his 13-year career, all with the Celtics,
McHale averaged 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots per game.
Center: Bill Russell
Russell is not only one of the best, if not the best NBA players of all time but
one of the most iconic athletes regardless of sport. Russell was a stifling man-
to-man defender and shot blocker. He is one of just two players in NBA
history to grab at least 50 rebounds in a game. Russell was also the first black
player to achieve Superstar status in the NBA. He is one of seven players in
history to win an NCAA championship, and NBA championship in an
Olympic gold medal.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career in which he helped deliver 11 NBA
championships, Russell was a five-time NBA MVP, 12-time All-Star, 11-time
All NBA (three as a first teamer), four-time NBA rebounding champion.
Russell also played before the NBA Finals had an MVP award, today's
award is named after him. Russell averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds
per game.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Dave Cowens:
Cowens was a superb all-around player. He is only one of five players in
NBA history to lead his team in all five major statistical categories for a
season: points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots and steals. He was also the
fourth center in NBA history to average five assists per game in a single
season. Cowens helped the Celtics win two NBA championships. He was
the NBA MVP in 1973, eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA second
team, two-time all NBA All-Defensive second team and Rookie of the Year
in 1971. Cowens averaged a double-double with 17.6 points and 13.3
rebounds per game.
Kevin Garnett:
You could make a case for Garnett to start at power forward. However, the
highest compliment that could be paid to Garnett is that after having been
acquired in a trade from Minnesota, he sacrificed individual glory to help
the Celtics win the NBA championship in 2008 and nearly one another one
in 2010. In a Celtics uniform, Garnett averaged 15.7 points and 8.3
rebounds per game; he is one of the best power forwards of all time. Garnett
was a 15-time All-Star, 12 time All NBA Defensive choice, nine-time All-
NBA selection, NBA MVP and a Defensive Player of the Year. He did this
on the way to a Hall of Fame career
Tom Heinsohn:
Heinsohn's career was cut short after nine seasons because of a foot injury
but he was instrumental in helping the Celtics win eight NBA championships.
He also guided Boston to two more NBA titles as a coach. As a player, he
was a six-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA second team selection and was the
Rookie of the Year in 1957. Heinsohn averaged 18.6 points, 8.8 rebounds
and 2.0 assists per game on the way to a Hall of Fame career.
Dennis Johnson:
Johnson was a prime example of being a late bloomer when it comes to Hall
of Fame careers. Johnson helped the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics win an
NBA championship. After a four-year stint with the Phoenix Suns, Johnson
though overshadowed by the frontcourt triumvirate of Bird, McHale, and
Parish was no less valuable to helping the Celtics win three NBA
championships in the 1980s. During his time with the Celtics, Johnson
averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 assists per game but was also a very clutch
performer.
Sam Jones:
Jones may not have been the best player on the team but he was a very vital
cog in delivering 10 NBA championships to the Celtics, including eight in a
row. Jones was also no less valuable to the Celtic dynasty because he was a
clutch scorer. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Jones spent all 12 seasons
with the Celtics and was a five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA second
team. During his career, he averaged 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds in 2.5 assists
per game.
Ed Macauley:
At age 32, Macauley is the youngest player ever to be inducted into the
Basketball Hall of Fame. Macauley played six of his 10 seasons in the NBA
with the Celtics. He was an All-Star in five of six seasons with Boston, thus
earning him a spot on this team. During his time with the Celtics, Macauley
was a three-time All-NBA first-team selection. Throughout his career he
averaged 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Robert Parish:
With any other franchise, Parish would be the uncontested starter at center.
However, there's no shame in losing out to Russell. Parish was known for
his stoic demeanor, strong defense, high-arching jump shots and timely
rebounds late in games. Parish was part of one of the best frontcourts in
NBA history in helping the Celtics win three NBA championships. All nine
of his All-Star appearances came in a Celtics uniform. During his time with
the Celtics, Parish averaged a double-double with 16.5 points, 10.0
rebounds and 1.5 block shots per game.
Paul Pierce:
Among the Celtic greats, Pierce has a unique legacy in that he endured points
of the franchise when they were at their worst but once he had a competent
supporting cast he was able to deliver a championship in 2008. Pierce spent
15 of his 20 Seasons with the Celtics. He will most likely be a Hall of Famer
soon. Pierce was the NBA Finals MVP in 2008 and was a 10-time All-Star.
He was also a four-time all-nba selection, one as a second-teamer and three
more as a third timer. If not for Larry Bird he would be the starting small
forward but Pierce deserves a seat at the table.
Bill Sharman:
Sharman was one of the first NBA guards to shoot better than 40% from
the field. He also led the NBA in free throw percentage seven times, which
is an NBA record, including five consecutive years. On the way to a Hall of
Fame career, Sharman helped the Celtics win four NBA titles. He was an
eight-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA first-team. Sharman averaged 18.1
points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Jojo White:
White was one of the NBA's first prominent Iron Man as he played a
franchise-record 488 consecutive games, which spanned six seasons. White
helped the Celtics win two NBA championships in a three-year period from
1974-1976. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 1976. White was also a seven-
time All-Star and two-time All-NBA second team. He was an NBA All-
Rookie first team in 1970. On the way to a Hall of Fame career, White
averaged 17.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists.
Head coach: Red Auerbach
The Celtics have had some excellent coaches in their franchises history but
this choice isn't even debatable. Auerbach is considered by many the best
coach in NBA history and one of the best regardless of sport. Auerbach led
the Celtics to 795 regular-season wins and 90 more in the postseason. During
his tenure, Auerbach led the Celtics to nine NBA championships as a coach
and seven more as an executive. Auerbach was also a pioneer in that he
implemented the fast break as a tactical weapon. He was also similar to NFL
coaching Legend Vince Lombardi and that he didn't run a lot of plays,
where the Celtics ran only a few but they ran them to perfection.
Team: 1985-1986
There are several options from which to choose but this iteration of the
Celtics is considered by many one of the best in NBA history. Buoyed by
an NBA Finals loss the previous season to the rival Lakers, the Celtics ran
roughshod through the NBA by winning 67 games, including a 40-1 home
record which was since equaled by the 2016 San Antonio Spurs. This was
also a case of the rich getting richer as the Celtics added Bill Walton to one
of the best teams in NBA history joining a frontcourt of Bird, McHale and
Parrish which was in their prime. Couple that with underrated players like
Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Scott Wedman and Jerry Sichting.
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