- Here’s a list of the best Boston Celtics draft picks in franchise history.
- John Havlieck leads the list of players Boston selected through the draft.
- Other notable players the Celtics picked were Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.
The Boston Celtics is one of the most successful NBA teams in the league as they are tied with their rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, as the winningest NBA franchise in history with 17 championships. Aside from acquiring stars and players through the trade market, they sustained a winning culture through drafting talented players.
Because of the team’s ability to scout and select great talent in the draft, Boston’s basketball odds of winning the title have been perpetual for multiple decades. Boston picked some of the big names through the draft: Paul Pierce, Bob Cousy, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum.
However, there are no more prominent names besides the three listed players below, as they are the best Boston Celtics draft picks.
John Havlicek
In 1962, Boston drafted John Havlicek as their ninth overall pick out of Ohio State. The 6 feet 5 inches tall forward instantly provided a double-digit scoring output to help the team dominate in the 1960s and 70s by winning eight NBA titles in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976. Havlicek even won the Finals MVP award in 1974.
The John Havlicek Trophy 🏆☘️
The @NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award will now bear the name of the greatest sixth man the league has ever seen. pic.twitter.com/mEzb20CAFc
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 13, 2022
“Hondo” also represented the Celtics in 13 NBA All-Star Games and was selected to four All-NBA 1st Teams. Havlicek finished his career with an average of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 16 seasons. The super-scoring forward reached the epitome of basketball when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Larry Bird
After their dominance during the 1960s and 70s, Boston needed another young star to preserve their fortune in the succeeding decade, which is why they drafted Larry Bird in 1978 as the sixth overall pick. The Indiana State standout made an immediate impact on the team by winning the Rookie of the Year award.
Who else is going to spend the morning watching Larry Bird highlights to celebrate his birthday? 🎂☘
Here's a sample, with plenty more here: https://t.co/xjl4rZjswR pic.twitter.com/HKjpJiiPgN
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 7, 2022
He also spearheaded the championship campaign of Boston in the 1980s by winning three titles in 1981, 1984, and 1986. “Larry Legend” also captured three successive NBA MVP awards in 1984, 1985, and 1986 and two Finals MVP honors in 1984 and 1986. On top of these individual accolades, Bird was selected nine times to the All-NBA 1st Team.
The 6 feet 9 inches tall sweet-shooting forward became a 12-time All-Star as he racked up career averages of 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in 13 seasons. Because of his contributions to the historied franchise, Bird was placed second in the ranking of the best Boston Celtics players of all time.
Kevin McHale
Aside from Bird, Kevin McHale was also an integral part of the 1980s success of the Celtics as the team drafted him as the third overall pick in 1980. The 6 feet 10 inches tall power forward out of Minnesota became the team’s spark off the bench. McHale efficiently helped Boston with his high-percentage shot selection and solid rebounding and defensive skills.
Happy birthday to 7x All-Star and 3x @NBA Champion, Kevin McHale 🎉🎂☘️ pic.twitter.com/iitUHeIhWn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 19, 2020
Aside from three NBA titles, “The Black Hole” won back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year awards in 1984 and 1985 and became a seven-time NBA All-Star. In his 13 seasons with Boston, McHale produced a career average of 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. Because of his contributions to the game, he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1999.
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