When you think of the Boston Celtics, imagine a dynasty founded on guts, determination, and exceptional talent. Some former Boston Celtics players like Bill Russell in the 50s and 60s and the magic of Larry Bird in the 80s were tremendous at the forefront of basketball excellence.
The Celtics’ legacy is not just about the 17 NBA championships they have won, but also about the players who have donned the green and white jersey with pride. The 21st century saw the rise of new heroes like Paul Pierce, whose loyalty and clutch performances earned him the nickname “The Truth,” and Kevin Garnett, whose intensity and defensive skills were pivotal in securing the 2008 championship.
As we look to the future, players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown promise to keep the Celtics’ championship aspirations alive.
This blog will take you on a journey through the illustrious careers of these basketball legends, celebrating their contributions to one of the most successful franchises in sports history.
Credit: Globe Archive
5 Best Former Celtics Players
When we talk about best and bond with the team forever, we should also think about his loyalty to the team.
5 former Boston Celtics players ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
- Larry Bird – 23.5: Larry Bird is synonymous with Boston Celtics loyalty. Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game over his 13-season career.
- Spending his entire 13-year NBA career with Boston, Bird’s incredible all-around game and competitive spirit made him a legend. His PER reflects his dominance and efficiency on the court
- Paul Pierce – 20.6: Known as “The Truth,” Paul Pierce played 15 seasons with the Celtics, becoming one of the franchise’s most beloved figures.
- Pierce was a 10-time All-Star, won 1 NBA championship, and was named Finals MVP once. His scoring ability and clutch performances were pivotal in the Boston Celtics’ 2008 championship run.
- Bob Cousy – 19.7: Bob Cousy, the “Houdini of the Hardwood,” spent 13 seasons with the Celtics, revolutionizing the point guard position with his playmaking and ball-handling skills.
- Cousy played the majority of his career with the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963. Cousy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019.
- Bill Russell – 18.9: William Felton Russell, known as Bill Russell, is one of the most iconic figures in basketball history as well as in the Boston Celtics’ history.
- Bill Russell’s loyalty to the Celtics is legendary. With 11 championships in 13 seasons, his defensive prowess and leadership were unmatched.
- John Havlicek – 18.4: John Havlicek spent his entire 16-year career with the Boston Celtics. John Havlicek, often nicknamed “Hondo,” is one of the most celebrated players in Boston Celtics history.
- Havlicek played his entire 16-season career with the Boston Celtics, winning 8 NBA championships and earning 1 Finals MVP award.
Read More: 20 Greatest Celtics players in History, Ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
Celtics players who played in the 2000s
The 2000s marked a transformative period for the Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics were rebuilding, striving to recapture the glory days of their storied past.
From the electrifying performances of Paul Pierce to the strategic brilliance of Danny Ainge’s front-office moves, the 2000s were a rollercoaster of emotions for Celtics fans.
We will explore the journeys of the Boston Celtics players who played in the 2000s and also played pivotal roles in the Celtics’ resurgence.
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Paul Pierce: The Truth
Paul Pierce, affectionately known as “The Truth,” was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics during the 2000s. With a career PER of 19.7, Pierce was a consistent offensive force and a clutch performer.
Over his illustrious career, he amassed 26,397 points, making him one of the top scorers in NBA history.
His crowning achievement came in 2008 when he led the Boston Celtics to their 17th NBA Championship and was named Finals MVP.
Antoine Walker: Employee Number Eight
Antoine Walker, known as “Employee Number Eight,” was a dynamic forward of the Boston Celtics. With a career PER of 15.2, Walker was known for his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities. He scored a total of 15,647 points in his career.
His partnership with Paul Pierce in the early 2000s provided the Boston Celtics with a formidable duo that kept the team competitive.
Ray Allen: Jesus Shuttlesworth
Ray Allen, famously nicknamed “Jesus Shuttlesworth” from his role in the movie He Got Game, was one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.
With a career PER of 18.6, Allen’s precision from beyond the arc was unmatched. He scored 24,505 points over his career, with many of those coming from his deadly three-point shooting.
Allen’s arrival in Boston in 2007, along with Kevin Garnett, helped the Boston Celtics become championship contenders. His clutch shooting was crucial to the Celtics’ 2008 championship run.
Kevin Garnett: The Big Ticket
Kevin Garnett, known as “The Big Ticket,” brought intensity, defense, and leadership to the Celtics. With a career PER of 22.7, Garnett was a dominant force on both ends of the court. He scored 26,071 points in his career.
His presence helped the Celtics secure their 17th NBA Championship in 2008.
Rajon Rondo: The Maestro
Rajon Rondo, often referred to as “The Maestro,” was the floor general for the Celtics during their championship run. With a career PER of 17.1, Rondo was known for his exceptional playmaking and defensive skills.
He has accumulated over 7,000 career points.
