In the 1964-65 season, Russell won his second consecutive rebounding title with 24.1 rebounds per game (1.2 rpg over Wilt Chamberlain), and led the league in minutes played (3,466); he averaged 14.1 points and 5.3 assists (5th in the league [behind Oscar Robertson (11.5), Guy Rodgers (7.2), K.C. Jones (5.6), and Lenny Wilkens (5.5)]) in 43.4 minutes per game (3rd [behind Robertson (45.6) and Chamberlain (45.2)]). Russell led the league in defensive win shares with 14.43—the second-highest ever recorded, and led by 8.2 above runner-up K.C. Jones (6.2), the largest margin in NBA history. Russell narrowly finished second in the league in win shares by 0.08—16.87 to Oscar Robertson’s 16.95, was First Team All-NBA, and NBA Most Valuable Player, leading the Celtics to a 62-18 record. Russell would write, “For years the Celtics used the fast break, but to me the best team we ever had was in 1964-65, where we were so strong on defense” (
Go Up For Glory [New York: Medallion, 1966], p. 159).
January 17, 1965, after Boston beat Cincinnati 101-98 for their 14th consecutive victory and 21 of 22, Royals coach Jack McMahon said, “Those old Celtics with Cousy, Sharman, Ramsey and Russell were great, but this team in the greatest. The old Celtics used to beat you with scoring. This Celtics’ team beats you with its defense.”
Russell led the NBA with 13 30-rebound games. Russell had the highest rebounding game, two of the top three, three of the top five, four of the top six, and five of the top ten rebounding games of the season:
49 — Bill Russell, Cincinnati vs. Detroit, March 11, 196543 — Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia vs. Boston, March 6, 1965
41 — Bill Russell, Boston vs. San Francisco, March 14, 196540 — Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco vs. Detroit, November 9, 1963
38 — Bill Russell, Boston at New York, January 20, 196538 — Bill Russell, Boston vs. Los Angeles, March 3, 196537 — Nate Thurmond, San Francisco at Baltimore, October 27, 1964
37 — Walt Bellamy, Baltimore vs. St. Louis, December 4, 1964
37 — Jerry Lucas, Cincinnati at Detroit, January 20, 1965
36 — Bill Russell, Boston vs. Cincinnati, March 21, 1965Jerry Lucas was voted the most valuable player in the game as the East defeated the West, 124-123, in last night’s National Basketball Association All-Star game at St. Louis. But Lucas said he couldn’t have made his 25 points without the help of Bill Russell.
Lucas, of Cincinnati, said Russell, of Boston, was his set-up man. “Bill helped my shooting accuracy (12 of 19) with his set ups,” said Lucas.
Eastern Division Finals – Boston Celtics (62-18) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (40-40): The Celtics faced the Philadelphia 76ers for the Eastern Division Finals. Before the series, Red Auerbach said that Satch Sanders, who sprained his ankle April 2, was “the key to the Philly series because Russell can’t do it all.” Russell injured his ankle Mar. 16 against the Knicks, Heinsohn was plagued with a foot injury during the season, and John Havlicek had a swollen right hand and injured knee. 76er coach Dolph Schayes said, “My team is better suited to face the Celtics than any in a long time.”
In the series opener, Tom Heinsohn had 23 points, Havlicek 20, Sam Jones 18, Larry Siegfried 13, and Bill Russell had 11 points, a game-high 32 rebounds and six assists as Boston won Game 1 108-98. Wilt Chamberlain led Philadelphia with 33 points and 31 rebounds, “but
Boston’s Bill Russell played him in a standstill off the boards and frustrated his scoring bids on numerous occasions” (
Herald-Journal, Apr. 4, 1965). Hal Greer had 27, “but the 76ers did not have enough offensive help from the rest of the squad.
Boston’s smothering defense was why” (
Herald-Journal, Apr. 4, 1965).
“Every game against Chamberlain is three days’ work,” said Russell. “He’s always been so tough to play there’s no talking about degrees” (
The Miami News, Apr. 5, 1965).
Philadelphia won Game 2 109-103 behind Chamberlain’s 30 points, 39 rebounds, eight assists and eight blocked shots. “He simply overpowered the Celtics’ Bill Russell, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player” (
Ocala Star-Banner, Apr. 7, 1965), who had 12 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists (
Reading Eagle, April 7, 1965). Philadelphia coach Dolph Schayes “said Chamberlain was the key to the victory. ‘Anytime a man gives you 39 rebounds and puts up a defense like he did, it gives you an edge over anyone, even Boston. […] There also was his 30 points” (
Prescott Evening Courier, Apr. 7, 1965). Hal Greer had 29, Sam Jones led Boston with a game-high 40 points.
