The Boston Celtics are the most storied franchise in NBA history, and they've done so by drafting some of the game's greatest players of all-time. Here are their best draft picks in franchise history:
3) John Havlicek – 7th overall pick, 1962
John Havlicek played a total of 16 seasons in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, winning eight championship rings and 13 All-Star selections. He posted career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, and was voted as one of the top 50 players in NBA history. Teams are hoping for greatness when they draft a player seventh overall, but Havlicek exceeded all expectations.
2) Paul Pierce – 10th overall pick, 1998
Paul Pierce was the steal of the draft in 1998 as the future Hall of Famer fell to 10th overall. His 15-year stint with the Celtics helped lead the team out of its longest-ever championship drought in 2008, and the 10-time All-Star is loved in Boston for helping the team through one of the roughest stretches in franchise history. He has his name on the statistical leader boards of the franchise, and while he's not as good as the other two players on this list, getting a player of his caliber with the No. 10 pick is one of the biggest steals in league history.
1) Larry Bird – 6th overall pick, 1978
How did five teams pass on Larry Legend? Bird is widely considered to be a top 10 player of all-time, and was named an All-Star in 12 of his 13-year career with the Celtics. The three-time NBA champion is best known for putting the NBA on the global map (with Magic Johnson), and is one of the sports' true icons - and Boston got him with the No. 6 pick.
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