Boston Celtics: All-time starting 5

Red Auerbach is synonymous with winning.
Red Auerbach is synonymous with winning.

Forward - Paul Pierce

NBA Finals Game 6: Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics
NBA Finals Game 6: Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics

Paul Pierce was selected 10th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.

10 years later, Pierce was named Finals MVP during Boston 2008 Championship run (their only title since 1986). Fittingly, Boston defeated the LA Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals.

Pierce played 15 years in Boston and averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in 1343 games. He is the franchise leader in three-pointers made, free-throws made and steals.

Pierce was named to 10 All-Star and four All-NBA teams in his NBA career (all while playing at Boston).


Forward - Larry Bird

Bird is arguably a Top 5 player in NBA history.
Bird is arguably a Top 5 player in NBA history.

Larry Legend.

Larry Bird is easily a top-2 player in Boston Celtics' history, with only Bill Russell joining him in that discussion.

Bird played for Boston from 1979 until 1992, although the team had selected him in the 1978 NBA Draft. He won three titles with the Boston Celtics (1981, 1984, and 1986) and was named Finals MVP twice.

In his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, Bird was named to 12 All-Star teams, 10 All-NBA teams, and 3 All-Defensive squads.

Bird was the Celtics' only NBA MVP after Bill Russell won the award in 1965. In fact, he was the last player to date to win the NBA MVP in three straight years (1984-1986).

Bird averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. He is the Boston Celtics' all-time leader in Triple-Doubles (59), Offensive Win Shares, and Value over Replacement.


Center - Bill Russell

Many argue he is the GOAT, but definitely is the ultimate winner.
Many argue he is the GOAT, but definitely is the ultimate winner.

Bill Russell was unique and iconic for the Boston Celtics.

Russell guided the Boston Celtics to their first 11 NBA championships by having arguably the greatest collective mind in NBA history.

The Boston Celtics played 12 finals during Russell's career, winning 11 (two with Russell as a player/coach).

Though he only averaged 15 points per game, Russell always did enough to help his team succeed and was a tremendous leader. He averaged 22.5 rebounds and four assists per game.

Russell helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA title in his rookie season and led the team's streak of eight consecutive championships before adding another two in his last two years. In the NBA Playoffs, he averaged 16 points, 25 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.

Russell won five MVPs, earned a spot in 12 All-Star games, and led the league four times in rebounds. He is also the Boston Celtics' all-time leader in rebounds, rebounds per game, minutes per game, Defensive Win Shares, and Win Shares.


Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players the LA Lakers can target to replace Dwight Howard if he decides against resigning

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