Retro POY '66-67 (Voting Complete)

[Doctor MJ]

In this thread we'll discuss and vote on the top 5 best player seasons of '66-67.

Trying something new now. Schedule will be Mon-Fri, and Thu-Mon. Typically this will be morning to morning.

Some things to start us off:

NBA
Season Summary http://www.basketball-reference.com/lea ... _1967.html
Playoff Summary http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... _1967.html
Award Voting http://www.basketball-reference.com/awa ... _1967.html
Final Box Score http://webuns.chez-alice.fr/finals/1967.htm

ABA
Season Summary http://www.basketball-reference.com/lea ... _1967.html
Playoff Summary http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... _1967.html

Topics
Wilt's quantum leap
Red's retirement
Frisco's emergence

[Dipper 13]

NBA Vault - 1966-67 76ers

One of the few seasons in this project that should have a unanimous #1 player amongst all the voters. Arguably the top peak individual season ever on what was perhaps the best single season team ever.



From Tall Tales:

Hannum and Chamberlain had a couple of long talks before the season. They were both big men, men of ego, yet men who lusted after the same thing - beating Boston. "I told Wilt that things had changed for him," said Hannum. "He had a great team around him. It was not necessary for him to lead the league - or even his team - in scoring for us to win." Chamberlain was a bit leery. He was the greatest scorer in history. While he wouldn't admit it, much of his identity was tied up in the fact that he was unstoppable, unguardable, unlike any player the NBA had ever seen. Hannum was asking to give up a lot.

Chamberlain considered that, but he also told Hannum, "I want to win. I'll give it a try."

Hannum had the most physically imposing fron line in NBA history: Chet Walker, Luke Jackson and Chamberlain were tall, wide and rippled with muscles. They formed a wall in front of the basket that no team could penetrate, unless a player wanted to eat the ball or count his bruises.

Six players averaged double figures. Wilt still scored 24 per game, but he only shot when he knew he'd make it; he led the league in field goal percentage at .683. Consider that New York's Walt Bellamy was second at .521, and you can put Wilt's marksmanship into context.

Chamberlain's critics were speechless.





Regular Season Statistics:

24 ppg, 24 rpg, 8 apg, 68 FG%


A couple of notable performances from the regular season.


Sarasota Journal

Chamberlain scores 58 points and grabs 25 rebounds shooting 76% from the field to help lead the Sixers to victory, snapping a 2 game losing streak.


The Spokesman Review

Chamberlain scores 42 points on 18/18 shooting from the field (100% FG) in a 76ers rout of the Bullets 149-118.


NBA Record - 35 consecutive field goals without a miss from February 17, 1967 through February 28, 1967

NBA Record - Most field goals in a game without a miss (18-18, Philadelphia 76ers vs. the Baltimore Bullets on February 24, 1967)

Chamberlain also holds the next two most with 16-16 (March 19, 1967) and 15-15 (January 20, 1967)






In the playoffs it appears Chamberlain had a field day in the first round against the Royals.


Game 1: 41 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists, 63% FG

Game 2: 37 points, 27 rebounds, 11 assists, 67% FG

Game 3: 16 points, 30 rebounds, 19 assists, 62% FG

Game 4: 18 points, 27 rebounds, 9 assists, 50% FG


Series Averages: 28.0 ppg, 26.8 rpg, 11 apg, 61% FG



Coach Hannum's comments following Game 2:

"Wilt showed why he should be recognized as the greatest player in the history of the game. We also tried to key in on Oscar Robertson a little more tonight and since Wally Jones is smaller we tried to shift other men on him too. We've got two tough ball clubs, but I feel Philadelphia is physically stronger than the Royals."


Royals Coach McMahon's comments following Game 2:

"I was not at all surprised at their going into Wilt. We knew what to expect. We just didn't play well enough."

"You know, I know and all the rest know that Philadelphia plays zone defense at least partially and the basic adjustment against zone defense is to move the ball. In the final analysis, it was the shooting that killed us."

One can only imagine how a scary a defensive team the Sixers really were, with defensive players like Jones, Greer, Walker, Cunningham, Costello, & Jackson playing a "zone" defense with a behemoth like Chamberlain anchoring the middle without the defensive 3 second restriction you see these days.



A bit on Hal Greer written during the Sixers/Celtics series.

The Palm Beach Post

"Greer plays the complete game,' said Hannum, "He's an offensive threat every minute he's in there. He has the perfect disposition, is well liked by everybody. We wouldn't have near the record this team has without Hal. You hear about our powerful front line of Wilt, Luke Jackson, Chet Walker and Billy Cunningham, but Greer's outside shooting helps make this possible."

