Fansided

Every NBA team’s all-time starting lineup

By Brandon Jefferson

MIAMI, FL - March 14: Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida on March 14 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2014 (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - March 14: Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida on March 14 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2014 (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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American basketball player Larry Bird, of the Boston Celtics, sits on the sidelines in front of the scorer’s table during a game, Hartford, Connecticut, 1991. (Photo by Bob Stowell/Getty Images)
American basketball player Larry Bird, of the Boston Celtics, sits on the sidelines in front of the scorer’s table during a game, Hartford, Connecticut, 1991. (Photo by Bob Stowell/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics

PG – Bob Cousy

Bob Cousy revolutionized the point guard position in the 1950s. Prior to Cousy, the action that occurred outside of the paint was mostly nondescript. A player might dribble a couple of times before passing the ball but the fans were glued into what was happening among the tall tree of centers around the rim. Cousy’s ball handling abilities and flair changed all of that. Cousy needed only the tiniest of openings to wreak havoc on the court. If not for him it is unlikely that players like Kyrie Irving exist today.

SG – John Havlicek

An eight-time champion, 13-time all-star, and the 1974 NBA Finals MVP, John Havlicek was widely regarded as one of the best players of his time. Havlicek remains the Boston Celtics all-time leader in points (26,395). For a franchise as historic as the Celtics, to still hold that claim over 40 years later is no small honor.

SF – Larry Bird

A player put on the Earth to shoot the ball, Larry Bird made sure everyone knew how good he was. It was Bird’s rivalry with Earvin “Magic” Johnson that helped the NBA become the entertainment giant that it is today. Bird’s sweet-shooting and slick mouth gained him the respect of his peers and a basketball legend. His Hall of Fame career was nothing short of remarkable and he could easily be considered the greatest Celtic of all time. His inclusion on this list is a no-brainer.

PF – Kevin Garnett

While another Kevin (McHale) might be more closely associated with the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett is definitely the more talented player. Garnett helped anchor the Celtics defense that made Tom Thibodeau a household name. His “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” celebratory interview is one of the best postgame moments in recent memory. Garnett made the latest iteration of the Celtics dynasty click and without him, Boston sports in the 21st century look very different.

C – Bill Russell

The greatest winner that the sport has ever seen, Bill Russell was the reason that the Boston Celtics became one of the most storied franchises in the NBA. There’s a reason that the NBA Finals MVP award was renamed after Russell. With Russell patrolling the paint for 13 seasons, the Celtics took home the title in 11 of them. Russell was way ahead of his time, he was back then the epitome of the modern center that teams are scouring the Earth for now. Russell could guard one through five, was an elite rim-protector, and could handle the ball and facilitate within the flow of the offense.

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