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Best Ever Boston Celtics

The Greatest Players in Boston Celtics History
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Stars of the Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a top franchise in NBA history, with 17 championships. This success is largely due to the great players who have worn a Celtics uniform over the years.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the careers of star Celtics players, thier jersey numbers, and why they are considered to be among the best in Boston Celtics and NBA history. We will also discuss other great players who have worn a Celtics uniform, such as Bill Russell, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, John Havlicek, Robert Parish, Bob Cousy, and more Boston stalwarts.

Boston Celtics Franchise History

The Celtics were founded in 1946 as one of the original eight teams in the Basketball Association of America. The BAA merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the NBA. The Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1957, and they went on to win eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966. This is a record for the four major North American team sports. The Celtics also won championships in 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, and 1981.
The Celtics have had many great players over the years, including Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Paul Pierce. Russell is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and he won five NBA MVP awards and 11 NBA championships with the Celtics. Bird is another one of the greatest players in NBA history, and he won three NBA MVP awards and two NBA championships with the Celtics.

Let's take a gander at these legends and more through their jersey numbers with the Celtics.

Basketball Hall of Fame Celtics Players

Some of the top players that have suited up for the Celtics that have gone on to be inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Here are the Boston HOFs by franchise jersey number:

Additional Retired Jersey Numbers for Boston:

  • The Number 1 is retried by the franchise in honor of founder Walter A. Brown
  • The Number 2 is retried by the franchise in honor of Coach/Exec. Red Auerbach
  • The Number 16 is retried by the franchise in honor of Satch Sanders.
  • The Number 19 is retried by the franchise in honor of Don Nelson
  • The Number 31 is retried by the franchise in honor of Cedric Maxwell
  • The Number 35 is retried by the franchise in honor of Reggie Lewis

Dave Bing - NBA HOF Guard

Born November 24, 1943, in Washington D.C., was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard Dave Bing. This legend played for the Detroit Pistons, Washington Bullets, and the Boston Celtics over the span of his 12 seasons in the NBA. Bing was a seven-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, and was chosen as a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He averaged 20.3 points and six assists per game for his career.

Dennis Johnson

Born September 18, 1954, in San Pedro, California, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard, Dennis Johnson. This legend is a three-time NBA Champion and five-time All-Star. Johnson handled the ball for the Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, and the Boston Celtics during his 14-year NBA career that saw him average over 14 points and 5 assists per game.

Jo Jo White

Born January 16, 1946, in St Louis, Missouri, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Point Guard, Joseph White, better know as Jo Jo White. This legend was a seven-time NBA All-Star, the 1975-76 NBA Finals MVP, and two-time Champion. Jo Jo White's amazing thirteen year career had him on the rosters of the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and the Kansas-City Kings. Averages for Jo Jo included 17.2 points and just under 5 assists per game.

Tiny Archibald

Born September 2, 1948, in New York, New York, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Point Guard Tiny Archibald. Nate Archibald was a six-time NBA All-Star and was selected as All-NBA five times. His accolades include being the 1972-73 League scoring champion and winning an NBA Championship in 1981. The southpaw shooter played for the Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City-Omaha Kings, New York Nets, Boston Celtics, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Kevin Garnett

Born May 19, 1976, in Greenville, South Carolina, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player Kevin Garnett. KG was also know as the "Big Ticket" during his playing career in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves (for two stints), Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. Garnett was both a Power Forward and a Center during his career for 21 seasons as he scored 26071 points, dished out 5445 assists, crashed the boards for 14662 rebounds, blocked 2037 shots and averaged 17.8 points per contest played for his career.

Bill Russell

Born February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center Bill Russell. This legendary big man was a twelve-time NBA All-Star and five-time League Most Valuable Player.

Russell was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks with the second overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft, but he was traded to the Boston Celtics on draft day. The Celtics had been one of the worst teams in the NBA for several years, but Russell quickly turned the team around. He led the Celtics to their first NBA championship in 1957, and he helped them win eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966.


"Bill the Hill" was a dominant force on the defensive end of the court. He was a relentless rebounder and a fearsome shot blocker. He was also a very intelligent player, and he was a master of defensive positioning. Russell was also a very good passer, and he often led the Celtics in assists.


