Where Does Pierce Rank Among the Celtic Greats?

Wednesday night in an overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks Paul Pierce reached a career milestone. Pierce eclipsed the 20,000 point mark joining Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Celtics to do so. Currently Pierce is 3rd all-time in scoring for the Celtics as well as being top 10 in games, minutes, assists, rebounds, steals, field goals made and attempted free throws made and attempted, and 3 point field goals made and attempted. He also a 4x All-NBA selection, 8x All-Star, NBA Champion, Finals MVP, and if you want to throw it out there, the reigning 3 point shootout champion. On most teams, numbers and accolades like these would put a player in consideration for the franchises greatest player, or at least top 3. However, we aren't talking about just any franchise, this is the Boston Celtics, arguably the greatest franchise in NBA history and one of the top 5  franchises in professional sports. So where does this surefire Hall of Famer rank with the greatest to wear the green and white?

Well it's tough to say. The Truth has certainly been the face of Celtic basketball the last decade, but he only has one championship. One championship is more than many H.O.F player's have accomplished, but in a franchise that is home to the only player with double-digit championships (Bill Russell, 11) one championship is standard for a Celtic all-star. However supporting cast has to be taken into account. Many Celtic greats have had a plethroa of talent, usually supported by 2-3 H.O.F players throughout their entire career. Pierce has the misfortune of joining the Celtics at their lowest point ever. Despite having little talent around him in 2002, Pierce managed to bring his team to the E.C. Finals where they bowed out to Jason Kidd in the Nets after six games. Since 2008 with the addition of Garnett and Allen and the emergence of Rondo, Pierce has made 2 Finals appearances, wining one, and is in contention for another this season.

Along with championships and statistics we must consider trademark games. Pierce has been the central figure in many iconic Celtic games and moments, such as the amazing 4th quarter comeback against the Nets in the 2002 EC Finals, the showdown with LeBron in game 7 of the second round in 2008, and limping back on the court and torching the Lakers, clinching game 1 in the 2008 Finals. However, none of these games and moments can measure up to Bird's steal in the 1987 EC Finals, his follow up lay in during the 1981 Finals, the triple OT Game 5 1976 Finals (considered by some to be the greatest game ever played) and of course Johnny Most uttering the famous words "HAVLICEK STOLE THE BALL!". 

So where does Paul Pierce in a Celtics top 10 players list? Here's my list.

10. Dennis Johnson

9. Robert Parish

8. Sam Jones

7. Paul Pierce

6. Dave Cowens

5. Kevin McHale

4. Bob Cousy

3. John Havlicek

2. Bill Russell

1. Larry Bird