Greer admits that the toughest guard in the league against him is Boston's K.C. Jones, but denies the rap placed on him by some writers that he gets "K.C.-itus"

"The three best games of my career have been against Boston," he notes. "I scored 50 points against them my first year in the league, 45 against them here, and 38 this season in Boston."

While he is recognized generally as one of the top offensive players in the game, few people are aware that Greer can play defense with the best. Often, Hannum will send Greer after Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Rick Barry, or Sam Jones, at least until the 76ers' guard gets into foul difficulty.







Wilt & Russell head to head in the Eastern Divison Finals (couldn't find the block totals for Russell)


Game 1:

Wilt - 24 points, 32 rebounds, 12 assists, 12 blocks, 69% FG (Hal Greer had 39 points as well)
Russell - 20 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 50% FG

Times-News

"Wilt broke it open. He was their whole defense, giving us only one shot when he wasn't blocking out shots," Russell admitted.


The Evening Independent

"Greer, who shot 17-for- 35 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free throw line, said he was surprised in the early minutes that "Boston laid back on me. I don't know what they were trying to do, probably bottle up the middle and tie up Wilt. It threw me off at first, and then I got going."



Game 2:

Wilt - 15 points, 29 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks, 45% FG
Russell - 14 points, 24 rebounds, 5 assists, 36% FG

Eugene Register-Guard

Even with the 2-0 lead, Chamberlain was taking nothing for granted. "I'm a firm believer that all things are possible," he said. "I think they're going to come out just a little bit tougher in the third game."


The Miami News

"It's all over. I really think so, I really do," said Hal Greer after the 76ers won a 107-102 nationally televised thriller at Boston Garden to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Division final playoffs.

"We're not going to let up just because we're two up," the veteran backcourt star added. "We're going to bear down even harder than ever."



Game 3:

Wilt - 20 points, 41 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 blocks, 57% FG
Russell - 10 points, 29 rebounds, 9 assists, 23% FG

The Free Lance-Star

The 76ers moved the Celtics closer to the brink by whipping them 115-104 Wednesday night for a 3-0 lead in their best-of-7 series as Wilt Chamberlain controlled everything.

Chamberlain took the game in Philadelphia into his own big hands, scoring 20 points, assisting on nine baskets, blocking 5 shots and pulling down a playoff record 41 rebounds. He shared the old mark of 40 with Boston's Bill Russell.

It was big Wilt's dunk in the final period that put the 76ers ahead to stay 100-99, and when Wally Jones followed with three baskets and Chet Walker one for a 108-102 spread, the game was over. Chamberlain had help from Hal Greer, who scored 30 points, and Jones, who hit 21.



Game 4:

Entire 2nd half: http://www.youtube.com/user/NBAFan1426# ... BA403B08DC

Wilt - 20 points, 22 rebounds, 10 assists, at least 3 blocks, 44% FG (perhaps bothered by severe pain in both knee joints)
Russell - 9 points, 28 rebounds, 5 assists, 29% FG

The Tuscaloosa News

"We expect to wrap it up in Philly," Hannum said in a dressing room interview shortened because of an earlier threatening telephone call. "We won't be back to Boston." added veteran guard Hal Greer. "I don't think Boston can put games back-to-back like this one today."

Russell's work against Chamberlain was also a factor. The 7-foot-1 Philadelphia superstar had 20 points and 10 assists, but was not as dominant as in earlier games and lost the rebound battle to the 6-foot-9 Russell, 28-22. Luke Jackson led the 76ers with 29 points and Greer had 28.



Game 5:

Highlight of this game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCaMsm9AOag

Wilt - 29 points, 36 rebounds, 13 assists, 7 blocks, 63% FG
Russell - 4 points, 21 rebounds, 7 assists, 40% FG

The Pittsburgh Press

"I told the fellows I wouldn't exchange this team for any bunch of players in the world," Russell said. 'We lost. But this was my most enjoyable year in basketball. This is not the end of the Celtics."

Series averages:

Wilt - 21.6 ppg, 32.0 rpg, 10.0 apg, 6+ bpg, 56% FG
Russell - 11.4 ppg, 23.4 rpg, 6.0 apg, 36% FG



LIFE Magazine

In the locker room the reporters pop the big question: will this series prove he's the greatest? Wilt denies it: "If I'm the greatest player ever, I''m the greatest win or lose." It is something he has said before.



After the 76ers won the series, everyone in the locker room except Chamberlain was excited and celebrating with champagne. Chamberlain was the one who reminded the team that they needed to win 4 more games to be the champions.







