In the 2011-2012 season, the Boston Celtics achieved a remarkable feat: they won their 21st Atlantic Division title and finished with a 39–27 record. This was especially impressive considering that this team had undergone significant changes in personnel over the past few years. Led by veteran stars such as Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce, along with key additions like Brandon Bass and Keyon Dooling, these Celtics proved to be an incredibly resilient squad throughout the regular season. As they entered into post-season play looking for yet another championship run, all eyes were on one of basketball’s most storied franchises once again.
1. Avery Bradley
Los Angeles Lakers
Career
- High school: , Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Washington), Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nevada)
- College: Texas (2009–2010)
- NBA draft 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19th overall
- Selected by the Boston Celtics
- Playing career: 2010–present
- 2010–2017: Boston Celtics
- 2011: →Maine Red Claws
- 2011: Hapoel Jerusalem
- 2017–2018: Detroit Pistons
- 2018–2019: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2019: Memphis Grizzlies
- 2019–2020: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2020–2021: Miami Heat
- 2021: Houston Rockets
- 2021–2022: Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA champion (2020), NBA All-Defensive First Team (2016), NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2013), Big 12 All-Rookie Team (2010), First-team Parade All-American (2009), McDonald's All-American (2009)
Avery Bradley was born on November 26, 1990 in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Bellarmine Prep and then transferred to Findlay Prep before playing college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.
After being drafted 19th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA draft, Bradley has played for them since 2010. Avery is a shooting guard who can score from anywhere on the court and is known as one of the best defenders in the league.
In 2015–16 he led all guards with an average of 2 steals per game and also averaged 17 points per game while shooting 46% from three-point range Avery Bradley is a versatile player who has played both guard positions in the NBA.
He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2010 and has since won two championships with them.
In 2016, he was awarded an All-Def defensive First Team nod and helped lead Boston to their second title that season. Avery Bradley currently plays for the Detroit Pistons and is expected to help take them to another level this upcoming season.
He is also known for his competitiveness on the court as well as being a vocal leader amongst his teammates.
Also Played For: texas longhorns men's basketball, university of texas best basketball players
2. Brandon Bass
Boston Celtics
Career
- High school: Capitol High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
- College: LSU (2003–2005)
- NBA draft 2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 33rd overall
- Selected by the New Orleans Hornets
- Playing career: 2005–2020
- Position: Power forward
- 2005–2007: New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
- 2006: →Tulsa 66ers
- 2007–2009: Dallas Mavericks
- 2009–2011: Orlando Magic
- 2011–2015: Boston Celtics
- 2015–2016: Los Angeles Lakers
- 2016–2017: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2017–2020: Liaoning Flying Leopards
- CBA Slam Dunk leader (2018), SEC Player of the Year (2005), SEC Rookie of the Year – Coaches (2004), Second-team Parade All-American (2003)
Bass was born in 1985 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Bass played college basketball at LSU and was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in 2005. Bass spent eight seasons with the Hornets before joining the Lakers for the 2015–16 season.
He retired from playing professional basketball following that season. Brandon is a two-time All-Star and has led the NBA in rebounding twice (2011, 2013). He also holds career averages of 12 points and 6 rebounds per game over 886 appearances (.497 FG%, .318 3P%).
In addition to his basketball career, Bass has been involved with several charitable organizations including Make A Wish Foundation, St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
United Way of Greater New Orleans, and Habitat for Humanity International Fundraising Campaigns division Rebuild Louisiana/ Gulf Coast Region (Bass serves as Governor on Habitat for Humanity National Board of Directors).
On March 27th 2019 he married longtime girlfriend Brittany Cartwright; they have one son together named Knox Alexander bass Jr.(b May 1st 2020).
3. Aleksandar Pavlović
Cleveland Cavaliers
Career
- NBA draft 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19th overall
- Selected by the Utah Jazz
- Playing career: 2000–2016
- Position: Small forward / Shooting guard
- Number: 3, 7, 8, 11, 77
- 2000–2003: Budućnost Podgorica
- 2003–2004: Utah Jazz
- 2004–2009: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2009–2010: Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2011: Dallas Mavericks
- 2011: New Orleans Hornets
- 2011–2012: Boston Celtics
- 2012–2013: Portland Trail Blazers
- 2014–2015: Partizan
- 2015–2016: Panathinaikos
- Serbian League champion (2014), Greek Cup winner (2016), All-ABA League Team (2015)
Pavlović was born in Novi Sad, Serbia in 1983. Pavlović played professional basketball with KK Partizan and the Celtics before retiring in 2016. Pavlović is a small forward and shooting guard who was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2003 but didn't play for them until 2010-11.
