Most 'Celtic' player in the NBA today?

[slightly biased bias fan]

I was recently thinking, in a perfect world if Celtics could get any player in the league, who would I want? Even though players like Bryant, Harden, James, Westbrook were/are great, I really wouldn't want these players to be my perfect Celtic. Bryant, Westbrook, Harden are way too ball dominant and self-involved to be real Celtics and James seems way too ego centric. My idea of a true Celtics is someone who is a star that doesn't care about his own points over what's best for the team, who leads within the frame work of the team and cares about defence as much as scoring, guys like Russell, Cousy, Bird, McHale, Walton, Garnett.

I'd say the perfect Celtic playing today is Duncan. I feel he has had a big input turning Spurs into the modern day C's dynasty (in terms of philosophy). But seeing as Duncan needs a walking cane to play these days I think it has to be Chris Paul. I know most would say Curry but I feel he is more of a follower turned leader by guys like Green & Bogut, where as someone like Paul has been the same type of guy since he walked into league. I also feel the same way about Leonard, if he was drafted by the Hornets or Kings I don't think he'd be the same type of player, yet alone a leader.

I am interested to know everyone else's thoughts on this hypothetical.

[Who]

Jimmy Butler = John Havlicek style wing
Kevin Durant = poor man's Bird

I thought Al Horford had similarities to Dave Cowens when he was younger. That type of undersized big. Never had Cowens engine though. Marc Gasol is another center in that mold like Horford and Duncan. Like Russell, Cowens, Walton, Garnett. Guys who are facilitators on offense. Who are top passing big men. Who can hit a jump-shot. Who are great team offense type players rather than individual scorers. Anthony Davis is also in this mold but he doesn't realize that yet. He has never had a good coach to teach him since entering the NBA.

Draymond Green and Paul Millsap would be two others. Team first guys. Two way players.

Klay Thompson also. A top shooter, good scorer and strong defender. Like a Sam Jones, Bill Sharman or Ray Allen.

I don't think any of today's PGs are Celtics. All too selfish. The way the rules have changed has made ball-dominant PGs too prevalent. Too many score-first PGs around.

[jambr380]

Kawhi Leonard - quietly awesome, little drama, just a winner.

Draymond Green - impacts the game in so many ways other than scoring. Obviously some drama, but the intensity is KG-like.

[Maurice98]

Jimmy Butler = John Havlicek style wing
Kevin Durant = poor man's Bird

I thought Al Horford had similarities to Dave Cowens when he was younger. That type of undersized big. Never had Cowens engine though. Marc Gasol is another center in that mold like Horford and Duncan. Like Russell, Cowens, Walton, Garnett. Guys who are facilitators on offense. Who are top passing big men. Who can hit a jump-shot. Who are great team offense type players rather than individual scorers. Anthony Davis is also in this mold but he doesn't realize that yet. He has never had a good coach to teach him since entering the NBA.

Draymond Green and Paul Millsap would be two others. Team first guys. Two way players.

Klay Thompson also. A top shooter, good scorer and strong defender. Like a Sam Jones, Bill Sharman or Ray Allen.

I don't think any of today's PGs are Celtics. All too selfish. The way the rules have changed has made ball-dominant PGs too prevalent. Too many score-first PGs around.

Marcus Smart maybe?

[Csfan1984]

Kevin Durant, Klay  Thompson, Marc Gasol

[Snakehead]

Jimmy Butler = John Havlicek style wing

Noooooo.  He's really not that good.

I think the Spurs in general operate how the Celtics used to.  And still do in ways, the Spurs just had those type of long term cornerstone players that have mostly eluded the Celtics in modern times.

[celts55]

I'm think Anthony Davis. Love his game. Aldrich would look pretty good also.

[Smartacus]

Kyle Lowry is pretty close to playing like a Boston point guard, tough, gritty, clutch, can shoot and facilitate. I'd really like to see Jabari Parker come in here and become the second coming of Paul Pierce. Draymond Green has that KG like intensity and borderline questionable defensive tactics.

As for the old guard. Karl Anthony Towns is quickly turning into a rich man's Kevin McHale with less post moves but a more complete overall game. CJ McCollum is someone I'd like to see us bring in, he's got a lot going on between the ears.

Marcus Smart is more of a bad boys Pistons kind of player but that not too shabby for this team.