GREATEST OF THE GREATEST: 5 BOSTON CELTICS GREATS

GREATEST OF THE GREATEST: 5 BOSTON CELTICS GREATS

It remains debatable who is the most important factor in ranking the greatest organizations in the National Basketball Association. Teams can make an impact through wins, league-wide popularity, fan support, and more. But one thing is certain. If we are looking for the greatest team in the NBA in terms of the number of titles won, then the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers lead the rest with 17 trophies each. In fact, the difference compared to the others is quite serious, since the Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors occupy the shared 3rd place with 6 titles each. But this time we will focus on the "Celts". Boston has seen some incredible basketball players over the years. Without them, the 17 titles would have been impossible. But who are the 5 greatest? A subjective question, but we will look for an objective answer.

1. Bill Russell

Here, some of you may wonder why we don't start with Larry Bird. Bird is probably much better technically than Bill Russell. But the No. 2 pick in the 1956 draft is among the great Wilt Chamberlain's biggest nightmares. And we're talking about a man with 11 NBA titles, voted 5 times as the most valuable player in the league. One of the best in the battle under the basket, but also a great defender. Unfortunately, during Russell's time, the umbrellas did not enter the statistics, but it does include 8 consecutive NBA titles between 1959 and 1966, in which Bill played a fundamental role.

2. Larry Bird

Everyone can calm down! We've come to the second basketball player on this list to spend his entire playing career with the Boston Celtics. Big Larry falls short of Russell's 11 titles, but his 3 championship rings is a remarkable achievement. Some say his strongest years are actually the strongest in basketball history. One of the greatest goalscorers, but also phenomenal in his assists. A player with unparalleled endurance on the floor and super high self-confidence. With averages of 24.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. But more impressively… averaging 49.6 % field goal shooting and 88.6 from the penalty line. Phenomenon!

3. John Havlicek

Between 1967 and 1974, John Havlicek consistently averaged more than 20 points per game. This is among the main reasons why the winger is an 8-time NBA champion. In 1974, the 13-time All-Star was voted Most Valuable in the Finals as Boston won the decisive Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Havlicek is 16th among the leading scorers in NBA history and is a modest 2 behind Paul Pierce. And all without John shooting 3-pointers because he quit basketball a year before the 3-pointer was introduced.

4. Paul Pierce

With the inclusion of Paul Pearce in the rankings, we move closer to the current times of the game. For some Boston Celtics fans, Paul is the modern day Larry Bird. At the end of his career, the Californian played in Brooklyn, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers, but we will all remember him for his peak years in Boston. Champion only once, but the winger was dominant in the game with an extremely rich arsenal on the floor. He did everything! Pierce was phenomenal when he was called upon to score the game-winning basket. "Truth" finished his career averaging 19.7 points per game, and as a veteran, he also played great defense.

5. Kevin McHale

Another player in today's ranking, who did not defend colors other than those of the Boston Celtics even for one game. Heavy winger with 3 championship rings and 7 All-Star appearances. Manu Ginobili at the high. Exclusive "6th Player". With minutes on the court as a starter - just like Manu. One of the coaches who built Kevin Garnett into a star in Minnesota. Averaging nearly 18 points per game, 8.3 rebounds and 55.4% shooting from the field. Boston will never forget Kevin McHale