Major All-Stars in Boston Celtics history
The Celtics are one of the top contributors to the All-Star Game in NBA history. That’s why, in anticipation of All-Star 2021, we’re joining Centreforum.org to look back at the Boston players who have represented the team the most times in this event.
1. Bob Cousy. 13x NBA All-Star
Bob Cousy played for the Celtics from 1950-1963. He made history by playing in the first NBA All-Star Game in 1951 and then did so 12 more times. In all, Cousy continuously participated in All-Star Matches from 1951 to 1963 until he ended his career. In terms of All-Star Game appearances, Cousy shares an 11-14 ranking with Wilt Chamberlain, John Havlicek and Dwyane Wade. Also, the Boston point guard was twice MVP of the All-Star Game, in 1954 and 1957.
2. John Havlicek. 13x NBA All-Star
John Havlicek only spent a couple of years with Cousy for the Celtics, as he played for the team from 1962-1978. You could say that the 7th pick of the 1962 draft successfully followed in the footsteps of his older teammate, as he also made 13 consecutive appearances in the All-Star Game, starting in 1966. He played as a small forward and shooting guard.
3. Larry Bird. 12x NBA All-Star
The legendary Larry Bird, like his predecessors, spent his entire career in Boston from 1979 to 1992. During that time he won the NBA championship three times (1981, 1984, 1986) and the regular season MVP (1984-1986), and was twice MVP of the Finals (1984, 1986). Larry Bird made the All-Star team 12 times: from 1980 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1992, and was MVP of the All-Star Game once in 1982, but he had to miss the last two All-Star Games due to injury. Nevertheless, the Celtics forward won the 3-point contest three times, from 1986 to 1988, the best score on par with Craig Hodges.
4. Bill Russell. 12x NBA All-Star
Bill Russell is another Celtics veteran who played with both Cousy and Havlicek from 1956 to 1969. With them, he won the NBA championship 11 times (1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969), 5 times the season MVP (1958, 1961-1963, 1965). Bill appeared 12 times at the All-Star Game and was even MVP of the game in 1963. The Boston center never missed an NBA All-Star Game from his third year in the league until his career ended.
5. Robert Parish. 9x NBA All-Star
Another “big” on the list, Robert Parish played for four teams during his career: Golden State Warriors (1976-1980), Boston Celtics (1980-1994), Charlotte Hornets (1994-1996) and Chicago Bulls (1996-1997). He was a three-time champion with Boston (1981, 1984, 1986), where with Bird and forward McHale (who, incidentally, made the all-star team seven times) they formed the Big Three. Also, Parish became champion once with Chicago (1997), but he only got to the NBA All-Star Game as a player for the Celtics. Parish went to the NBA All-Star Game nine times: seven consecutive times from 1981 to 1987, and then twice in 1990-1991.
6. Bill Sharman. 8x NBA All-Star
The Boston Celtics had three 7-time All-Stars Dave Cowens, Kevin McHale and JoJo White, but Bill Sharman beat them by one All-Star Game, so he will close out our top. The shooting guard is another teammate of Cousy, with whom they won four NBA championships (1957, 1959-1961). Sharman, however, started his league career with the Washington Capitals, who selected him with the 17th pick of the draft. After moving to Boston in 1951 and settling in the team, Bill consistently made the league’s All-Star team eight times, from 1953 to 1960, and was even MVP of the All-Star Game in 1955.