The Boston Celtics’ Too Little Too Late All Stars

Several stars and Hall of Famers have joined the Celtics in hopes of adding to Boston folklore, leading to a mix bag of results.

The Boston Celtics are the NBA’s most storied franchise. Winning a league best 17 titles carries a certain prestige that is attractive to most NBA players. Being a part of that history, playing on the parquet floor adds a unique flavor to their careers. To play under those championship banners and retired jerseys, in front of that raucous Garden crowd is an experience hard to match.

However, it hasn’t been all green and glory for all that have donned the green and white. Many all stars and Hall of Fame enshrinees have featured on the parquet but their star credentials weren’t established there.

Some came at the end of their careers chasing a ring. Others were disgruntled franchise players that got sick of their home teams. There were re-routed prodigal sons too. Players who made their mark after leaving Boston also count for something too, no? Well, maybe not. (Sorry Chauncey Billups and Joe Johnson).

Players have come in the off-season, in-season trade, trade deadline and as late season signings for the playoffs. As every NBA season winds down, contenders attempt to bolster their rosters with wily vets or serviceable role players to help improve their chances. The Celtics have had some of these players and are currently in that space.

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As the playoffs approach, rebounding still remains a concern for the Celtics. Boston was linked to Andrew Bogut, who signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics, apparently, were runners up in the Aussie sweepstakes. Bogut, unfortunately, got hurt 58 seconds into his Cavs career. Looks like the Celtics dodged a bullet.

Now, ex-Milwaukee Bucks center, Larry Sanders appears to be the most coveted big man for title chasing Cleveland and Boston. The NBA might evolve but one thing that never ceases is the relocation of stars, primarily for championship glory. Think Clyde Drexler (successful) and Charles Barkley (unsuccessful) to the Houston Rockets in the 90s. Or more recently, ex-Celtic Ray Allen (successful) to the Miami Heat and Tracy McGrady (unsuccessful) to the San Antonio Spurs in 2013.

The 12-man roster below features the best players to play for Boston after (or possibly before) their best years. In parenthesis next to each name is the period of their Celtics stay. Bill Walton and Sam Cassell aren’t on this list because their respective stints ended with championships. Billups, drafted by the Celtics peaked after his Boston stint, winning a title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

STARTING LINE UP

C Shaquille O’Neal (2010-11)

NBA Career: 19 Seasons

Accolades: 2016 Hall of Fame inductee; 4x NBA Champion; 3x NBA Finals MVP; 2000 NBA MVP; 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year; NBA 50 Greatest All-Time Player; 8x All-NBA First Team; 3x All-NBA Defensive Second Team; 15x NBA All Star; 3x NBA All Star MVP; 2x NBA Scoring Champion

Career Averages: 23.7 PPG; 10.9 RPG; 2.3 BPG; 58% FG; 34.7 MPG

Celtics Averages: 9.2 PPG; 4.8 RPG; 1.1 BPG; 67% FG; 20.3 MPG

After dominating the NBA in the early 2000s as part of the threepeating Los Angeles Lakers, O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat. He won his fourth and final title on South Beach in 2006.

Searching for further glory, Shaq would join the run and gun Phoenix Suns, the LeBron James led Cavs and finally, the Big Three in Boston. He hoped to be the missing piece in each of those puzzles. Instead, all he would garner were new fans and nicknames – The Big Shaqtus in Phoenix and The Big Shamrock in Boston.

Shaq’s swansong was unfortunately riddled with injury and he only suited up for 37 regular season games and cameos in two postseason games. Sadly, such a mammoth career ended with a thud that just happened to be in Boston. Shaq remains one of the greatest NBA players but Celtics fans only got the tail end of his greatness.

F/C Rasheed Wallace (2009-10)

NBA Career: 16 Seasons

Accolades: 2004 NBA Champion; 4x NBA All Star; 1996 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Career Averages: 14.4 PPG; 6.7 RPG; 1.3 BPG; 1 SPG; 47% FG; 34% 3FG; 32.7 MPG

Celtics Averages: 9.0 PPG; 4.1 RPG; 0.9 BPG; 1 SPG; 41% FG; 28% 3FG; 22.5 MPG

Wallace was a key part of the Pistons team that went to five consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. He joined Boston in 2009 for one last hurrah and was a few box outs away from a second ring. The Celtics lost the 2010 Finals to the Lakers in seven games, after blowing a 16-point fourth quarter lead.

