Which Past Boston Celtics Players Should Be in the Hall of Fame?
Forgotten Celtics Legends
When you think of the Boston Celtics, you think of banners. Of legends. Of a franchise that doesn’t just play basketball—it defines it. But even with all the names already hanging in the rafters or enshrined in Springfield, there are still past Boston Celtics players whose greatness deserves more spotlight.
They may not have had statuesque scoring numbers or decades-long careers in green, but many players had huge impacts and pure Celtics DNA. If you are looking for more Celtics news or want to see what is going on around the NBA, tune into the best NBA live TV show on the internet.
Digging into the Celtics Vault
Look, we all know the names: Bill Russell. Larry Bird. Paul Pierce. They’re not just part of the Celtics’ all-time team—they are the Celtics. But what about the ones that often get lost in the conversation? The glue guys. The postseason assassins. The game changers who might not have the flash but absolutely had the fire.
Cedric Maxwell comes to mind immediately. Finals MVP in 1981. Two-time NBA champ. Still one of the best post-up wings to ever wear green. And yet, no Hall of Fame. Why? Ask any old-school Celtics fan, and they’ll tell you Cornbread was that dude in big moments.
Danny Ainge is a player, front-office architect, and culture builder. As a player, he helped win titles and then built another contender as an executive. He is not flashy, but he understands Celtics basketball at its core.
Who Is the Best Scorer Among Past Boston Celtics Players?
Now, this is where the bar talk starts. Who is the best scorer among past Boston Celtics players? You can’t talk about scoring without mentioning John Havlicek, the all-time leader with over 26,000 points. But Paul Pierce wasn’t far behind—and let’s be honest, The Truth might’ve had a deeper offensive bag.
Don’t forget Larry Bird, either. He didn’t just score—he demoralized opponents. Fadeaways, bank shots, trash talk—he did it all and made it look easy.
Check out the Celtics’ leading scorers all-time list, and you’ll see the who’s who of Celtics royalty. Each name tells a story about a different era of dominance.
What Makes a Celtic Great?
Celtics fans don’t just care about stats—they care about heart and winning. That’s what separates a good player from a Boston legend. And when building the best Celtics team of all time, you need more than talent. You need guys who bled green.
Jo Jo White doesn’t always get the love he deserves, but his 1976 triple-overtime Finals performance is the stuff of legend. Finals MVP. Ironman effort. That’s a Celtic.
Which past Boston Celtics players were known for incredible performances? It’s a long list. Bird’s 60-piece. Pierce’s dramatic return in the 2008 Finals. Kevin Garnett screaming, “Anything is possible!” after locking down banner 17. And don’t sleep on Rajon Rondo—he turned into a playoff monster during that title run, controlling tempo like a maestro.
The Case for More Green in Springfield
So let’s talk about it—who’s missing from the Hall of Fame?
- Cedric Maxwell: Already covered, but worth repeating: Finals MVP, two rings, beloved in Boston.
- Antoine Walker: Love him or hate him, ‘Toine put up numbers and carried the franchise through a weird era. Three All-Star appearances and a unique offensive game.
- Rajon Rondo: Arguably the smartest player on the court for a decade. Four-time All-Star. NBA assists leader. Champion.
- Tony Allen: Maybe not a Hall of Famer in the traditional sense, but he redefined perimeter defense. “First team all-defense,” as he’d say.
Best Celtics Team of All Time? Depends on Who You Ask
Ask an old head, and they’ll say 1986: Bird, McHale, Parish, Walton off the bench—sheesh. Ask a millennial, and it’s 2008 with KG, Pierce, Allen, and Rondo bullying the league. Both squads are worthy of “best Celtics team of all time” honors, and both were fueled by role players who often don’t get enough credit.
Looking Ahead, Looking Back
The Celtics’ greatness doesn’t live in the past—it keeps evolving. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are carving out their own paths. But as we look forward, it’s worth taking another look at the past Boston Celtics players who laid the groundwork. Not all of them have gold jackets, but they all wore the green with pride and left the game better than they found it.
To stay tapped into the current Celtics squad and all things NBA, tune into the NBA live TV show from BetUS TV. History might be written, but greatness never stops.
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