20 Greatest Celtics players in History, Ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

Boston Celtics has been the greatest marketplace in the NBA. It is one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. Celtics players are the most-rated players in history.

Founded in 1946, they have won a record 18 NBA championships, the most in league history.

The Boston Celtics began to grow significantly in the 1950s and 1960s under the leadership of head coach Red Auerbach and the legendary center Bill Russell. During this period, the Celtics won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons.

This era established the Celtics as a dominant force in the NBA and laid the foundation for their storied legacy. The team’s success continued in the 1980s with stars like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, leading to three more championships.

So in this blog article, we will see the Top 20 Boston Celtics players in history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER) including their career story.

20 Boston Celtics players in history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

20. Jo Jo White – 14.9

Jo Jo White’s career PER was approximately 14.9.

Out of 12 years of his career he had spent the first 10 years with Celtics with loyalty.

White won two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976 (where he was also named Finals MVP).

17.2 PPG averaged, white passed away on January 16, 2018, after a battle with brain cancer.

19. Dennis Johnson – 14.9

Dennis Johnson had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 14.9 over his career.

He played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics. Johnson won 3 NBA championships: one with the SuperSonics in 1979 and two with the Celtics in 1984 and 1986.

He averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game during his entire career.

In 2020, Celtics’ former assistant head coach unfortunately died because of a heart attack.

18. Rajon Rondo – 15.8

Rajon is another Boston Celtics player But he is not loyal to Celtics. He played for 18 years in the NBA and out of that he spent 8 years of the beginning with the Boston Celtics then he played with 8 other teams in the NBA.

In 2008 Celtics won a championship under his presence. A player with 9.8 points per game, got arrested recently in January 2024 under charges of drugs and use of a gun.

Rajon Rondo’s player efficiency rating is 15.8.

17. Jaylen Brown – 16.1

Jaylen Brown has become an integral part of the Boston Celtics.

Brown’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER) for the 2023-24 season stands at 19.1 and for career 16.1.

Brown has been a key player for the Boston Celtics since he was drafted in 2016. His draft value was reflected in winning the NBA championship in 2024.

He also won the Best Championship Performance at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

He has averaged 20.8 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game.

16. Reggie Lewis – 17.0

Reggie Lewis was a talented shooting guard and small forward who played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.

Lewis had a career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 17.0. He put his great efficiency and effectiveness on the court.

Unfortunately, he did not win an NBA championship with the team. Despite that, he was a key player and an All-Star in 1992.

Although Reggie Lewis passed away in 1993. His 35-number jersey was retired by the Boston Celtics, and he is remembered for his contributions both on and off the court.

15. Dave Cowens – 17.0

Dave Cowens is one of the primary players of the Boston Celtics. He had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 17.0 over his career. He played primarily for the Boston Celtics and briefly for the Milwaukee Bucks.

In his entire career, he won 2 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976

Over his career, he averaged 17.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He was also an 8-time All-Star, won the Rookie of the Year award, and was named the MVP in 1973.

Recently, he appeared in the “Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman Podcast,” where he discussed how the role of big men has changed since his playing days.

14. Tom Heinsohn – 17.9

Tom Heinsohn, a legendary Boston Celtics player, primarily played as a forward.

Tom Heinsohn had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 17.9. His contributions were pivotal in the Celtics’ success during his era. Boston Celtics have won eight NBA championships from 1957 to 1965.

Out of that seven were consecutive titles from 1959 to 1965. Tom averaged 16.2 points per game and played nearly 30 minutes per contest.

13. Al Horford – 18.1

Al Horford, drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, played with four teams in the NBA. Currently, he is representing the Celtics in the NBA.

Horford won his first NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024.

Recently, Al Horford dismissed retirement rumors, confirming that he plans to return for the 2024-2025 season with the Boston Celtics.

Horford has averaged 13.1 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game.

Al Horford’s career PER is approximately 18.1.

12. Ray Allen – 18.9

Ray Allen is one of the greatest NBA players in history. Ray Allen’s career PER is 18.9.

He started his career with the Bucks and was a player with 3 more teams.

When he retired he averaged 18.9 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game.

Ray Allen played for four NBA teams during his career:

  • Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)
  • Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007)
  • Boston Celtics (2007–2012)
  • Miami Heat (2012–2014)

11. Bill Russell – 19.1

Bill Russell is one of the most legendary figures in NBA history. Bill Russell’s career PER is 19.1. This reflects his overall efficiency on the court, considering his scoring, assists, rebounds, and other contributions.

