CelticsStrong
Celtics Basketball => Celtics History => Topic started by: Big333223 on August 25, 2017, 03:16:47 PM
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What has been the best individual season performance by a Celtic since 1990?
Here are some contenders:
Isaiah Thomas 2016-17: Led the EC in scoring (28.9), the highest average of any Celtic since '88, on historic efficiency numbers relative to the volume of scoring (.463/.379/.909 2.8 TO), led the Celtics to 53 wins and an EC Finals berth.
Kevin Garnett 2007-08: Decent numbers (19 and 9) belie the significance of the cultural impact Garnett had on the Celtics. Earned a DPOY (the only major individual award a Celtic has won since '86), had a 25.3 PER (the highest for a Celtic since '88), led the Celtics to a historically great defense and helped bring banner #17. Also had 12.9 WS, tied with Paul Pierce for the most since '88.
Paul Pierce 2005-06: Pierce's best individual statistical season averaging 27-7-5 on .471/.354/.772, a career best 10.3 FTA per game, and his highest PER (23.6). 5th straight all star game. The Celtics were bad (33-49) but Pierce carried as heavy a load as he ever did, leading the team in points, rebounds, steals, and 2nd in assists.
Paul Pierce 2001-02: Pierce's coming out party. 26-7-3 on .442/.404/.809, Highest WS of his career (12.9, tied with Kevin Garnett for highest by a Celtic since '88) and made his first all star game while leading the Celtics to 49-33 and an EC Finals appearance.
Larry Bird 1989-90: Last great Bird season. Returned from only playing 6 games the year before to average 24-9.5-7.5. Led the Celtics to 52-30 but upset by the Knicks in the first round. Lesser Bird was still one of the greatest all around players ever.
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KG '08
Larry '90 runner-up.
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KG '08
Larry '90 runner-up.
2008 KG
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A year removed from IT's big season, I'm bumping and adding a poll.
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Man, its really hard to remove the probable recency bias here but the season IT had in '16-17 was some of the most impressive basketball I've ever seen by a Celtic.
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Definitely IT for me.
KG and Paul were amazing in those seasons, but IT had a pretty historic season.
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IT for me simply because of how unexpected it was. We all knew he was a deadly scorer off the bench. Nobody thought he would ever be a top 5 MVP candidate, even for a season, and lead a team to the Conference Finals.
All remarkable years though, especially Bird being able to play at that level despite being massively handicapped
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I remember reading it at the time it was one of the best statistical seasons ever by anyone for IT. I wonder if he will bounce back this year.
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In order of all-around impact:
2007-08 Garnett
2005-06 Pierce
1989-90 Bird
2016-17 Thomas
2001-02 Pierce
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I voted "the little guy" with enormous, heart and huge stones and GREEN blood.
The leading overachiever on a team of overachievers.
And I'm an old schooler who loves Bird (favorite player over Pierce and Havlicek) and thinks Russ is the true GOAT.
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saw every one of the nominated seasons. had to vote IT. absolutely unconscious on offense. tough call over KG who impacted both sides of the ball but IT had one of the best seasons I've ever seen offensively
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saw every one of the nominated seasons. had to vote IT. absolutely unconscious on offense. tough call over KG who impacted both sides of the ball but IT had one of the best seasons I've ever seen offensively
TP re KG!
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For me it was KG...He brought champion, attitude and toughness back to Boston after being MIA for decades...In the end, it is the Banner that matters and without KG, we are still trying to get back on track...Yes, IT was heroic and awe inspiring and amazing during regular season and playoffs, and yes, his supporting cast nowhere close to KG’s, but in the end, the banner matters...KG was the missing piece that got us over the top- he changed the attitude and fire of that team..
Not sure IT would have bought in to that 07 team as well..it is possible but really not sure...Would have loved to see him on that team though..love IT!
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For me it was KG...He brought champion, attitude and toughness back to Boston after being MIA for decades...In the end, it is the Banner that matters and without KG, we are still trying to get back on track...Yes, IT was heroic and awe inspiring and amazing during regular season and playoffs, and yes, his supporting cast nowhere close to KG’s, but in the end, the banner matters...KG was the missing piece that got us over the top- he changed the attitude and fire of that team..
Not sure IT would have bought in to that 07 team as well..it is possible but really not sure...Would have loved to see him on that team though..love IT!
This. I voted for KG 2008, but it was really about the impact he had on the team and the franchise. I simply couldn't ignore those factors, even though the poll is posed as "best individual season". Going by that strict definition, it's IT.
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I voted for KG. Larry Bird is my favorite player of all time, regardless of sport. I also really liked Pierce and IT. However, 2007-08 Garnett reminded me what it was like to watch true greatness every time he took the court. His passion for the game was infectious. He was one of the most intense players of all time, but his laser focus that season was unmatched. He was the clear cut MVP that season, but the writers decided to give it to Kobe instead as some sort of life time achievement award. For me, that season alone, qualifies KG for being on the list as one of the greatest Celtics of all time.
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I love KG and what he brought to the team, but I think it's important not to overstate his individual contributions on the floor. That team also had Pierce and Allen playing major roles to win that title. KG changed the culture and had a major impact but his individual greatness that season does not compare to Isaiah's last year.
It's gotta be IT. A 5'9 guy literally carried our team to the Eastern Conference Finals after losing his sister. What he did that year was so phenomenal and inspiring. Might be recency bias, but that was some of the most incredible basketball I've seen, specifically scoring 50+ against Washington. It seemed like legitimately nobody could guard him out there.
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Best season is IT.
Most valuable season is KG.
Just like the MVP they aren't necessarily the same thing.
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In 1991-92, a 35 year old Larry Bird had this season, his last:
20.2 PPG
9.6 RPG
6.8 APG
46.6% FG%
40.6% 3PT%
92.6% FT%
21.0 PER
24.6% DRP
14.4% TRP
Yes, just 45 games, but at 35 years old, that has to be the most amazing season for a Celtic since 90. There are 20 something aged stars that wish they could put up all around stats like that.
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Jason Tatum 2018-19.
Knocks wood.
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In 1991-92, a 35 year old Larry Bird had this season, his last:
20.2 PPG
9.6 RPG
6.8 APG
46.6% FG%
40.6% 3PT%
92.6% FT%
21.0 PER
24.6% DRP
14.4% TRP
Yes, just 45 games, but at 35 years old, that has to be the most amazing season for a Celtic since 90. There are 20 somethings stars that wish they could put up all around stats like that.
With an awful back.
I wonder how many 3's Larry would be chucking up in today's NBA?
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In 1991-92, a 35 year old Larry Bird had this season, his last:
20.2 PPG
9.6 RPG
6.8 APG
46.6% FG%
40.6% 3PT%
92.6% FT%
21.0 PER
24.6% DRP
14.4% TRP
Yes, just 45 games, but at 35 years old, that has to be the most amazing season for a Celtic since 90. There are 20 somethings stars that wish they could put up all around stats like that.
With an awful back.
I wonder how many 3's Larry would be chucking up in today's NBA?
Yeah, when you take into consideration his age and bad back, he was simply amazing.
Remember that classic Portland 2OT game he had with 49 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists all while nursing a bad back and sore Achilles? At 35 years old!
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Best season is IT.
Most valuable season is KG.
Just like the MVP they aren't necessarily the same thing.
What's the difference, for you?