Sheed famously waited for the refs after the game but was restrained by arena security. His passionate personality and style of play endeared him to the Boston faithful. He makes the starting five over Bob McAdoo thanks to the Finals appearance.

F Dominique Wilkins (1994-95)

NBA Career: 15 Seasons

Accolades: 2006 Hall of Fame inductee; 1986 All-NBA First Team; 9x NBA All Star; 1986 NBA Scoring Champion; 2x NBA Slam Dunk Champion; 1983 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Career Averages: 24.8 PPG; 6.7 RPG; 1.3 SPG; 46% FG; 32% 3FG; 81% FT; 35.5 MPG

Celtics Averages: 17.8 PPG; 5.2 RPG; 0.8 SPG; 42% FG; 39% 3FG; 78% FT; 31.5 MPG

Wilkins’ relationship with the Celtics had always been about Wild Wild West-esque shootouts against Larry Bird. It was rather surprising when the Atlanta Hawks‘ all-time best player signed with Boston in 1994. His 17.8 PPG would lead the team to a 35 – 47 record and the eighth seed in the 1995 Playoffs.

They lost in four games to eventual Finalists, the Orlando Magic, including a humiliating 47 point drubbing in game one. Wilkins would bolt for Europe after the season, leaving the Celtics and the NBA in his rear-view. Apparently, no one told the Celtics that the Human Highlight Film was off the air before this uncertain alliance.

G “Pistol” Pete Maravich (1979-80)

NBA Career: 10 Seasons

Accolades: 1987 Hall of Fame inductee; NBA 50 Greatest All-Time Player; 2x All-NBA First Team; 5x NBA All Star; 1977 NBA Scoring Champion; 1971 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Career Averages: 24.2 PPG; 4.2 RPG; 5.4 APG; 1.4 SPG; 44% FG; 67% 3FG; 82% FT; 37 MPG

Celtics Averages: 11.5 PPG; 1.5 RPG; 1.1 APG; 0.3 SPG; 49% FG; 75% 3FG; 91% FT; 17 MPG

Compared to the other starters so far, Maravich’s Celtics tenure owns the steepest drop. A trans-generational player, Pistol Pete was said to be ahead of his time. Celtics legend John Havlicek tagged him as the “best ball-handler of all time.”

His quick dribbles, flashy passes and scoring ability endeared him to NBA fans. He thrilled crowds playing for the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Jazz (prior to their move to Utah) where he made his name. He arrived in Boston alongside Larry Bird, putting two of the most creative players ever on the same roster.

Unfortunately, Maravich was already past his best with nagging knee problems. He played a minimal role in his 35 appearances (26 regular season and nine playoffs) for Boston. He would retire after the season.

Maravich passed away in 1988 from heart failure while playing pick up basketball. A baller to the very end.

G Gary Payton (2004-05)

NBA Career: 16 Seasons

Accolades: 2013 Hall of Fame inductee; 2006 NBA Champion; 1996 NBA Defensive Player of the Year; 2x All-NBA First Team; 9x All-NBA Defensive First Team; 9x NBA All Star; 1996 NBA Steals Leader; 1991 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Career Averages: 16.3 PPG; 6.7 APG; 1.8 SPG; 47% FG; 32% 3FG; 35.3 MPG

Celtics Averages: 11.3 PPG; 6.1 APG; 1.1 SPG; 47% FG; 33% 3FG; 33 MPG

Payton earned the nickname “The Glove” for his stifling defense over his NBA career. He made his name as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics where he is the franchise leader in points, assists and steals.

As part of the Sonics and LA Lakers, he got to the 1996 and 2004 NBA Finals , respectively, losing to the Chicago Bulls, then Detroit Pistons. He was traded to the Celtics after the Pistons loss, teaming up with Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker in Doc Rivers‘ first season as Head Coach.

The Celtics finished third in the East (45 – 37) but were bounced by the Indiana Pacers in round one after seven games. Payton would join the Miami Heat the following season and eventually win his only championship alongside Walker and O’Neal.