Schayes predicted that the 76ers would win “in six or seven games.”
In Game 3, Russell had 19 points, 26 rebounds, eight assists and three steals to lead Boston to a 112-94 win. Russell outscored Chamberlain 15-8 in the first half, holding Chamberlain without a field goal until eight seconds left in the first half, and allowing him seven in the entire game. “
The bearded Russell performed what most NBA followers would consider impossible. He limited ‘The Dipper’ to a single field goal in the first half and shut him off from the floor for the first 23 minutes and 47 seconds of play. During that same span, Russell turned shot-maker himself to total 15 points by halftime. Boston’s lead at the intermission was 14 points, making the Russell-Chamberlain figures all the more important” (
Reading Eagle, Apr. 9, 1965). “
Boston really put us in the hole early the way Russell was getting those offensive rebounds, going to the board and tapping in the ball,” said 76ers coach Dolph Schayes. Russell scored 12 in the first quarter, with two assists, a blocked shot and a steal as Boston led 34-27 (
Herald Tribune, Apr. 9, 1965). “
Russell really beat us with those tap-ins and he did a great job on the offensive boards,” Chamberlain said. “Heck, yes, he surprised me the way he scored early in the game. But I don’t know what I could do about it” (
Eugene Register-Guard, Apr. 9, 1965). Chamberlain led Philadelphia with 24 points and 37 rebounds. “
Chamberlain finished ahead 24-19 in the game and 37-26 in rebounds but the damage had been done. Russell had the better shooting average, a 9-7 edge in field goals, 8-1 bulge in assists, and was ahead 3-1 in steals” (
Eugene Register-Guard, Apr. 9, 1965).
“This was not the best game for the Celtics,” Boston coach Red Auerbach said. “More guys played better in the first game. Russell did play better. He got a little sleep for the first time this week” (
Eugene Register-Guard, Apr. 9, 1965).
Philadelphia won Game 4 134-131 in overtime, after Hal Greer’s 35-foot shot at the buzzer tied the game at 118-118 at the end of regulation. “It was a play set up by Dolph,” said Greer. “It went perfect. I didn’t throw it. It was a shot that went right in, like it should” (
Eugene Register-Guard, Apr. 10, 1965). “The 76ers opened a five-point lead in the overtime and stayed on top after breaking a 123-123 tie on Lucious Jackson’s shot from the side” (
Kentucky New Era, Apr. 10, 1965). Wilt Chamberlain led Philadelphia with 34 points, 34 rebounds and three assists. Chet Walker had 31, and Hal Greer had 27. Sam Jones led Boston with a game-high 36 points. Tom Heinsohn had 19, John Havlicek and Bill Russell had 18 each—Russell with 25 rebounds, and Satch Sanders had 15.
[On an aside, why do we never hear about Greer's shot? Everyone's seen Jerry West's, and while it would have won the game had a three-pointer existed, and they lost in overtime, Greer's team won the game, so whether there was a three-pointer or not, Game 4 would have ended in a Philly win.]
BOSTON (AP) — Boston Coach Red Auerbach, fuming over what he called a long count basket which evened the series, has guaranteed the Celtics will beat Philadelphia for their ninth straight Easten Division play-off crown.
The vow implies an assurance of a Celtic victory Sunday in the televised National Basketball Association game at Boston Garden. The best-of-seven set is knotted 2-2 after the 76ers won a 134-131 overtime thriller Friday night.
“We will win this thing, I’ll guarantee that,” Auerbach said. “I’m not worried about Philadelphia. They have come about as far as they can go.
“We had the game won Friday night and they took it away from us.”
The controversial 35-foot shot by Hal Greer came off an out of bounds play with one second of play remaining. It tied the score and forced the extra play during which Wilt Chamberlain scored six of his 34 points. He also had 34 rebounds in the game.
Auerbach said it was impossible for Greer to take a pass, turn around, dribble the ball and get off a shot in one second.
“I’m not saying the timer was dishonest, but I guess rooting for the home team he might hesitate,” said the Boston coach.
The Celtics were divided in their opinions as to whether Greer actually bounced the ball or not.
Dolph Schayes, Philadelphia coach, called the Boston beef sour grapes but admitted his club was lucky.
