With the greatest rebounder of all time bookended by the best frontcourt ever assembled in the history of the league, there’s no reason to be surprised that the Boston Celtics have dominated the boards in the postseason across much of their seven decades of existence and the 17 titles they’ve won in it.
In fact, two of the top ten postseason rebounders for the Celtics are small forwards, demonstrating the historic importance of boards for winning titles to the storied franchise over the years. Cleaning the glass has long been a Boston fundamental, but even ardent Celtics fans may struggle to name the most proficient playoff rebounders after the first three or four.
How many of Boston’s 10 most accomplished postseason rebound leaders can you name? Scroll down, and find out.
Paul Silas – 763
Dick Snyder (10) of the Cleveland Cavaliers reaches and scores a basket in first-period action against the Boston Celtics in the NBA playoff at Boston Garden, May 6, 1976. Boston’s Paul Silas is awaiting a rebound. (AP Photo/J. Walter Green)
Kevin Garnett – 830
Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) and New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) work for the rebound during overtime in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 97-90 David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Pierce – 869
Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis (11) and forward Paul Pierce (34) work for the rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao (17) during the first half in game four of the eastern conference semifinals in the 2010 NBA playoffs at the TD Garden. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Heinsohn – 954
Cliff Hagan (6) of the St. Louis Hawks and Tommy Heinsohn (15) of the Boston Celtics stretch for a rebound during their NBA playoff game in Boston, Mass., April 10, 1957. Players watching the action are: Med Park (32) and Bob Pettit (9) both of the Hawks and Bill Sharman (21) of the Celtics. (AP Photo/Peter J. Carroll)
John Havlicek – 1,186
John Havlicek #17 of the Boston Celtics rebounds against Bob McAdoo #11 and Jack Marin #42 of the Buffalo Braves during a game played in 1974 at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Kevin McHale – 1,253
Kevin McHale #32 of the Boston Celtics battles for rebound position against Rick Mahorn #44 of the Detroit Pistons. Dennis Johnson #3 of the Boston Celtics also looks on during a game circa 1986 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Dave Cowens – 1,285
Unknown date 1970; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics center Dave Cowens (18) grabs a rebound over New York Knicks forward Dave DeBusschere (22) at Madison Square Garden. Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Parish – 1,649
Philadelphia 76ers’ Charles Barkley, left, loses this rebound to Boston Celtics’ Robert Parish during 1st period NBA Playoff action, at the Boston Garden, in Boston, Sunday, May 13, 1985. Boston defeated Philadelphia 108-93 to take game 1 of the series. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen)
Larry Bird – 1,683
Bill Laimbeer (40) of the Detroit Pistons, left, misses the ball but grabs the net as he loses a rebound to Larry Bird (33) of the Boston Celtics in the first period of their NBA playoff game at Boston Garden in Boston, Mass., May 20, 1987. Boston won the first game of the best-of-seven series, 104-91. (AP Photo/Peter Southwick)
Bill Russell – 4,104
Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell snares rebound from outstretched hands of Los Angeles Lakers’ Wilt Chamberlain, in the second period of their NBA playoff game at Boston Garden, April 30, 1969. Watching is Celtics’ John Havlicek. Boston won 89-88 to even the series at two games apiece. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis)
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