dave cowens and small ball

[rollie mass]

the celts center is a prototype small ball player-a red headed marcus smart  playing against kareem
cowens is so underrated coming between russell and bird eras-
in todays era at 6-9 he would be a lebron-he was one four to lead his team in pts,rebounds
 assists,steals and blocks
lebron ,garnett and pippen are the others

[Celtics18]

the celts center is a prototype small ball player-a red headed marcus smart  playing against kareem
cowens is so underrated coming between russell and bird eras-
in todays era at 6-9 he would be a lebron-he was one four to lead his team in pts,rebounds
 assists,steals and blocks
lebron ,garnett and pippen are the others

Giannis is primed to join that list by season's end.

[Who]

the celts center is a prototype small ball player-a red headed marcus smart  playing against kareem
cowens is so underrated coming between russell and bird eras-
in todays era at 6-9 he would be a lebron-he was one four to lead his team in pts,rebounds
 assists,steals and blocks
lebron ,garnett and pippen are the others

Looks like Giannis will join that group this season.

Leading the Bucks with 23.3ppg, 8.8rpg, 5.6apg and in steals (1.9) and blocks (2.0).

Edit: Snap Celtics18. Same first thought after reading OP.

[Who]

Agreed on Cowens -- He would be an MVP in today's league. His defense would be tremendous in today's league. Cowen's energy and ability to give multiple efforts on the same possession was Rodman-esque. All-League defender. Lead leaguing rebounder. Well above average passer. Can run the floor. Can post. Can cut. Strong screens. Hit the jump-shot. Cowens would be the best center in the league and it wouldn't be close.

[Bobshot]

the celts center is a prototype small ball player-a red headed marcus smart  playing against kareem
cowens is so underrated coming between russell and bird eras-
in todays era at 6-9 he would be a lebron-he was one four to lead his team in pts,rebounds
 assists,steals and blocks
lebron ,garnett and pippen are the others

Paul Silas was the inside guy on this team. A great offensive rebounder--one of the all time greats. That left Dave to roam the key with his excellent jumper. Cowens was no rebounding chump, either. He was a very tough player-- a HOFer. That was a great team they had in the early 70s with Havlicek and Jo Jo White. Not much depth, but a great starting 5 who beat some great Knicks teams (except year when Hondo got hurt).

I would put Cowens above Horford, but Al has similar skills. The main difference is the Celtics don't have an inside player like Silas.

[tenn_smoothie]

You would put Cowens above Horford ?

How kind of you. Horford couldn't tie Dave's shoelaces - not even close.
Horford is a very nice PF with a solid all-around game (except for rebounding).
Cowens was league MVP in '73 and was the best or second best center in NBA during his prime.

Either people forget or were not around to see that 70's team - they remain my favorite Celtic title group. And you are correct that Paul Silas was hugely important. Him and Cowens pounded teams into dust on the boards - God, that team was fun to watch.

Stating that Silas was THE inside guy for those teams is incorrect. He was a great rebounder and defender, but Cowens ruled the post. Cowens had a very good back-to-the-basket offensive game and was a better rebounder than Silas, though both were great. I always remember Cowens' ability to grab a rebound while turning upcourt in the air in order to direct his outlet pass. You don't see that ability much these days.

[Somebody]

You would put Cowens above Horford ?

How kind of you. Horford couldn't tie Dave's shoelaces - not even close.
Horford is a very nice PF with a solid all-around game (except for rebounding).
Cowens was league MVP in '73 and was the best or second best center in NBA during his prime.

Either people forget or were not around to see that 70's team - they remain my favorite Celtic title group. And you are correct that Paul Silas was hugely important. Him and Cowens pounded teams into dust on the boards - God, that team was fun to watch.

Stating that Silas was THE inside guy for those teams is incorrect. He was a great rebounder and defender, but Cowens ruled the post. Cowens had a very good back-to-the-basket offensive game and was a better rebounder than Silas, though both were great. I always remember Cowens' ability to grab a rebound while turning upcourt in the air in order to direct his outlet pass. You don't see that ability much these days.

Yeah, this is coming from a millennial, but I do think the 70s teams were so underrated, saw some clips and game footage and they are right up there with the other dynasties imo, they're my favourite Celtics team of all time even though I never had the opportunity to see them play live in the flesh and I can only scrounge for old game film

[mr. dee]

Who can forget #34 before Paul Pierce and Kevin Gamble?

[2short]

You know the coach for that team was pretty good

[Celtics4ever]

Paul Silas was the inside guy on this team. A great offensive rebounder--one of the all time greats. That left Dave to roam the key with his excellent jumper. Cowens was no rebounding chump, either. He was a very tough player-- a HOFer. That was a great team they had in the early 70s with Havlicek and Jo Jo White. Not much depth, but a great starting 5 who beat some great Knicks teams (except year when Hondo got hurt).

I don't agree with your broad generalization.  Cowens was a way better rebounder.  We got Silas to help and to enforce.   Cowens did roam on offense, and I agree with that.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/silaspa01.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cowenda01.html

But Big Red was the dominant rebounder on the team .

[Kuberski33]

If we could fire up the time machine and go back and snatch Cowens in his prime - THAT's the piece that would put this team over the top.    Would love to see him go up against the bigs of today.

[Bobshot]

If we could fire up the time machine and go back and snatch Cowens in his prime - THAT's the piece that would put this team over the top.    Would love to see him go up against the bigs of today.

I'll settle for Paul Silas. 

[Bobshot]

Paul Silas was the inside guy on this team. A great offensive rebounder--one of the all time greats. That left Dave to roam the key with his excellent jumper. Cowens was no rebounding chump, either. He was a very tough player-- a HOFer. That was a great team they had in the early 70s with Havlicek and Jo Jo White. Not much depth, but a great starting 5 who beat some great Knicks teams (except year when Hondo got hurt).

I don't agree with your broad generalization.  Cowens was a way better rebounder.  We got Silas to help and to enforce.   Cowens did roam on offense, and I agree with that.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/silaspa01.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cowenda01.html

Silas trademark was offensive rebounding. An inside player. The kind of player the present Celtics could use. Cowens didn't need an "enforcer."

[rollie mass]

they should have rookies watching cowens,havilchk,jo jo white, silas and chaney-they ran and fought for everything-the ability to clear space rebounding,more minutes per game no defensive three seconds,hand checks-it was like war

[SHAQATTACK]

My Dad , rest his soul.   never missed a Cowan's game if he could help it.

Cowan's was rare breed ,  a 6 8" version of Smarts tuffness and motor like KG.  Unbreakable human .

His games against the great centers of all time are remarkable as ITs games against the great point guards of today

No wimps allowed , blood and teeth flying every game .  Maybe a knife fight gets you thrown out .