In effect, it now is a best two-of-three situation with Boston still holding the home court edge. This has been strictly a home court series to date.
“But we have the impetus now,” said Schayes. “And I also think the law of averages is with us.
“Wilt and Lucious Jackson haven’t played well for us at Boston yet. They are overdue for a good game on the road. Sunday will be the day.”
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nobody, but nobody, was talking.
Wilt Chamberlain’s “Sports Illustrated” autobiography—“My Life In A Bush League”—was one of those unmentionables Friday night as his Philadelphia 76er teammates knocked off the Boston Celtics 134-131 in overtime in a National Basketball Assn. Eastern playoff Game.
The 76ers tied the regulation game at 118-all with one second left.
Philadelphia 76er owner Ike Richman chain-padlocked the gate that led to the Philadelphia dressing room in Convention Hall before the game. The press was barred.
“We’ve got a game to play,” Richman said. “We ain’t here to talk.”
He didn’t. Chamberlain didn’t talk afterwards, either. Dolph Schayes whom 7-foot-1 Wilt described as a nice guy but not much of a go-get ’em-leader type.
Chamberlain, in his story, hinted he had coaching ambitions and “would make a pretty good” one.
Chamberlain said in a statement issued by the 76ers before the game—“And I’m saying nothing else about it, baby”—that the article’s title was changed from “My View From The Top” without his knowledge or approval.
He said certain parts of the story “subjected me to uncalled-for embarrassment and humiliation” and added his attorney was checking the possibility of launching a lawsuit.
Richman, incidentally, is Wilt’s legal adviser.
A source close to the 76er management said the article actually wasn’t too bad “but why couldn’t the magazine wait until after the season was finished before publishing it.”
The magazine insisted the article—first of two parts, the second coming next week—“is all accurate.” Bob Ottum did the writing after spending many weeks following Wilt around the league.
Philadelphia and Boston players, in the first blush after reading the article—they clammed up afterward—were highly critical.
Johnny Kerr, a 76er veteran, said, “It looks as though everyone is out of step in basketball but him. I didn’t like it.”
But after Friday night’s thrilling, squeaky win, Kerr practically embraced Chamberlain.
(Eugene Register-Guard, Apr. 10, 1965.)
In Game 5, Bill Russell had 12 points and a game-high 28 rebounds, Sam Jones scored a team-high 29 points, and Tom Heinsohn scored 24 as Boston won 114-108 to take a 3-2 series lead. “
Russell outdid his taller nemesis, Philadelphia’s Wilt Chamberlain, in a 114-108 Boston victory Sunday as the Celtics took a 3-2 edge in the best-of-7 series. […] As usual, he conceded scoring superiority to Chamberlain, 30 points to 12 Sunday. But it was Celtics’ Capt. Russell mastering Wilt in rebounds 28-21, blocked shots 12-2, assists, 7-2 and steals 3-0” (
The Owosso Argus-Press, Apr. 10, 1965). Chamberlain led Philadelphia with 30 points and 21 rebounds, and Hal Greer had 28. K.C. Jones “hit a spectacular 45-foot desperation shot as the first period buzzer sounded” (
St. Petersburg Times, Apr. 11, 1965). Russell fouled out with one second left in the game.
In Game 6, Chamberlain had 30 points and 26 rebounds—playing the last 11:42 with five fouls, as Philadelphia won 112-106 to force a seventh and deciding game. Chamberlain, “hampered by five fouls” (
The Tuscaloosa News, Apr. 14, 1965) didn’t score in the fourth quarter, and Boston got within three, at 107-104 with 99 seconds left, but Hal Greer’s one-hander and a free throw by Chet Walker put them out of danger (
Eugene Register-Guard, Apr. 14, 1965). Satch Sanders led Boston with 25, Bill Russell had 22 points and 21 rebounds. “Chamberlain finished with 30 points and 26 rebounds and as happened in the two previous games of this playoff at Convention Hall, Chamberlain outplayed Bill Russell of the Celtics in the battle of the big men” (
New York Times, Apr. 14, 1965).
