While Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum looks to write his own page in the history books, let’s take a look at the all-time best rookie seasons in green.
Jayson Tatum is having a stellar start to his rookie season for the Boston Celtics, so that got us thinking about the all-time best rookie campaigns. For the Celtics, there has been a ton of talent on the court from the 1950’s to present day, but these 5 have made their debut seasons count the most.
Almost every name on this list is a Boston legend, and Tatum can only hope to one day be among them.
Before I get started, here are the names of a few players that just barely missed the cut on m list. The most intriguing of which may be the last name mentioned.
Honorable Mentions
- John Havlicek
- Kevin McHale
- Tom Heinsohn
- Bob Cousy
- Dino Radja
- Ron Mercer
- Chauncey Billups
Billups played just 51 games for the Celtics as a rookie in 1997 before he was traded to Toronto. In those games, he averaged 11.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. If he had remained in Boston, it would have been fun to see what he could have done alongside both Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce.
Speaking of Paul Pierce, he gets the listed started as the 5th best Celtics rookie of all-time.
5. Paul Pierce (1998-99): 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 steals
Paul Pierce will have his #34 retired in the TD Garden rafters this season, and deservedly so. We all know he is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time to wear the Boston Celtics uniform, and he got things started on the right foot. In his 1998-99 rookie campaign, Pierce was a monster alongside 2-year veteran Antoine Walker. The Celtics looked like they were building a team to compete in the East once again.
Pierce wound up playing 15 seasons in Celtics green before he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He also played for the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers. He retired after the 2016-17 season with career averages of 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The Truth was a ten-time All-Star, 2008 NBA Champion, Finals MVP, and was selected to the All-NBA team four times. He currently ranks #4 all-time in made 3-pointers behind only former teammate Jason Terry, Reggie Miller, and former teammate Ray Allen. Jayson Tatum can only hope to become that type of Boston legend.
4. Antoine Walker (1996-97): 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals
In 1996 the Boston Celtics drafted a superstar with the 6th overall pick. That pick was Antoine Walker. He put up an incredible stat line as an immediate starter playing 36.2 minutes per game. He continued to improve, and when Paul Pierce joined him in 1998 the pair became an iconic duo in the NBA.
Sadly, Walker fell out of favor in Boston and played just 7 seasons there before joining the Dallas Mavericks. He then was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. In 2004-05 though, he rejoined the Celtics. That year he was solid, but he chose to move on to the Miami Heat before finishing his career in Minnesota.
Walker finished with 8 Celtics seasons under his belt and career Boston numbers of 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. It would have been interesting to see what he could have done if he remained with the Celtics for all 13 of his NBA seasons. He maybe could have even been a role player on Boston’s 2008 championship team.
3. Dave Cowens (1970-71): 17.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Before he was an NBA coach, Dave Cowens was a star for the Celtics in the 70’s. He played 10 seasons in Boston, and he was a key starter right away in 1970 as he averaged 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 38 minutes played per game. Those numbers earned Cowens the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.The NBA Hall of Famer won two championships with Boston while being named to 8 All-Star games. Cowens was named to the All-NBA team three
The NBA Hall of Famer won two championships with Boston while being named to 8 All-Star games. Cowens was named to the All-NBA team three times and was named to the All-Defensive team three times as well. His #18 was retired in 1981 and will never be worn again by any member of the Boston Celtics.
Cowens became an NBA coach after his playing career, with 1 season in Boston. As the coach in 1978-79, he went just 27-41. He was a bit more successful as the Charlotte Hornets head coach from 1996 to 1998 with a 109-70 record. Cowens would go on to coach the Golden State Warriors and finished his career as an assistant for the Detroit Pistons.
2. Bill Russell (1956-57): 14.7 points, 19.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Bill Russell may be the most iconic Boston Celtics player of all-time. He was an instant success in the NBA in 1956 with some crazy rebound numbers.
The Hall of Fame center averaged a double-double as a rookie, and that would become the standard for his career. The only season in which he didn’t average a double-double was in 1968-69, his final year on the court when he averaged just 9.9 points. His rebound number though never fell below 18.6 per game. Russell was simply on another level in the NBA. He was ahead of his time.
Russell was named to 12 All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams, and was a 5-time NBA MVP on his way to winning 11 NBA Championships, the most all-time.
While Bill Russell is, in my book, the greatest Boston Celtics player of all-time, there is one player who had a slightly better rookie campaign.
1. Larry Bird (1979-80): 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.7 steals
Larry Legend averaged more points and more assists as a rookie than Russell. Those assist numbers factored into my rankings, but I won’t be upset at anyone that argues in favor of Russell at #1 instead. Both players are all-time greats, Hall of Famers, and had fantastic rookie campaigns.
Bird gets the nod at #1 though because of how involved he got his teammates. The Celtics made a strong run in the playoffs in Bird’s rookie year as well, and like Russell, he delivered a championship in year 2. Larry ended up with 3 rings in his 13 year Celtics career, and he will forever be beloved in Boston.
Next: The 50 greatest Celtics of all-time
The Boston Celtics have a long history of great rookie seasons, and Jayson Tatum is looking to become the next player on that list. he has a lot of work to do, but he has a chance. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this list and this topic, so reach out to us on Twitter @CandCFansided! We welcome any and all feedback.