Summary
Bill Russell led the Celtics to 11 titles, the most in NBA history, and helped shape a successful era in team history.
Larry Bird returned the Celtics to greatness in the 1980s, winning three championships and several MVP honours.
Paul Pierce and Kevin McHale were instrumental in leading the Celtics to titles, cementing their legacy in franchise history.
The Boston Celtics formed in 1946. Since then, they have become one of the most legendary NBA clubs, as well as one of the most legendary franchises in all sports.
Since their establishment, the Celtics have won 18 championships, tying the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in NBA history. Over the past six decades, numerous legends have worn green and white.
Some players did not make it to this list. They include Bill Sharman and Jojo White. Current players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have a chance to make this list before the end of their careers, especially if they can capitalise on bringing more championships to Boston.
Here are the top ten Celtics players throughout history.
10Tom Heinsohn
8 championships, 1956-57 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame Class of 1986
Tom Heinsohn was a vital member of the Celtics’ success in the 1960s. The Celtics selected him sixth overall in the 1956 draft, and he defeated colleague Bill Russell to win Rookie of the Year in his first season.
Tom Heinsohn Celtics Statistics
G
654
PPG
18.6
RPG
8.8
APG
2.0
FG%
40.5%
Heinsohn spent all nine years of his career in Boston. He retired in 1965 after sustaining a foot ailment that ended his career. He concluded his career with an average of 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He was an eight-time champion, including seven consecutive victories from 1958-1959 to 1964-1965. He was also a six-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA pick. In 1986, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Following his retirement, Heinsohn returned to Boston to become their head coach. He coached the Celtics for nine seasons, earning two further titles. As a head coach, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
9Sam Jones
10 championships, Hall of Fame class of 1984
Sam Jones was also an important part of the Celtics’ dynasty during the 1960s. He spent 12 seasons with the Celtics, who draughted him eighth overall in 1957.
Sam Jones Celtics Stats
G
871
PPG
17.7
RPG
4.9
APG
2.5
FG%
45.6%
Throughout his career, Jones averaged 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He co-led Boston to ten championships with Bill Russell, including eight consecutive triumphs from 1958-59 to 1965-66. He is second in NBA title history, one behind Russell’s eleven.
Jones was also a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA pick throughout his career. In 1984, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
8Robert Parish
3 championships, Hall of Fame class of 2003
After spending his first four seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Robert Parish was transferred to the Celtics in 1980. The trade also included a 1980 first-round pick, Kevin McHale.
Robert Parish Celtics Statistics
G
1,097
PPG
16.5
RPG
10.0
APG
1.5
BPG
1.5
FG%
55.2%
Parish played 14 seasons for Boston, averaging 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Parish, alongside Larry Bird and McHale, led the Celtics to three championships in the 1980s.
Parish left Boston in 1994 to go with the Charlotte Hornets, where he played for two seasons. He retired in 1997 after playing one season with the Chicago Bulls and capturing his fourth and final championship.
He was a nine-time All-Star and two-time NBA All-Star while playing for the Celtics. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
7Dave Cowens
2 championships, 1972-73 MVP, 1970-71 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame class of 1991
The Celtics draughted Dave Cowens fourth overall in 1970. He joined a Celtics squad looking to regain championship form after missing the playoffs the previous two seasons after winning 11 titles in 13 years. That is exactly what they planned to do once Cowens arrived.
Dave Cowens’ Celtics Stats
G
726
PPG
18.2
RPG
14.0
APG
3.9
SPG
1.2
BPG
1.0
FG%
46.0%
Cowens was named Rookie of the Year during his first season. The following season, he led the Celtics back to the playoffs after being chosen an All-Star for the first time. Cowens, along with John Havlicek, helped the Celtics win titles in 1973-74 and 1975-76.
Cowens averaged 18.2 points and 14.0 rebounds per game over his ten years with Boston. Over that time, he guided the Celtics to two championships. He won the league MVP award for the first and only time in his career in 1972-73. He was also an eight-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA pick.
Cowens retired in 1980, but he returned to the NBA for one final season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1982-83. In 1991, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
6Paul Pierce
2007-08 NBA champion, 2007-08 Finals MVP, Hall of Fame class of 2021
The late 1990s were a difficult period in Celtics history. Boston missed the playoffs seven times in eight years, from 1993-94 to 2000-01. One positive outcome was that they selected Paul Pierce tenth overall in the 1998 draft.
Paul Pierce Celtics Stats
G
1,102
PPG
21.8
RPG
6.0
APG
3.9
SPG
1.4
FG%
44.7%
3PT%
37.0%
Pierce became the Celtics’ face, leading them to a playoff appearance in 2001-02, their first since 1994-95. Despite their accomplishment, the Celtics failed to advance to the Finals.