NBA Finals between the Warriors & Sixers. Wilt & Nate head to head.

http://webuns.chez-alice.fr/finals/1967.htm


Game 1:


Wilt - 16 points, 33 rebounds, 10 assists, 75% FG
Nate - 24 points, 31 rebounds, 3 assists, 50% FG


Chamberlain has a game saving block on Nate Thurmond to send the game in OT, where the Sixers pulled out with the win.

'After the 76ers couldn’t score, the Warriors had the final possession. Barry found Nate Thurmond cutting to the hoop but Chamberlain rejected the shot. The 76ers took control in the extra session and won going away 141-135.'


Eugene Register-Guard

'There were about 10 seconds left in the regulation game when Rick Barry, the NBA's leading scorer, started up for a jump shot. "I was going to shoot then I saw Chamberlain coming and decided to hand it off," he said in the Warriors dressing room. San Francisco's 6-foot-11 Nate Thurmond took the pass and went for a shot under the basket. Chamberlain spun around and leaped over Thurmond to block it. The 76ers' center grabbed the ball and called timeout with four seconds left.'

The 76ers' Hal Greer managed a desperate final buzzer shot from about 30 feet that hit the back of the rim and fell off, sending the game into overtime. Ther 76ers outscored the western champion Warriors, 13-7, in the extra five minutes with a jump shot by Greer with 4:12 to play, giving them a lead they never relinquished.'



Game 2:

Wilt - 10 points, 38 rebounds (26 in the 1st half), 10 assists, 10 blocks, 40% FG
Nate - 7 points, 29 rebounds, 2 assists, 21% FG



The Norwalk Hour

The Warriors virtually were blown off the court Sunday as they lost 126-95 to the Eastern champion Philadelphia 76ers. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was no contest.

As Sharman put it: "We couldn't put the ball in the hoop and you can't give that team 18 more rebounds and hope to win." The San Francisco coach said his boys were "too anxious after we got behind and had to play catch-up. They played aggressive defense and even picked up everything that was loose on the floor."



Game 3:

Wilt - 26 points, 26 rebounds, 5 assists, 52% FG
Nate - 17 points, 25 rebounds, 4 assists, 46% FG

The Miami News

Rick Barry scored 55 points and with great help from big Nate Thurmond and the smaller Jimmy King brought the San Francisco Warriors a 130-124 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers last night. Nate battled Philadelphia's giant Wilt Chamberlain on even terms. "This is one of the best games Nate has played against Wilt Chamberlain the entire year," declared Warrior Coach Bill Sharman.



Game 4:

Wilt - 10 points, 27 rebounds, 8 assists, 11 blocks, 50% FG
Nate - 8 points, 25 rebounds, 5 assists, 22% FG

After the Warriors’ win, the Cow Palace was sold out & there was even a closed-circuit audience in downtown San Francisco. Wally Jones & Rick Barry staged a 1st quarter shootout that ended with Jones & Philadelphia on top. Jones scored 14 points to Barry’s 13 while the Sixers held a 34-27 lead. Jones would then twist an ankle and would play little the rest of the way. The 76’ers used an 18-2 run in the 2nd period to break open the game. Chet Walker would pour in 29 points in the 2nd & 3rd periods. Unofficial stats had Chamberlain with 15 blocked shots in the game. Another unofficial stat, had Barry with 59 possessions in the game and only 11 passes.

Sports Illustrated

'After the fourth game of the playoff series with San Francisco, Philly's first victory in the Cow Palace, Chamberlain stepped up to be interviewed on TV. The man who had scored thousands and thousands of points but had never won a championship had taken exactly six shots that night, none at all in the second half. The losers had Rick Barry, who had taken 41. Wilt was asked about this. "Sometimes," he said, for the ears of the people back in Philly, "it is actually easier to play against a team that has one man do most of the shooting."'



Game 5:

Wilt - 20 points, 24 rebounds, 4 assists, 60% FG
Nate - 17 points, 28 rebounds, 1 assist, 33% FG


