Where Does Stiemsma's Rookie Start Rank In Celtics Recent History?


We're talking Celtic's centers right here. Glen Davis and Leon Powe are forwards so they don't count. I've also cut this list down to include only players whose 1st starts were as rookies, the only exception being Kendrick Perkins who only played 36 minutes as an actual rookie. The list goes all the way from Stiemsma against the Wizards to Brad Lohaus against the Trail Blazers in 1988.

2012- Greg Stiemsma: 21 Minutes, 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5-7 FG, 3-4 FT, 3 PF. WIN vs. Wizards

2011- Semih Erden: 17 Minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 2-2 FG, 4-6 FT, 4 PF. WIN at 76ers

2005- Kendrick Perkins: 8 Minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 0 blocks, 1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 5 PF. WIN at Wizards

2001- Mark Blount: 18 Minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 PF. LOSS vs. Knicks

1997- Steve Hamer: 31 Minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 0 blocks, 3-3 FG, 3-3 FT, 2 PF. LOSS. vs. Clippers

1994- Eric Montross: 26 Minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 5-10 FG, 2-2 FT, 5 PF. WIN at Timberwolves

1994- Dino Radja: 16 Minutes, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 0 blocks, 5-9 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 PF. LOSS at 76ers

1988- Brad Lohaus: 27 minutes, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 6-12 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 PF. WIN vs. Trail Blazers

If i was picking from my heart I'd put Dino Radja at the top, but since i'm working with my brain I'll go with either Eric Montross or Greg Stiemsma. Both had similar games statistically but Montross did it alongside Dee Brown and a 35 year old Dominique Wilkins in the shadow of Reggie Lewis' tragic death. Stiemsma did it alongside 4 All-Stars on a team that is probably top 6 in the league.

By choice for most impressive goes to Eric Montross, but Stiemsma definitely deserves some attention because of his "diamond in the ruff" factor.