Best of the Best: Top 25 Boston Celtics of All Time

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It's hard not to like a franchise that has won 17 championships. Each of those banners was from different time periods and featured many great players.

From naturals to hard workers, the Celtics have had nearly every type of great player a franchise could ask for.

The Larry Bird era, the Bill Russell era, and the Paul Pierce era all feature great players who filled in for the flaws of their go-to guys.

Be sure to read all the way through the slides to answer the debate question on the last slide.

Note: I know, Rajon Rondo would have schooled Bob Cousy in his prime, but this list is ranking the Celtics and their impacts on the franchise along with their success.

25. Dino Radja

Career stats with the Celtics: 16.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Radja is the best foreign player to play for the Celtics. Unfortunately, Radja's prime with the Celtics was during one of their worst time periods: the 90s.

He was a very serviceable big man and could have been a better fit in another century.

Unfortunately, Radja's short career with the Celtics and lack of success keep him at No. 25 and possibly lower in the future.

24. Antoine Walker

Career stats with the Celtics: 20.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

Take a look at Walker's stats and you will be amazed that he is not higher. His poor shot selection and selfishness keep him from being higher on this list. The team never had any true success except for a few playoff runs.

As we get further down the list, you will see players with multiple rings and Walker never seemed the type to be able to win a ring. That is, until he joined the Miami Heat.

His talent was undeniable, but he never seemed to put it all together for the Celtics.

23. Jim Loscutoff

Career stats with the Celtics: 6.2 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Take a look up at the Celtics rafters and you will see a retired name called "Loscy."

This is named after Loscutoff, since he wanted others to be able to wear his number. He played forward for the Celtics in the early Russell era and was primarily devoted to defense.

Sure, his numbers are not flashy, but it's the seven rings which separates himself from players like Antoine Walker.

22. K.C Jones

Career stats with the Celtics: 7.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

Jones is better known for his coaching, but on the court he was a nasty defender. On a team with smooth scoring guards like Sam Jones, K.C Jones was the opposite.

Whenever there were tough match-ups, he was instantly put in to ease the pressure off of Bill Russell.

He won eight championships and truly overachieved for a second-round pick.

21. Rajon Rondo

Career stats with the Celtics: 10.6 points, 4.4 rebound, and 6.7 assists per game.

The walking triple-double Rajon Rondo is on pace to break many records for the Celtics. He's already won one championship and could be in line for some monster seasons.

The point guard's superior athleticism and court vision have made him a top ten player at his position already. For now, he will be stuck at No. 21.

However, all he needs is some great games in the playoffs and Rondo could move up this list in no time.

20. Tom "Satch" Sanders

Career stats with the Celtics: 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game.

This 6'6" forward was one of the key role players for the Celtics in the Russell era.

Sanders is known for guarding the opposite team's best big man. He could lock down anyone knowing that Bill Russell had his back.

His lack of size only made him work harder and Sanders was a model of consistency that every championship team needs. It is really too bad he never got the recognition he deserved for his great efforts.

19. Ray Allen

Career stats with the Celtics: 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

Allen's shooting was brought to the Celtics in 2008 to help revive the franchise. Little did he know, Kevin Garnett would be turned on to join the Celtics because of the Allen-Pierce duo.

There were times when Allen has struggled in the playoffs for the Celtics, but he did keep the Celtics afloat and made the team one of the scariest teams in crunch time in the league.

His veteran attitude and great work ethic helped his stock on this list despite only playing for the team for three years.

18. Don Nelson

Career stats with the Celtics: 11.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Nowadays, we know Don Nelson for his awful Golden State Warriors. However, his play did not reflect his recent coaching. He played 11 meaningful seasons for the Celtics, in which he won five championships.

He was a great sixth man who became a scoring threat to the Celtics. It was not often that Nelson had a bad game and he was a good anchor for the team whenever they needed someone to step up.

Despite being a role player, the Celtics could not have won those five championships without Nelson.

