BOB COUSY
G
CAREER: 1950-63
18.5 ppg, 7.6 apg, 5.2 rpg, 37.5 FG%, 80.3 FT%
The Houdini of the Hardwood redefined the point guard position in 13 seasons with Boston. Still the Celtics' alltime leader in assists, the Cooz was the ultimate passer, ball handler and penetrator, pioneering such moves as the behind-the-back and no-look passes, while spinning and jumping his way all over the court. A 13-time All-Star, Cousy was the first to be named MVP of two All-Star Games.
BILL RUSSELL
C
CAREER: 1956-69
15.1 ppg, 22.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 44.0 FG%, 56.1 FT%
Drafted by the St. Louis Hawks but stolen by Red Auerbach for Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagen, Russell—a five-time MVP and the greatest shot blocker and post defender in history—was the cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty that enjoyed the greatest stretch of success in North American sports history, winning 11 titles in 13 seasons, from 1956-57 to '68-69. For the final two championships he acted as player-coach.
DAVE COWENS
C/F
CAREER: 1970-80
18.2 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.0 bpg, 46.0 FG%, 78.2 FT%
At 6' 9" Cowens was considered small to play center in the NBA, but Red Auerbach chose him out of Florida State with the fourth overall pick in 1970 at the recommendation of Bill Russell. The seven-time All-Star proved Russell right, winning co-Rookie of the Year honors (in '71, with Portland's Geoff Petrie), league MVP (in '73) and leading the Celtics to two titles.
SAM JONES
G
CAREER: 1957-69
17.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 45.6 FG%, 80.3 FT%
Mr. Clutch helped Boston win 10 championships with heroics that included scoring five of the Celtics' 10 points in overtime of Game 7 of the 1962 Finals. The master of the bank shot, Jones was an All-Star five times.
RED AUERBACH
COACH
CAREER: 1950-66
795 wins, 397 losses, .667 winning percentage, 90-58 postseason record, nine NBA titles
The most innovative coach of his time, Auerbach drew a blueprint for success—strong backcourt play, tough defense and rebounding—that has become a standard winning formula.
LARRY BIRD
F
CAREER: 1979-92
24.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 49.6 FG%, 37.6 3FG%, 88.6FT%
Larry Legend could shoot, rebound and pass as well as anyone who has ever played. Bird was named to the All-NBA first team his first nine seasons and was an All-Star in 12 of his 13 seasons before a painful back injury forced him to retire in 1992. Russell ('61-63), Wilt Chamberlain ('66-68) and Bird ('84-86) are the only players to be named the NBA MVP for three straight years.
ROBERT PARISH
C
CAREER: 1980-94
16.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.8 spg, 1.5 bpg, 55.2 FG%, 73.0 FT%
The Chief was the man in the middle for the dynasty of the 1980s that won three NBA titles. He teamed with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale to form the original Big Three, which is widely regarded as the greatest front line in NBA history. Parish led the Celtics in rebounding eight times and ranks second to Russell in total career boards.
BILL SHARMAN
G
CAREER: 1951-61
18.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 42.8 FG%, 88.3 FT%
One of the greatest pure shooters in NBA history, Sharman ranks second in free throw percentage behind Bird in Celtics history and 11th alltime in the NBA. He had two streaks, including one in the playoffs, of at least 55 straight free throws and led the Celtics in scoring four times.
DENNIS JOHNSON
G
CAREER: 1983-90
12.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 44.6 FG%, 15.6 3FG%, 84.0 FT%
Johnson guided the Celtics to two titles in the '80s, setting up the vaunted front line on offense while providing clamp-down defense, usually against the opposing team's best scorer. He was a member of either the first or second All-Defensive Team in nine straight seasons (including four with Boston).
JOHN HAVLICEK
F/G
CAREER: 1962-78
20.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 43.9 FG%, 81.5 FT%
No Celtic played more games, made more baskets or scored more points than Hondo, who wore the green-and-white for 16 seasons, including 12 as captain. An eight-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team, the All-Star sixth man was the link between the great Celtics teams of the 1950s and '60s and the title winners in the '70s, playing on eight championship clubs.
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