'SF jumped to a 9-6 lead but the 76ers pulled ahead 24-19. They maintained their slim lead in the 2nd quarter behind Walker’s 13-16 performance at the line in the period. Their largest lead was 49-43 and they led by only 3 at the break. The 76ers took control in the 3rd behind Luke Jackson’s 14 boards in the 3rd. Barry had 25 points in the 1st half, but only could get 2 in the 3rd. Philly would open up a 94-81 lead late in the 3rd. With the 76’ers poised to end the series, the wheels fell off in the 4th as they hit only 3-17 from the field and had 9 turnovers. Tom Meschery, playing with 5 fouls, scored 11 points in the 4th before fouling out. A 15-foot jumper by Barry tied the score at 102 with about 4 minutes remaining. A Hal Greer jumper ended a 5-minute Sixer drought at the 3:06 mark and put Philadelphia up 105-103. Jim King tied the game again before Greer was called for a controversial charge. Greer protested and was hit with a technical foul. Barry converted the free throw & Thurmond added 1 of his own to give the Warriors the lead for good. Greer cut the lead to 107-106 with a free throw. Thurmond pulled down a SF miss & Barry converted a drive into a 3-point play to make it 110-106 at the 2 minute mark. Greer was again called for a charge and the game had to be stopped as the Philadelphia fans threw eggs on the court. Wilt missed a pair of free throws and Greer then fouled out. Wally Jones missed all 6 shots in the 4th.'



Game 6:

Wilt - 24 points, 23 rebounds, 4 assists, 62% FG
Nate - 12 points, 22 rebounds, 5 assists, 31% FG


Another sellout with about 4,500 watching on closed circuit as they hoped the Warriors could even the series. They were entertained as the two teams set a still-standing record by combining for 84 1st quarter points. The 76ers led 43-41 as Chamberlain led them with 17 points. Jeff Mullins helped push the Warriors ahead at halftime with 11 points in the 2nd quarter. S.F. led at the half 72-68; the 140 points is broke the record set in Game 1 as the most points in a 1st half with 140 (A record that still stands). The Warriors pushed further ahead at the start of the 3rd when Jim King scored & Thurmond hit a free throw to make it 75-68 S.F. Barry hit a couple of shots to make it 90-80 in favor of the team from The City. King then stole the ball & fed Mullins for a dunk to make it 94-82. Matt Guokas came off the bench to spark Philadelphia. The 76ers went on an 11-2 run to close within 102-97. S.F. still led by 4 with 10 minutes left in game when Guokas hit a jumper then followed with a lay-up over Thurmond. Chet Walker went by Clyde Lee for hoop to give Philly a 108-106 lead. Cunningham then followed with 6 quick points to put the Sixers up 114-109 as the clock ticked down towards 6 minutes remaining. S.F. rallied with a 6-0 run to take the lead 115-114 on a Barry 17-footer. Chamberlain then hit 2 free throws to make it 116-115 Philadelphia and followed it up with a dunk of the offensive boards to make it 118-115. It was 122-116 with 2:16 to play when King hit a jumper to cut the lead to 4. Thurmond blocked a shot and Barry converted the ensuing fastbreak to cut it to a 2-point defecit. Cunningham hit a free throw but Barry answered with 2 of his own to make it 123-122 with 0:46 left. The 76ers then could not get a shot off and were called for a shot clock violation at the 22 second mark. Barry & Thurmond tried to work a pick and roll against Chamberlain & Walker. Barry wanted to pass to Thurmond for the shot, but Chamberlain recovered & Barry had to force a shot. King & Jackson tied up on the rebound. S.F. then subbed Meschery for King on the jump ball despite Philly’s protests. Jackson still won the tip to Walker who was fouled with 4 seconds to play. Walker knocked down both tries to clinch the game & series. The 76’ers 64 free throw attempts still stands as the most ever in a Finals game.

The 747 points for Philadelphia is the most ever in a 6-game series while San Francisco’s 707 is 2nd most. The 2 teams’ 287 field goals made each is tied for the most in a 6-game series. S.F.’s 743 field goal attempts is the 6-game standard. On the dark side, Philadelphia’s 61.3% from the line for the series is 2nd lowest in a 6-game series and the Warriors’ 182 personal fouls in the 2nd highest total. The 2 teams are also 1-2 in total rebounds in a 6-game series with SF having 435 & Philly having 425. Barry’s 40.8 ppg set a finals record that stood until 1993. He also equaled the record by having back-to-back 40+ point games. He also became only the 2nd player to score more than 30 points in every game of a Finals series. Chamberlain’s 29.5 rpg is the 3rd highest average in a Finals (behind Russell in 1959 & 1961). Chamberlain & Thurmond became only the 5th & 6th finals’ participants to grab 20+ boards in every game of the series (and the last 2 to do so).



Series averages:

Wilt - 17.6 ppg, 28.5 rpg, 6.8 apg, 56% FG
Nate - 14.1 ppg, 26.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 34% FG

[ThaRegul8r]

#1 is Wilt. No ifs, ands, or buts.

[Doctor MJ]

#1 is Wilt. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Definitely.

