Best Offensive Duo In Celtics History

[hpantazo]

The fact that this is even a legit discussion is enough to make me very happy.

[tenn_smoothie]

This is the easiest question in history - Bird & McHale, not even close.

[tenn_smoothie]

You have to go with mid 80’s Bird and McHale as others have said.

I just wanted to add it would have been interesting to see Lewis and Bias together in their prime.

Amen - think about those two young stars with the 80's group as a supporting cast along with pretty good role players like Shaw, Brown and Fox. I'm sure Red would have added just the right player to get this group over the hump and the dynasty would have continued without the painful interruption we suffered through. Think of the Lakers without Worthy and Byron Scott, who would not even have been as good as Bias/Lewis. Don't get me started - No team in history has had that type of tragedy to deal with.

[Emmette Bryant]

In 70-71 John Havlicek averaged 28.9 PPG. He was complemented by Jo Jo White, who averaged 21.3 PPG.

In 71-72 Hondo averaged 27.5 PPG. Jo Jo average 23.1 PPG.

They were pretty good players and deserve to be mentioned in this thread.

[gouki88]

This is the easiest question in history - Bird & McHale, not even close.

Except it is actually close, in terms of scoring.

[nickagneta]

This is the easiest question in history - Bird & McHale, not even close.

Except it is actually close, in terms of scoring.

How close is it when Tatum and Brown have 4 more years doing it together and get to the same age as Bird and McHale were when at their best?

[hpantazo]

I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that nobody has mentioned the Pierce-Walker duo yet

[trickybilly]

If RWIII becomes anything like Chief, watch out!

Parish was always my favourite of the Bird-era Celtics, so I would be very happy with this - although they're quite different players playing a different game.

Speaking of different eras, minorly interesting that Tatum has already passed Ray in terms of threes made for the C's.

Me too. I don't think Rob ever approaches Chief's post-up game though, or his spot up game, but they are similar defensively.

Curious to know how many total jumpers Rob has taken this year. Feels like Ime has just totally banned him getting ambitious around the nail.

[GreenlyGreeny]

When JT/JB have five appearances in the NBA Finals and 3 or more rings, then we can talk about them being comparable to Bird/McHale.

[Surferdad]

If RWIII becomes anything like Chief, watch out!

Parish was always my favourite of the Bird-era Celtics, so I would be very happy with this - although they're quite different players playing a different game.

Speaking of different eras, minorly interesting that Tatum has already passed Ray in terms of threes made for the C's.

Me too. I don't think Rob ever approaches Chief's post-up game though, or his spot up game, but they are similar defensively.

Curious to know how many total jumpers Rob has taken this year. Feels like Ime has just totally banned him getting ambitious around the nail.

Agree with the 1st half of that sentence but disagree on the 2nd half.  Rob is more like Bill Russell defensively.  Chief was a good defender but not close to what Rob can do.

[Big333223]

I've got to go with Bird / McHale.  That '87 year in particular was incredible.

McHale led the NBA in FG%, and Larry averaged 7.6 assists.  They averaged 4.9 offensive rebounds between them.

In 70-71 John Havlicek averaged 28.9 PPG. He was complemented by Jo Jo White, who averaged 21.3 PPG.

In 71-72 Hondo averaged 27.5 PPG. Jo Jo average 23.1 PPG.

They were pretty good players and deserve to be mentioned in this thread.

Definitely. In '72, Hondo was 27.5 ppg, 7.5 apg and Jo Jo was 23.1 ppg, 5.4 apg. They were 1 and 2 in minutes, had a top 5 offense that season, and won the championship. Larry/Mchale is probably the answer but don't sleep on these guys.

Pierce and Walker deserve some love too, especially in '02 when they were both all stars and the Celtics went to the ECF even though they had no one else on that team.

Also, Cousy and Sharman back in the 50's were a pretty dynamic duo.

[Roy H.]

If RWIII becomes anything like Chief, watch out!

Parish was always my favourite of the Bird-era Celtics, so I would be very happy with this - although they're quite different players playing a different game.

Speaking of different eras, minorly interesting that Tatum has already passed Ray in terms of threes made for the C's.

Me too. I don't think Rob ever approaches Chief's post-up game though, or his spot up game, but they are similar defensively.

Curious to know how many total jumpers Rob has taken this year. Feels like Ime has just totally banned him getting ambitious around the nail.

Agree with the 1st half of that sentence but disagree on the 2nd half.  Rob is more like Bill Russell defensively.  Chief was a good defender but not close to what Rob can do.

Can you explain what you mean by "Rob is more like Bill Russell defensively"?

[hardlyyardley]

Pierce and Walker should not be mentioned in the same breath as Bird/McHale; Cousy/Sharman/ Hondo/JoJo or even Tiny/Cowens

[hardlyyardley]

Oops...Tiny was past his prime with Cowens but still effective

[RJD1974]

If RWIII becomes anything like Chief, watch out!

Parish was always my favourite of the Bird-era Celtics, so I would be very happy with this - although they're quite different players playing a different game.

Speaking of different eras, minorly interesting that Tatum has already passed Ray in terms of threes made for the C's.

Me too. I don't think Rob ever approaches Chief's post-up game though, or his spot up game, but they are similar defensively.

Curious to know how many total jumpers Rob has taken this year. Feels like Ime has just totally banned him getting ambitious around the nail.

Agree with the 1st half of that sentence but disagree on the 2nd half.  Rob is more like Bill Russell defensively.  Chief was a good defender but not close to what Rob can do.

Can you explain what you mean by "Rob is more like Bill Russell defensively"?

Looks like he's saying that he plays defense more like Russell than like Parish.