The Boston Celtics are the winningest franchise in NBA historical past with 18 championship banners. All through the years, the franchise has witnessed a number of NBA greats that contributed to the group’s adorned historical past. Listed here are the ten greatest Boston Celtics duos, ranked.
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10. Dominique Wilkins and Dino Radja
The 90s weren’t precisely the proudest years for the Boston Celtics, particularly with the retirement of Larry Chook and the tragic passing of Reggie Lewis. Nonetheless, Boston was spearheaded by Corridor of Famer Dominique Wilkins and Croatian heart Dino Radja.
The duo performed an instrumental position in main the Celtics again into the playoffs, the final time the group made it to the postseason within the 90s. Regardless of a 35-47 file, the Celtics snatched the ultimate playoff spot. They even snagged one win away from Shaquille O’Neal and the Orlando Magic within the first spherical.
After shedding Kyrie Irving and Al Horford within the offseason, the Celtics crammed the void by selecting up Kemba Walker throughout free company. The cat-quick scoring guard immediately made his presence felt subsequent to Jayson Tatum. In truth, the duo helped Boston complete 48 wins through the 2019-20 season, capped off by an Japanese Convention Finals look. Sadly, the duo wasn’t sustainable as a result of Walker’s nagging accidents.
8. Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum
Disgruntled in Cleveland, Boston capitalized by bringing in Kyrie Irving through the offseason to associate with All-Star free-agent Gordon Hayward. Nonetheless, as early because the season opener, Hayward broke his leg, forcing Jayson Tatum to step up. A major Irving and a younger Tatum was aggressive sufficient within the East. Nonetheless, Tatum’s lack of expertise and Irving’s questionable out there usually spoiled their campaigns.
7. Reggie Lewis and Xavier McDaniel
After Larry Chook’s retirement, the Celtics had been compelled to lean on Reggie Lewis and Xavier McDaniel. Each of those gamers even managed to squeeze out a playoff berth, even with the absence of Chook. Lewis led all scorers with 20.8 factors per recreation, whereas McDaniel chipped in 13.5. They even snatched Sport 1 of the first-round sequence opener. Sadly, Lewis’ sudden passing as a result of a heart-related problem that noticed him collapse in a apply session, marred the brand new period,
6. Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford
Life after the departure of the Celtics’ huge three was comparatively robust. With the commerce of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the transfer signaled a brand new period in Boston. Nonetheless, the entrance workplace did keep competitiveness, once they made one of the vital missed trades in historical past by getting Isaiah Thomas in alternate for Marcus Thornton.
With the duo of Thomas and Al Horford, the Celtics emerged as an sudden darkish horse within the East, even incomes an Japanese Convention Finals look in 2017. Sadly, a hip damage numbered the times of Thomas’ NBA stardom.
It is protected to say that the Celtics are a authentic menace within the Japanese Convention proper now, because of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. In a flip of occasions, Boston solely managed to get an opportunity these two gamers by buying and selling away championship items in Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Moreover, Brown and Tatum led Boston to the 2024 NBA championship. Sadly, an Achilles tear will sideline Tatum for not less than a yr.
4. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett
After turning into cellar dwellers within the 2000s, the Celtics grew to become related as soon as extra when the group was in a position to herald Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen through the 2007 offseason. With a stacked group, Boston lastly ended the franchise’s championship drought by successful the 2008 NBA championship with Pierce and Garnett because the top-two choices.
3. Larry Chook and Kevin McHale
The Celtics had been a formidable dynasty within the Eighties, primarily because of the partnership of Larry Chook and Kevin McHale. The duo usually performed nice music collectively, main to 3 NBA championships. Chook and McHale carved out Corridor of Fame worthy careers in Boston, resulting in unforgettable moments to have fun.
2. Invoice Russell and John Havlicek
After Bob Cousy’s retirement, Boston’s dominance within the NBA did not cease. Finally, the emergence of John Havlicek gave Invoice Russell an ideal second star to play with, extending the franchise’s dynasty. Because of this, each Russell and Havlicek would win six NBA championships collectively.
1. Invoice Russell and Bob Cousy
The Celtics dynasty would not have taken off if it weren’t for the emergence of Invoice Russell and Bob Cousy. They had been the focal factors that allowed Boston to piece collectively one of the vital dominant dynasties in NBA historical past. With out these two, the Celtics would not be the winningest franchise at present.