Boston Celtics: Creating the all-time one-year starting five

Shooting Guard: Pete Maravich (1979-80)

One of the greatest players in NBA history that you forget ever suited up for the Celtics, Pete Maravich saw his final year in the league averaging just 17 minutes per game with the franchise.

After the Utah Jazz waived their — at the time — franchises most polarizing star, Boston swooped him up to have one last go at a long postseason run. Led by rookie Larry Bird, the C’s were the top-team in the league that year and did in fact let Maravich seeing his first postseason action since the 1972-73 season, only to lose in the Conference Finals to the Julius Erving-led Philadelphia 76ers.

Unfortunately, Pistol Pete struggled to find consistent action on the hardwood due to lingering knee issues — the reason why Utah waived him in the first place — and only played 35 games in total for the team (including regular season and playoffs).

When on the court, and in limited playing time, the crafty guard managed to be relatively productive. Logging 17 minutes per game Maravich averaged 11.5 points and 1.1 assists per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 75 percent shooting from deep (though, on only four attempts).

Had it not been for his knee ailments, Pete Maravich likely would have stayed put with the franchise and, ultimately, would have attained his first and only championship in 1981. Instead, this was not the case and opted to retire at season’s end.

This hypothetical starting five is, obviously, no more than a fantasy. In our fantasy, Pistol manages to stay healthy and register starters minutes where — in regard to per-36 conversions — he averaged 24.4 points and 2.4 assists.