Bill Russell played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969. Bill Russell won an incredible 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics.

Career Stats

  • Points per game: 15.1
  • Rebounds per game: 22.5
  • Assists per game: 4.3
  • Field Goal Percentage: 44.0%
  • Free Throw Percentage: 56.1%

10. Bob Cousy – 19.7

Boston Celtics’ primary player in the 1950 to 1960 era, helped to win 6 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963.

Over his career, he averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game.

13-time All-Star Bob also won the MVP award in 1957 and the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Bob Cousy had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 19.7 over his career.

Recently Bob Cousy commented on Steve Kerr’s decision to bench Jayson Tatum, calling it an “embarrassment” and suggesting that Kerr has a bias against the Boston Celtics.

9. Paul Pierce -19.7

paul pierce wearing 34 number boston celtics jersey

Paul Pierce, known as “The Truth,” had an illustrious NBA career.

He has a player efficiency rating of his career is 19.7.

He began his career in 1998 and in 2013 he played with Boston Celtics. later he changed three teams in the NBA

Paul Pierce won one NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

He often compares himself with NBA star Dwayne Wade.

8. Sam Jones – 20.6

Loyal Celtics player, Sam Jones spent his entire career with Boston Celtics. In his career, he played 12 seasons all with Celtics.

Sam Jones had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 20.6 over his career. Jones won 10 NBA championships with the Celtics.

He was also a 5-time All-Star with a career average of 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

At the age of 88, he died due to age. Jones came to be known as “Mr. Clutch”.

7. Kevin McHale – 20.0

Kevin McHale is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. McHale played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics from 1980 to 1993.

McHale’s career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is an impressive 20.0.

He helped Celtics to win three NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986.

Although McHale retired from playing in 1993, he remains active in the basketball community.

6. Jayson Tatum – 20.1

Jayson Tatum is a great emerging talent in the NBA. Jayson And his teammate Jaylen Brown dominated the NBA this season.

Tatum has a career PER of 20.1. For the 2023-24 season, his PER is 22.3.

Jayson Tatum’s journey with the Boston Celtics continues to be one of growth and success.

His Stats for the 2023-24 Season:

  • Points per game: 26.9
  • Rebounds per game: 8.1
  • Assists per game: 4.9
  • Field Goal Percentage: 47.1%

5. John Havlicek – 20.5

John Havlicek is often referred to as “Hondo,” in the basketball world. John Havlicek has a player efficiency rate of 20.5.

He is another loyal player of the Celtics. John Havlicek played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics from 1962 to 1978.

John Havlicek won 8 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics.

His famous steal in the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, remains one of the most iconic moments in NBA history.

He averaged 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 4.8 APG in his career.

4. Ed Macauley – 20.5

Player Efficiency Rating (PER) Ed Macauley’s career PER is 20.5

Teams Played

  • St. Louis Bombers (1949–1950)
  • Boston Celtics (1950–1956)
  • St. Louis Hawks (1956–1959)

Unfortunately, he did not win a championship with the Celtics but he won an NBA Championship with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958.

Sadly, Ed Macauley passed away in 2011, but his legacy continues to be celebrated.

3. Robert Williams III – 22.3

Robert Williams III has a career PER of 22.3.

In his career, he played with only two teams Boston Celtics (2018–2023) and
Portland Trail Blazers (2023–present)

Robert Williams III has not won an NBA Championship yet.

Robert Williams III, also known as “Time Lord”.

2. Kevin Garnett – 22.7

Kevin Garnett, often referred to as “KG,” had a great career with Celtics. KG spent 6 years of his career with the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Garnett’s career PER is 22.7.

Kevin Garnett won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

  • Career Stats
    • Points: 26,071 (17.8 PPG)
    • Rebounds: 14,662 (10.0 RPG)
    • Assists: 5,445 (3.7 APG)
    • Steals: 1,859 (1.3 SPG)
    • Blocks: 2,037 (1.4 BPG)

1. Larry Bird – 23.5

Larry Bird, often referred to as “Larry Legend,” played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The NBA named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy after Larry Bird in 2022.

  • Key Stats and Achievements:
    • Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 23.5
    • Career Averages: 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game
    • Championships: 3 NBA titles (1981, 1984, 1986)
    • Awards: 3-time MVP, 2-time Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star

This list showcases the Celtics’ rich history of talented players. Do you have a favorite among these legends?

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