BENCH

C Artis Gilmore (1987 – 88)

NBA Career: 17 Seasons (5 ABA; 12 NBA) 

Accolades (ABA): 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee;1975 ABA Champion; 1975 ABA Playoffs MVP; 1972 ABA MVP; ABA All-Time Team; 1972 ABA Rookie of the Year; 5x All-ABA First Team; 4x ABA All-Defensive First Team; 1972 ABA All-Rookie First Team; 5x ABA All Star; 1974 ABA All Star MVP; 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee

Accolades (NBA): 1978 All-NBA Defensive Second Team; 6x NBA All Star

Career Averages: 18.8 PPG; 12.3 RPG; 2.4 BPG; 58% FG; 35.5 MPG

Celtics Averages: 3.5 PPG; 3.1 RPG; 0.4 BPG; 57% FG; 11.1 MPG

C/F Jermaine O’Neal (2010-12)

NBA Career: 18 Seasons

Accolades: 2004 All-NBA Second Team; 6x NBA All Star; 2002 NBA Most Improved Player

Career Averages: 13.2 PPG; 7.2 RPG; 1.8 BPG; 47% FG; 27.1 MPG

Celtics Averages: 5.2 PPG; 4.6 RPG; 1.5 BPG; 45% FG; 20.4 MPG

F/C Bob McAdoo (1978 – 79)

NBA Career: 14 Seasons

Accolades: 2x NBA Champion; 2000 Hall of Fame Inductee;1975 NBA MVP; 1973 NBA Rookie of the Year; 1975 All-NBA First Team; 5x NBA All Star; 3x NBA Scoring Champion; 2000 Hall of Fame Inductee

Career Averages: 22.1 PPG; 9.4 RPG; 1 SPG; 1.5 BPG; 50% FG; 33.2 MPG

Celtics Averages: 20.6 PPG; 7.1 RPG; 0.6 SPG; 1 BPG; 50% FG; 31.9 MPG

F/C Vin Baker (2002 – 04)

NBA Career: 13 Seasons

Accolades: 1998 All-NBA Second Team; 4x NBA All Star; 1994 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Career Averages: 15 PPG; 7.4 RPG; 1 BPG; 49% FG; 32.5 MPG

Celtics Averages: 7.7 PPG; 4.6 RPG; 0.6 BPG; 49% FG; 21.8 MPG

G/F Michael Finley (2009 – 10)

NBA Career: 15 Seasons

Accolades: 2007 NBA Champion; 2x NBA All Star; 1996 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Career Averages: 15.7 PPG; 4.4 RPG; 44% FG; 38% 3FG; 81% FT; 34.4 MPG

Celtics Averages: 5.2 PPG; 1.6 RPG; 51% FG; 46% 3FG; 33% FT; 15 MPG

G Dave Bing (1977 – 78)

NBA Career: 12 Seasons 

Accolades: 1990 Hall of Fame inductee; NBA 50 Greatest All-Time Player; 2x All-NBA First Team; 1967 NBA Rookie of the Year; 7x NBA All Star; 1976 NBA All-Star MVP; 1968 NBA Scoring Champion

Career Averages: 20.3 PPG; 6 APG; 1.3 SPG; 44% FG; 36.4 MPG

Celtics Averages: 13.6 PPG; 3.8 APG; 1 SPG; 45% FG; 28.2 MPG

G Stephon Marbury (2008 – 09)

NBA Career: 13 Seasons

Accolades: 2x NBA All Star; 2x All-NBA Third Team; 1997 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Career Averages: 19.3 PPG; 7.6 APG; 1.2 SPG; 43% FG; 33% 3FG; 37.7 MPG

Celtics Averages: 3.8 PPG; 3.3 APG; 0.4 SPG; 34% FG; 24% 3FG; 18 MPG

Next: Celtics Need More Focus

Honorable Mention: Kenny Anderson. Dana Barros. David Lee. Xavier McDaniel. Tayshaun Prince. Jason Terry.

Going by the above list, the Celtics might just want to forge ahead into the postseason with what they’ve got. While it isn’t all bad, it surely isn’t all good.

Recent victories over both the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors show that on their day, Boston can beat anybody. Adding any significant personnel at this point might just be a little too late.