The Boston Celtics have had a wealth of riches at every position, and power forward is no exception.
But who are the best to play for the storied franchise over the seven decades of its existence? With 17 banners and plenty of outstanding players at the four in those and other seasons, it’s no small task to narrow the field to the five power forwards who best represent Boston’s excellence at that position.
The Celtics Wire got to researching this very topic to fill the basketball-sized hole in our lives while the coronavirus pandemic disrupts so much of what we used to call normal.
Players from Boston’s past who appeared on the top five centers list will not be counted, so if you wondered why some who played both positions are absent, that’s the reason. It should also be noted this list only considers what each player has done with the Celtics — not their career before or after.
There are plenty of candidates to choose from, but only five slots to place the Mount Rushmore — plus one — of Celtics power forwards, so let’s get started with the honorable mentions.
Honorable mentions
Antoine Walker (1996-2003, 2005)
While Walker never won a championship while in Boston, he did make the All-Star team three times while a Celtic — in 1998, 2002 and 2003. He also made the All-Rookie First Team in 1997, and helped ease the pain of one of the tougher stretches of Celtics fandom.
The Kentucky product would average 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game over eight seasons with Boston.
Bailey Howell (1966-1970)
Howell was a key part of the Celtics championships of the late 1960s, winning two banners with Boston in 1968 and 1969, and would make the All-Star team with the Celtics in 1967.
He would average 18 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists over four seasons with Boston.
No. 5 All-Time – Paul Silas (1972-76)
Silas would win two of his three championships with the Celtics — one in 1974, the other in 1976 — after being traded to the team from the Phoenix Suns — a move he initially hated, but came around to after befriending legendary coach Red Auerbach.
He would also make an All-Star team while playing for Boston in 1975, the NBA’s All-Defensive team four times (1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976) before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in 1976.
Silas averaged 11.5 points, 12.3 boards and 2.7 assists with the Celtics.
No. 4 All-Time – Tom “Satch” Sanders (1960-73)
Satch Sanders was a critical defensive part of Boston’s dynasty in the 1960s, and one of the winningest players in franchise (and NBA) history, with eight championship rings to his name.
Trailing only teammates Bill Russell (11) and Sam Jones (10) and tied with fellow Celtics John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn and K. C. Jones, Sanders would be elected to the 1969 NBA All-Defensive Team, though he never made an All-Star team.
The NYU product averaged 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 assist over his 13-year career, all with Boston.
No. 3 All-Time – Tommy Heinsohn (1956-65)
Another eight-time champion, Heinsohn was part of the initial core along with Bill Russell — who he beat out for rookie of the year in 1957 — that launched the behemoth which dominated the league throughout the next decade.
The Holy Cross product would be elected to six All-Star Games and four All-NBA Second Teams during his nine-year NBA career, all of which was with the Celtics. Heinsohn would average 18.6 points, 8.8 boards and 2 assists per game in that stretch.
No. 2 All-Time – Kevin McHale (1980-93)
Not just an all-time great Celtic power forward, the Minnesota native was among the greatest power forwards in the history of the NBA.
The former Golden Gopher would win three banners with Boston (1981, 1984, 1986) and make seven All-Star Games as a Celtic as well as six All-Defensive Teams. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award twice (1984 and 1985) and the All-Rookie First Team in 1981) for good measure.
His 13-year career was entirely spent on Boston’s roster, during which he averaged 17.9 points, 7.3 boards, 1.7 assists and as many blocks, despite coming off the bench for much of his early career.
No. 1 All-Time – Larry Bird (1979-92)
Admittedly, much of the career of the Hick from French Lick was played at small forward. But for two of his three playoff runs that ended in hanging a banner, Bird played power forward, so we’ll claim him at the four.
In addition to those three banners (1981, 1984, 1986), the Indiana native was named league MVP three times in a row (1984-86), Finals MVP twice (1984, 1986), was elected to 12 All-Star Games (including All-Star MVP in 1982), and 10 All-NBA Teams among many other honors.
The Indiana State product would average 24.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game over 13 seasons, all with Boston. One of the greatest to play the game at any position, it should not surprise to find the legendary forward atop the list of greatest Celtic power forwards.
