All-Time best Celtics by skill

Players ranked on what they did for Boston, in terms of quality and length of years with Celtics.

(Pertinent career stats and years listed are compiled when playing with Celtics only)

The All-Celtic Shooter team

1st team

Center-Dave Cowens-1970-80: 46.0 FG%, 78.3 FT%, 18.2 ppg

Forward-Larry Bird (co-captain)-1979-92: 49.6 FG%, 88,6 FT%, 4-time NBA FT pct. champ, 3-time 3-point shootout champ 1986-88, 37.6 3-pt%, 24.3 ppg

Forward-Paul Pierce-1998-2013: 44.7 FG%, 80.6 FT%, 37.0 3-pt%, 21.8 ppg

Guard-Sam Jones-1957-69: 45.6 FG%, 80.3 FT%, 17.7 ppg, considered NBA’s all-time bank shooter

Guard-Bill Sharman (co-captain)-1951-61: 88.3 FT%, 7-time NBA FT champ, 42.8 FG%, 18.1 ppg

6th man-G Jo Jo White-1969-79: 44.2 FG%, 83.3 FT%, 18.4 ppg

2nd team

C-Ed Macauley-1950-56: 44.6 FG%, 2-time FG% champ, 76.1 FT%, 18.9 ppg

F-Don Nelson-1965-76: 48.4 FG%, 76.9 FT%, 11.4 ppg, 1974-75 NBA FG% champ

F-Scott Wedman-1983-87: 46.4 FG%, 35.5 3-pt%, 72.1 FT%, 6.2 ppg, 14.9 mpg

G-Ray Allen-2007-12: 47.2 FG%, 40.9 3-pt%, 91.4 FT%, 16.7 ppg

G-Danny Ainge-1981-89: 48.7 FG%, 38.6 3-pt%, 86.7 FT%, 11.3 ppg

6th-Isaiah Thomas-2014-17: 44.3 FG%, 36.8 3-pt%, 88.9 FT%, 24.7 ppg

3rd team

C-Robert Parish-1980-94: 55.2 FG%, 73 FT%, 16.5 ppg

F-Tom Heinsohn-1956-65: 41 FG%, 79.0 FG%, 18.6 ppg

F-John Havlicek-1962-78: 44 FG%, 81.5% FT, 20.8 ppg

G-Larry Siegfried-1963-70: 41.3 FG%, 85.5 FT%, 2-time NBA FT% champ, 11.6 ppg

G-Jerry Sichting-1985-88: 53.9 FG%, 88.3 FT%, 5.9 ppg

6th-F/C Kevin McHale-1980-93: 55.4 FG%, 2-time NBA FG% champ, 79.8 FT%, 26.1 3-pt%, 17.9 ppg

All-Celtic Defenders

1st team

C-Bill Russell-1956-69 (Captain) All-time unofficial NBA shot-block leader-blocked shots were not kept until four years after Russell retired

F-Kevin McHale-1980-93: 6-time All-Defense, 1.7 bpg

F-John Havlicek-1962-78: 8-time NBA All-Defense selection, even though the award did not start until 1969.

G-Dennis Johnson-1983-90: 4-time All-Defense

G-KC Jones-1958-67: played before All-Defense teams started, but conisdered one of top defensive guards in NBA

6th-C Dave Cowens-1970-80: 3-time NBA All-Defense, 1.2 spg, 1 bpg

2nd team

F/C-Kevin Garnett-2007-13: 4-time NBA All-Defense

F-Tom Sanders-1958-73: 1968-69 NBA All-Defense

F-Cedric Maxwell-1977-85

G-Don Chaney-1968-75, 78-80: 4-time NBA All-Defense 2nd team

G-Tony Allen-2004-10: 2.0 spg

6th-Marcus Smart-2014-now: 1.5 spg

3rd team

C-Robert Parish-1980-94: 1.5 bpg, 1,703 blocked shots

F-Paul Silas-1972-76: 3-time All-Defense

F-Larry Bird-1979-92: 3-time NBA All-Defense 2nd team

G-Quinn Buckner-1982-85:(4-time All-Defense with Milwaukee)

