NBA analyst Frank Urbina of our sister site Hoops Hype recently put together a comprehensive analysis of how much each team possessing the contract of some of the NBA’s biggest stars over the past three decades was supported by the willingness to spend to surround those stars with the talent needed to compete for titles, with a trio of Boston Celtics making the cut.
Per Urbina, H/H ranked players who debuted after 1990 “based on much their teams spent relative to the league average during their time in the league” given that “it’s a bit harder to win titles when your team’s owner is not spending big bucks” to get the supporting cast such ventures require.
Let’s take a look at where the three Celtics alumni who would qualify as stars in the era they played for Boston (sorry, Shaquille O’Neal, had your health been better, you might have made this list for Boston as well).
A look at Russell’s time with Boston and beyond captured in images. https://t.co/7S248K69Rf
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 27, 2023
No. 18 - Ray Allen
Team salary expenses: 1.58% more than league average
Salary expenses in championship season: 13.99% more than league average
No. 11 - Kevin Garnett
Team salary expenses: 6.41% more than league average
Salary expenses in championship season: 8.30% more than league average
No. 9 - Paul Pierce
Team salary expenses: 8.06% more than league average
Salary expenses in championship season: 8.30% more than league average
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