All-Time Boston Celtics Team: The 2-Guard Vote
Jan 4, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics fans hold up signs during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Celtics won 94-75. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
What’s up, Boston Celtics fans?
In case you missed it, yesterday I began Hardwood Houdini’s All-Time Celtics Team series, in which you get to vote for a player at each position in order to create the definitive Boston Celtics squad. The focus yesterday was on the point guard position, so head here to vote if you haven’t done so already!
Today, we look at the 2-guard, or shooting guard, spot.
First up for the discussion is perennial marksman/current adversary, Ray Allen. While Ray-Ray did not begin his career in Boston, and almost certainly won’t end his career wearing green, we cannot overlook the fact that he was a large part of the Celtics’ return to hoop domination in the early part of the 21st century. His five years as a member of the Cs saw Allen win one championship, narrowly miss out on a second one, make the All-Star Team three times, and crack the top ten leaderboard in terms of 3-pointers made, 3-point field goal percentage, and free throw percentage (his average of .914 being the best ever by a player wearing Celtic green). His time spent year may have been less than anyone else you will see in today’s vote, but his impact was huge, which is why he is included.
Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; General Manager Danny Ainge talks about hiring new Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, center, as owner Wyc Grousbeck, right, listens in during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Current Celtics GM Danny Ainge is the next shooting guard to get a nod from me. A winner of two championships in 1984 and 1986, Ainge was one of those players who knew how to get under his opponents’ skins and distract them enough to get them off of their game. He could also be counted on to spot up for wide-open threes, providing the Celtics with a deadly inside-outside threat due to the likes of Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale sucking the defense in and then kicking the ball out to him. I would have a tough time saying the ’84 and ’86 Celtics would not have won championships without him, since the talent on those times was so extraordinary, but you cannot deny his place in Celtics history.
From Ainge we move on to Sam Jones, winner of ten championships with the Cs (second only to the great Bill Russell). Despite the fact that the NBA did not have a 3-point line during Jones’ career, he still ranks among the top 10 Celtics scorers of all time, with 15,411 points. His 2070 points scored during the 1964-1965 season is still among the best single-season performances ever produced by a Celtic, and he was known as Mr. Clutch for his ability to nail big shots when the game was on the line.
Your last choice today: Bill Sharman. Sharman was on the receiving end of a lot of Bob Cousy’s 6945 dimes, making them one of the most respected backcourts in NBA history. He was also known for playing tough defense, and for his free-throw shooting prowess (he still holds the record for consecutive made free throws in the playoffs, with 56). He walked away from his NBA career with four championships on his resume.
What do you think – who should be the starting 2-guard for the All-Time Celtics team? Vote, and let me know if I have forgotten anyone!