G-Gerald Henderson-1979-84

6th-G/F ML Carr-1979-85/C-Bill Walton

The All-Celtic Rebounders

1st team

C-Bill Russell (Captain)-1956-69: 22.1 rpg, 4-time NBA rebound champ, all-time franchise rebound leader (21,620) #2 NNBA history in total rebounds

F-Paul Silas-1972-76: 12.3 rpg, 4.3 off rpg

F-Larry Bird-1979-92: 10.0 rpg, led all NBA forwards in total defensive rebounds in the 1980s, 7-time Top 10 NBA rebounder 1980-86

G-Don Chaney-1968-75, 78-80: 3.9 rpg in just 22.8 mpg, high of 5.7 rpg

G-Rajon Rondo-2006-14: 4.7 rpg, high of 5.6 in 2012-13

6th-Dave Cowens-1970-80: 14.0 rpg, 2nd in NBA rpg 3 times, top 10 rebounder 7 straight years from 1971-78

2nd team

C-Robert Parish-1980-94: 10.0 rpg, 11,051 rebounds (2nd to Russell)

F-Kevin McHale-1980-93: 7.3 rpg, 2.4 off rpg

F-Bailey Howell-1966-70: 8.4 rpg

G/F-John Havlicek-1962-78: 6.3 rpg. high of 9.0 rpg 1971-72

G-Sam Jones-1957-69: 4.9 rpg, high of 6 rpg 1958-59

6th-F/C Kevin Garnett-2007-13: 8.3 rpg

3rd team

C-Ed Macauley-1950-56: 8.1 rpg

F-Tom Heinsohn-1956-65: 8.8 rpg, 10.6 rpg career-high 1959-60

F-Cedric Maxwell-1977-85: 6.6 rpg, 2.7 off rpg, high of 9.9 rpg 1978-79

G-Dennis Johnson-1983-90: 3.5 rpg, 4 rpg 1984-85

G-Jo Jo White-1969-79: 4.3 rpg, high of 5.6 rpg 1971-72

6th-F Dino Radja-1993-97: 8.4 rpg, high 9.8 rpg 1995-96

All-Celtic Passers

1st team

C-Dave Cowens-1970-80 3.9 apg, high of 5.0 apg 1976-77

F-Larry Bird (co-captain)-1979-92: 6.7 apg, greatest passing forward ever, high 7.6 apg 1986-87

F-John Havlicek-1962-78: 6,114 career assists, 4.8 apg, high of 7.5 apg 1971-72

G-Rajon Rondo-2006-14: 8.5 apg, 2-time NBA assists champ

G-Bob Cousy (co-captain)-1950-63: 7.5 apg 8-time NBA assists champ, all-time franchise leader in assists, high of 9.5 apg 1959-60.

6th-C Bill Walton: 1985-87

2nd team

C-Bill Russell-1956-69: 4.3 apg, 4.100 career assists

F-Kevin Garnett-2007-13: 2.7 apg

F-Gordon Hayward-2017-now: 3.5 apg

G-Dennis Johnson-1983-90: 6.4 apg, season high 7.8 apg 1987-88

G-Nate Archibald-1978-83: 7.1 apg, high of 8.4 apg 1979-80

3rd team

C-Ed Macauley-1950-56: 3.2 apg, high of 4.1 apg 1952-53

C/F-Al Horford-2016-now: 4.6 apg

F-Cedric Maxwell-1977-85: 2.3 apg

G-Danny Ainge-1981-89: 4.4 apg, high of 6.2 apg 1987-88

G-Jo Jo White-1969-79: 5.1 apg, high of 6.1 apg 1972-73

All-6th Men Celtics

C/F-Kevin McHale

F-Paul Silas

F-Don Nelson

F/G-John Havlicek (Captain)