He spent most of his playing career with Serbian clubs, including KK Partizan, Mega Vizura, Crvena zvezda, Red Star Belgrade and Žalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania). In 2007 he won the EuroLeague championship with Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and also represented his country at two Olympic games (2004 & 2008).
Winning a bronze medal at Beijing Games 2008 as well as qualifying for the 2014 World Cup where he averaged 10 points per game over four appearances off the bench helping Serbia finish 7th overall after being knocked out of group stage by Croatia.
4. JaJuan Johnson
Türk Telekom B.K.
Career
- High school: Franklin Central, (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- College: Purdue (2007–2011)
- NBA draft 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27th overall
- Selected by the New Jersey Nets
- Playing career: 2011–present
- 2011–2012: Boston Celtics
- 2012: Fort Wayne Mad Ants
- 2012–2013: Canton Charge
- 2013: Idaho Stampede
- 2013–2014: Pistoia
- 2014: Guangdong Southern Tigers
- 2014–2015: Beşiktaş
- 2015: Krasny Oktyabr
- 2015–2017: Cantù
- 2017–2018: Darüşşafaka
- 2018–2019: Lokomotiv Kuban
- 2019–2020: Bahçeşehir Koleji
- 2020–2021: Bayern Munich
- 2021–2022: Türk Telekom
- 2022–present: BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque
- EuroCup champion (2018), All-EuroCup Second Team (2018), Consensus first-team All-American (2011), Pete Newell Big Man Award (2011), Big Ten Player of the Year (2011), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2011), 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2009, 2011), Second-team All-Big Ten (2010), 3× Big Ten All-Defensive team (2009–2011)
JaJuan Johnson was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the 2011 NBA Draft. He has spent his entire career with the Nets, appearing in over 200 games. As a power forward/center, he averages 10 points and 5 rebounds per game.
JaJuan is an American born player who attended Franklin Central High School before playing college basketball at Purdue University where he averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game as a senior captain for the Boilermakers team that made it to the NCAA tournament Final Four.
In 2011–12, JaJuan played 26 games (24 starts) for Boston Celtics averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds off of shots from within six feet of the basket.
While shooting 46% from three point range en route to earning Second Team All-Rookie honors from Basketball America magazine after also being named Rookie of The Month for December 2012 by Eastern Conference Coaches Association.
5. Marquis Daniels
Boston Celtics
Career
- High school: , Edgewater, (Orlando, Florida), Mount Zion Christian, (Durham, North Carolina)
- College: Auburn (1999–2003)
- NBA draft: 2003 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2003–2013
- Position: Shooting guard / small forward
- Number: 6, 7, 8, 4
- Coaching career: 2018–present
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2004), Second-team All-SEC (2003), Third-team All-SEC (2001), Fourth-team Parade All-American (1999)
Marquis Daniels played college basketball at Auburn. He was a key part of the Tigers' 2003 NCAA championship team and is now a development coach for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Marquis Daniels has also played in the NBA for several teams, most notably with the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks. He is 6 ft 6in tall and weighs 200lb, making him an imposing figure on court.
Marquis Daniels played for six seasons in the NBA, three with Dallas and three with Indiana. He was a two-time All-Rookie Second Team selection, being named to the squad in 2004 alongside Tyson Chandler and Kwame Brown.
Marquis Daniels also won a pair of accolades while playing in Europe - he was named an All-EuroCup Second Team player in 2006 and 2007. Returning to North America after his stints overseas, Marquis Daniels joined Boston as part of Paul Pierce's championship-winning side before moving on to Milwaukee later that year.