This changed in 2007-08, when they added Kevin Garnett. With a trio of Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen, the Celtics defeated the Lakers in the Finals, capturing their first championship since 1985-86. Pierce won the Finals MVP title after averaging 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists during the series.
Pierce would only win one championship during his career. Despite this, he established a Hall of Fame career in Boston, averaging 21.8 points and 6.0 rebounds over 15 seasons. He was also a ten-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA pick. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021, capping an outstanding career that helped Boston back to the NBA’s top spot.
5Kevin McHale
3 championships, 2 Sixth Man of the Year awards, Hall of Fame Class of 1999
The Celtics selected Kevin McHale third overall in the 1980 draft. The choice they used for him previously belonged to the Warriors, who traded it to Boston as part of the Parish deal. It’s safe to conclude that adding Parish and the pick that became McHale benefited the Celtics.
Kevin McHale Celtics Statistics
G
971
PPG
17.9
RPG
7.3
APG
1.7
BPG
1.7
FG%
55.4%
In McHale’s first season, 1980-81, he became a vital player alongside Larry Bird and Parish, helping the Celtics win the title. Over the next five seasons, the three won two more championships.
McHale played his entire 13-year career with Boston, averaging 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He was a three-time champion and twice received the Sixth Man of the Year award. He was a seven-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive pick. For the first time in his career, he was selected to the All-NBA team in 1986-87. McHale was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1999, marking the end of his career as one of the greatest Celtics and sixth man in history.
4Bob Cousy
6 championships, 1956-57 MVP, Hall of Fame class of 1971
Bob Cousy had an intriguing start to his NBA career. In April 1950, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks draughted him fourth overall. He was dealt to the Chicago Stags less than a month later, in May. In October, he was selected by the Celtics in the dispersal draft.
After being draughted by Boston, he rapidly established himself as one of the NBA’s finest players. Cousy revolutionised the point guard position through his selflessness and slick passing. Cousy and Bill Russell led Boston to six championships in seven seasons, from 1956-57 to 1962-63.
Bob Cousy Celtics Statistics
G
917
PPG
18.5
RPG
5.2
APG
7.6
FG%
37.5%
Cousy played 13 seasons for Boston, averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. He won six titles and received the NBA MVP award in 1956-57. He was also a 13-time All-Star and a 12-time All-NBA pick. In 1971, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
3John Havlicek
8 championships, 1973-74 Finals MVP, Hall of Fame Class of 1984
Throughout his 16-year NBA career, John Havlicek ruled the league. Boston draughted him ninth overall in 1962, and he went on to have a Hall of Fame career.
John Havlicek’s Celtics stats
G
1,270
PPG
20.8
RPG
6.3
APG
4.8
FG%
43.9%
Havlicek played his whole career for Boston, averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He helped the Celtics win eight titles, including the 1973-74 Finals MVP. He was also a 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, and eight-time All-Defensive pick. In 1984, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
2Larry Bird
3 championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 3 MVPs, 1979-80 Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame class of 1998
Larry Bird was one of the most dominant NBA players in the 1980s. The Celtics selected him sixth overall in 1978, but he did not make his NBA debut until the 1979-80 season, after returning to Indiana State following his draft.
Following his debut, Bird went on to defeat Magic Johnson in the Rookie of the Year contest and become one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He also revitalised the Celtics franchise after a difficult period in the late 1970s.
Larry Bird Celtics Statistics
G
897
PPG
24.3
RPG
10.0
APG
6.3
SPG
1.7
FG%
49.6%
3PT%
37.6%
Bird spent 13 seasons in the NBA, all with Boston. Throughout his career, he averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, earning three MVP titles along the way. Along with Parish and McHale, he helped the Celtics win three championships in the 1980s.
Throughout his career, he was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, and three-time All-Defensive pick. In 1998, he was admitted into the NBA, capping one of the best careers of a small forward in league history.
1Bill Russell
11 championships, 5 MVPs, Hall of Fame class of 1975
There is no doubt that Bill Russell is the greatest player in Celtics history. The St. Louis Hawks, now known as the Atlanta Hawks, selected him second overall in the 1956 draft. The Hawks subsequently traded him to Boston in what is widely regarded as one of the best moves in NBA history.
Russell had an immediate impact upon his arrival in Boston. He lost the Rookie of the Year contest to his teammate, Tom Heinsohn, due to missing the majority of the season to compete in the Olympics.
Bill Russell Celtics Statistics
G
963
PPG
15.1
RPG
22.5
APG
4.3
FG%
44.0%
Despite not winning inaugural of the Year, Russell helped Boston win their first title in his inaugural season. Russell led the Celtics to 11 championships during his 13-year NBA career. His 11 titles are the most by any player in NBA history.
Russell was also a five-time MVP, a 12-time All-Star, and an 11-time All-NBA pick throughout his legendary career. Russell was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1975. He was also appointed as a coach in 2021.