G/F-Frank Ramsey

G/F-ML Carr

C-Bill Walton

All-Clutch Celtics

1at team

C-Bill Russell

F-Larry Bird (Captain)

F-John Havlicek

G-Sam Jones

G-Bob Cousy

6th-Dennis Johnson

2nd team

C-Dave Cowens

F-Cedric Maxwell

F-Paul Pierce

G-Bill Sharman

G-Jo Jo White

6th-Kevin McHale

3rd team

C-Robert Parish

F-Tom Sanders

F-Tom Heinsohn

G-Danny Ainge

G-Nate Archibald

6th-Don Nelson

All-Future Coaches Celtics w/W-L records

1st team

C-Bill Russell: 1966-69 PC Bos, 2 titles 1968/69; 162-83 Bos; 162-166 Sea 1973-77; 17-41 Sac 1987-88

F-Tom Heinsohn: 1969-78 Bos, 2 titles 1974/76 427-263.

F-Don Nelson (Co-Captain): 1977-2010 all-time NBA wins leader 1,335-1,013 regular season record. 1977-87 Milw 540-344; 1988-95, 2006-10 GSt 422-443; 1997-2005 Dal 339-251; 1995-96 NY 34-25. 3-time NBA Coach of the Year

G-Bill Sharman: (Co-Captain): 1962-76 until vocal cord strain forced him to retire...1962 ABL champion Cleveland; 1971-72 NBA champion LA Lakers with then-NBA best 69-13 record, including a still-standing 33-game win streak (246-164 1971-76; 1971 ABA champion Utah Stars 133-113 1968-71; 1966-68 SF Warriors 87-76, 1967 runner-up).

Also invented game day shootaround practice.

G-KC Jones: 1973-76 Wash 155-91; Bos 1983-88 308-102 w/2 titles Bos 1984/86, 1990-91 Sea 59-59, 1972-73 SD ABA 30-54).

2nd team

C-Dave Cowens: 1978-79 PC Bos 27-41; 1996-99 Char 109-70; 2000-01 GSt 25-80)

F-Kevin McHale: 2004-05, 08-09 Min 39-55; 2011-16 Hou 193-130

F-Larry Bird: 1997-2000 Ind 147-67; 1998 NBA Coach of the Year

G-Paul Westphal: 1992-96 Phx 191-88; 1998-01 Sea 76-71; 2009-12 Sac 51-120.

G-Don Chaney: 1984-87 LAC 53-132; 1988-92 Hou 164-134; 1992-95 Det 48-116; 2001-04 NY 72-112. 1990-91 NBA Coach of Year.

3rd team

F-Paul Silas-1980-83 SD 78-168; 1998-2002, 2010-12 Char 193-208; 2003-05 Cle 69-77.

G-Danny Ainge-1996-2000 Phx 136-90.

G-Chris Ford-1990-95 Bos 222-188; 1996-98 Milw 69-95; 1998-2000 LAC 20-75; 2003-04 Phi 12-18.

G/F-ML Carr-1995-97: Bos 48-116

G-Bob Cousy-1969-74: Cin/KC 141-207

All-Celtics Leapers

1st team

C-Bill Russell

F-Kevin McHale

F-Gerald Green

G-Dee Brown (Captain) 1991 Slam dunk champion

G-Gerald Henderson

2nd team

C-Dave Cowens

F-Kevin Garnett

F-Fred Roberts

G-Paul Westphal

G-Dennis Johnson

All-Celtics Scorers

1st team

C-Dave Cowens-1970-80: 18.2 ppg, high 20.5 ppg 1972-73 MVP season, 13,192 points

F-Larry Bird (Captain)-1979-92: 24.3 ppg, franchise record 29.9 ppg 1987-88 (21,791 points)

F-Paul Pierce-1998-2013: 21.8 ppg, 2nd all-time Celtics points (24,021)list

G-John Havlicek-1962-78: All-time Celtic points leader (26,395), 20.8 ppg, high of 28.9 ppg 1970-71