[Mean_Streets]

Yea, Wilt should be unanimous #1 for this year.

[mopper8]

While there is no way I'd put anyone ahead of him personally, there are participants in this project I can imagine not giving him the nod.

[ThaRegul8r]

While there is no way I'd put anyone ahead of him personally, there are participants in this project I can imagine not giving him the nod.

None of the reasons that existed for not putting him at #1 in other years exist this year.

[shawngoat23]

#1 is Wilt. No ifs, ands, or buts.

I'm going to need to carefully consider all the details before putting Wilt at #1. Do any of you have articles that have information about how much Wilt scored in the bedroom this year?

[ronnymac2]

Jerry West is out. Wasn't there for the playoffs. Wasn't his best REG SEA either.

Baylor, Barry, Thurmond, Oscar, and Russell are my contenders.

Hondo and Sam Jones need more tiebreakers than they got this year. Same with Bellamy and Lucas. Greer isn't quite good enough, though he may get an HM for his role on a GOAT team.

Willis Reed is a darkhorse. He actually had a really good season. Probably won't make it though.

[mopper8]

While there is no way I'd put anyone ahead of him personally, there are participants in this project I can imagine not giving him the nod.

None of the reasons that existed for not putting him at #1 in other years exist this year.

Don't get me wrong, I agree.

[ElGee]

Dipper, another amazing post. Thanks.

Estimated Pace-Adjusted Numbers 1967


ORtg

Code: Select all

1.  Philadelphia  102.8
2.  Cincinnati    98.6
3.  New York      98.4
4.  Boston        97.7
5.  Los Angeles   97.5
6.  St. Louis     96.2
LEAGUE AVG.       96.1
7.  San Francisco 95.2
8.  Baltimore     93.0
9.  Chicago       91.8
10. Detroit       90.1

DRtg

Code: Select all

1.  Boston        91.2
2.  San Francisco 92.9
3.  Detroit       94.6
4.  Chicago       94.8
5.  Philadelphia  95.1
LEAGUE AVG.       96.1
6.  Los Angeles   97.3
7.  St. Louis     97.6
8.  Baltimore     98.2
9.  Cincinnati    98.8
10. New York      100.9

Code: Select all

         Pts/75  Reb/75 Ast/75 Rel TS%
======================================
Barry     24.5   6.3    2.5    3.8%
Jones     21.5   4.3    2.9    1.5%
Oscar     21.1   4.3    7.4    9.0%
Baylor    20.0   9.6    2.3   -0.2%
Reed      17.6   12.3   1.4    4.5%       
Greer     16.9   4.1    2.9    6.4%
Wilt      15.7   15.7   5.1    14.4%
Thurmond  12.3   14.0   1.7   -1.3%
Russell   9.6    15.2   4.2    0.7%


[Sedale Threatt]

Best individual season in NBA history?

[ThaRegul8r]

Best individual season in NBA history?

In my opinion. I've maintained this for years.

[semi-sentient]

For anyone that didn't read all of that, Wilt had 2 quadruple-doubles in the playoffs (against Russell and Thurmond). I'm sure there were plenty more throughout the regular season, but that right there is damn insane.

[ThaRegul8r]

From my notes on this season:

January 20, 1967, Chamberlain shot 15-for-15 for 32 points, 30 rebounds and nine assists in a 119-108 win over the Lakers. It was the 76ers’ 30th in its last 32 games, and 36th straight at home, and they were 45-4 for the season. It gave him 27 consecutive field goals made. February 24, Chamberlain shot 18-for-18 for 42 points in a 149-118 win over Baltimore. From Feb. 17 to Feb. 28, he made 35 consecutive field goals without a miss. Feb. 28, 1967, Chamberlain had 28 points (11-14 FG), 36 rebounds and nine assists in a 127-107 win over Cincinnati at Syracuse. Chamberlain made his first four field goals to set an NBA record with 35 consecutive field goals. March 19, Chamberlain shot 16-for-16 in a 132-129 comeback win over Baltimore on the last day of the season.

Triple doubles. (not complete) 1) Dec. 17, 1966, 28 points, 27 rebounds and 12 assists in a 120-105 win over Detroit; 2) Dec. 26, 38 points, 32 rebounds and 10 assists in a 134-118 win over the Lakers; 4) Jan. 27, 17 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a 110-107 win over Cincinnati; 4) Feb. 15, 1967, 18 points, 28 rebounds and 10 assists in a 127-121 win over the Detroit Pistons; 5) Mar. 5, season-low 10 points, 25 rebounds and 16 assists in a 131-106 win over Detroit; 6) Mar. 18, 26 points, 17 rebounds and 15 assists; 7) Mar. 22, 37 points, 27 rebounds and 11 assists in a 123-102.

