Boondock Paint: Greatest Irishmen Ever to Grace the Hardwood

The following group of players are Irish—and some have even played together over the course of their careers. However, what is truly remarkable is how accomplished they are.

They combined for 10 NBA Championships, 44 All-Star Appearances, 19 All-NBA First Team selections, 5 All-NBA First Team selections along with 4 MVP Awards, and 2 Rookie of the Year Awards—just for good measure.

If all of them actually played together, they would have racked up championships at an alarming rate. Each player changing their respective position, while playing with relentless effort and a ravenous desire to help ensure their team victory.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I give you the greatest hypothetical All-Irish NBA lineup to ever be assembled.

(Along with a surprise choice for the sixth man just to keep things interesting.)  

Point Guard: John Stockton (Utah Jazz)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 30: John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz dribbles in Game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Sacramento Kings during the 2003 NBA Playoffs at Arco Arena on April 30, 2003 in Sacramento, California. The Kings wo

Resume: 10 NBA All-Star appearances, 2 All-NBA First Team selections.

During his playing days, John Stockton defined what a pure point guard should consist of. He was someone who ran a systematically fluid offense while playing pugnacious defense.

Stockton holds the record for the most assists and steals ever in the NBA, a record which still stands to this day—a testament to the aforementioned style Stockton prided himself on. 

Playing under Jerry Sloan, Stockton combined with Karl Malone to make up arguably the greatest duo of all time, providing some of the strongest competition Michael Jordan would ever face en route to his 6 NBA Titles. 

Finishing his career as the record holder of most seasons, games and consecutive games with one team, John Stockton proved he was the perfect fit for Sloan's gritty style of play. 

Stockton retired after 19 seasons, missing only 38 games in all. He will go down not only as one of the best players of all time, but as one of the toughest as well.

Shooting Guard: Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers)

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

15 Jan 2001: A close up of Chris Mullin #17 of the Golden State Warriors as he gets ready to shoot a free throw during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Arena in Oakland in Oakland, California. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 107-101.

Resume: 5 NBA All-Star appearances, and 1 All-NBA First Team selection.

With one of the best pure small forwards in the game holding down the number 3 spot, Chris Mullin will slide snugly into the 2 spot for this tough Irish team.

Beginning his career with the Golden State Warriors on the West Coast, Chris Mullin seemed to feel out of place as he was bombarded with off-court issues. However, the coaching change from George Karl to Don Nelson in 1988 was just what he needed to set him straight.

Complying with Don Nelson's advice to get into shape, Mullin went from passive player to proactive participant in his team's growth—as well as in his own. Sporting a Marine hair cut was not just a change of physical appearance; it was a change in mindset as well.

After Don Nelson took over, Mullin would become a gym rat, dedicating himself to getting in shape and molding himself into the player everyone believed he would be when he was first drafted in 1985.

He would eventually become the only other player besides Wilt Chamberlain to average 25 PPG for five consecutive seasons with the Golden State Warriors, providing toughness along with accuracy.

Small Forward: Rick Barry (Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets)

Resume: 1 NBA Championship, 8 All-Star appearances, 4 ABA All-Star appearances, and 5 All-NBA First Team selections.

While Rick Barry will be remembered by many for his unorthodox free-throw shot as seen above, others will remember what defined him as one of the game's top competitors and 50 Greatest Players of All Time.

Even though he was not always well-liked by teammates, his insatiable desire to win, precision in his jump shot, knowledge and overall tenacity is what Barry should be remembered for. (However, the amount of teams he played for in the NBA and ABA combined (six altogether) does give us some insight to his difficulties with teammates.)

The pinnacle of Barry's career was in 1975, when the Golden State Warriors won an NBA Championship sweeping a supremely talented Washington Bullets team.

Rick Barry played for four ABA teams, as well as for the NBA teams mentioned above. They were the San Francisco Warriors, Oakland Oaks, Washington Caps, and the Virginia Squires.

Power Forward: Kevin McHale (Boston Celtics)

Resume: 3 NBA Championships, 7 NBA All-Star appearances, 1 All-NBA First Team selections, 3 All-NBA First Defensive Team selections.

Gifted with the wingspan of a condor, tremendous footwork in the post, and an assortment of low-post moves, McHale must be regarded as one of the most talented big men in NBA history.

At first glance, Kevin McHale may not look like a basketball player, but his myriad of moves in the post prove otherwise. Utilizing a lanky body to wind and weave his way through defenders, McHale had the ability to get to the rim at will.

With some of the greatest footwork in the game, McHale was able to create a variety of post moves which always kept his opponents guessing. This made him one of the hardest players to guard at his position.

As part of "the Boston Three Party," Kevin McHale would team with Larry Bird and Robert Parish, ultimately winning three NBA Titles as the team's sixth man.

Center: Bill Walton (Portland Trail Blazers, L.A. Clippers, Boston Celtics)

Resume: 2 NBA Championships, 2 All-Star appearances, 1 MVP Award, 1 All-NBA First Team selection, 2 All-NBA Defensive First Team selections.

The towering red head, best characterized by his phenomenal passing ability and laid-back demeanor, peaked in 1976-1977 season as the centerpiece of the Championship Portland Trail Blazers. Coached by the legendary Dr. Jack Ramsey, he went on to win an NBA title. 

Before his retirement, he would team with the acclaimed Boston Celtics trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish to win one more championship in 1986.

Though short-lived, the time he played should be revered as transcendent instead of forgotten. Debilitating injuries derailed what should have been a much lengthier and illustrious career.

Honorary Sixth Man: Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)

Resume: 3 NBA Championships, 3 MVP Awards, 12 NBA All-Star appearances, and 9 All-NBA First Team selections, Rookie of the Year Award.

Okay, so he's not Irish. However, his contribution to the Boston Celtics and city of Boston (the majority of which is Irish), are so monumental that he had to make an appearance on this list. He gets the nod as the team's honorary Irishman and sixth man.

Donning majestic nicknames throughout his career such as "Larry Legend" and "Basketball Jesus", Larry Bird let his game do all the talking. He played with an unbelievable basketball I.Q., tremendous court vision, a tireless motor and a deadly jump shot that every coach dreamed of.

Over the course of his career, he won 3 NBA Championships with Hall of Famers like Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Robert Parish and Bill Walton. During that time, Bird demonstrated leadership skills and clutch play while embracing the concept of team basketball, resulting in the ultimate success for him and his teammates.

The combination of Larry Legend with the aforementioned players led to a squad that played with passion and desire. Placing importance on fundamentals, defense and teamwork generated a winning formula—and ultimately, great success.