G-Jo Jo White-1969-79: 18.4 career ppg, high 23.1 ppg 1971-72, 13,188 points

6th-Sam Jones-1957-69: 17.7 ppg, high 25.9 ppg 1964-65, 15,411 points

2nd team

C-Robert Parish-1980-94: 16.5 ppg, high 19.9 ppg 1981-82

F-Kevin McHale-1980-93: 17.9 ppg, high 26.1 ppg 1986-87

F-Tom Heinsohn-1956-65: 18.6 ppg, high 22.1 ppg 1961-62

G-Bill Sharman-1951-61: 18,1 ppg, high 22.3 ppg 1957-58

G-Isaiah Thomas-2014-17: 24.7 ppg, 29.8 ppg 2015-16

6th-Bob Cousy-1950-63: 18.5 ppg

Kyrie Irving-2017-now: 24 ppg

All-Celtics Blondes

1st team

C-Mel Counts

F-Larry Bird (Captain)

F-Don Nelson

G-Ron Bonham

G-Jerry Sichting

6th-G/F Jeff Judkins

All-Celtics Redheads (Head coach Red Auerbach)

1st team

C-Bill Walton

C/F-Dave Cowens (Captain)

F-Brian Scalabrine

G-Danny Ainge

G-Dennis Johnson

All-Celtics Foul Shooters

1st team

C-Dave Cowens-1970-80: 78.3 FT%, high 84.2 FT% 1977-78

F-Larry Bird (co-captain)-1979-92: 88.6 FT%, 4-time NBA FT% champ, high 93.0 FT% 1989-90

F-John Havlicek-81.5 FT%, career-high 85.8 FT% 1972-73

G-Ray Allen-2007-12: 91.4 FT%, high 95.2 FT% 2008-09

G-Bill Sharman (co-captain)-1951-61: 88.9 FT%, 7-time FT% champ, high 93.2 FT% 1958-59

6th-Danny Ainge-1981-89: 86.7 FT%, high 90.4 FT% 1985-86

2nd team

C-Ed Macauley-1950-56: 77.4 FT%, high 79.4 FT% 1955-56

F-Kevin McHale-1980-93: 79.8 FT%, high 89.3 FT% 1989-90

F-Paul Pierce-1998-2013: 80.6 FT%, high 85.2 FT% 2011-12

G-Larry Siegfried-1963-70: 86 FT%, 2-time NBA FT% champ

6th-Jerry Sichting-1985-88: 88.3 FT%, high 92.4 FT% 1985-86

F-Don Nelson-1965-76: 76.9 FT%, high 84.6 FT% 1972-73

All-Celtics 3-Point Shooters

1st team

C-Al Horford-2016-now: 38.5 3-pt%, 1.3 3pg

F-Larry Bird-1979-92: 37.6 3-pt%, 3-time NBA 3-point shootout champ (1986-88), high 42.7 3-pt% 1984-85

F-Paul Pierce-1998-2013: 37.0 3-pt%, high 41.4 3 pt% 2009-10, 1,823 3-pointers made

G-Ray Allen (Captain)-2007-12: 40.9 3-pt%, high 45.3 3-pt% 2011-12

G-Danny Ainge-1981-89: 38.6 3-pt%, high 44.3 3-pt% 1986-87

2nd team

C/F-Kevin McHale-1980-93: 26.1 3-pt%, high 40.5 3-pt% 1990-91

F-Antoine Walker-1997-2003: 33.3 3-pt%, high 36.9 1998-99, 1,386 made

F-Scott Wedman-1983-87: 35.5 3-pt%, high 50.0 3-pt% 1984-85

G-Chris Ford-1978-82: (hit first 3-pointer in NBA history in 1979 vs. Houston), 37.5 3-pt%, high 42.7 3-pt% 1979-80

G-Kyrie Irving-2017-now: 41.0 3-pt%, high 40.8 3-pt% 2017-18

All-Retro 3-point Shooter Celtics (played before the 3-point rule came to the NBA in 1979)