Near misses: 1) Dec. 28, Chamberlain had 24 points, 32 rebounds and nine assists in a 113-108 win over Boston in their fourth head-to-head meeting; 2) Jan. 4, 1967, 21 points, 25 rebounds and nine assists in a 136-115 win over Chicago for their 11th consecutive victory; 3) Feb. 28, 1967, 28 points (11-14 FG), 36 rebounds and nine assists in a 127-107 win over Cincinnati at Syracuse.

Feb. 17, 1967, Chamberlain had a season-high 17 assists against Cincinnati. March 2, 1967 he grabbed an NBA season-high 38 rebounds against Detroit.

Defense. Nov. 8, 1966, Chamberlain had 18 points (8-13 FG), 24 rebounds, 17 blocks and four assists in a 118-100 win over New York for their eighth win in nine games. “Defense in the name of the game,” Chamberlain said afterwards. “It’s what I get paid for. When asked about his low point production this year, he said, “Why should it bother me. We’re winning, aren’t we?” Jan. 14, 1967, Chamberlain had 19 points, 25 rebounds and 13 blocked shots in a 110-95 win over Boston to increase its lead to 9½ games.

For the first time in his career, Chamberlain failed to lead the league in scoring. Rick Barry wrote, “I won the NBA scoring title only because Wilt Chamberlain didn’t want it that year. Oscar Robertson averaged 30 points a game and Jerry West 28 and Elgin Baylor 26 (although they both missed a lot of games). Wilt averaged 24. Wilt had decided he’d been scoring champion often enough and he’d be more of a passer than scorer from then on. But anytime he wanted to, Wilt could have scored more than 35 points a game, and I know it, and he knows it, and everyone should know it” (Rick Barry with Bill Libby, Confessions of a Basketball Gypsy: The Rick Barry Story [Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1972], p. 102). Chamberlain scored an NBA season-high 58 points Feb. 13, 1967 against Cincinnati.

Postseason

Eastern Division Semifinals - Philadelphia 76ers (68-13) vs. Cincinnati Royals (39-42)

Cincinnati upset Philadelphia in Game 1 120-116 to take a 1-0 lead behind Oscar Robertson’s 33 points (11-20 FG, 11-11 FT) and 16 assists and Connie Dierking’s 29. Chamberlain had a game-high 41 points (19-30 FG, 3-9 FT), 22 rebounds and five assists.

In Game 2, Chamberlain had 37 points (16-24 FG, 5-9 FT), 27 rebounds and 11 assists to lead Philadelphia to a 123-102 win. “Wilt showed why he should be recognized as the greatest player in the history of the game,” said 76er coach Alex Hannum. Hal Greer had 28. Philadelphia shot 49-for-101 (48.5%), Cincinnati shot 40-for-92 (43.5%). Oscar Robertson led Cincinnati with 29 points (9-17 FG, 11-11 FT) with six rebounds and nine assists, Connie Dierking had 21 and 17 rebounds.

In Game 3, Chamberlain had 16 points (8-13 FG, 0-2 FT), 30 rebounds, and a playoff record-tying 19 assists to lead Philadelphia to a 121-106 win over Cincinnati to give them a 2-1 lead. Chamberlain tied the record set by Bob Cousy in the 1957 and 1959 playoffs. “I am pleased because guards have been recognized as the playmakers of the game for so long. This proves that centers can be playmakers. After all, that’s what the pivot was really meant for—for the rest of the players to move around the pivot” (The Miami News, Mar. 25, 1967).

Philadelphia won Game 4 to eliminate the Royals 112-94, Chamberlain narrowly missing a triple double with 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-13 FT), 27 rebounds and nine assists. Chamberlain made the first two baskets of the game, and the 76ers never trailed. Oscar Robertson was held to 12 points on 4-for-15 shooting in the loss. Chamberlain averaged 28 points, 26.5 rebounds and 11 assists, shooting 61.2 percent from the floor.

Eastern Division Finals - Philadelphia 76ers (68-13) vs. Boston Celtics (60-21)

Philadelphia won Game 1 127-113, Hal Greer scoring a game-high 39 (17-35 FG, 5-5 FT), and Chamberlain with 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-10 FT), 32 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots. Jones led Boston with 24, Havlicek had 22, and Russell had 20 points (7-14 FG, 6-7 FT), 15 rebounds and four assists. The Celtics shot 32 percent from the floor for the first half; Jones and Havlicek were 4-for-24 at halftime.

