Who are the most underrated and overrated Celtics alltime

[dysgenic]

Underrated:

3. Dennis Johnson.
Ice in his veins.  Great defensive player.  Created matchup problems with his size and post up ability.  Bird said he was the best player he ever played with.
2. Robert Parish.
Reliable, tough, and much more athletic than people gave him credit for.  Could have been even better if he played with a fastbreak team.
1. Paul Pierce.
Much better than his numbers indicate.  The best player in '08 on a team with at least 3 hall of famers.  Tough, physically and mentally.  A winner.

Overrated:

(my only one)
Reggie Lewis.
I'm sorry he died, but I never liked his game.  He was a one trick pony (shooting off the dribble).  His one trick was a great trick, but he was below average in just about every other aspect of the game.

I only went with guys that I've got a chance to see live.

[xmuscularghandix]

What about Reggie’s defensive ability? It’s a pro for DJ but not mentioned at all with Lewis. Reggie also wasn’t a one trick pony, he understood where he could be most effective and attacked from those spots. Lewis was a good offensive rebounder, and could get inside and draw the contact pretty well, then knock down FTs with good efficiency.

This thread is probably gonna erupt but I’m just gonna say... that it’s a little bit whack to say a 27 year old player, who died after an all-star season, his 5th consecutive 1,300+ point year, and a playoff birth is overrated.




ON ANOTHER SUBJECT.

Sam Jones is my most underrated Celtic.

One of the most clutch shooters of all time, a big time scorer despite being on a “we not me” team. MR. CLUTCH. listen to Russell himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQ-XfFN9Dc


My most overrated might be Larry Bird. And take this the right way. He is a top 10 player of all time, top 2 at his position, top 3 in clutch shots, could do EVERYTHING (except defend at a all-defensive level), and he’s pretty bad ass.

But Larry Bird did not shoot 100% from the field and the Celtics were not 897-0 over his career. I know that this is impossible, but some locals when talking about Larry Legend leave you feeling like this.

I <3 Larry, but he was not flawless... neither is Michael Jordan. Only Bill Russell is.

[dysgenic]

I specifically said that I was sorry about Reggie Lewis' untimely death.  How is it disrespectful to honestly analyze the guys career?  AS A BASKETBALL PLAYER, I stand by my original post... I think he is the most overrated Celtic that I've ever seen.  I can honestly say that for a starter, he was one of the worst passing Celtics ever.  But I will admit that he deserves credit for his defense.  Again, I'm sorry the guy died.

I actually agree with you on Bird.  Bird was most certainly one of the best players ever, but he didn't dominate consistently enough to be in the class of Jordan or Russell. 

What about Reggie’s defensive ability? It’s a pro for DJ but not mentioned at all with Lewis. Reggie also wasn’t a one trick pony, he understood where he could be most effective and attacked from those spots. Lewis was a good offensive rebounder, and could get inside and draw the contact pretty well, then knock down FTs with good efficiency.

This thread is probably gonna erupt but I’m just gonna say... that it’s a little bit whack to say a 27 year old player, who died after an all-star season, his 5th consecutive 1,300+ point year, and a playoff birth is overrated.




ON ANOTHER SUBJECT.

Sam Jones is my most underrated Celtic.

One of the most clutch shooters of all time, a big time scorer despite being on a “we not me” team. MR. CLUTCH. listen to Russell himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQ-XfFN9Dc


My most overrated might be Larry Bird. And take this the right way. He is a top 10 player of all time, top 2 at his position, top 3 in clutch shots, could do EVERYTHING (except defend at a all-defensive level), and he’s pretty bad ass.

But Larry Bird did not shoot 100% from the field and the Celtics were not 897-0 over his career. I know that this is impossible, but some locals when talking about Larry Legend leave you feeling like this.

I <3 Larry, but he was not flawless... neither is Michael Jordan. Only Bill Russell is.

[xmuscularghandix]

I specifically said that I was sorry about Reggie Lewis' untimely death.  How is it disrespectful to honestly analyze the guys career?  AS A BASKETBALL PLAYER, I stand by my original post... I think he is the most overrated Celtic that I've ever seen.  I can honestly say that for a starter, he was one of the worst passing Celtics ever.  But I will admit that he deserves credit for his defense.  Again, I'm sorry the guy died.

I actually agree with you on Bird.  Bird was most certainly one of the best players ever, but he didn't dominate consistently enough to be in the class of Jordan or Russell. 

What about Reggie’s defensive ability? It’s a pro for DJ but not mentioned at all with Lewis. Reggie also wasn’t a one trick pony, he understood where he could be most effective and attacked from those spots. Lewis was a good offensive rebounder, and could get inside and draw the contact pretty well, then knock down FTs with good efficiency.

This thread is probably gonna erupt but I’m just gonna say... that it’s a little bit whack to say a 27 year old player, who died after an all-star season, his 5th consecutive 1,300+ point year, and a playoff birth is overrated.




ON ANOTHER SUBJECT.

Sam Jones is my most underrated Celtic.

One of the most clutch shooters of all time, a big time scorer despite being on a “we not me” team. MR. CLUTCH. listen to Russell himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQ-XfFN9Dc


My most overrated might be Larry Bird. And take this the right way. He is a top 10 player of all time, top 2 at his position, top 3 in clutch shots, could do EVERYTHING (except defend at a all-defensive level), and he’s pretty bad ass.

But Larry Bird did not shoot 100% from the field and the Celtics were not 897-0 over his career. I know that this is impossible, but some locals when talking about Larry Legend leave you feeling like this.

I <3 Larry, but he was not flawless... neither is Michael Jordan. Only Bill Russell is.

I didn’t say you were disrespectful i’m just saying it’s a little strange to be critical of a 27 year old who still didn’t reach his prime, Especially when most cirlces acknowledge the fact that he never got to that “great player” status.