C-Ed Macauley

F-Tom Heinsohn

F-John Havlicek

G-Bill Sharman (Captain)

G-Bob Cousy

6th-Jo Jo White

All-Southpaw Celtics

1st team

C-Bill Russell (Captain)

C/F-Dave Cowens

F-Larry Bird (Mr. Ambidextrous, natural left-hander)

G-Paul Westphal (honorary lefty)

G-Nate Archibald

6th-C Hank Finkel/F Adrian Griffin

All-Speedy Celtics

1st team

C-Dave Cowens

F-Fred Roberts

F-John Havlicek

G-Nate Archibald

G-Gerald Henderson

6th-Jo Jo White

2nd team

C-Bill Russell

F-Sidney Wicks

G/F-Charlie Scott

G-Danny Ainge

G-KC Jones

6th-Kevin Stacom

All-Ironman Celtics

1st team

C-Bill Russell-1956-69: 42.3 minutes per gamne over 13 seasons, 45.4 mpg in 165 playoff games

F-Larry Bird-1979-92: Led NBA in minutes played per game twice (1984-85, 1986-87), set NBA single-season playoff record with 1,015 minutes in 23 games in 1987 (44.1 mpg), career 42 mpg in 164 playoff games

F-John Havlicek-1962-78: Missed only 36 of a possible 1,306 games, led NBA in minutes per game 2 times 45.4 and 45.1 mpg 1970-71, 1971-72

G-Jo Jo White-1970-79: Holds franchise record for consecutive games played (488, 1971-77), 37.3 mpg in 10 years, played every game six straight seasons 1972-77

G-Dennis Johnson-1983-90: only missed 29 of 570 possible games w/Boston in eight years

6th-Robert Parish-1980-94: missed only 40 of possible 1,148 games w/Boston

All-Ambidextrous Celtics

1st team

C-Rick Robey

F-Larry Bird (Captain)

F-Tom Heinsohn

G-Paul Westphal

G-Bob Cousy

All-Underrated Celtics

1st team

C-Robert Parish

F-Cedric Maxwell (Captain)

F-Scott Wedman

G-Sam Jones

G-Danny Ainge

6th-Bailey Howell

2nd team

C-Ed Macauley

F-Dino Radja

F-Tom Sanders

G-Larry Siegfried

G-Gerald Henderson

6th-Don Nelson

All-Celtics Nicknames

1st team-Coach Red Auerbach

C-Chief (Robert Parish)

F-Larry Legend, Hick from French Lick (Larry Bird)

F-The Truth (Paul Pierce)

F/G-Hondo (John Havlicek)

G-Cooz, Houdini of the Hardwood (Bob Cousy)

6th-Easy Ed (Ed Macauley)

2nd team-Coach Ack-Ack Tom Heinsohn

C-Big Red (Dave Cowens)

F-Jungle Jim (Jim Loscutoff)

F-Satch (Tom Sanders)

G-Duck (Don Chaney)

G-Nate the Skate, Tiny (Nate Archibald)

6th-Cornbread (Cedric Maxwell)

3rd team-Coach Doc Rivers

C-Mountain Man (Bill Walton)

F-Big Baby (Glen Davis)

F-Ack-Ack, Tommy Gun, Heinie (Tom Heinsohn)

G/F-Blonde Bomber, Muncie Mortar (Ron Bonham)

G-Bullseye Bill (Bill Sharman)

6th-Big Ticket, KG (Kevin Garnett)

Honorable mention-Coach Satch Sanders

C-Shaq, Shaq-tus, Big Aristotle (Shaquille O’Neal)

F-Norman Bates (Fred Roberts)

F/G-Kentucky Colonel (Frank Ramsey)

G-Westy (Paul Westphal)

G-DJ (Dennis Johnson)

6th-Siggy (Larry Siegfried)

To contact the author directly, email Cort Reynolds at cdrada2433@yahoo.com.