17. Ed MaCauley

Career stats with the Celtics: 18.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

"Easy Ed' was around before Bob Cousy. Not many people can remember his days of double-doubles, but MaCauley was one of the earliest stars in the league.

Important Fact: If it weren't for MaCauley being traded, Bill Russell would have never been on the Celtics.

16. Bill Sharman

Career stats with the Celtics: 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

Sharman was part of four Celtics championship teams in the early days of the Celtics. He's been in the shadow of Bob Cousy, but the two formed the deadliest backcourt in the league.

Not only was Sharman a great basketball player, but he also played briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He also happens to have the best free throw percentage for any Celtic at 91 percent. Yet, many would have though it was Ray Allen...

15. Reggie Lewis

Career stats with the Celtics: 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

His story is truly one of the saddest in the basketball world. Lewis was on the verge of becoming a perennial star for the Celtics before he had a heart attack, which killed him.

The slick moves Lewis had along with his quiet scoring would have been part of the Celtics next dynasty.

Rest in peace, Reggie Lewis.

14. Cedric Maxwell

Career stats with the Celtics: 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

The low-post was where this smooth talking forward loved to score. "Cornbread" Maxwell has always been loved by Boston Celtics fans. His energy and momentum changing plays was vital for the Celtics in the eighties.

Many times, Maxwell would convert clutch baskets while getting fouled. This could be seen in almost any game against the Los Angeles Lakers, where Cornbread never backed down.

For now, we know him as the guy who does the radio for Celtics games. He's quite good at commentating as well as playing basketball.

13. Sam Jones

Career stats with the Celtics: 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

If only the three-point line had been invented during Jones' playing days. Jones had one of the prettiest shooting forms in basketball history. He was known to knock down shots at the right times in games, hence the nickname, "Mr. Clutch."

It's hard not to like the fact that he won 10 championships and Jones certainly was a major factor. In the 1964-65 season, Jones played like a mad man.

He was scoring at will and could not be stopped. If he could have played like this for his entire career, he could have been higher on this list.

12. Dennis Johnson

Career stats with the Celtics: 12.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Dennis Johnson was an excellent floor general for the Celtics. He helped handle the ball for the Celtics for two championship seasons.

Many people remember "DJ" for finishing the layup on Larry Bird's crazy steal against Isiah Thomas and the "bad boy" Pistons.

One of the parts of Johnson's game that is the best to remember was his defense. His toughness against opposing team's best guards could not be replaced on the Celtics '80s roster.

11. Jo Jo White

Career stats with the Celtics: 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

If we were ranking the best Celtic names, Jo Jo would be pretty high on the list. His ability to score the ball was a great asset to two title teams he played for. White mastered the mid-range game almost to perfection.

He was a warrior and this was reflected in the famous triple-overtime game against Phoenix in which he played 60 minutes!

10. Robert Parish

Career stats with the Celtics: 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.

The "Chief" was never a guy to yell out with intensity like Kevin Garnett. His quiet demeanor was mysterious to many Celtics fans.

When Parish walked onto the court, he did not act like a quiet guy. His length and presence in the middle was the biggest steal for the Celtics. They never expected him to have such a large impact for the team when they traded for him.

Three rings later, Parish is one of the best Celtics big men of all time.

9. Kevin Garnett

Career stats with Celtics: 16.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.

Sure, Kevin Garnett has only been with the Celtics for three seasons (really two and a half). However, Garnett is responsible for one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of the NBA.

Garnett's defense made the Celtics the best in the league. He has begun to break down but it's hard to argue that we would take that one ring for anything else.

The Celtics have never had such a rare specimen as Garnett. His length and coordination make him one of the most intriguing Celtics of all-time. If he could win a championship this year, expect him to soar higher on this list.

8. Dave Cowens

Career stats with Celtics: 18.2 points, 14. 0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.