Philadelphia won Game 2 in Boston 107-102, Hal Greer leading the way with 23 points, Wally Jones with 22, Hal Greer with 17, Luke Jackson with 15, and Chamberlain with 15 points (5-11 FG, 5-9 FT), 29 rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots (Kentucky New Era, April 3, 1967) to Russell's 14 points, 24 rebounds and five assists.

BOSTON (AP) — Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers are finally playing together instead of fighting each other, says K.C. Jones, and the result is the most serious threat in nine years to the Boston Celtics, perennial National Basketball Association champions.

“It’s not just Wilt; the attitude of the whole club has changed,” the Celtics’ defensive ace said today as his reeling team looked ahead to the third game of the Eastern Division final playoffs at Philadelphia Wednesday. The 76ers have won the first two games in the best-of-7 series.

“This year for the first time they’re helping one another, complementing one another, instead of bickering on the court the way they used to,” Jones said. “This has put them on the road to success.”

Jones said that the 7-foot-1 Chamberlain appears to have more confidence in his teammates and much more desire than in the past.

“Wilt is getting up and down the court as fast as he can instead of trotting the way he did before,” the Celtics backcourt star added.

Philadelphia won Game 3 115-104 to take a 3-0 lead, Hal Greer leading the Sixers with 30 points, Wally Jones with 21, and Chamberlain with 20 points (8-14 FG, 4-8 FT), grabbed a playoff-record 41 rebounds, passed for nine assists and blocked five shots. Russell had 10 points, 29 rebounds, nine assists and four blocked shots.

Philadelphia coach Alex Hannum had praise for all his players but Boston player-coach Bill Russell singled out Wilt Chamberlain as the key man in the series.

“The key to the game, as he has been throughout the series, was Chamberlain,” said Russell. “His great defense and his rebounding, especially off the defensive board, did it. It wasn’t often that we missed and got a second chance. He seemed to gobble up everything.”

The 7-foot, 1 inch Chamberlain pulled down a playoff-record-total of 41 rebounds, scored 20 points, had nine assists and blocked five shots. Russell, also playing in peak form, had 29 rebounds, scored 10 points,

In Game 4 before a sellout crowd of 13,909 at the Boston Garden, the Celtics won 121-117 to prevent a sweep and keep their season alive. Sam Jones had 32 points and John Havlicek had 31. Russell had eight points, a game-high 28 rebounds, and five assists. Luke Jackson led Philadelphia with 29, and Hal Greer had 28. Chamberlain had 20 points (8-18 FG, 4-11 FT), 22 rebounds and 10 assists.

April 17, 1967
The New Spirit Of The 76ers
Gambling on defense and running relentlessly on offense, both tributes to the dominant play of Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia took a commanding lead over the Celtics in the Eastern Division pro playoffs
Frank Deford

The Boston Celtics were falling like the House of Usher—all in a heap, wham! into the depths. They were behind, 3-1, to Philadelphia and their eight years of world supremacy—the finest achievement of any team in the history of professional sports—seemed likely to become just a note in the record books. The approaching hour of defeat, all but inexorable despite a last-stand victory at home on Sunday, brought them one final tribute: they were being beaten by a team that is bigger, stronger and younger but is, nevertheless, patterned precisely after the Celtics themselves. "They are playing the same game that we've played for the last nine years," said K.C. Jones, not patronizingly but with admiration. "And they've gained respect and confidence in each other." Then, undoubtedly recalling the years when Wilt Chamberlain-led teams hardly displayed the selfless dedication that distinguished and inspired the Celtics, he added thoughtfully, "They have a real clean attitude."

That attitude, the essence of a champion that now invests the Philadelphia 76ers, was neatly illustrated by a minor incident in a game many years ago. Sam Jones—Sam, the marvelous shooter—had made the grade with the Celtics of Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman. He heard Cousy call to Red Auerbach on the bench, "Get him out, get him out!" and he wondered what he was doing wrong. A few seconds later, when Cousy called time out, Sam was told: you were not shooting enough. The idea had never occurred to him; it would not have occurred to a player on any other team, either. The reverse—shooting too much, trying for points without regard for his teammates—would have been the likely cause of a player's removal. But the Celtics, aware of Sam's ability, were working hard to set him up, and he had not been shooting enough. That's the kind of team the Celtics were and are, and that's the kind of team the 76ers have become.

