Throughout Boston Celtics history, there have been dozens of great players and transcendent talents. Today, it’s time to decide the five greatest forwards in Boston’s illustrious 72 years as a franchise.
In 2018, the Boston Celtics put No. 34 in the rafters. Fifteen seasons and one championship later, Paul Pierce’s legendary career was immortalized alongside the other Boston greats. Now, Pierce’s name will be spoken in the same sentences as Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Bob Cousy and Kevin McHale.
Naturally, the Truth’s jersey retirement served as an excuse to discuss memorable games, laugh over old stories, and most importantly create new angles on takes. Should Kevin Garnett get his number retired next? Does Ray Allen hate Paul Pierce? Did the Big 3 Celtics underachieve by only winning one title?
Somehow, none of these questions led to the hottest take of the weekend.
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Robert Parish, Boston’s starting center for 14 years in the 80s, had this to say about Paul Pierce in comparison to his once teammate Larry Bird.
"“I just feel like Paul was more creative. He was a better scorer then say Larry or John Havlicek. I think Havlicek and Larry and Paul were probably the best offensive players that the Celtics ever had. I think Paul tops that list, in my opinion."
Wow! Out of nowhere from the Chief!
Even in this day and age where shock value trumps all, I never thought I’d see the day when Parish turned to the dark side. No one is safe these days.
*Spoiler Alert* Paul Pierce was not better than Bird, not offensively and not defensively. Sorry Paul, but at least you have plenty of company. 99.9% of NBA players are not better than Bird.
Still, the question must be asked: Where does Pierce rank on the list of greatest Boston Celtics forwards of all time? Despite not being better than one of the greatest players in history, he had an amazing career. Sooner rather than later, the Truth will have another ceremony at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
It was hard, but counting down from five to one, here are the greatest forwards in Boston Celtics history.
5. Tommy Heinsohn
Tom Heinsohn was probably born in green. Ever since he was drafted by Boston in 1956, the Celtics have done nothing wrong in his eyes.
For older Celtics fans, Tommy was a great player on a championship team. Then, for middle aged fans, Tommy became one of the best coaches in Boston Celtics history. Finally, he became my generation’s Johnny Most behind the microphone. Never in NBA history has a single person devoted so much of their lives to one franchise.
There is no one who fully embodied being a Celtic quite like Tommy Heinsohn. For this reason, he could not be kept off the top 5. 62 years and counting and Heinsohn is still loyal to the Boston Celtics.
Career achievements
Time spent with Celtics: 9 seasons.
Playoffs: 104 games, 19.8 PTS, 9.2 REB, 2.1 AST, 40 FG%, 8 rings.
Post-Career: Coach for 9 years, 2 rings, .619 winning percentage, No.15 retired by Celtics, 37 years as Celtics TV broadcaster, gives out Tommy points, ultimate Boston homer and a true Celtic for life.
Memorable moments: 1960 Playoff buzzer-beater against 76ers, perfect hook shot, ultimate competitor, pick any time arguing with the refs.
Raw stats: 654 games,18.6 PTS, 8.8 REB, 2.0 AST, 41 FG%, 1956-57 Rookie of the Year, 6-time All-Star, 4 2nd team All-NBA selections.
4. Kevin McHale
With all eyes on Larry Bird, it is easy to forget the greatness of Kevin McHale. McHale could score on anyone at any time in the post with his unlimited arsenal of moves. If he wanted to, he could have averaged 30 a night on a bad team for his whole career.
Yet, McHale never left the team that traded for him in 1980. He stuck through it until the end, hobbled on a broken foot and all. McHale risked his future health for a few extra seasons playing for the Celtics.
He was there every night, scored on the best interior defenders the NBA has ever seen, and dominated for the Boston Celtics. That seems good enough for fourth on this list.
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Career achievements
Time spent with Celtics: 13 seasons.
Playoffs: 169 games,18.8 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.6 AST, 1.7 BLK, 56 FG%, 3 rings.
Post-Career: No.32 retired by Boston Celtics, traded Kevin Garnett to Boston, always favors the Celtics on broadcasts.
Memorable moments: Unstoppable post moves, in a class with just Hakeem in finesse down on the block, unmatched footwork, above-average passing out of the post, clotheslined Rambis, played through a broken foot, 56-point game against Detroit.
