5 Key Boston Celtics Players Who Won Gold for the Greens and Whites

Some sports teams epitomize excellence. For example, the Boston Celtics are the New York Yankees of the NBA. In fact, the Celtics have won 17 NBA championship games, more than any other team in league history! His first championship was during the 1956-1957 season, and his most recent was during the 2007-2008 season. In fact, the Celtics even won a record eight NBA championships in a row, between 1959 and 1966.

Throughout their history, key Celtics players have helped maintain the team’s winning tradition. Here are some players whose jerseys the team has retired:

Larry Bird #33 (issue retired February 1993)
Bird was indeed one of the “best of the best” in Celtics history. The Celtics won three NBA championships under Bird (1981, 1984 and 1986). Bird became famous throughout his career for his consistency and work ethic. He became the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, from 1984 to 1986. Additionally, the NBA named Bird the league’s “Rookie of the Year” in 1980. Bird had several successes with the Celtics, including shooting percentage free throws (.886), the second most points in his career (21,791) and the third most assists in his career (5,695).

Bob Cousey #14 (issue retired October 1963)
Cousey became famous for his passes and plays in the NBA. Nicknamed “The Hardwood Houdini,” Cousey played each of his 13 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics. Bob Cousey became the Celtics’ Most Valuable Player in 1957, and the NBA included him in 13 All-Star Squads. Of the total 17 NBA championships the Celtics have won in their history, Cousey played on six championship teams (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1963). With 6,945 career assists by him, Cousey holds the Celtics’ record.

KC Jones #25 (issue retired February 1967)
Before coaching the Celtics to two NBA championships (1984, 1986), KC Jones was a standout player for the Celtics. He played on Celtics teams that won an incredible eight consecutive NBA championships (1959-1967). Additionally, Jones led his team in assists for three straight seasons. In 1989, KC Jones became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kevin McHale #32 (issue retired January 1994)
McHale won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. He was an NBA All-Star in seven seasons and has played the third most games as a player for the Celtics (971).

Bill Russell #6 (issue retired March 1972)
Pundits universally regard Bill Russell as one of the greatest basketball players throughout the history of the sport. Nine teams he played on won NBA championships. The NBA chose Russell as MVP for five years (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965). Additionally, Russell played in 12 All-Star Games. Russell also coached the Celtics to two NBA championships (1968 and 1969) and posted a .661 winning percentage.

Several Celtics players have shown that there is no “me” in “team.” Today, Boston Celtics merchandise lets you cheer on the team as its players continue to make their own fortunes.