Best Boston Celtics Players Of All Time
With 17 titles to their name, The Boston Celtics, are the most successful sports team in NBA history and have a roll of honor or hall of fame bigger than any of the rivals Here, we take a look at a mere five legends from deep, deep pool of talented icons.
Bill Russell
During the ‘60s, The Celtics won 11 championships by building from the defense, making Russell the centerpiece of a no nonsense, man-to-man back line that utilized his masterful shot blocking. Russell was the cornerstone of the side’s sixties dynasty, as the side won eight titles in a row and two as a player-coach. Russell holds the record for the most championships ever won by an athlete in a North American sports league (an accolade he shares with NHL's Montreal Canadiens, Henri Richard). In a purely basketball comparison, Bill Russell is considered the top clutch performer in NBA history, along with Michael Jordan. In all, Russell bagged 14,522 points, slammed 21,620 rebounds, and laid out 4,100 assists in his distinguished career, for which, in 2009, the NBA Finals MVP award was named after him.
Sam Jones
Lightning quick and super cool, Jones was the master of the bank shot, which led to him being given the nickname "Mr. Clutch." Another that was blessed to have been part of a dominate Celtics era, in no small part to him, Jones is second only to Bill Russell (above) with 10 championships in his career. In five seasons, he maintained a steady average of more than 20 points per game, and is seventh on the Celtics all time point scoring list. Jones was elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984 which recognized the astonishing 15,411 points, 4,305 rebounds, and 2,209 assists he amassed during his glittering career.
Jones was a sports bettors’ favorite in the ‘80s and since then online bookmakers have become more popular so punters no longer have to get up and go out in order to place a bet on an event. The many online bookmakers as well as online casinos have seen a growth in recent years and it has become very easy for people put money on basketball games as well as playing popular casino games all across the world.
Larry Bird
What can you say about a guy that Magic Johnson once said; "Of all the people I play against, the only one I truly fear is Larry Bird." Class in every possible way, at least in his game style. The things that came out of his mouth were not so classy. Bird, loved trash talking, getting under the skin of many an opponent and, what’s more, he had the ability to back up his boasts. Case in point; immediately before the 1986 All-Star Game three-pointing shooting contest, he walked into the locker room, and declared to the others, "I want all of you to know I am winning this thing. I'm just looking around to see who's gonna finish up second." It goes without saying that Larry did, indeed, win. In 1998, Bird was entered into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an honor that neatly goes in his collection alongside many, many others.
Kevin McHale
Another Hall of Famer, lofty McHale is often remembered for having huge hands, a God-given gift for a B Ball player if ever there was. Thanks to his long hands and impressive range of post moves, he was an incredible opponent for any side and somebody everyone would want on their team. He also had a superb jump shot, and possessed a fast thinking athlete’s brain, meaning he was more often than not, one step ahead of the plays. Often this would pay off as he exploited the free space and regularly made his way to the free throw line. He won three NBA titles and two Sixth Man of the Year awards as he teamed up with Larry Bird (above) and Robert Parrish (below) as the three Celtic legends formed the core of a dominant Boston front court. During his career, he recorded an impressive 17,335 points, grabbed a further 7,122 rebounds, and managed to make 1,690 block shots.
Robert Parish
The third man in the three centre titans of the 80’s, Parish’s size and quickness made him a good finisher on counter attacks. He had a decidedly gentle touch for a big guy, almost caressing the ball into the hoop, but would show his power in defense where he was an excellent stopper. A big man with that rarest of abilities to shoot those all-important free throws well. Such a good shot did Parish possess that the great Bill Walton once described him as the greatest shooting big man of all time. In a golden career, much of which was pent playing alongside fellow legends, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, he tallied 23,334 points, grabbed 14,175 rebounds, and blocked 2,361 shots before being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Bill Russell
During the ‘60s, The Celtics won 11 championships by building from the defense, making Russell the centerpiece of a no nonsense, man-to-man back line that utilized his masterful shot blocking. Russell was the cornerstone of the side’s sixties dynasty, as the side won eight titles in a row and two as a player-coach. Russell holds the record for the most championships ever won by an athlete in a North American sports league (an accolade he shares with NHL's Montreal Canadiens, Henri Richard). In a purely basketball comparison, Bill Russell is considered the top clutch performer in NBA history, along with Michael Jordan. In all, Russell bagged 14,522 points, slammed 21,620 rebounds, and laid out 4,100 assists in his distinguished career, for which, in 2009, the NBA Finals MVP award was named after him.
Sam Jones
Lightning quick and super cool, Jones was the master of the bank shot, which led to him being given the nickname "Mr. Clutch." Another that was blessed to have been part of a dominate Celtics era, in no small part to him, Jones is second only to Bill Russell (above) with 10 championships in his career. In five seasons, he maintained a steady average of more than 20 points per game, and is seventh on the Celtics all time point scoring list. Jones was elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984 which recognized the astonishing 15,411 points, 4,305 rebounds, and 2,209 assists he amassed during his glittering career.
Jones was a sports bettors’ favorite in the ‘80s and since then online bookmakers have become more popular so punters no longer have to get up and go out in order to place a bet on an event. The many online bookmakers as well as online casinos have seen a growth in recent years and it has become very easy for people put money on basketball games as well as playing popular casino games all across the world.
Larry Bird
What can you say about a guy that Magic Johnson once said; "Of all the people I play against, the only one I truly fear is Larry Bird." Class in every possible way, at least in his game style. The things that came out of his mouth were not so classy. Bird, loved trash talking, getting under the skin of many an opponent and, what’s more, he had the ability to back up his boasts. Case in point; immediately before the 1986 All-Star Game three-pointing shooting contest, he walked into the locker room, and declared to the others, "I want all of you to know I am winning this thing. I'm just looking around to see who's gonna finish up second." It goes without saying that Larry did, indeed, win. In 1998, Bird was entered into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an honor that neatly goes in his collection alongside many, many others.
Kevin McHale
Another Hall of Famer, lofty McHale is often remembered for having huge hands, a God-given gift for a B Ball player if ever there was. Thanks to his long hands and impressive range of post moves, he was an incredible opponent for any side and somebody everyone would want on their team. He also had a superb jump shot, and possessed a fast thinking athlete’s brain, meaning he was more often than not, one step ahead of the plays. Often this would pay off as he exploited the free space and regularly made his way to the free throw line. He won three NBA titles and two Sixth Man of the Year awards as he teamed up with Larry Bird (above) and Robert Parrish (below) as the three Celtic legends formed the core of a dominant Boston front court. During his career, he recorded an impressive 17,335 points, grabbed a further 7,122 rebounds, and managed to make 1,690 block shots.
Robert Parish
The third man in the three centre titans of the 80’s, Parish’s size and quickness made him a good finisher on counter attacks. He had a decidedly gentle touch for a big guy, almost caressing the ball into the hoop, but would show his power in defense where he was an excellent stopper. A big man with that rarest of abilities to shoot those all-important free throws well. Such a good shot did Parish possess that the great Bill Walton once described him as the greatest shooting big man of all time. In a golden career, much of which was pent playing alongside fellow legends, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, he tallied 23,334 points, grabbed 14,175 rebounds, and blocked 2,361 shots before being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