Is there a guy who ever gave more energy than Dave Cowens? Cowens was known for going all-out night in and night out. He never gave up and Celtics fans adored this about him.

His two titles with the Celtics were powered by Cowens' sheer effort. He was one of the league's best rebounders despite standing at 6'8".

The fame was never something Cowens adored, he just worried about getting the job done. Every team needs a guy like Dave Cowens.

7. Tommy Heinsohn

Career stats with Celtics: 18.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

Local Celtics fans now know Tommy Heinsohn mainly for his biased commentating during Celtics games.

Heinsohn is famous for the game in which he battled won of the best forwards of all-time, Bob Petit, and scored 37 points and 23 rebounds in a double overtime.

Stepping up in big games was what Heinsohn did and that is one of the reasons why he won eight championships.

6. Kevin McHale

Career stats with Celtics: 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.

Name a post move and it is almost a guarantee that Kevin McHale had that move in his arsenal. Disregard his awkward demeanor, this guy was unguardable.

He was the second-best player on the three-time championship team and carried the Celtics through many tough times in the playoffs.

Did I mention he also helped the Celtics win a championship in 2008?

5. Paul Pierce

Career stats with Celtics: 22.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.

There is a very good reason why Paul Pierce is called "the Truth." He's been the face of the franchise for a little more than a decade.

There were points where Pierce was questioned for being selfish and demanding a trade. He's dealt with being stabbed and suffering serious injuries.

However, Pierce's killer mentality and confidence has separated himself from the rest.

In 2008, he stepped over Kobe and LeBron to win the title. How many players can say they've done something so extraordinary? Not many, Pierce is a rare breed.

4. Bob Cousy

Career stats with Celtics: 18.5 points and 7.5 assists per game.

Cousy was truly one of the first play-making guards of all time. He was also one of the first true superstars in the league and was part of six championship teams for the Celtics.

What is not to like about Cousy? It almost seems as though he was put in a time machine and put in the 1950's. His ball-handling and court vision were unmatched for a long time.

Many people would watch tapes of Cousy now and question whether he could hang in modern times and here is your answer: he could not.

However, this list is about the top 25 players and their impacts on the Celtics.

3. John Havlicek

Career stats with Celtics: 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Ask any fool on the street of any other city of Boston who the all-time leading scorer for the Celtics organization is and I can guarantee you at least 50 percent will say Larry Bird. The scoring title belongs to John Havlicek.

Havlicek won eight titles with the Celtics and was a great all-around guard. His defense stood out from the pack. Everyone remembers the steal he had against Philadelphia when Wilt Chamberlain was in his prime.

With great guards such as Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, we cannot forget the trends setters such as Havlicek, one of the first guards to be able to take more than 20 shots per game. His impact on the Celtics and the game is immeasurable.

2. Larry Bird

Career stats with Celtics: 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.

Larry Bird's confidence alone could win his team games. During the 1980's, having a guy who was 6'9" and could shoot like Bird was impossible to replicate. He knew angles and had one of the highest basketball IQ's of all time.

Winning three NBA titles in a time period where basketball was so competitive is impressive. I could go on all day about Bird and his greatest moments with the Celtics

Let's sum Bird's time up with the Celtics: He brought three titles to town, made the Celtics for over a decade, brought a unity to Boston fans unlike any other city, and gave the Celtics a competitive swagger for generations to come (except for the 90s).

1. Bill Russell

Career stats with Celtics: 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

You cannot argue that Russell is not the best Celtic of all-time after leading his team to 11 championships. The 6'9" center could do it all.

He's famous for his ability to block shots to teammates to get the break started. The skill set and intangibles Russell possessed were too advanced for his time period.

Since blocks were not recorded during this era, we do not know how he would rank against the all-time shot-blocking leaders. We do know that his presence had to have altered thousands of shots.

Sure. Russell is the best Celtic of all-time, but can it be said that he's the best player of all-time?

Please comment below if you think Russell is or is not the best player of all-time.