NBA

The starting lineup for every Boston Celtics championship team in NBA history

Do the 2024 champions have any claim over the 60s super-teams?

Published by

Frank Seal

The Boston Celtics are perhaps the most storied franchise in the annals of NBA history, boasting a record 18 championships and an enduring legacy of excellence.

From their inception in 1946 as one of the league's original teams to their recent 2024 triumph, the Celtics have crafted a rich tapestry of success, marked by iconic players and legendary moments. As we traverse the timeline from their first championship in 1957 to the latest victory, the question arises: which Celtics championship lineup stands above the rest?

Beginning with the current squad that reclaimed the crown by vanquishing the Dallas Mavericks and completed one of the more dominant seasons in recent memory, we will journey through each title-winning team.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

We'll revisit the era of Bill Russell, whose dominance in the late 1950s and 1960s built an unmatched dynasty with 11 rings in 13 seasons and an incomprehensible eight in succession.

We then look at the rebirth under Larry Bird's leadership in the 1980s. We'll celebrate the resurgence brought by the new "Big Three" of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen in 2008, and the continued brilliance with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum leading the charge today.

Which of these championship lineups was the greatest?

2024

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Al Horford

2008

PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins

1986

PG: Dennis Johnson
SG: Danny Ainge
SF: Larry Bird
PF: Kevin McHale
C: Robert Parish

1984

PG: Dennis Johnson
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Larry Bird
PF: Cedric Maxwell
C: Robert Parish

1981

PG: Nate Archibald
SG: Chris Ford
SF: Larry Bird
PF: Cedric Maxwell
C: Robert Parish

1976

PG: Jo Jo White
SG: Charlie Scott
SF: John Havlicek
PF: Paul Silas
C: Dave Cowens

1974

PG: Jo Jo White
SG: Don Chaney
SF: John Havlicek
PF: Paul Silas
C: Dave Cowens

1969

PG: Larry Siegfried
SG: Sam Jones
SF: Snatch Sanders
PF: Bailey Howell
C: Bill Russell

1968

PG: Larry Siegfried
SG: Sam Jones
SF: John Havlicek
PF: Bailey Howell
C: Bill Russell

1966

PG: K.C. Jones
SG: Sam Jones
SF: John Havlicek
PF: Snatch Sanders
C: Bill Russell

1965

PG: K.C. Jones
SG: Sam Jones
SF: Tom Heinsohn
PF: Snatch Sanders
C: Bill Russell

1964

PG: K.C. Jones
SG: Sam Jones
SF: John Havlicek
PF: Snatch Sanders
C: Bill Russell

1963

PG: Bob Cousy
SG: Sam Jones
SF: Frank Ramsey
PF: Tom Heinsohn
C: Bill Russell

1962

PG: Bob Cousy
SG: Sam Jones
SF: Tom Sanders
PF: Tom Heinsohn
C: Bill Russell

1961

PG: Bob Cousy
SG: Sam Jones
SF: Frank Ramsey
PF: Tom Heinsohn
C: Bill Russell

1960

PG: Bob Cousy
SG: Bill Sharman
SF: Frank Ramsey
PF: Tom Heinsohn
C: Bill Russell

1959

PG: Bob Cousy
SG: Bill Sharman
SF: Frank Ramsey
PF: Tom Heinsohn
C: Bill Russell

1957

PG: Bob Cousy
SG: Bill Sharman
SF: Frank Ramsey
PF: Tom Heinsohn
C: Bill Russell

Published by

Frank Seal

6 months ago