The Big Three Becomes Five in 1987

The Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish became the “big five” when Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge joined them on the floor during the 1987-88 season. The quintet each averaged at least 30 minutes and 12 points per game without much help from the bench. This core powered the Celtics to the 1988 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, though Boston came up short in the series.