RealGM

OK, it is offseason. As you all know, we have a heckuva retired numbers, so I thought I would rank them according to importance for the Celtics franchise. I will start...

1. 1 Walter Brown: without this guy, the Celtics do not exist. RIP Wally.
2. 2 Red Auerbach: no explanations needed. RIP Red.
3. 6 Bill Russell: 11 in 13, anyone?
4. 33 Larry Bird: greatest SF of all time
5. 17 John Havlicek: maybe the ultimate Celtic, sixth man, starter, clutch

6. 14 Bob Cousy: the first great PG and the first Celtics superstar
7. 15 Tom Heinsohn: a chucker, but a very good one, and clutch, plus Tommy Points
8. 24 Sam Jones: our version of Mr. Clutch, 10 rings and a great character
9. 18 Dave Cowens: undersized maniac, but SO much hustle
10. 32 Kevin McHale: our low post nightmare, and gave us KG

11. 3 Dennis Johnson: hired gun, but my personal fav. RIP DJ!
12. 25 KC Jones: smothering defender, great role player, great coach
13. 19 Don Nelson: sixth man deluxe, more known as a HOF coach today
14. 21 Bill Sharman: super shooter, and could play D. Also a superb coach, but for LA :X
15. 10 Jojo White: just missed the HOF and had a strange career ending, but Finals MVP 76

16. 00 Robert Parish: a great hired gun, part of a GOAT trade
17. LOSCY Jim Loscutoff: maybe the first great enforcer in the game
18. 23 Frank Ramsey: the first sixth man, versatile and useful
19. 16 Satch Sanders: great role player, limited but tough
20. 31 Cedric Maxwell: controversial with Red, but always loved for his clutch NBA Finals
21. 22 Ed Macauley: the first good C, but ultimately known for being traded

I leave out MIC of Johnny Most and 35 Reggie Lewis because they are difficult to compare. How does your list look like?

"Greatest SF of all time" is kind of faint praise...since you can make an argument to leave out the "SF" part. And no question at all about greatest *forward* of all time. IMO the argument for "greatest Celtic of all time" winds up being the same question as "greatest of all time" and comes down to #6 and #33...(with Magic thrown in the mix as well for the 2nd question)

1. 1 Walter Brown: without this guy, the Celtics do not exist. RIP Wally. Plus, he hired Red.
2. 2 Red Auerbach: no explanations needed. RIP Red.
3. 6 Bill Russell: 11 in 13, anyone?
4. 17 John Havlicek: maybe the ultimate Celtic, sixth man, starter, clutch
5. 33 Larry Bird: greatest PF of all time

6. 24 Sam Jones: our version of Mr. Clutch, 10 rings, great character, Mr. Last Shot
7. 18 Dave Cowens: Top 4 in MVP voting 4 straight years
8. 14 Bob Cousy: the first great PG and the first Celtics superstar
9. 15 Tom Heinsohn: a chucker, but a very good one, and clutch, plus Tommy Points
10. 32 Kevin McHale: our low post nightmare, and gave us KG

11. 00 Robert Parish: a great center on some great teams
12. 10 Jojo White: '76 Finals MVP. 7 Time ALL-Star, just missed the HOF
13. 18 Bailey Howell (number not retired, worn by Cowens, & previously worn by Jim Loscutoff)
******** 6 Time ALL-Star with 3 straight years of 21 ppg @ 50%, 10 rpg
******** while playing alongide Russell, Havlicek & Sam Jones !
******** Red made 29 year old Bailey Howell one of the 10 highest paid players in NBA
******** when Red signed & traded for him.
14. 3 Dennis Johnson: RIP DJ!
15. 25 KC Jones: smothering defender, great role player, great coach

16. 19 Don Nelson: sixth man deluxe, more known as a HOF coach today
17. 21 Bill Sharman: super shooter, and 7 Time ALL-star. Superb coach for Lakers & Warriors.
18. 31 Cedric Maxwell: controversial with Red, but always loved for his clutch NBA Finals
19. 16 Satch Sanders: great role player, limited, but tough

Honorable mention for a player whose number was not retired:
PG Nate "Tiny" Archibald, a Celtic from age 30 to 35