Celtics' storied NBA Finals MVP history

Five Celtics have won the NBA Finals MVP award, including Larry Bird, who won it twice.

The Boston Celtics have a storied history in the NBA Finals, and that includes a number of players who have been named Finals MVP. Since the award was first given out in 1969, five Celtics have won it: Larry Bird (twice), Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, Cedric Maxwell, and Paul Pierce.

Bird is the Celtics' all-time leader in Finals MVP awards, winning it in 1984 and 1986. He was a dominant force in both of those Finals series, averaging 27.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 1984, and 24.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 1986.

Cowens won the Finals MVP award in 1974, after leading the Celtics to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 20.5 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in the series.

White won the Finals MVP award in 1976, after leading the Celtics to a 4-2 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 18.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in the series.

Maxwell won the Finals MVP award in 1981, after leading the Celtics to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Rockets. He averaged 18.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the series.

Pierce won the Finals MVP award in 2008, after leading the Celtics to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the series.