In 2013, Marquis Daniels signed with Auburn University where he spent one season before retiring from basketball at the age of 31 due to injury concerns; however, he has since returned as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
6. E'Twaun Moore
Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball
Career
- High school: Central (East Chicago, Indiana)
- College: Purdue (2007–2011)
- NBA draft 2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 55th overall
- Selected by the Boston Celtics
- Playing career: 2011–present
- 2011: Universo Treviso Basket
- 2011–2012: Boston Celtics
- 2012–2014: Orlando Magic
- 2014–2016: Chicago Bulls
- 2016–2020: New Orleans Pelicans
- 2020–2021: Phoenix Suns
- Third-team All-American – NABC (2011), 2× AP honorable mention All-American (2010, 2011), 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2010, 2011), 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2008, 2009), Big Ten All-Freshman team (2008), Third-team Parade All-American (2007)
E'Twaun Moore is a shooting guard for the Boston Celtics. He played college basketball at Purdue and was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Celtics.
Moore has been an important part of Boston's recent playoff successes, averaging 12 points per game during their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017-2018. Injuries have limited him to just 49 appearances over three seasons, but he remains a key player on one of the league's most successful franchises.
E'Twaun Moore was a standout at the University of South Carolina and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
Moore has played for four different teams in his eight-year career, most notably with Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls where he won an All-Star game MVP award in 2017.
Moore is known for his scoring ability both from inside and outside the arc, as well as his excellent passing skills which have led him to be one of the team's leaders on offense. Moore will likely continue playing in the NBA until at least 2020 when he becomes a free agent.
7. Greg Stiemsma
Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball
Career
- High school: Randolph (Randolph, Wisconsin)
- College: Wisconsin (2004–2008)
- NBA draft: 2008 / Undrafted
- Playing career: 2008–2015
- Position: Center
- Coaching career: 2019–present
- NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year (2010)
- Medals, , Men’s Basketball, Representing United States, Pan American Games, : 2011 Guadalajara: National team
- Men’s Basketball
- Representing United States
- Pan American Games
- : 2011 Guadalajara: National team
Greg Stiemsma played center for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2008-2015. He was undrafted in the 2008 NBA Draft, but was signed by the Wolves as a free agent.
He won two championship rings with the Boston Celtics in 2013 and 2017, and also made an appearance in the 2016 NBA Finals. After his playing career ended, he became a Development Associate for the Timberwolves organization.
Greg Stiemsma was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft. He spent three seasons with the Celtics before being traded to Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2013.
In his first season with Minnesota, he helped them make it to the playoffs and became an important part of their team defense.
In 2015, he was traded to Toronto Raptors and played there for two seasons before returning to Minnesota as a player development associate for the 2019-present season.
Also Played For: wisconsin high school basketball, university of wisconsin-madison basketball
8. Keyon Dooling
Los Angeles Clippers
Career
- High school: Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- College: Missouri (1998–2000)
- NBA draft 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
- Selected by the Orlando Magic
- Playing career: 2000–2013
- Position: Point guard / Shooting guard
- Number: 1, 5, 55, 51
- Coaching career: 2020–present
- Third-team Parade All-American (1998)
- Medals, , Men’s basketball, Representing United States, FIBA Americas U18 Championship, : 1998 Puerto Plata: Team competition, FIBA U19 World Championship, : 1999 Lisbon: Team competition
- Men’s basketball
- Representing United States
- FIBA Americas U18 Championship
- : 1998 Puerto Plata: Team competition
- FIBA U19 World Championship
- : 1999 Lisbon: Team competition
Dooling was a two-time All-Star and played in the NBA for 13 seasons. Dooling began his career with the Orlando Magic and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2000.
In 2001, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks and helped them reach the 2004 NBA Finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. The following season, Dooling joined the Utah Jazz and remained there until 2013 when he retired due to injury.
During his time in Utah, Dooling led or co-led several teams' scoring averages including leading them to an appearance in consecutive playoff appearances (2011–2013).
He is also known for being one of only six players ever to record over 20,000 points (23,055), 5,000 assists (5,091) and 3,500 rebounds (3,651) in their career.
This feat has been achieved twice.[1] After retiring from playing basketball professionally Dooling became a development coach with his former team Utah Jazz.
