After Bill Russell, who are the next Greatest Celtic Centers of all time?

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

I'm not defending Tommy's over-enthusiasm here (god love it), but as context... Stiemsma had something like 6 blocks with zero fouls in 20 minutes the first game he came off the bench for the '11 - '12 team. Because he was legitimately long, really quick off his feet, and contested *hard* at the very first sign of a shot.

By about two-three weeks later the scouting report had gotten around, guys started pump-faking him, and his block-to-foul ratio quickly reversed.

But (now in Tommy's defense) the initial honeymoon was a lot of fun

That Washington game where Tommy was raving about the Steamer was (and I think I remember that game and Tommy making that reference) was something like Stiemsma's second week with the team. So well within the honeymoon.

 

[Saints Rest]

The first time I heard of Parish was in an old Basketball digest article when he was putting up 17 and 12 in GS. I remember an unamed "executive" saying Parish would be incredible on a good team. My teenage heart always believed it was Red.

I remember going to a Celts game against GSW, in Bird's rookie year, IIRC. I was likely around 10-11. I remember my dad saying that "that guy Parish is so lazy, I would never want him on my team. Clifford Ray (GSW backup center) is the guy I want on my team."

Now my dad was no idiot when it came to basketball, being an active and die-hard Holy Cross alum, he was good friends with many of the HC greats of the 40s and 50s -- from Cousy to Palazzi to Heinson to Perry (Sr). He was also good friends with George Blaney, long-time HC for HC during its late-70s heyday. But he clearly missed the boat on Parish.

 

[DavidTai]

But he clearly missed the boat on Parish.

Did you ever remind him of this? What did he say in later years?

 

[Brand Name]

I remember going to a Celts game against GSW, in Bird's rookie year, IIRC. I was likely around 10-11. I remember my dad saying that "that guy Parish is so lazy, I would never want him on my team. Clifford Ray (GSW backup center) is the guy I want on my team."

Now my dad was no idiot when it came to basketball, being an active and die-hard Holy Cross alum, he was good friends with many of the HC greats of the 40s and 50s -- from Cousy to Palazzi to Heinson to Perry (Sr). He was also good friends with George Blaney, long-time HC for HC during its late-70s heyday. But he clearly missed the boat on Parish.

Checks out as February 29, 1980. Parish only shot 3 for 11 in 27 minutes starting, while Ray shot 5 for 10 off the bench, including the second of two threes he'd ever attempt. This was also Jo Jo White's first return game to Boston, having been traded for #9 in 1979 in January 1979.

 

[Saints Rest]

Did you ever remind him of this? What did he say in later years?

I don’t recall if I ever brought it up.
I do remember that he loved everything about Bird

 

[GreenMonsterVsGodzilla]

Honorable mention to Al Jefferson for getting us Kevin Garnett?

 

[Dollar]

Still no mention of Tony Battie in this thread? I'm disappointed, I loved that guy. And though he might not have been one of the best Celtics centers of all-time on the court, he was one of the greatest for another reason: he rushed through the nightclub to find Paul Pierce and rush him to the hospital after he was stabbed in 2000. Who knows what would have happened if Tony hadn't stepped up.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

If “greatest” means “tallest“ then its got to be Tacko Time.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

I remember going to a Celts game against GSW, in Bird's rookie year, IIRC. I was likely around 10-11. I remember my dad saying that "that guy Parish is so lazy, I would never want him on my team. Clifford Ray (GSW backup center) is the guy I want on my team."

Now my dad was no idiot when it came to basketball, being an active and die-hard Holy Cross alum, he was good friends with many of the HC greats of the 40s and 50s -- from Cousy to Palazzi to Heinson to Perry (Sr). He was also good friends with George Blaney, long-time HC for HC during its late-70s heyday. But he clearly missed the boat on Parish.

Funny thing is the GSW front office had basically the same evaluation of Parish. Two things that people hated about Chief before he was traded to BOS: (i) he would shoot a lot jump shots instead of "banging" in the low post and (ii) he - as we all know - was expressionless when he played.

Good thing Red saw something else.

 

[Bosoxian]

Funny thing is the GSW front office had basically the same evaluation of Parish. Two things that people hated about Chief before he was traded to BOS: (i) he would shoot a lot jump shots instead of "banging" in the low post and (ii) he - as we all know - was expressionless when he played.

Good thing Red saw something else.

And they got JBC for him, ironically. Or as he was called in the local papers at the time, Just Barely Cares.

 

[jose melendez]

I remembered Blount having a much better peak year than he actually did.