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NBA Draft: Each team’s greatest draft pick of all-time

By Daniel Lubofsky

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Greatest draft pick in Boston Celtics history: Larry Bird

One look at Larry Bird’s gangly and unathletic body and you wouldn’t think he was considered by many as one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history who continually struck fear into the hearts of the opposition. Only that’s exactly the legacy Larry Legend left behind as a member of the Boston Celtics.

He meant and did everything for the Celtics during the 1980s and early 1990s, averaging 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game over the course of a 12-year career in Boston.

As a shot-maker, there weren’t many like him. Bird stood 6’9”, taller than the average small forward, giving him a height advantage over his defender whenever he decided to let his jumper fly. He shot 37.6 percent from distance for his career on less than two attempts per game. Lord knows the damage he would’ve done today.

No opposing team wanted to see the ball in Bird’s hands with the game on the line. The man just oozed arrogance out of every pore with total faith in his work ethic to take and make the toughest of shots from anywhere on the court.

A lack of athleticism would hinder most players on the defensive end of the floor, but not Bird. He still found ways to thrive as a ball-hawking forward with length to overwhelm the opposition. You could stick him on just about anybody and feel confident in knowing No. 33 would give it his all to get a stop.

He was rarely given proper dues as a passer. He would not only always make the right play, but he also saw the game differently, able to dish through angles only he saw and thread the needle through the tightest of spaces.

Bird won the MVP trophy in three consecutive seasons and helped Boston to three NBA championships in five attempts. The numbers are overwhelming and the efficiency even more so. There simply weren’t many weaknesses in the basketball repertoire of the Hick from French Lick and it’s his all-around game that has him among the best to ever do it.

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