The most historic franchise in NBA history may soon see a new addition to its all-time top five by 2030.
Jayson Tatum‘s prime is just beginning, and he’s poised to leave his mark.
The Company
Here’s how the top 10 Boston Celtics players currently rank (in my humble opinion):
- Bill Russell
- Larry Bird
- John Havlicek
- Bob Cousy
- Paul Pierce
- Dave Cowens
- Kevin McHale
- Robert Parish
- Jayson Tatum
- Kevin Garnett
The Duke alum has already surpassed Rajon Rondo, Dennis Johnson, Jo Jo White, and Sam Jones in franchise history. Tatum matches or exceeds many in All-Star appearances, All-NBA selections, and MVP voting finishes.
Garnett’s spot is debatable. Tatum has played nearly 140 more games in a Celtics jersey and has already earned four All-NBA nods compared to Garnett’s zero with Boston.
A Second Ring is Crucial
If Tatum wins a second championship in 2025, things could get interesting. An argument could be made for him to climb as high as No. 6, depending on his performance throughout the season.
Parish and McHale won three titles in the 1980s, though they were often second or third options behind Larry Bird. While Jaylen Brown took home Finals MVP honors over Tatum in 2024, the St. Louis native led the team with a 25-point average.
Cowens remains one of the most underrated players in NBA history. He won the league MVP in 1973 and finished in the top four for the next three seasons. The big man made eight All-Star appearances and won two championships. Tatum will need more than a 2025 ring to surpass Cowens.
An MVP would change everything
This season, Tatum has been rising on the NBA’s 2024-25 MVP ladder, with his highest spot being in second place on Nov. 22. If he can bring that award back to Beantown, Tatum would be the fifth Celtic to do so and first since Bird in 1985.
Pierce is a Boston legend. He won the Finals MVP in 2008 after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. Over his 15-year Celtics career, Pierce led the team to the 2010 Finals, falling short to the Lakers, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals two more times. Tatum has nearly matched him in just seven years, advancing past the second round five times.
While it’s unlikely Tatum will win more championships than Cousy or Havlicek, who each claimed six, that doesn’t mean he can’t surpass them in overall franchise impact. Tatum is under contract through 2029, marking 12 seasons with the team that drafted him.
The Celtics’ core is positioned to contend for multiple championships, potentially elevating Tatum and Jaylen Brown to the top of franchise history. For now, Boston fans can appreciate the greatness unfolding before their eyes.
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