Mount Celtic: The Ultimate Boston Celtics Dream Teams—Legends, Controversy, and the Shocking Omissions That Have Fans Furious

In the hallowed halls of TD Garden, history isn’t just remembered—it’s worshipped. The Boston Celtics, with their 18 championship banners and parade of Hall of Fame legends, are more than a basketball team—they’re a dynasty, a religion, a living, breathing monument to greatness. But what if you could carve the faces of the Celtics’ greatest into a Mount Rushmore of basketball? Who makes the cut—and who gets left out in the cold?

Welcome to **Mount Celtic**—the ultimate first and second team lineups, featuring titans like Larry Bird, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Derrick White, Ray Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. But as fans debate the picks, shocking omissions and behind-the-scenes drama threaten to overshadow the celebration.

The First Team: Legends Set in Stone

Let’s start with the first team—five players whose names are etched in Celtics lore, whose legacies define generations.

Larry Bird: The “Hick from French Lick,” three-time MVP, and the man who brought swagger back to Boston in the 1980s. Bird’s icy stare and clutch shooting made him a legend—and his rivalry with Magic Johnson saved the NBA. But what most fans don’t know is just how close Bird came to never playing for Boston. In 1978, contract negotiations nearly fell apart, and Bird considered returning to Indiana State for good. If not for a last-minute intervention by Red Auerbach, Celtics history might have been rewritten.

Bill Russell: Eleven rings. Two as a player-coach. The ultimate winner—and, shockingly, a man who endured relentless racism in Boston despite delivering the city its first sports dynasty. Russell’s defensive dominance is legendary, but the real shock is how little credit he received in his own time. “I played for the Celtics, not for Boston,” Russell once said, revealing the painful truth behind his stoic public persona.

John Havlicek: “Havlicek stole the ball!” The most famous play-by-play in NBA history immortalized Hondo, the relentless swingman who won eight titles and never stopped running. But Havlicek’s career almost ended before it began—he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as a wide receiver and nearly chose football over basketball. Imagine a world where Havlicek never donned green and white.

Paul Pierce: The Truth. Stabbed 11 times in 2000, Pierce’s survival and return to All-NBA form is one of sports’ most shocking comebacks. He led the Celtics through the dark days and finally delivered a title in 2008. But behind the scenes, Pierce’s relationship with Boston management was often strained. In 2007, he privately demanded a trade, frustrated by years of losing. The blockbuster deal for Kevin Garnett changed everything—but it almost never happened.

Jayson Tatum: The new face of the franchise, Tatum’s rise has been meteoric. But the real surprise? The Celtics didn’t even want him at first. In the 2017 draft, Boston traded down from #1 to #3, gambling that Tatum would still be there. It was a risky move—one that could have cost them their next superstar.

The Second Team: Underdogs, Enforcers, and the Most Controversial Snub in Celtics History

Now, the second team—an eclectic mix of champions, role players, and one of the most divisive figures in franchise history.

Kevin Garnett: The Big Ticket. His arrival in 2007 instantly transformed the Celtics into contenders. But what fans may not realize is how close Garnett came to rejecting Boston altogether. In 2007, he initially refused a trade, wary of the Celtics’ losing culture. Only after Ray Allen joined—and Paul Pierce personally recruited him—did KG agree. The rest is history: Defensive Player of the Year, 2008 champion, and the heart of the new Big Three.

Rajon Rondo: The mercurial point guard whose genius was matched only by his unpredictability. Rondo’s playoff heroics are legendary, but so are his clashes with coaches and teammates. In 2012, he nearly fought Doc Rivers in practice. In 2014, he was suspended for arguing with team staff. Yet, when the lights were brightest, Rondo delivered—nearly averaging a triple-double in the 2012 playoffs.

Derrick White: The unsung hero of the 2020s Celtics, White’s arrival via trade was met with skepticism. But his clutch defense, timely shooting, and unselfish play have made him a fan favorite. The shock? White was nearly dealt again in 2023 as part of a failed blockbuster for another All-Star. Boston’s front office, often criticized for impatience, finally held firm—and White rewarded their faith.

Ray Allen: The sharpshooter whose three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals saved LeBron James’ legacy—but also earned Allen the eternal wrath of Celtics Nation. When Allen left Boston for Miami in 2012, it sparked a feud that still simmers. Kevin Garnett reportedly stopped speaking to him, and Paul Pierce called it “the ultimate betrayal.” Yet Allen’s role in the 2008 title run can’t be erased.

Kendrick Perkins: The enforcer. Perkins’ stats don’t jump off the page, but his impact was felt in the trenches. What’s shocking is how his 2011 trade to Oklahoma City—done to clear cap space—devastated the locker room and, some say, cost Boston a second title. “We lost our edge,” Garnett said later. Perkins, for his part, has become a media star, often criticizing his old team with the same ferocity he brought to the paint.

The Shocking Omissions: Where’s Cousy? Where’s McHale?

But here’s where Mount Celtic becomes truly controversial. No Bob Cousy—the Houdini of the Hardwood, the original Celtics superstar? No Kevin McHale, the low-post magician with seven All-Star nods? No Sam Jones, no Dave Cowens, no Robert Parish?

Fans are furious. Social media exploded after our Mount Celtic reveal, with one post reading, “Leaving Cousy off is like leaving Lincoln off Mount Rushmore!” Another: “No McHale? No Cowens? This is a crime against Celtics history!”

Team insiders say the selection committee wanted to balance eras, positions, and impact—not just stats. “It’s about legacy, leadership, and the moments that defined the franchise,” said one anonymous source.

The Verdict: A Legacy Still Being Written

Mount Celtic isn’t just a list—it’s a debate, a celebration, and a reminder that greatness is always up for discussion. As Jayson Tatum forges his own legend and new heroes emerge, one thing is certain: the Celtics’ mountain of greatness will only keep growing.

Will history vindicate these picks—or will future generations look back in shock at the names we left behind? Only time, and banners, will tell.