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Boston Celtics: 25 Best Players To Play For The Celtics

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of TD Garden prior to the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of TD Garden prior to the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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ATLANTA, GA – CIRCA 1984: Cedric Maxwell #31 of the Boston Celtics in action against the Atlanta Hawks during an NBA basketball game circa 1984 at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia. Maxwell played for the Celtics from 1977-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – CIRCA 1984: Cedric Maxwell #31 of the Boston Celtics in action against the Atlanta Hawks during an NBA basketball game circa 1984 at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia. Maxwell played for the Celtics from 1977-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

<strong> How Acquired: </strong>12th overall pick from UNC Charlotte, 1977 NBA Draft. SF. 1977-85. Cedric Maxwell. 18. player. 18

Cedric Maxwell averaged 22.3 points and 12.1 rebounds a game as a senior, leading UNC Charlotte to one of the most unlikely Final Four bids in NCAA tournament history.

The Boston Celtics used the 12th overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft on Maxwell and he turned into a reliable option at the small forward spot.

BOS_18_MAXWELL
BOS_18_MAXWELL /

Maxwell led the NBA in field-goal percentage in 1978-79 (.584) and 1979-80 (.609) and was also very effective on the offensive glass and at getting to the foul line.

As the Celtics made their big jump forward in the standings, Maxwell was a key contributor on championship teams in 1981 and 1984.

On a team with four future Hall of Famers in the 1981 NBA Finals, Maxwell became one of the most unlikely Finals MVPs in history as he led Boston with 17.7 points per game in the six-game victory over the Houston Rockets.

Maxwell remained with the Celtics until September 1985, when he was traded with a first-round pick in 1986 to the Los Angeles Clippers for Bill Walton.

In eight seasons in Boston, Maxwell averaged 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 30.5 minutes per game, shooting .559/1-for-13/.783.

Maxwell was traded by the Clippers to the Rockets in January 1987 for a first-round pick in 1987 and a second-rounder in 1989 and in October 1988 was dealt to the Washington Bullets for Jim Grandholm.

Maxwell didn’t make it to opening night with the Bullets. He was waived near the end of the preseason and retired.

Now a radio broadcaster in Boston, Maxwell is 20th in NBA history with a .545 field-goal percentage.

Next: Jesus Shuttlesworth Traded Stats For A Ring

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