Kendrick Perkins: Perk
Kendrick Perkins, simply known as “Perk,” was the defensive anchor for the Celtics. With a career PER of 11.6.
He scored 4,214 points in his career, but his true contributions came from his rebounding, shot-blocking, and physical presence in the paint.
Tony Allen: The Grindfather
Tony Allen, nicknamed “The Grindfather,” was a defensive specialist of the Celtics.
With a career PER of 12.4, Allen was known for his lockdown defense and hustle plays. He scored 5,766 points in his career.
Al Jefferson: Big Al
“Big Al” was a bright young talent for the Celtics in the early 2000s.
With a career PER of 20.7, Jefferson was a skilled post player with a soft touch around the basket. He scored 14,000 points in his career.
Celtics players in the 90s
The Boston Celtics had several standout players during the 1990s.
- Kevin McHale: A key player who played till 1992 and then retired in 1993, McHale was known for his incredible post moves and defensive skills.
- Robert Parish: The “Chief” played with the Celtics until 1994.
- Reggie Lewis: A rising star whose career was tragically cut short by his untimely death in 1993. Lewis was an All-Star and the team’s leading scorer in the early ’90s.
- Dee Brown: Known for his dunking ability and winning the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest, Brown was a key player for the Celtics throughout the decade.
- Antoine Walker: Drafted in 1996, Walker quickly became a leading scorer and key player for the Celtics towards the end of the decade.
Retirement of Key Players, Tragic Losses, Injuries, Coaching Changes, Poor Draft Decisions, and the Rebuilding Phase are the several challenges in the 1990s that contributed to the struggles of the Boston Celtics.
Read More: 50 Boston Celtics Highest Scoring Games All-Time
Former Celtics player 1980s
The 1980s were a golden era for the Boston Celtics, marked by legendary players and unforgettable moments.
Larry Bird: The Hick from French Lick
Larry Bird, known as “The Hick from French Lick,” is arguably the most famous Celtic of the 1980s. With a career PER of 23.5, he amassed 21,791 points over his career and was a three-time NBA MVP.
Kevin McHale: The Black Hole
Kevin McHale, nicknamed “The Black Hole” was a dominant power forward for the Celtics. With a career PER of 20.0, he scored 17,335 points in his career and was a seven-time NBA All-Star.
Robert Parish: The Chief
“The Chief,” was a towering presence in the paint for the Celtics. He scored 23,334 points over his career and was a nine-time NBA All-Star, He played a vital role in their three championship victories.
Dennis Johnson: DJ
Dennis Johnson, often referred to as “DJ,”. With a career PER of 15.6, Johnson was known for his defensive skills.
He scored 15,535 points in his career and was a five-time NBA All-Star.
Danny Ainge: The Competitor
Danny Ainge, known for his competitive spirit, was a versatile guard who played a key role for the Celtics in the 1980s. With a career PER of 14.5, he scored 11,964 points.
Bill Walton: Big Red
“Big Red,” joined the Celtics later in his career but made a significant impact as a key reserve.
He was a two-time NBA Champion, including one with the Celtics in 1986.
These players, with their unique skills and contributions, helped define the Boston Celtics’ legacy in the 1980s.
Former Celtics player 1970s
For the Boston Celtics, the 1970s were a remarkable decade that saw both success and transformation.
John Havlicek: Hondo
Hando amassed 26,395 points over his career, making him one of the top scorers in NBA history at that time.
Havlicek’s clutch performances and relentless work ethic helped the Celtics secure two NBA Championships in 1974 and 1976.
Dave Cowens: Big Red
With a career PER of 17.4, Cowens was known for his rebounding, defense, and scoring ability. He scored 13,516 points and grabbed 10,444 rebounds over his career.
He helped lead the Celtics to two championships in 1974 and 1976.
Jo Jo White: The Floor General
“The Floor General,” was the Celtics’ steady hand at the point guard position. With a career PER of 15.6, He scored 14,399 points in his career and was a seven-time NBA All-Star.
- Don Nelson: Nellie
- Paul Silas: The Enforcer
- Charlie Scott: The Scorer
These are the other great players in the 70s era.
Former Celtics player that have died
- Reggie Lewis: He died in 1993 at the age of 27. His number 35 was retired by the team in his honor.
- Bill Russell: An iconic figure in basketball history, passed away in 2022 at the age of 88.
- Sam Jones: Known as “Mr. Clutch” won 10 NBA titles with the Celtics. He died in 2021 at the age of 88.
- Tommy Heinsohn: A Hall of Famer who played his entire career with the Celtics, passed away in 2020 at the age of 86.
- K.C. Jones: Another Hall of Famer, Jones won eight championships as a player with the Celtics. He died in 2020 at the age of 88.
- Len Bias: Although he never played a game for the Celtics, Len Bias was a highly touted draft pick who tragically died of a cocaine overdose just two days after being selected by the team in 1986.
Stats Source: Statsmuse