Top 5 Power Forwards In Boston Celtics History

Top 5 Power Forwards In Boston Celtics History

By Brian Kalchik

Top 5 Power Forwards In Boston Celtics Team History

Kevin McHale Celtics
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The power forward position is important to any team, especially the Boston Celtics. The Celtics' power forwards have been some of the best players in NBA history. These five are the best of the best and all led the Celtics to sustained periods of success.

5. Antoine Walker

Antoine Walker Celtics
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5. Antoine Walker

Antoine Walker Celtics
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The No. 6 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Antoine Walker, along with 1998 draft pick Paul Pierce, helped revitalize the Celtics and turned them into winners once again. During his time in Boston, Walker made three All-Star appearances, averaged 20.6 PPG and helped Boston reach two playoff appearances, including an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2001-02.

4. Cedric Maxwell

Cedric Maxwell Celtics
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4. Cedric Maxwell

Cedric Maxwell Celtics
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The MVP of the 1981 NBA Finals, Cedric Maxwell played a key role on two championship teams in the 1980s. While players like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale got all the credit, Maxwell was a key player and a clutch guy for the Celtics. In Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals, Maxwell scored 24 points in a Celtics victory. Maxwell averaged just over 13 PPG with the Celtics and his No. 31 is retired by the team.

3. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett Celtics
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3. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett Celtics
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Kevin Garnett played just six seasons with Boston, but his time in green rejuvenated the franchise into a championship-caliber team. His intensity and phenomenal play on defense helped the Celtics to win a title in 2008 and reach the Finals again in 2010. Garnett also provided the Celtics with the leadership they had been missing for years. With the Celtics, Garnett was a five-time All-Star and the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year.

2. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale Celtics
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2. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale Celtics
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A tremendous scorer with one of the best post games in NBA history, Kevin McHale shined playing alongside Larry Bird and helped Boston dominate the 1980s. McHale was a team-first player who cared more about winning than stats. With the Celtics, McHale won three titles, made seven All-Star Game appearances and his No. 32 is retired by the team. McHale also helped the Celtics by trading Garnett to Boston in 2007 when he was in Minnesota.

1. Tom Heinsohn

Tom Heinsohn Celtics
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1. Tom Heinsohn

Tom Heinsohn Celtics
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A bruising power forward out of Holy Cross, Tom Heinsohn's hustle and shooting touch made him a perfect frontcourt complement to Bill Russell. An agile big man who could score in a variety of ways, Heinsohn won the title in every year he played besides 1958. Though overshadowed by Russell and Bob Cousy, Heinsohn averaged 18.6 points, 8.8 boards and 2.0 assists per game. Heinsohn also coached the Celtics to two championships in the 1970s.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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