Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce and the Top Five Scorers in Team History

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce is one of the NBA's elite scorers as well as one of the best scorers in team history. Yet is it fair to argue that he may just be the best scoring talent to ever sport a Boston Celtics uniform?

There has been no shortage of scoring in the city of Boston. With 36 players now enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, it is evident that there is talent across the board that can and could get it done on the offensive end.

Is Pierce the greatest scorer in Celtics history? Does Larry Legend have the edge when it comes to scoring the rock?

No. 5: Bob Cousy

No Robert Parish?

Bob Cousy is currently stands as the most dominant point guard in Boston Celtics history, yet many forget Cousy had a knack for scoring the basketball as well.

In 13 seasons with the Celtics, Cousy averaged over 20 points four different seasons. Considering the guy was putting up nearly eight assists per game for the greater portion of his career, his scoring talent is all the more evident.

Although he was not the most accurate shooter, failing to reach the 40 percent mark in all 13 seasons, he was a dominant free-throw shooter and a player that was strong as any at the point guard position when taking the ball to the basket.

He may surprise many making the cut, yet Cousy is deserving of his No. 5 spot on the list.

No.4: Kevin McHale

Alongside two consistent scoring threats in Larry Bird and Robert Parish, Kevin McHale was still able to put big-time numbers on the offensive end.

In his prime years with the team, between 1984 and 1990, McHale was dropping no less than 19.8 points per game. The year following their 1986 championship season, McHale put up a career-high 26.1 points a contest while shooting a whopping 60.4 percent from the field.

Not to mention, McHale was a solid free-throw shooter throughout his career.

With 17,335 points, McHale currently is the fifth highest scorer in team history, trailing three of the more well-known talents in Celtics history.

No. 3: John Havlicek

Talk about one of the better scoring threats this league has seen.

In his 16 seasons with the team, Havlicek proved that he was not only one of the better scorers in Celtics history, but one of the best scorers of all-time.

Averaging 20.8 points per game for his career, Havlicek was a player that was a significant contributor offensively. He had range as well as a solid stroke, and he shot a consistent 44 percent from the field for his career.

For his career, Havlicek put in a whopping 26,395 points, as he ranks third in Celtics history.

No. 2: Paul Pierce

Currently one of the better scorers in today's game, Paul Pierce also goes down as the second-best scorer in Boston Celtics history.

Talk about a guy that can get it done in a plethora of ways on the offensive end.

Pierce started his career with a solid drive to the basket and an explosive finishing ability. Now he is all that and more, as he is now known for his free-throw shooting and top-knotch three-point shooting. Just two seasons ago, Pierce won the Foot Locker three-point shootout champion.

For his career Pierce has 21,410 points, as he is just under 400 points shy of tying Larry Bird's mark of 21,791 points scored. When it's all said and done, Pierce will likely finish well ahead of his total and find himself with the second-highest point total in team history.

No. 1: Larry Bird

Larry Legend.

For some, Paul Pierce is the player that deserved the No. 1 spot, yet Larry Bird comes in as the No. 1 scorer in Boston Celtics history on this list. He is a versatile scorer that could shoot the three ball and make plays taking the ball to the hoop.

With an average of 24.3 points per game and 21,791 points for his career, Bird gets the slight edge over Pierce.

Then there is also the competition factor to consider. In the 80s, there were the Bad Boys in Detroit, the dominant Los Angeles Lakers, Hakeem the Dream in Houston and the list only goes on. Against these teams, Bird was able to prove his worth on the offensive end and make teams fear his quick release.

One must also consider he played next to two of the greatest scorers in team history in Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. Both would account for anywhere from 35 to 50 points on any given night. The fact that Bird played alongside two of the better Celtics of all-time and still produced the numbers he did speaks volumes of his talent offensively.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist, Luis Batlle, on Twitter @lbatll1