Although i would like to say that a fast-break team with a PG like Cousy or Rondo could have been HUGE for a player like Reggie Lewis.

I’m the type of guy that spends rainy days making Boston Celtics Legend teams on PS3 and just beating the hell out of people. Rondo, Hondo, Lewis, Bird, Russell can run on ANYBODY LOL.


And Larry is on Jordan level, neither are on Russell level. 


TP for the nice late night discussion

[drunk_guy_at_an_80s_party]

I <3 Larry, but he was not flawless... neither is Michael Jordan. Only Bill Russell is.

Couldn't hesitate to smile at this. TP for you. Russ is not completely flawless, though. Only won a ring in eleven of his thirteen seasons. ;-)

[2short]

underrated sam jones
overrated cedric maxwell has his number retired?

[Celtics17]

From a normal fan's perpective I would say Perk is one of the most underrated. Most C's fans know how good he is but even my friend who is a Lakers fan (man that was tough to get out( thinks Perk is bad. McHale is in my opinion underrated and that is with most analysts and experts saying how good he was. Parrish was way underrated. I dont know who said Reggie Lewis was overrated but wow!

[Bahku]

The most under-rated: Sherman Douglas

The most over-rated: Antoine Walker

[dysgenic]

I DEFINETELY agree that Perk is underrated.  I also agree that Max was overrated.  A couple of others:

OR- Antoine, Danny Ainge (as a player, not a GM), KC Jones (as a coach)
UR- Tiny, David Wesley, ML Carr

[thirstyboots18]

The most under-rated: Sherman Douglas

The most over-rated: Antoine Walker

Agree on both counts.   Vote is still out on Glen Davis...

[ram]

UNDERRATED: Bailey Howell, Gerald Henderson, Em Bryant (1969 playoff difference maker), Paul Silas (saved so many possessions in 1974 & 1976 title runs), KC Jones, Satch Sanders, Dee Brown, Dave Cowens (as great as anyone not named Russell), Bill Russell (the greatest champion ever, never gets his due because he didn't score 30 PPG)

OVERRATED:  Sherman Douglas (ball hog who couldn't defend)

NOTE: Maxwell was great when the chips were down (1981 Finals MVP and 1984 Game 7 stud, plus neutralized Dr.J in epic 1981 ECF). He also changed his game to become a defensive stopper once Bird joined the team.

[Bahku]

UNDERRATED: Bailey Howell, Gerald Henderson, Em Bryant (1969 playoff difference maker), Paul Silas (saved so many possessions in 1974 & 1976 title runs), KC Jones, Satch Sanders, Dee Brown, Dave Cowens (as great as anyone not named Russell), Bill Russell (the greatest champion ever, never gets his due because he didn't score 30 PPG)

OVERRATED:  Sherman Douglas (ball hog who couldn't defend)

NOTE: Maxwell was great when the chips were down (1981 Finals MVP and 1984 Game 7 stud, plus neutralized Dr.J in epic 1981 ECF). He also changed his game to become a defensive stopper once Bird joined the team.

Wow ... Sherman Douglas a ball-hog?!? He set the all-time assist record in the NCAA at Syracuse, and averaged anywhere between 6.9 and 8.5 assists/game for his NBA career, (Miami's MVP in his second year) ... he was NO ball-hog! And that mid-range floater was a thing of beauty, and defined the term "finger-roll". Sorry, but Sherm was constantly giving up his small body for the team, and ALWAYS looking to reward his team-mates .... one of the LEAST selfish PG's in Celtic history!

And as far as Dee Brown being under-rated, I have to strongly disagree there as well ... Dee was one of the most physically talented players we ever had, but to say he was one of the biggest disappointments in Celtics history would be an understatement. The highlight of his NBA career was the pumping of his Reeboks at the slam-dunk contest ... it's a shame, because his effort was but a fraction of his talent level, and his over-blown ego was his worst enemy.

[thirstyboots18]

I do not think that Bill Russell is underrated...he is recognized as the greatest champion of all time.  It was more the time he played in was a segregated era.  Dee Brown was not over or underrated, IMO...he got injured before he had a chance to fullfil his promise.  Sherm was a hustler and an assist man.  He didn't play with one of the  the more talented Celtics teams and didn't get the recognition.  Every Celt who has his number hanging in the rafters is aknowleged and is an icon.

[Bent]

Dee was one of the most physically talented players we ever had, but to say he was one of the biggest disappointments in Celtics history would be an understatement ... it's a shame, because his effort was but a fraction of his talent level, and his over-blown ego was his worst enemy

I realize there was a period towards the end of his run in Boston where he was overpaid and seemed to want out, but he was also a guy that absolutely played his heart out in some big games, so I wanted to mention that too.  I'd agree he wasn't underrated, but it was kind of awesome how he used to guard guys six inches taller than him.

I can't agree with Reggie Lewis being overrated either.  He was an elite defensive guard and there was more to his offensive game than just shooting off the dribble.  What about his post-up game.

Sorry, I can't help defending the guys I grew up watching!

Ultimately, how over or underrated a guy is tends to be completely subjective, so you'll never get anyone to agree on any of this!

[ram]

We will just have to disagree on Sherman/Dee, Bahku

The worst trade for the Celtics was Brian Shaw for Sherman Douglas. I liked Shaw (6'6" paired with 6'1" Brown) and getting Douglas changed Dee Brown's game for the worse. Even for those who like SD, having 2 midgets in the backcourt hurt the Celtics, leaving them no one to guard a big 2.

You're right, after year 2, Dee Brown was not very good but I'll always remember him for his 12/4/4 in just 25 minutes per game in the 1991-92 playoffs (and super block on Isiah) and imagine what he could have been.