Last Updated on: 19th September 2023, 12:03 am
The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, with an impressive 17 championship banners hanging from the rafters of TD Garden. Throughout its long and illustrious history, the team has been blessed with many talented players in every position.
However, perhaps none have shone as brightly as the point guards who have led the team to numerous championship victories. This article will look at the top seven best Celtics point guards in history. These players have displayed exceptional individual skills on the court and played key roles in leading their teams to success.
From Bob Cousy’s revolutionary ball-handling skills to Rajon Rondo’s leadership on the 2008 championship team and Kyrie Irving’s dazzling performances in recent years, these point guards have left indelible marks on Celtics history and continue to inspire fans across generations.
So sit back and join us as we relive some of the greatest moments in Celtics history through the eyes of their legendary point guards.
Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy is considered one of the greatest point guards in NBA history and a legend among Celtics fans. Known for his dazzling ball-handling skills, he revolutionized the point guard position during his 13 seasons with the Celtics. He won six titles with Boston, cementing himself as an integral part of the team’s success.
Cousy’s contributions to the Celtics are numerous. He was named league MVP in 1957 and earned All-Star MVP honors twice, proving himself to be one of the game’s best players. He was also an All-Star every year he played for Boston, setting a standard for excellence that few have matched.
With 6945 career assists, he remains the all-time leader in this category for the Celtics and ranks high on many other statistical lists. For these reasons and more, Bob Cousy holds a special place in the hearts of Celtics fans everywhere as one of their greatest point guards ever.
Tiny Thompson
You may not have heard of Tiny Thompson before, but let me tell you, he was a Hall of Fame point guard who played for the Celtics in the 1930s and played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Born in Canada, Thompson joined the Celtics in 1929 and immediately made an impact with his scoring ability and ball-handling skills. He helped lead the team to its first championship title in 1935 and was named to the All-NBA First Team twice during his career.
Thompson was known for his quickness on both offense and defense. He had a knack for easily getting past defenders and finding open teammates for easy baskets. His tenacity on defense also made him a valuable asset to the Celtics, as he often disrupted opponents’ offensive plays with his steals and deflections.
Thompson’s contributions to the team were invaluable, making him one of the best point guards in Celtics history despite playing during an era where statistics were not as widely recorded or recognized as they are today.
Nate Archibald
You might be surprised to learn that Nate “Tiny” Archibald played a crucial role in helping Larry Bird and the Celtics win a championship in 1981. Archibald, a player who led the league in scoring and assists during his time with the Kansas City-Omaha Kings, was brought onto the team as a veteran guard to provide leadership and guidance for the younger players.
Despite being past his prime, he still showed flashes of brilliance on the court, especially during important moments of games. Archibald’s experience and leadership proved invaluable during the playoffs. He started all 17 playoff games for Boston that year, averaging 11 points and over five assists per game.
His veteran presence helped calm down nerves when things got tight, and he made critical plays when they mattered most. Thanks partly to Archibald’s contributions, the Celtics won their first championship since 1976.
Jo Jo White
Jo Jo White proved invaluable to the Celtics, with seven All-Star appearances and ranking fifth all-time in assists for the team. He played for the Celtics from 1969-1979 and was a key player during their championship runs in 1974 and 1976.
Here are three reasons why Jo Jo White is considered one of the best point guards in Celtics history:
- Consistent Scoring: During his time with the Celtics, White averaged 18.3 points per game and scored over 10,000 points overall. He had a knack for hitting clutch shots when it mattered most and was known for his scoring ability.
- Solid Playmaking Skills: White was also an excellent passer in addition to his scoring prowess. He averaged over five assists per game throughout his career with Boston and had great court vision. He knew how to get his teammates involved.
- Championship Pedigree: Perhaps most importantly, Jo Jo White was a winner through and through. He played on two championship teams with the Celtics and was named NBA Finals MVP in 1976 after leading Boston to victory over the Phoenix Suns in six games. His leadership on both ends of the court helped solidify his place as one of the greatest point guards in Celtics history.
