Boston Celtics: Larry Bird (BEST)
Make no mistake: behind the the low-key, aw-shucks persona which Larry Bird created to play up his “hick from French Lick” nickname, there was a raging fire within Bird to absolutely vanquish any opponent whom he played against.
Along with being one of the most relentless workers off the court in NBA history, Bird played the game like Bobby Fischer played tennis or Beethoven composed symphonies: with a level of knowledge and execution that seemingly surpassed even mastery. In a city with a hallowed history of professional athletes like Boston, and a team with so many Hall of Famers like the Celtics there probably isn’t a player more revered than Bird himself.
Boston Celtics: Joseph Forte (WORST)
After leaving school after completing his sophomore year in Chapel Hill, Joe Forte was the 21st overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, selected by the Boston Celtics (ahead of guys like Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas).
Forte spent his first two seasons on two different NBA teams (after the Celtics gave up on him after just one year), struggling to transition from shooting guard (his natural position) to point guard, averaging 1.2 points and 0.7 assists per game. Seattle released him after Forte’s second season in the NBA, and the rest of his career was spent in the NBA’s Developmental League and/or playing hoops overseas.