Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Who is the best duo from each franchise’s history

By Christopher Jeter

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. 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 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. 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 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 31
Next
(Photo by Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Photo by Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Best duo from Boston Celtics history: Larry Bird and Kevin McHale

Well, you don’t win 17 championships without drafting, developing, trading for, and signing a few all-time great players.

Whether it was the underappreciated Bill Russell or Kevin Garnett leading anchoring some of the greatest defenses in NBA history or John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Jo Jo White, Paul Pierce contributing their greatness to the championship cause, the Boston Celtics have housed at least one Hall of Fame player on their roster for much of their history.

That said, Boston’s storied history isn’t filled with that many duos. Red Auerbach built much of those dominant 1960s teams around rosters that wouldn’t look out of place at an All-Star game, the 70s featured a revolving door of stars around Havlicek, and their most recent title run in 2007-08 was steered by the Garnett/Pierce/Ray Allen Big 3. The less said about the 90s, the better.

That leaves the 80s, where Boston snagged three titles while engaged in a rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers that brought the league to prominence, for all intents and purposes. Which two players were at the forefront of this success?

With Larry Bird — one of the greatest small forwards in NBA lore — and Kevin McHale — a low post savant despite looking like Herman Munster’s stunt double (man, that’s a washed reference) — the Celtics became the team in Boston. While there are many explanations for why the city embraced these two that ties into the historical racial tensions of the city (keep in mind that this team wasn’t nearly as beloved during the Russell-era, which bore more team success), their collective play (combined 20.4 WS per season) and the team’s success played a huge role in that legendary status.