Boston Celtics: Top 5 most underappreciated seasons in team history

CLEVELAND - MAY 11: Paul Pierce #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Tony Allen #42 while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 11, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. Boston won the game 120-88 to take a 3-2 series lead. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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1. Cedric Maxwell — 1980–1981 season

One could argue that Cedric Maxwell is the best player in Celtics franchise history that is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Maxwell totaled for eight seasons with the Celtics. His first couple of years in Boston was spent more so as one of the team’s primary scoring options. Most notably, Celtics fans remember Maxwell most from his 1980–1981 campaign. He rose up to be the team’s tertiary scoring option with a 15.2 points per game average on 58.8 percent shooting.

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But not many remember Maxwell for his just regular-season performances. Instead, he is still appreciated today for his constant clutch showings in the playoffs. He helped lead the team to a seven-game series win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals of that season.

Maxwell pushed himself even further over the 1981 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets. He was the workhorse player on both sides of the floor. From low-post scoring to winning rebound battles, Maxwell willed his way to the best series of his career.

Notable performances from that Finals included his Game 5 showing where he recorded 28 points and 15 rebounds in a 29-point home blowout victory.

Maxwell handily won 1981 NBA Finals MVP honors.

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