9. Mickaël Piétrus
Phoenix Suns
Career
- NBA draft 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall
- Selected by the Golden State Warriors
- Playing career: 1999–2016
- Position: Small forward / Shooting guard
- Number: 2, 20, 12, 28
- 1999–2003: Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez
- 2003–2008: Golden State Warriors
- 2008–2010: Orlando Magic
- 2010–2011: Phoenix Suns
- 2011–2012: Boston Celtics
- 2012–2013: Toronto Raptors
- 2015: Mets de Guaynabo
- 2015–2016: SLUC Nancy Basket
- 2× French League champion (2001, 2003), 2× French Cup winner (2002, 2003), French Leaders Cup winner (2003)
- Medals, , Men's basketball, Representing France, EuroBasket, : 2005 Serbia: , FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, : 2000 Croatia: U-18 Team
- Men's basketball
- Representing France
- EuroBasket
- : 2005 Serbia:
- FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
- : 2000 Croatia: U-18 Team
Piétrus was drafted eleventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2003. He played for four teams over eight seasons, including stints with Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez and the Golden State Warriors.
In 2010, he was traded to Orlando Magic where he spent two seasons before being waived in 2011. Piétrus then signed with Phoenix Suns but only lasted one season before being released again that year.
He finished his career with a single season playing for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2016-17. After hanging up his sneakers, Piérrus has since started working as an agent representing players throughout Europe and North America..
Mickaël Piétrus is a French professional basketball player who last played for the Mets de Guaynabo of the Liga ACB. Piétrus has previously played for the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and SLUC Nancy Basket in Europe.
He competed at EuroBasket 2017 with France where they were eliminated by Spain in the quarterfinals.
Piétrus was born on October 12th, 1988 in Bourges, France and raised in Chalon-sur-Saône. As a junior at Chalon, he helped lead his team to two National Championships as well as an appearance in the U16 European Championship which they won silver medals.
After college, Mickaël Piétrus spent one season playing professionally overseas with BCM Gravelines before joining Spanish side Molina Balompièrca for 2013–14 campaign where he averaged 16 points per game off the bench en route to being named MVP of both domestic cups that year.
In 2015–16, after spending just one season back home with Nancy Basket (SLUC), Piterrus signed with Argentinean club Olimpia de Sucre before returning to Spain once again this past summer signing with CB Granada from Andalusia.
10. Ryan Hollins
Charlotte Hornets
Career
- High school: John Muir (Pasadena, California)
- College: UCLA (2002–2006)
- NBA draft 2006 / Round: 2 / Pick: 50th overall
- Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats
- Playing career: 2006–2017
- Position: Center / Power forward
- Number: 1, 15, 5, 50, 20
- 2006–2009: Charlotte Bobcats
- 2006: →Fort Worth Flyers
- 2009: Dallas Mavericks
- 2009–2010: Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2010–2012: Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2012: Boston Celtics
- 2012–2014: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2014–2015: Sacramento Kings
- 2015: Washington Wizards
- 2015–2016: Memphis Grizzlies
- 2016–2017: Herbalife Gran Canaria
- 2017: Auxilium Torino
- Points: 1913 (3.7 ppg)
- Rebounds: 1140 (2.2 rpg)
- Assists: 151 (0.3 apg)
- Medals, , Men’s Basketball, Representing the United States, Pan American Games, : 2015 Toronto: National team
- Men’s Basketball
- Representing the United States
- Pan American Games
- : 2015 Toronto: National team
Hollins was born in 1984 in Pasadena, California, and played high school basketball for John Muir. He attended UCLA from 2002 to 2006 before being drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2006 NBA Draft.
Hollins spent 6 seasons with the Bobcats before signing with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent in 2017. In his career, he has averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game while playing mainly at center or power forward.
Hollins is known for his hustle on both offense and defense which has helped him earn several nicknames including "Hustle", "Beast Mode" and "The Ryan Express". He will be joining the Dallas Mavericks next season after they acquired him from Brooklyn in exchange for DeAndre Jordan.
Ryan Hollins was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2009. He played for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2009 to 2012 and then with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2012 to 2014.
In 2015, he signed with the Washington Wizards and has since played for Memphis Grizzlies (2016-2017), Herbalife Gran Canaria (2017), and Auxilium Torino (2018).
Ryan Hollins has won a total of three medals at international competitions: two golds at the World Championships (2009, 2011) and one silver at the EuroBasket 2019 tournament.
He is also a two-time All-Star player, having been selected in 2013 and 2017 respectively.
Ryan Hollins is currently playing for Auxilium Torino in Italy's Serie A league.
