McHale over Pierce. And I don’t see how you can leave Sam Jones out of the coversation at the shooting guard spot.

I really think you need to divide the teams into two eras: pre-1980 and post 1980.

Pre-1980: Cousy, Sam Jones, Havlicek, Cowens (or Heinsohn), Russell

Post-1980: Parish, Bird, McHale, Pierce, DJ. And if they win a few more titles with KG, I could see moving McHale to Center and replacing Parish with Garnett.

It is Pierce.

Yes McHale was the best low post scorer of all time (until that Tim Duncan guy), a great defender, good rebounder, and a warrior. But there is one very important distinction:

Pierce has always come out every night of his career like a franchise player, McHale did not. Yes, it was never McHale’s team, it was Bird’s. We will never know what McHale would have been like as a #1 guy. But we have seen Pierce in both capacities. Last year, even with the additions of KG and Ray, this was still Pierce’s team from a leadership perspective, especially in the playoffs.

Simmons has made the point before that the talent was undeniable with McHale, it was the night to night performance (sometimes comparing it to Manny). I do not completely agree with the Manny comparison, but there is a point. You did not always know what you would get, which is part of the reason he came off the bench for his first five seasons. Pierce would never have come off the bench, and probably never will have to. He takes it upon himself to perform like a franchise player every night and lead that way.

It is what separates #1 guys from #2 guys and I think it is what separates Pierce from McHale.

Hmmm.

Let’s see here.

McHale is widely considered the greatest power forward in the history of the game. Even those that don’t agree on that point, many do agree that he revolutionized the position. Regardless, he was one of the most potent and unstoppable low-post scorers in the history of the sport. In fact, if your name wasn’t Mychal Thompson, you couldn’t stop him. Let me put it another way, he was double teamed by Hakeem and Ralph in the 1986 finals, but to no avail.

Then you throw in that he was one of the best defensive players at his position, and the f act that he could effectively guard everyone from Hakeem to Kareem to Mailman to Dominique.

McHale is one of the 15 best players of all time, perhaps a top TENer.

Paul Pierce?

Give me a freakin’ break.

I’d actually go with Cowens at the 4, moving Havlicek to the 2 and both McHale and Pierce to the bench. Here’s my all-time 12 man roster:

Starters / Reserves
Bob Cousy - PG – Jo Jo White – Dennis Johnson
John Havlicek – SG – Sam Jones
Larry Bird – SF – Paul Pierce – Tom Heinsohn
Dave Cowens – PF – Kevin McHale
Bill Russell – C – Robert Parish

I’ve never seen anyone else with such a versatible offensive arsenal in the low post. He could do everything, including some moves that probably were never replicated. I may be biased here, because McHale is, stylistically, my favourite basketball player ever, but being Pierce a great player, it doesn’t come close.

I would go for Dave Cowens. McHale was noted for his ability to cover 3’s, but Cowens was an outstanding and versatile defender too, and a better athlete. He wasn’t the low post scorer McHale was, but he was a good post player and an excellent midrange shooter. He was a much better rebounder than McHale. Most importantly, he was an intense competitor, and a smarter player. The idea of having Russell, Bird and Cowens out there gives you a frightening overall intensity. The rebounding would be incredible.

“Cooz never made a three, but that shouldn’t work against him”.

That’s because the three point shot came into the NBA in the late 70s ot early 80s…Chris Ford got the first three in NBA history

You need a PF to go with the other four guys already chosen and that guy would have to be Kevin- no doubt about it.

Hobbs makes a good point [only good because it boslters mine :)].

McHale is one of the greatest 4s in the history of hoops, maybe THE greatest.

How could he not start on the Celtics all-time team?

The real question is, like Hobbs said, Hondo v. Pierce.

Until Pierce wins another championship, there is no choice again…

Hondo

“The real question is, like Hobbs said, Hondo v. Pierce”.

Sort of like Ted Williams to Yaz

then it HAS to be mcchale. not only was he unstoppable in the post, he was one of the greatest defensive 4s. if pierce plays D the rest of his career like he did in the playoffs last year, and still keeps up his offense, that’s what mcchale was like his whole career. its not a knock on pierce, who will probably be a 1st ballot HOFer now. mcchale was just that good.

Anyone who’s seen both Mchale and Pierce play has to know Mchale is the better player. Mchale was unstoppable in the post, even under doubleteams. Always took the toughest forward to defend leaving Bird the easier player and thereby the passing lanes to play.

Pierce is a tremendous player and I’m glad we have him but he’s not better than Mchale.