Choose Your Five: A Deep Dive into the Greatest and Most Impactful Boston Celtics Players Who Have Worn the Green Since the Year 2000.

Choose Your Five: A Deep Dive into the Greatest and Most Impactful Boston Celtics Players Who Have Worn the Green Since the Year 2000. When it comes to a franchise as historic and tradition-rich as the Boston Celtics, narrowing down a list of the greatest players since the year 2000 is no easy task. The Celtics are not just a basketball team; they are an institution built on banners, pride, and a certain standard of excellence that generations of players have been expected to uphold. Since the turn of the millennium, Boston has experienced ups and downs, from frustrating rebuilds to championship glory, from heartbreaking playoff exits to thrilling runs that redefined what Celtic pride means to a new generation of fans. Choosing just five players to represent the best of this era requires a careful balance of talent, leadership, longevity, and the ability to perform under the bright lights of the TD Garden when it matters most. The modern era of Celtics basketball has been defined by a handful of iconic moments: Paul Pierce hoisting the Finals MVP trophy in 2008, Kevin Garnett’s unforgettable “Anything is possible!” scream into the microphone, Ray Allen’s effortless three-point stroke electrifying the Garden, Rajon Rondo’s near triple-double nights in the playoffs, and the rise of new stars like Jayson Tatum who carry the torch forward. These moments weren’t just about stats; they were about players who embodied what it means to be a Celtic — gritty, determined, and committed to winning. Paul Pierce stands at the forefront of any conversation about the Celtics since 2000. Known as “The Truth,” Pierce was more than just a scorer; he was a leader who endured the lean years of the early 2000s before leading Boston back to relevance. His clutch performances, especially in the 2008 Finals against the Lakers, solidified his place in franchise history. Pierce wasn’t the fastest, the highest jumper, or the flashiest, but he had an uncanny ability to deliver when the team needed him most. He was a Celtic through and through, spending 15 years with the franchise and leaving behind a legacy defined by loyalty and championship grit. Kevin Garnett’s arrival in 2007 marked a seismic shift in Boston’s fortunes. Before KG, the Celtics were a team struggling to find an identity. With him, they became champions. Garnett brought an intensity and defensive ferocity that transformed the team overnight. He didn’t just play defense; he lived and breathed it, holding teammates accountable on every possession. His passion was contagious, and his leadership style set the tone for the team’s culture. While his time in Boston was shorter than some, his impact was immense — a Defensive Player of the Year, a champion, and a future Hall of Famer whose fingerprints remain on the Celtics’ identity. Ray Allen’s tenure in Boston may have ended with some controversy, but his contributions cannot be denied. As one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Allen’s precision from beyond the arc stretched defenses and gave the Celtics’ offense a deadly weapon. His ability to hit big shots in crucial moments — including some game-turning threes in the 2008 playoffs — made him indispensable to the championship run. Allen’s work ethic was legendary, arriving hours before games to perfect his shooting form. His role in the creation of the “Big Three” alongside Pierce and Garnett was pivotal in bringing Banner 17 to Boston. Rajon Rondo, often overlooked in casual conversations about Celtics greats, was the engine that made the Big Three hum. His court vision and passing ability were elite, and his knack for elevating his game in the playoffs became one of his trademarks. Rondo was a unique talent, capable of controlling a game without scoring much. His defensive prowess, rebounding ability for a guard, and penchant for triple-doubles made him one of the most dynamic point guards in the league during his peak years in Boston. He was the youngest member of that championship core, yet at times he played with a poise and intelligence beyond his years. As the Celtics transitioned into a new era after the breakup of the Big Three, the spotlight shifted to Jayson Tatum. Drafted in 2017, Tatum wasted no time establishing himself as the face of the franchise. His scoring versatility, smooth footwork, and ability to take over games in clutch moments have already earned him comparisons to Celtics legends of the past. Still in the early stages of his career, Tatum has already led the team to multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances and has shown the ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. His commitment to improvement and his calm, unshakable demeanor suggest that he will be a cornerstone of Boston basketball for years to come. Narrowing down the list to these five players — Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Jayson Tatum — doesn’t mean there aren’t other worthy names. Al Horford’s leadership and defensive versatility, Isaiah Thomas’s magical 2016-2017 season where he played through personal tragedy to deliver unforgettable performances, and Marcus Smart’s defensive heart and hustle all deserve mention. These players, too, have etched their names into the modern Celtics story, showing that greatness comes in many forms. The Celtics’ journey since 2000 has been a tapestry woven from moments of brilliance, heartbreak, and resilience. The early 2000s were a grind, with Pierce often carrying the load and the team falling just short of championship contention. The arrival of Garnett and Allen created a new era of dominance, peaking with the 2008 championship and another Finals appearance in 2010. The years after the Big Three saw a rebuilding phase that tested the patience of the fanbase, but also laid the groundwork for the Tatum era. What makes these five players stand out isn’t just their skill, but their connection to the city and the fans. Boston is a sports town that values effort, toughness, and a refusal to quit — traits embodied by each of these stars. Pierce’s loyalty during the dark days, Garnett’s relentless competitiveness, Allen’s precision under pressure, Rondo’s fearless creativity, and Tatum’s poised rise all reflect the ethos of Celtic basketball. Each player brought something unique to the floor, but all shared a commitment to winning that resonated with the fans in the Garden’s raucous stands. In evaluating the best Celtics since 2000, one must also consider the way the game has evolved. The NBA has shifted toward pace-and-space, three-point shooting, and positionless basketball, and Boston has adapted along the way. Allen’s shooting was ahead of its time, Rondo’s playmaking thrived in a more traditional point guard role, Pierce’s midrange game and physicality bridged two eras, Garnett’s defensive versatility fit any system, and Tatum’s all-around skill set is tailor-made for today’s game. This adaptability is part of what has kept the Celtics competitive across multiple eras. Of course, no list is perfect, and debates will rage among Celtics fans. Some might argue that Antoine Walker, with his flashy scoring and charismatic presence, deserves a spot. Others might make the case for Jaylen Brown, whose athleticism, defense, and growing offensive arsenal have made him an indispensable part of Boston’s current success. That’s the beauty of a franchise like the Celtics — the talent pool runs deep, and the arguments are as much a part of the culture as the games themselves. Looking back, the Celtics’ story since 2000 has been one of cycles — building, contending, rebuilding, and contending again. Through it all, certain players have stood out not just for their statistics, but for their moments of impact when everything was on the line. Pierce hitting dagger after dagger in tight playoff games. Garnett barking defensive assignments while swatting shots into the stands. Allen’s picture-perfect release finding nothing but net. Rondo threading impossible passes through the tiniest of windows. Tatum calmly drilling step-back threes in the closing minutes of elimination games. These moments are etched into the collective memory of Celtics fans, and they form the foundation of why these five players stand above the rest. The Boston Celtics are more than their banners; they are defined by the players who earned them, who sweated and sacrificed in pursuit of team glory. Since the year 2000, no players have embodied that pursuit quite like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Jayson Tatum. Together, they tell the story of a franchise that has faced challenges, embraced change, and continued to uphold a standard of excellence. Whether you remember the roar of the Garden in 2008, the heartbreak of 2010, or the thrill of Tatum’s playoff heroics, one thing is certain: the spirit of the Celtics burns as brightly now as it ever has. And if you’re asked to choose your five from this era, you could do far worse than the group that has given Boston some of its most unforgettable basketball in the past quarter century.