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Top 10 Boston Celtics Best Players in Franchise History
The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful and legendary franchises in NBA history, with a tradition built on winning. From their dominance in the 60s to the Big Three era, the Celtics have been home to some of the 10 greatest NBA dynasties of all time.
When talking about the best Boston Celtics players, it’s not only about the numbers but also the impact they had on the team’s success and the franchise’s culture. Let’s look at the Boston Celtics’ best players all time, ranked from six to one.
Top 5 Players in Boston Celtics Franchise History
1. Bill Russell
When you think of the best Boston Celtics players, Bill Russell is the guy you picture holding up many trophies. He was the rock that kept the Celtics at the top year after year in the late 50s and 60s. With 11 championships to his name, Russell made sure the Celtics were the team to beat for over a decade.
What made Russell ridiculous wasn’t just the defense or his career average of 19 rebounds per game; it was how he anchored a dynasty and made everything around him work. He wasn’t chasing stats; he was chasing wins. That’s why his name isn’t up for debate when people argue about the top 25 greatest athletes of all time—it’s the starting point. If he’s not on your list, you either haven’t watched enough basketball or just enjoy being wrong.
2. Larry Bird
Coming right behind Russell at No. 2 is Larry Bird. Throughout the 1980s, the Celtics were his team, and it was clear—when Bird was on the court, the game was in his hands. From sinking ridiculous shots to making passes that seemed impossible, Bird combined skill, intelligence, and leadership in a way that stamped him as one of the Boston Celtics’ greatest players.
As a three-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, and a guy who averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds throughout his career with Boston, it’s hard not to consider Bird not only one of the top players ever to wear the Green and White but also in the top 20 best NBA players in history discussion. If you ask any Celtics fan, Bird’s legacy is untouchable, and he’ll always be one of the greatest to do it.
3. John Havlicek
Some names don’t get brought up enough, and John Havlicek tops that list. Havlicek spent 16 seasons in Boston, racked up over 26,000 career points, walked away with eight championship rings, and yet somehow he still flies under the radar as one of the Boston Celtics’ best players all time. The 6’5″ forward could score whenever he chose to, and unlike most players today, it wasn’t just about his offense—Havlicek took pride in playing both ends of the court.
Honestly, Havlicek might be one of the most underrated NBA players in history, and that’s saying something when you’ve been a Finals MVP, a 13-time All-Star, and the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Fans who know the Celtics’ history understand why his number hangs in the rafters.
4. Paul Pierce
“The Truth” is a name that holds weight in Boston, and for good reason. Paul Pierce was the guy who dragged the Celtics through the lean years and eventually led them to a 2008 title win. Over 15 seasons in Boston, he averaged 21.8 points per game, racked up over 24,000 points in a Celtics uniform, and still ranks second on the franchise’s all-time scoring list.
Pierce came out of one of the best NBA draft classes of all time, landing at the 10th pick in 1998. That same draft gave us names like Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki, but Pierce carved out his path in Boston. Over his time with the Celtics, he built a resume that sits comfortably among the Boston Celtics’ top players, thanks to his clutch shot-making and winning the 2008 championship. In a city that doesn’t hand out respect so easily, like him or not, Pierce earned every bit of his legacy.
5. Robert Parish
When you think of the Celtics’ success in the 1980s, you can’t leave out Robert Parish. The “Chief” was a dominant force in the paint for 14 seasons with the Celtics, playing a key role alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale in the team’s championship runs. Standing at 7 feet tall, Parish was a nightmare for opposing teams. He could rebound, block shots, and score efficiently, making him a true presence in the middle.
Playing 1,611 games, more than anyone in Celtics history, Parish was a key part of the Celtics’ dominance in the ‘80s, helping them secure four championships. While he wasn’t the flashiest player, his consistency on both ends of the court made the Celtics one of the top 6 best defensive teams in NBA history at that time. Parish wasn’t the type to demand the ball every time down the court, but he was all in when it came to doing the dirty work.
We’ve covered a lot, so here’s the quick recap. The best player in Boston Celtics history? Bill Russell—how can you argue 11 rings, 12 All-Star nods, and five MVPs? The best current Celtic? That’s Jayson Tatum, unless someone else averages 25+ points while carrying the team. The Big Three that brought Boston back in the 2000s? That was Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. And the top scorer in franchise history? John Havlicek holds the crown as the Celtics’ all-time leading scorer.