11. Sean Williams
Brooklyn Nets
Career
- High school: Mansfield (Mansfield, Texas)
- College: Boston College (2004–2007)
- NBA draft 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17th overall
- Selected by the New Jersey Nets
- Playing career: 2007–2019
- Position: Power forward / Center
- 2007–2010: New Jersey Nets
- 2008–2009: →Colorado 14ers
- 2010: Fujian Xunxing
- 2010: Mets de Guaynabo
- 2010–2011: Texas Legends
- 2011: Maccabi Haifa
- 2011–2012: Dallas Mavericks
- 2011–2012: →Texas Legends
- 2012: Texas Legends
- 2012: Boston Celtics
- 2012–2013: Texas Legends
- 2013–2016: Torku Selçuk Üniversitesi/Torku Konyaspor
- 2016–2017: Shahrdari Tabriz
- 2017: GlobalPort Batang Pier
- 2017: Gaziantep Basketbol
- 2018–2019: Al-Muharraq
- NBA D-League All-Star (2011), 2× All-NBA D-League Third Team (2011, 2012), 2× NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team (2011, 2012), CBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2010)
Sean Williams was a power forward and center for the New Jersey Nets from 2007 to 2019. Williams attended Boston College and was drafted by the Nets in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.
He played for three teams before joining Fujian Xunxing of China in 2010. In 2011, he moved to Spain's Mets de Guaynabo where he spent two seasons before returning to America with Texas Legends in 2013.
After one more season with Texas Legends, Williams signed with Fijian Xunxing again but left after just one year due to injury problems. Williams returned to America and signed with Houston Rockets as a free agent in 2019 Williams was drafted by the Mavericks in 2011 and played for Dallas until 2012.
After playing with the Legends, he signed with the Celtics in 2013 and spent two seasons there before moving to Turkey in 2016. He has since returned to North America and played for Gaziantep Basketbol of the Turkish League this season.
Williams is a three-time All-NBA D-League selection and holds several other records while playing overseas, including being crowned CBA Slam Dunk champion (2010).
12. Jermaine O'Neal
Indiana Pacers
Jermaine O'Neal led the Boston Celtics to their first division championship in 22 years. He averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds per game en route to being named MVP of the playoffs.
O'Neal announced his retirement following the season, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest big men in NBA history. Jermaine O'Neal was a 7-time All Star and 3-time MVP. He led the Celtics to their first championship in 38 years in 2008 and then helped them win another title in 2012.
O'Neal had some turbulent times off the court, but he bounced back to have a successful career as a coach with the Indiana Pacers.
13. Chris Wilcox
Detroit Pistons
Career
- High school: , Whiteville, (Whiteville, North Carolina), William G. Enloe, (Raleigh, North Carolina)
- College: Maryland (2000–2002)
- NBA draft 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8th overall
- Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers
- Playing career: 2002–2013
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Number: 54, 9, 44
- 2002–2006: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2006–2009: Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2009: New York Knicks
- 2009–2011: Detroit Pistons
- 2011–2013: Boston Celtics
- NCAA champion (2002), Third-team All-ACC (2002)
Chris Wilcox played for the Boston Celtics from 2002 to 2009. In his first three seasons with the Celtics, he was a key contributor on the team's championship runs in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
He missed most of the 2010–2011 season due to a torn Achilles tendon, but returned in time for the playoffs that year. After playing one more season with Boston before being traded to Phoenix in February 2013, Wilcox has since retired from professional basketball.
Chris is currently an assistant coach at NC State University and holds a degree in business administration from Maryland Wilcox was a key player for the Clippers during their championship runs in both 2002 and 2006.
Wilcox averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game over his seven-year career with the Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.
Wilcox is widely regarded as one of the most underrated players in NBA history, due to his lack of notoriety compared to stars such as Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.
He announced his retirement from professional basketball following the 2013 season after playing for three different teams (Clippers, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics).
Also Played For: university of maryland
Final Words
. . . The 2011-2012 Boston Celtics season was a remarkable one for the team, as they won their 21st championship. Among the most impressive players on this year’s squad were Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce, both of whom led the team to victory in many crucial moments throughout the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see what kind of performances these two put together next season, as they are sure to continue putting up big numbers for Boston.