Dennis Johnson
As you delve into the analysis of Dennis Johnson, a sense of admiration for his tenacious defense and contributions to three NBA championships with the Celtics will likely emerge. Johnson was known for being one of the best defenders in the league during his time with the Celtics, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team once and Second Team thrice. He also played a key role in helping Boston win titles in 1984 and 1986.
Offensively, Johnson may not have been as flashy as some of his contemporaries, but he was efficient and reliable. He averaged 14.1 points per game with the Celtics and earned a trip to the All-Star Game in 1985. In 2010, he was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport. The table below highlights some key stats from Johnson’s career with the Celtics.
| Stat | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Points | 9,753 |
| Assists | 3,317 |
| Steals | 1,150 |
| Blocks | 370 |
| Championships won with Celtics | 3 |
Johnson’s impact on Celtics history cannot be overstated. His combination of defensive prowess and offensive efficiency helped propel Boston to multiple championships during his tenure with the team. As one of the greatest point guards in Celtics history, he will always be remembered as an integral part of this storied franchise’s success.
Rajon Rondo
If you’re a Celtics fan, you can’t deny that Rajon Rondo was an absolute wizard with the ball in his hands and had a knack for making jaw-dropping plays on the court. The four-time All-Star was a key contributor to the 2008 NBA championship team, serving as the starting point guard alongside Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.
Rondo’s quickness and court vision allowed him to easily orchestrate the offense, setting up his teammates for easy baskets and creating scoring opportunities for himself. One of Rondo’s greatest strengths was his ability to read defenses and make split-second decisions on the fly. His flashy passes often left fans in awe, while his clutch performances in big games cemented his legacy as one of the top Celtics point guards in history.
Despite playing only two seasons with Boston, Rondo made a lasting impact on the franchise and remains a fan favorite. As Celtics fans reminisce about their rich history of talented point guards, it’s hard not to include Rajon Rondo among the greats.
Reasons why Rajon Rondo was a top Celtics Point Guard:
- Quickness and court vision allowed him to orchestrate offense effectively
- Ability to read defenses and make split-second decisions on fly
- Flashy passes often left fans in awe
- Clutch performances in big games cemented his legacy as one of top Celtics PGs
Impact of Rajon Rondo on Boston Celtics’ History:
- Key contributor to the 2008 NBA championship team
- Remains a fan-favorite despite playing only two seasons with Boston
- Made lasting impact on franchise
Kyrie Irving
You’re probably familiar with Kyrie Irving‘s time with the Celtics, but there’s more to his impact on the team than just statistics and wins.
Despite only playing for two seasons in Boston, Irving left a lasting impression on the Celtics and their fans. He brought excitement and star power to the point guard position that hadn’t been seen since Rajon Rondo.
Irving’s talent was undeniable. He averaged 23.8 points and 6.9 assists per game during his tenure with the Celtics. However, he could perform in clutch situations that truly set him apart. His iconic shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals will forever be remembered by basketball fans worldwide.
While his departure from Boston may have been controversial, there’s no denying that Kyrie Irving made his mark on Celtics history as one of their top point guards of all time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Boston Celtics have been blessed with many talented point guards throughout their history. Each player has left their mark on the franchise in a unique way, from Bob Cousy’s revolutionary ball-handling skills to Kyrie Irving’s electrifying scoring ability.
Looking at individual success, Nate Archibald and Dennis Johnson are two of history’s best Celtics point guards. Archibald led the league in scoring and assists during his time in Boston, while Johnson was a five-time All-Star and a crucial member of three championship teams.
However, no one can top Bob Cousy’s 13 championships with the Celtics when it comes to team success.
One hypothetical example that highlights the impact of these legendary point guards is imagining how different the outcome of certain games or seasons would have been without them. Would the Celtics have won all those championships without Bob Cousy’s court vision? Would they have made it past LeBron James‘ Miami Heat team without Rajon Rondo’s triple-double performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals?
These questions will never be answered definitively, but we know that each point guard on this list played an integral role in helping establish and maintain the winning culture that defines the Boston Celtics franchise.