The Los Angeles Lakers, who wrapped up the Western Division title, “figure they’ll have a better chance against Philadelphia than against the defending champion Celtics. ‘
We can match Philadelphia’s personnel better,’ said forward Rudy LaRusso, ‘
but I’m afraid they won’t beat Boston’” (
The Evening Independent, Apr. 15, 1965). “Leroy Ellis summed up the Laker feeling when he said: ‘
I’d rather play Philadelphia and I’m sure everybody else would. We beat them seven out of 10 times during the season” (
Reading Eagle, Apr. 14, 1965). About the seventh game coming down to Boston Garden, where they hadn’t won all season—the Celtics defeating the 76ers fifteen straight times on their home court, Philadelphia coach Dolph Schayes said, “We’re convinced the (Boston) Garden isn’t a jinxed court. It’s just like any other court—94 feet by 50 feet” (
The Times-News, Apr. 14, 1965).
In Game 7, Sam Jones scored a game-high 37 points, John Havlicek scored 26, Tom Sanders 18, and Bill Russell had 15 points, 29 rebounds, eight assists and six blocked shots as Boston won 110-109 to win their ninth straight Eastern Division championship. “
Consider, if you will, another entry for the ‘only sure things in life.’ Make it death, taxes and the Boston Celtics to win when big money is at stake” (
The Deseret News, Apr. 14, 1965).
Boston led 110-107 when Sam Jones misread the clock and committed a 24-second violation. The Celtics let Chamberlain score unimpeded for his 30th point. With five seconds left, Philadelphia’s Johnny Kerr describes what happened:
We were playing the final game in Boston and they had a 3-point lead. Russell takes the ball out under his basket with five seconds to go. We were pressing them, and Russell throws the ball up and hits the guide wire on the backboard and it goes out of bounds. It’s our ball now. Everything was quiet. Auerbach put out his cigar. Heinsohn had fouled out and I think he was on the bench with a jacket over his head. We called a time-out. Schayes was coaching and he said, ‘What are we gonna do, what are we gonna do?’ Someone said, ‘Put John in to set the screen.’ I was out of the game by this time and Chamberlain was in. Everybody said, ‘Give the ball to Wilt.’ But Wilt says, ‘No, they’ll just foul me.’ Everybody just looked at him. So Schayes decided to put him in on the other side of the basket, out of the way. I was to go down to set a screen. Hal Greer was to take the ball out of bounds and throw it to Chet Walker, and then I was to come down and set a screen for Greer, who would just duck behind me, get a pass, and shoot. We’d worked that play out about a hundred times a year. It was a sensational play. So Schayes says, ‘Let’s make the play work for Hal.’ Fine. So I went down and I’m holding both K.C. Jones and Sam Jones down low, by their jerseys, and the ball goes over my head and I hear 13,909 fans screaming at the old Boston Garden because suddenly Havlicek is dribbling away with the ball. He’d intercepted the pass and was running away with it.
“I couldn’t believe it when Johnny Havlicek got that ball,” Boston coach Red Auerbach said. “I couldn’t believe it. I lost my voice” (
The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 16, 1965).
“Sam Jones is a great player, he knows what to do with the ball,” said Philadelphia coach Dolph Schayes. “But Havlicek won the game for them. He made the key shots and then made the steal” (
The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 16, 1965). “As soon as Greer let the ball go I knew it would be intercepted” (
Tri City Herald, Apr. 16, 1965).
Wilt Chamberlain led Philadelphia with 30 points (12-15 FG, 6-13 FT) and 32 rebounds, 76er reserve forward Dave Gambee had 25, and Chet Walker had 24. “
Chamberlain had the edge in scoring 30-15 and rebounds 32-29 while arch-rival Russell was ahead in blocked shots 6-1 and assists 8-2” (
The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 16, 1965).
“
The 7-1 Philly pivotman probably played what was his greatest series against the Celtics and almost realized a career ambition: to play on an NBA championship outfit” (
Daytona Beach Morning Journal, Apr. 17, 1965).
“I’m thinking about retiring, yes,” Chamberlain said afterwards. “I’m certainly not looking forward to next year. I’ve lost some bad ones this year. The outcome loss of this game may have something to do with my decision. I haven’t made up my mind definitely about it yet and I don’t know when I will. I’ve got to go to the hospital first. I’ve got to talk to my doctor” (
Tri City Herald, Apr. 16, 1965). “Wilt repeatedly turned aside questions aimed to pinning down the reason for his hospital visit. However, it is known he has had severe stomach disorders during the season.”
Philadelphia coach Dolph Schayes predicted the Celtics to sweep the Lakers. Hal Greer added, “Nothing to it. We’d beat the Lakers if we were to meet them. The Eastern Division series was really the one for the championship” (
Toledo Blade, Apr. 18, 1965).
