Thursday June 5 2008 - 1:05am Eastern
Alright, I’m a day late in getting this out. Sorry.
But as we all get set for Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight, I figured it was finally time to pay homage to the greatest Celtics of all time as well - as I did with the Lakers back on Monday.
I broke one of my rules for this list as well. When I was filling out the LA blog the other day, I didn’t allow any players with 3 years of experience or less on my ‘team’. However, it’s clear to me that Kevin Garnett is an exception to the rule. His impact in Boston - in only one year - has been nothing short of amazing. He has transformed the attitude and the performance of the Celts in less than a year. Plus, he anchored their “D” and just took home Defensive Player of the Year honors. That’s why he deserves to be on the list. But you’ll see … he barely made it anyway …
1. Bill Russell *
2. Larry Bird *
3. John Havlicek *
4. Bob Cousy *
5. Sam Jones *
6. Kevin McHale *
7. Dave Cowens *
8. Robert Parish *
9. K.C. Jones *
10. Tommy Heinsohn *
11. Bill Sharman *
12. JoJo White *
13. Dennis Johnson *
14. Paul Pierce
15. Don Nelson *
16. Frank Ramsey *
17. Tom Sanders *
18. Cedric Maxwell *
19. Ed Macauley *
20. Kevin Garnett
* Jersey number retired by the Boston Celtics
Check back on this blog - probably later today - for an exclusive 1 on 1 Q and A with one of your favorite Toronto Raptors …
And don’t forget to tune in to a special edition of “Hoops” tonight on the FAN. Paul Jones and I are live at 8:00pm Eastern and we’ll take you right up to the tip-off of Game 1 between the Celtics and Lakers *LIVE ON THE FAN 590*.
E. Smith
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21.Dino Rađa
- D12Russell #1 is the right call he is a great man and I have a ton of respect for him
- James BorbathWatching Bill Russell block shots into his team mates arms and create fast breaks turned a blocked shot from amazing athletic moment into a work of art.
It must be very hard to rate players in different positions who had different team mates and different opposition against each other.
I do not remember the outcome but I remember at the end of his career Wilt said he could just play defense again Kareem because the Lakers were better but years before against Bill Russell he had to play offense and defense.
One of the analysts said Kobe is as good as Jordan. I think Kobe is an incredible athelete and perhaps the best basketball player today but I remember Michael Jordan as a force of nature. Kobe has a very stacked team. I believe with Jordan LA would crush Boston. I am sure LA will make adjustments but I am shocked they lost. I have to believe they are a way better team on paper.
- MilesWhy K.G. & not Bill Walton? He won. K.G. has not.
- John ArtisGood call John. But I had to give KG credit for turning this franchise around.
- E. Smith