Raw stats: 971 games, 17.9 PTS, 7.3 REB, 1.7 AST, 1.7 BLK, 55 FG%, 2 Sixth Man of the Year’s, 7-time All-Star, 3 2nd team All-Defense’s, 3 1st team All-Defense’s, 1 1st team All-NBA.
3. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce gets the edge over Kevin McHale because he was the focal point for 15 years. For over a decade, The Truth was the face of the Boston Celtics franchise. Through good times and bad, Pierce ultimately stayed in Boston and became the best player on an awesome championship team.
Other than Bird, Pierce was the most clutch Celtic of all-time. Per Elias Sports Bureau, he hit 156 buzzer beaters and 892 go ahead shots in the last minute. Opponents were terrified when No. 34 got the ball late.
Pierce also gets a bump because of the fact that these highlights will live on more than Heinsohn’s or McHale’s. All of his clutch shots will survive on YouTube forever whenever Celtics fans get a nostalgic twinge. Madison Square Garden 2010? *click*. 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7? *click*. It happens at least once a year.
Overall, Pierce lands at three because his Celtics only got one ring. As sad as it is to say, the Big Three+Rondo Celtics should have won more than one. Unfortunately, Ron World Peace and mistimed injuries created a different outcome.
Career achievements
Time spent with Celtics: 15 seasons.
Playoffs: 136 games, 20.9 PTS, 6.4 REB, 4.0 AST, 1.3 STL, 42 FG%, 34 3PT%, 1 ring, 2008 Finals MVP.
Post-Career: No.34 retired by Celtics, future front office role?
Memorable moments (take a deep breath): “The Truth“, dozens of clutch shots in the regular season, MSG game-winner over Stoudamire, 2009 Playoffs Game 5 game-winner against Bulls, 2010 Playoffs game-winner against Heat, 4th quarter comeback in the 2002 ECF against the Nets, shot over Al Harrington in 2003 playoffs, “The Wheelchair Game“, leading huge comeback in 2008 NBA Finals Game 4 against Lakers, outdueling LeBron in 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7.
Raw stats: 1,102 games, 21.8 PTS, 6.0 REB, 3.9 AST, 1.4 STL, 45 FG%, 37 3PT%, 10-time All-Star, 3 3rd team All-NBA’s, 1 2nd team All-NBA.
2. John Havlicek
Paul Pierce has the memorable moments, but there is no arguing that John Havlicek had the better overall career. How can you disprove any of these numbers? 8 rings, 1,442 games, and 30, 171 points for the Boston Celtics.
John Havlicek was the perfect player. He did everything imaginable on the court and never got tired. For 16 seasons, he put it all on the line for Boston. In the beginning, he played alongside Bill Russell and then eventually led his own team to the Finals. Even in his last year, Hondo averaged 18 points and 42 minutes in the playoffs.
Bird and Pierce have the stats and moments, but no one other than Havlicek did it for so long. His longevity combined with the staggering number of championships puts him at number two.
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Career achievements
Time spent with Celtics: 16 seasons.
Playoffs: 172 games, 22.0 PTS, 6.9 REB, 4.8 AST, 1.1 STL, 44 FG%, 1974 Finals MVP, 8 rings.
Post-Career: No.17 retired by Celtics, most points and games played in Celtics history.
Memorable moments: “Havlicek stole the ball“, never lost stamina, all-around superstar, most clutch player on 60’s Celtics, running shot in “Greatest Game Ever Played”, never truly dropped off.
Raw stats: 1,270 games, 20.8 PTS, 6.3 REB, 4.8 AST, 1.2 STL, 44 FG%, 13-time All-Star, 3 2nd Team All-Defense’s, 5 1st Team All-Defense’s, 7 2nd Team All-NBA’s, 4 1st Team All-NBA’s, 2 Top 5 in MVP voting.
1. Larry Bird
What else needs to be said about Larry Legend? He is the best. No questions asked. There is a reason why they call him Basketball Jesus. He resurrected the NBA, saved the Boston Celtics and never did anything wrong.
Done.
Career achievements
Time spent: 13 seasons.
