Boston Celtics: 5 Best Defensive Players in Team History

The Boston Celtics have a storied history layered with incredible personal and team successes.

Throughout the franchise's storied history, they've been fortunate enough to have their share of both elite- and Hall of Fame-level players.

Most basketball fans focus on a player's offensive ability when determining his greatness. However, having an elite defensive player is just as valuable in many cases, if not more so when the postseason comes around.

Defense has a lot to do with talent and athleticism, but it also can be attributed to passion and intensity. The passion that numerous Celtics players have possessed has helped the team become extremely successful.

5) Dave Cowens

Dave Cowens may be the most underrated player in Celtics history. Cowens led the team to two NBA titles while also being named the league’s MVP in 1973.

Defense was something Cowens took great pride in. He was known for being a gritty, hard-working player who would do whatever it took to win. Cowens’ passion and intensity translated into hard-nosed and relentless approach on the defensive end.

Cowens was named to three All-NBA defensive teams, making the first team in 1976.

4) Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale didn’t look like an overly athletic player. However, he was one of the most versatile and gifted defenders of his time.

McHale had the ability to cover stronger and taller players as well as smaller, athletic one. He used his freakishly long arms to annoy opposing players and had a knack for coming up with big blocks.

McHale was named to six NBA All-Defensive teams, making the first team three times.

McHale’s defensive presence and versatility helped the Celtics capture three NBA championships during his tenure with the team.

3) Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett could be regarded as the most passionate player in the NBA today.

Garnett combines that passion with extraordinary ability, which has made him one of the best players in league history.  

Kevin Garnett was traded to the Celtics prior to the 2007-2008 NBA season. The Celtics were coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history and needed a major change in culture.

Garnett’s length and athleticism make him an excellent defender and he combines these skills with great leadership.

Garnett brought a defensive-minded attitude to the Celtics and transformed them into the league’s best defense. Garnett was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 on the way to leading the Celtics to their first championship in 22 years.  

2) Dennis Johnson

It’s a shame that Dennis Johnson wasn’t alive when he was finally enshrined into the basketball hall of fame on April 5, 2010. Johnson should have been inducted years earlier and his defensive ability played a huge part in the clamoring for his inclusion in that rarefied stratosphere of former players.

Larry Bird once said Dennis Johnson was the best player he ever had the opportunity to work with.

"DJ" was a big and athletic point guard who, because of his size, was able to defend guards and forwards alike. He was known for his great hands and ability to routinely strip the ball from an opposing player in the backcourt.

Johnson’s greatest defensive performance came in the 1984 NBA Finals. The Celtics were matched up against the archrival Los Angeles Lakers, and DJ had the unfortunate task of defending Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. DJ pestered Magic throughout the series by playing tight and physical defense, helping the Celtics defeat the Lakers in seven games.

1) Bill Russell

Bill Russell is the greatest winner in NBA history. The Hall of Fame center won an incredible 11 championships in 13 NBA seasons. Although a good offensive player, Russell’s defensive wizardry is what he is remembered for. 

During the era in which Russell played, blocks were not an official stat. Numerous basketball historians have proclaimed if blocks were counted, Russell would have averaged over 10 blocks a game.

Russell was an incredible athlete who possessed immense leaping ability that allowed him to compile many blocks and defensive rebounds.

Russell will forever be remembered for his defensive performances against Wilt Chamberlain. He was one of the only players able to control Chamberlain’s all time great scoring ability and on many occasions shut Chamberlain down.