Alright, let’s dive into my little project: picking the Celtics all-time starting five. This wasn’t some scientific study, just me, a keyboard, and a whole lotta Celtics history bouncing around in my head.
First, I started by just blurting out names. I’m talking Russell, Bird, Pierce…the obvious legends. Then, things got tricky. You gotta actually pick five, and positions matter (kinda). So, I started thinking about fit, era, impact, the whole shebang.
Center: Bill Russell. No brainer. Period. Arguably the greatest winner in NBA history, and the heart and soul of those dynasty Celtics teams. Seriously, arguing against Russell as the starting center is just silly.
Forward #1: Larry Bird. Another easy one. Bird could do it all – score, pass, rebound, trash talk…the complete package. Plus, his rivalry with the Lakers and Magic helped save the NBA.
Forward #2: Paul Pierce. Okay, this one was tougher. I went back and forth with John Havlicek for ages. But I landed on Pierce. The Truth carried the Celtics through some lean years and then led them to the ’08 title. That ’08 run put him over the top for me.
Guard #1: Bob Cousy. The Houdini of the Hardwood. Cousy was the original flashy point guard, and he helped put the Celtics on the map in the early days of the NBA. Some might argue for a more modern player here, but I think Cousy’s impact is undeniable.
Guard #2: Isiah Thomas. Hold on! Before you freak out, it’s not that Isiah. It’s the Celtics’ Isiah, Isaiah Thomas. He was a dynamic scorer and offensive force, bringing a level of excitement to the team. His energy and fearlessness were infectious, making him a perfect fit for this lineup.
So there you have it. My Celtics all-time starting five: Russell, Bird, Pierce, Cousy, Thomas. It’s not perfect, and I’m sure plenty of people will disagree. But hey, that’s the fun of these kinds of exercises. What would your Celtics all-time starting five look like?
