The Celtics Could be Starting All Hall-of-Famers

Take the time this season to watch at least one Boston Celtics game. The starting line-up could potentially be only the third team to feature five future Hall-of-Famers. The 61-62 Celtics started five hall-of-famers, and the 85-86 Celtics had five hall-of-famers. In addition, I can only find two teams that started even four hall-of-famers (not including the Celtics of the 60’s). Every player who has scored more than 20,500 points in their careers has made the Hall-of-Fame or will make it (Gary Payton, Allen Iverson). Seven active players have reached that plateau, and four play on this year’s Celtics. Shaq, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. They have more 20,000 point scorers than the rest of the league combined (Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant). Rajon Rondo is the fifth starter and is often considered the team’s best player right now. He is too young to project as a Hall-of-Famer, but his numbers have consistently gone up and this year he is averaging 11.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 14.1 apg, 2.2 steals a game, and shooting over 50% from the field. Also he is already 1^st-Team All Defensive player. At 24 years old, barring injury or a sever regression in skill over the next eight years, Rajon Rondo could join the rest of the starting line-up in Springfield, MA someday. So do yourself a favor and watch a Celtics game, because while they may not bring about the buzz like the Heat or Lakers this year, the talent is extraordinary, even if Shaq, Allen, and Garnett are well past their primes.

Here is a look at the other Hall-of-Fame loaded teams

The 1961-62 Celtics (there were only 9 teams in the NBA)

Bill Russell, John Havelicek, Frank Ramsey, Tommy Heinsohn, Bob Cousy

The 1985-86 Celtics

Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Bill Walton (6^th man, did not start, injuries)

The 2004 Lakers (Lost to Pistons in Finals)

Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton, Karl Malone

Teams with Three: Lakers in the 80s (Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Bulls 96-98 (Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman), Miami Heat 06 (Dwyane Wade, Gary Payton, Shaquille O’Neal), Lakers of the late 60’s (Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain)… and I’m sure there are others as well.