Playoffs: 164 games, 23.8 PTS, 10.3 REB, 6.5 AST, 1.8 STL, 0.9 BLK, 47 FG%, 32 3PT%, 2 NBA Finals MVPs.
Post-Career: No. 33 retired by Celtics, unanimous best Celtic ever, face of the Celtics franchise throughout the 80s and early 90s.
Memorable moments (take another deep breath): jumper falling out of bounds, out of bounds steal against Pistons, hitting game-winner when he told the other team what he was doing, playing a game left-handed, Nique vs. Bird, 60-point game against the Hawks, entire ’86 season, battles against the Lakers, 3-point contest winner, he is the guy you want taking the last shot out of anyone in NBA history, could do everything, pass, shoot, rebound, play defense.
Raw stats: 897 games, 24.3 PTS, 10.0 REB, 6.3 AST, 1.7 STL, 0.8 BLK, 50 FG%, 38 3PT%, 3 MVP’s, 12-time All-Star, 3 2nd Team All-Defense’s, 1 2nd Team All-NBA, 9 1st Team All-NBA’s, 9 Top 5 in MVP voting (20/20)
Honorable mentions
With a franchise as dominant and successful as the Boston Celtics, there are a lot more than five great forwards.
When I determined who were truly the greatest Celtics forwards of all-time I looked at five main categories for their resumes: time spent in Boston, playoff performance, post-career involvement, memorable moments/traits, and raw stats/awards.
Each player was scaled out of 20 for each category and given an overall grade at the end. Quickly, here are the honorable mentions who were significantly lacking in at least one category.
9. Don Nelson
Time spent with Celtics: 11 seasons.
Playoffs: 134 games, 11.1 PTS, 4.8 REB, 1.4 AST, 50 FG%, 5 rings.
Post-Career: No.19 retired by Celtics.
Memorable moments: 1969 NBA Finals shot against the Lakers, one-handed free throw.
Raw stats: 872 games, 11.4 PTS, 5.2 REB, 1.6 AST, 48 FG%, if it existed at least a few Sixth Man of the Year Awards.
Boston Celtics
8. Tom Sanders
Time spent with Celtics: 13 seasons.
Playoffs: 130 games, 8.8 PTS, 5.8 REB, 1.0 AST, 44 FG%, 8 rings.
Post-Career: No.16 retired by Celtics, brief coaching stint.
Memorable moments: Unsung hero of the 60’s Celtics, beloved by teammates and fans.
Raw stats: 916 games, 9.6 PTS, 6.3 REB, 1.1 AST, 43 FG%, 1 All-Defensive 2nd Team.
7. Cedric Maxwell
Time spent with Celtics: 8 seasons.
Playoffs: 88 games, 12.0 PTS, 5.9 REB, 2.0 AST, 55 FG%, 2 rings, 1981 Finals MVP.
Post-Career: Celtics radio broadcaster, involved in Boston media, No.31 retired by Celtics.
Memorable moments: has the nickname “Cornbread“, 1981 Finals Game 5, “Climb on my back, boys” 1984 NBA Finals Game 7.
Raw stats: 607 games, 13.7 PTS, 6.6 REB, 2.3 AST, 56 FG%.
6. Kevin Garnett
Time spent with Celtics: 6 seasons.
Playoffs: 84 games, 17.5 PTS, 9.9 REB, 2.6 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.1 BLK, 49 FG%, 1 ring.
Post-Career: TBD on jersey retirement, fans still love him and consider him their favorite Celtic.
Memorable moments: “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE“, pounding his chest, banging head against the stanchion, falling down and-one in 2008 Finals Game 6, best energy in basketball, lockdown defense at all times.
Raw stats: 396 games, 15.7 PTS, 8.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.0 BLK, 52 FG%, 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, 5-time All-Star, 3 1st Team All-Defense’s, 1 2nd Team All-Defense, 1 1st Team All-NBA, 3rd in 2008 MVP voting.
Next: Boston Celtics: The 50 Greatest Players of All Time
Don Nelson isn’t memorable enough. Tom Sanders didn’t stand out on one of the best teams ever. Cedric Maxwell picked his spots. Kevin Garnett got here too late. All of them were great Celtics, but they don’t deserve a spot on the top 5. Here are the guys that do.