Russell "The Stuffer" was not a prolific scorer, but he was a very efficient one. He averaged 15.1 points per game over his career, but he shot 52.6% from the field. He was also a good free throw shooter, making 78.5% of his free throws.

Carl Braun

Born September 25, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, was Basketball Hall of Fame Guard Carl Braun. This legend was a five-time All-Star and part of the Boston Celtics 1962 NBA Championship. Carl spent most of his Pro Hoops career (12 of 13 years) with the New York Knicks.

Larry Bird

Born December 7, 1956, in West Baden, Indiana, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Forward, Larry Bird. This legend from Indiana State University was a college and pro hoops standout player. Bird was a 12-time All-Star, made All-NBA ten times, was a three-time League MVP, and a three-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics. In 13 NBA seasons Larry averaged 24.3 points per game and 6.3 assists. It was the little things he did and playing with such focus and intensity that made Bird a legend.

Chuck Cooper

Born September 29, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Forward Chuck Cooper. In 1950, this legend was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 1950 NBA draft, becoming the first African-American player to be drafted by an NBA team.

Cooper's rookie season with the Celtics was difficult. He was often subjected to racism and discrimination from fans and players alike. However, he persevered and played two seasons with the Celtics, averaging 6.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.


After leaving the Celtics, Cooper played for the Milwaukee Hawks and the Fort Wayne Pistons. He retired from the NBA in 1956.


Cooper's career was relatively short, but his impact on the NBA was significant. He paved the way for other African-American players to enter the league, and he helped to break down racial barriers in the sport.

Bob Cousy

Born August 9, 1928, in Manhattan, New York, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Point Guard, Bob Cousy. Cousy played for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, and briefly with the Cincinnati Royals during the 1969–70 season. Number 14 was a 13-time NBA All-Star and 1957 NBA Most Valuable Player, as he was a core piece during the early half of the Celtics dynasty winning six NBA championships. NBA Jersey Number 14

Robert Parish

Born August 30, 1953, in Shreveport, Louisiana, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center, Robert Parish. He played college basketball at Centenary College, where he was a two-time All-American. Robert was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the eighth overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft. arish played for the Warriors for two seasons before being traded to the Boston Celtics in 1978. He spent the next 14 seasons with the Celtics, winning championships in 1981, 1984, 1986, and 1987. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team four times.


In 1992, Parish was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. He played for the Hornets for two seasons before retiring in 1994. This legend played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He was a 14-time NBA All-Star and a four-time NBA champion. Parish is the NBA's all-time leader in games played (1,611), and he is also the Boston Celtics' all-time leader in rebounds (10,117).

Bob McAdoo

Born September 25, 1951 in Greensboro, North Carolina, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center/Forward, Bob McAdoo.Mac was a 6'9" forward with a versatile offensive game. He could score from the inside or the outside, and he was one of the best free throw shooters in NBA history. McAdoo was also a skilled rebounder, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game for his career. Bob was found on the NBA rosters of the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers.


"Doo" was one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. He played for seven different teams over 14 seasons, averaging 22.1 points per game for his career. McAdoo was a five-time All-Star, a two-time NBA scoring champion, and the 1975 NBA MVP.


McAdoo's best season came in 1974-75, when he led the Buffalo Braves to the playoffs and averaged 34.5 points per game. He was named the NBA MVP for his performance.


McAdoo's career was slowed down by injuries in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but he still managed to play at a high level. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982 and 1985.


McAdoo retired from the NBA in 1986. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Other Great Boston Players

Here are some standouts for the Boston Celtics that are not yet in the Hall:

  • Jersey Number 4: Isaiah Thomas
  • Jersey Number 8: Antoine Walker
  • Jersey Number 9: Rajon Rondo
  • Jersey Number 22: Ed Macauley
  • Jersey Number 35: Paul Silas
  • Jersey Number 42 : Al Horford

Did we miss any? Let us know PigskinDispatch@gmail.com

Special Thanks

Images are courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves in TD Banknorth Garden. By William Lovelady, U.S. Navy march 4, 2007. 

That image is on the backdrop of the Wikipedia Commons photo collection of the Public Domain of a basketball.

Special thanks to the sites in the player links and to Basketball-Reference.com

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