Selecting the Boston Celtics All-Time starting lineup
Bob Cousy – Point Guard
The Boston Celtics selected Bob Cousy third overall in the 1950 NBA Draft out of Holy Cross. In 13 seasons with the Celtics, Cousy averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while playing in 35.5 minutes per outing.
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What was so impressive about Cousy throughout the 50’s was his amazing ball handling skills and moves he was able to pull off. Often being referred to as the “Houdini of the Hardwood”, Cousy was definitely the pioneer of bringing trickery onto an NBA court.
Cousy would help lead the Celtics to winning 6 NBA championships, his first in 1957 and then five straight from 1959-1963. He would also earn league MVP in 1957, lead the NBA in assists eight times from 1953-1960, and become a 13-Time All-Star from 1951-1963.
Cousy ranks in the top 10 all time in Celtics history with the most games (917), minutes played (30,131), field goals (6,167), free throws (4,621), assists (6,945), points (16,955), and points per game (18.5).
The Cooz was just as active off the court as he was on it. In the early 50’s Cousy founded, designed and developed the NBA Players Association, making the NBA the first major sport to do so at the time. Cousy thought it was important for the players to be able to have rights and benefits.
The only player in recent Celtics history that could be compared to Bob Cousy is Rajon Rondo. Rondo’s amazing ball handling skills, paired with his elusiveness and trickery is something that the TD Garden hasn’t been blessed with since the days of Bob Cousy.
The Boston Celtics have retired Cousy’s No.14.