Is Pierce a Top 5 All Time Celtic?

[Redz]

While Charles Barkley was busy giving Pierce no chance to win the 3 Point contest he and Kenny Smith were debating whether the Captain in a Top 5 All Time Celtic.

According to the polls Casperian conducted last year Pierce ranks 7th  http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=32500.msg598743#msg598743

On most other franchises Pierce would be right up there, but in Boston I don't believe he cracks the top 5.

[jdpapa3]

I don't think he can crack the top 3, but I could see him making the top 5.

[KungPoweChicken]

Charles Barkley will always bash Pierce every chance he gets. Everyone knows that. The man knows nothing about Pierce's career, nor does he know anything about the Celtic's history. Pierce is a lock for top 10 in Celtics history, and he makes a very strong case to be in the top 5.

[rondohondo]

He is top 5 only if he wins another championship

Rusell
Bird
Hondo
Cousy
McHale

I grew up in the 90's so I might be missing some?

[csfansince60s]

I think he is there:

1. Russell
2. Bird
3/4 Cousy/Havlicek (hard to separate)
5. PP ?

While McHale is, next to Bird, my favorite C, he never had to, nor do I think could he, carry a team on his back for the # of years PP did. Nor could he engineer a comeback like PP did vs the Nets in that historic playoff game. McHale was a uniquely talented player at his position, but I think PP's productivity over a longer period of time carries the day for him.

[jdpapa3]

Yea, after further thought he might be on that 5/6 bubble already.

[Change]

Based on individual play, Pierce is easily top5. The only reason Pierce doesn't make top5 is championships he can't compete with those. He is already 3rd in points in franchise history. Sometime next season, He'll passes Larry for 2nd all-time. Charles Barkley is a bonafide Pierce HATER!! Pierce is Top5 all-time Celtic.

[indeedproceed]

He's close if he's not in. One more chip would work.

[Donoghus]

I think he's already around 5/6.

[slamtheking]

tough call.  he won't crack the top 4 of Russell, Bird, Cousy and Hondo.  Question is, will he be considered better than Mchale and Cowens who are the other candidates for the 5 spot in my view.

[snively]

Pierce/McHale is a tough call, but if push came to shove, I'd take Pierce.  The man endured so many years as the only good thing about the Celtics, while McHale's legacy was buoyed by sharing almost his entire career with fellow hall of famers.

[Andy Jick]

i like the above list given by rondohondo...

...but being the 6th best celtic ever is nothing to be ashamed of.

[MaxwellSmart86]

Pierce top 6-7

Give Barkley a little break though...

he DID say that the Celtics were the TOP NBA Franchise--AHEAD of the Lakers...and Reggie Miller agreed-!!

And Barkley ALWAYS says that McHale was the BEST player he ever played against---so, Chuck does not hate on the C's.

[Who]

I think my selections in Casperian's poll were

#1 - Russell
#2 - Bird
#3 - Havlicek
#4 - Cowens
#5 - McHale
#6 - Cousy
#7 - Pierce
#8 - Parish

I'm pretty happy with that. I don't think I'd change those rankings.

[MF Doom]

1. Russel.......Antoine would be first if he won a ring here
2. Bird
3. Hondo
4. Pierce
5. Cousy
6. McHale
7. Cowens
8. JoJo White
9. Robert Parish
10. Scal. But seriously the tenth choice would be tough for me.

Btw I am only 17 and basing my list on from what I have heard from my family elders, who are die hard C fans, and stats.