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Larry Bird … and Then Who? Ranking the Best Boston Celtics of All Time

Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images

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Larry Bird … and Then Who? Ranking the Best Boston Celtics of All Time

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Apr 19, 2026 9:57 AM ET

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If the primary metric for making the Boston Celtics’ Mount Rushmore was NBA titles, the list would be ranking the franchise’s players from 1957 to 1969, a stretch that saw Boston win the championship 11 times.

But ranking just by team hardware dismisses guys like Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale, Dave Cowens, and Jayson Tatum. Those players have titles, too, just not as many as the 1950s and 1960s Celtics players.

So, we split the difference. Who were the best players from that early era and who were the best players after that early era? Even then, you’ll find disagreement. Someone is going to be upset at this particular Mount Rushmore.

That’s half the fun.

The Honorable Mentions

Kevin McHale (1980-1993)
Dave Cowens (1970-1980, head coach in 1978-79)
Robert Parish (1980-1994)
Red Auerbach (head coach from 1950-1966, executive from 1966-1984)
Paul Pierce (1998-2013)

4. Bob Cousy (1950-1963)

Boston Celtics guard Bob Cousy tries to dribble past Milwaukee's Bob Harrison during a game at the Boston Garden.Bettmann / Getty Images

Cousy practically invented ball-handling. A member of six NBA championship teams with the Celtics in the 1950s and '60s, Cousy’s dynamic dribbling and passing set the standard for point guards for the next several decades, a standard that remains.

He led the NBA in assists for eight straight seasons, made the All-Star team in his first 13 years, and won Most Valuable Player honors in 1956-57. His legacy as a Celtics icon remained into retirement, as he served as an analyst on Boston broadcasts from the 1980s through 2008.

3. John Havlicek (1962-1978)

Boston Celtics forward John Havlicek in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

A 13-time All-Star with eight NBA titles, Havlicek played with Boston for 16 seasons. His best skill is barely a skill: Havlicek was a tenacious defender who made eight All-Defensive teams, and although he never won an MVP award, his name is etched into Celtics lore. “Havlicek stole the ball!” Apt.

2. Larry Bird (1978-1992)

Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird and Philadelphia 76ers forward Julius Erving battle for position at the Boston Garden.Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

Just when it looked like the Celtics dynasty might be coming to an end in the late 1970s, along came Bird. The No. 2 overall pick out of Indiana State in the 1979 draft, "Larry Legend" won Rookie of the Year in 1980, finishing fourth in MVP voting.

He’d go on to finish in the top three each of the next eight seasons, winning three MVPs in a row from 1984 to 1986 with the Celtics winning three titles during his run (1981, 1984, 1986). Back injuries slowed him in the late 1980s and early 90s, and Bird retired after the 1992 season with 12 All-Star appearances and two Finals MVPs.

MORE: Larry Bird’s Net Worth, Career Earnings, and Endorsements

1. Bill Russell (1956-1969)

Boston Celtics center Bill Russell in action against Cincinnati Royals center Connie Dierking during the 1966-67 season.Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Russell may be the best big man to ever play the game of basketball. Certainly, he is the most accomplished as his 11 championships are an individual record. Russell won an astonishing five MVP awards and finished in the top five another six times in his 13 NBA seasons.

He led the league in rebounds five times and never played fewer than 35 minutes per game. In his prime, Russell averaged more than 44 minutes per game, extraordinary for a 6-foot-10 interior player in the 1950s and 1960s.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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