It was fair to remember that about the Celtics at a time when strange things were suddenly visible in their play: Sam and John Havlicek missing shots again and again; Hal Greer getting away from K.C.; Tom Sanders wandering aimlessly on defense where once he strode like a little Bill Russell; and Russell himself, dominated by Wilt Chamberlain, looking, finally, like a little Bill Russell, too. Red Auerbach saw it all. He sat near the Boston bench, powerless to do anything but watch, with not even a program to squeeze in anguish.

The loyal Boston fans—displaying the mentality that makes it advisable to continue banning even the mildest sort of provocative literature from their bookstores—were not content to suffer quietly. In the second game, when the Celtics were stumbling and desperate, the boos—real and mean—tore out of the stands. They were directed mostly at Russell, who is, presumably only as good as his last eight straight championships.

The Celtics themselves made no excuse, nor did they have any. Their three defeats were decisive, and they accepted them with style. Yet except for the opening 127-113 rout, those games were close, and there were even times when it seemed they would pull it out as they always had before. Perhaps the most significant came in the second game, the first one in Boston, which the Celtics had to win or fall behind 2-0. That had never before happened in all the championship years. Seven times the Celtics had fallen behind 1-0 or 2-1 but had come back to tie the series. Ten times they had had to win or be eliminated. In those must games they had been 17-0. Now in the 18th, they moved in front 51-47 and then suddenly, as of old, burst far ahead. Russell signaled it by clobbering a Chamberlain shot, and the Celtics were off, all of them. After two quick baskets Sanders-swooping down, trailing, ready for the rebound if Bailey Howell missed the layup—saw it drop in, and in the pure exhilaration of the old Celtic chase he gave a little jump for joy, rising like a kid off his tippy-toes and flapping his arms. But Philly came right back with eight straight points, soon caught up and then moved ahead for good. The only sounds in Boston Garden came from the Celtic bench, the players there pleading for their teammates on the floor to call time-out so they could try to recover.

The Celtics did come back, to within a point, with 1:48 left. They did it with a pressing team, consisting of Russell and Havlicek and three guards—K.C., Larry Siegfried and rookie Jim Barnett. At this point everyone expected that Russell would bring another shooter into the game, Sam or Bailey Howell (who had shot 11 for 15). Instead, he played a pat hand, and after Chamberlain sank a foul the Celtics missed five straight shots before Wilt finally cleared the ball. Boston never scored again.

Afterward, Russell said that the decision not to substitute was his own. At least he had had a time-out to deliberate this point. At other times the Boston bench—looking like the Lost Boys when Peter Pan was away fighting pirates on his own—seemed out of sight, out of mind. It may be true that not even a complete series like this one furnishes the clinching argument against the idea of the playing coach. But logic indicates that a man playing 48 minutes and in the pivot and against Wilt Chamberlain can scarcely hope to match wits with a man like Alex Hannum, presiding vigilantly over the Philly bench.

It is worth noting, too, that St. Louis did not beat San Francisco in the Western playoffs until the only other NBA player-coach, Richie Guerin, removed himself from the starting lineup for the third game. True, Guerin was acting primarily for reasons other than just to obtain thinking room. He wanted to get Joe Caldwell (a 6'5" forward) into the lineup to shadow Rick Barry, and at the same time he wanted to keep his own high-scoring corner man, Lou Hudson, in the game. Caldwell guarded Barry, holding him to 11 points below Barry's playoff average against St. Louis, and then Joe switched with Hudson on offense, playing guard. Guerin used the same strategy in the fourth game and won again, though an ankle injury to Barry also helped the Hawks.

Russell had a lineup change himself for the third game. He started two from his pressing team, Havlicek and Siegfried, in place of Sanders and K.C. The Celtics pressed from the first, and the two teams were soon putting on a running exhibition that would have filled all the requirements for an adequate substitute program at Aqueduct. Such a tempo was bound to produce errors, but at the same time it was superb basketball. It was seesaw, but not in the usual basket-trading sense. Instead, the balance would shift for whole minutes, depending on who controlled the breaks.

Philadelphia won 115-104 because Chamberlain was better than Russell and because, on those occasions when the teams set up outside, the 76er shooting by Hal Greer and Wally Jones was more consistent than Boston's. Except for his petulant expressions at errors and whistles, Chamberlain was magnificent. He set a playoff record of 41 rebounds, many of them coming because he was trailing every Boston break and grabbing missed shots when he should have been gasping for breath at the other end of the floor. "I've never moved so much in my life," he said later. "Not even the night I scored 100." That says more about the way Chamberlain played in the series than all the testimonials offered by others. On offense there was no pressure on the 76ers to set up and wait for him to move into the pivot. On the contrary, by throwing the long lead pass repeatedly, Wilt was taking himself out of the offensive play, giving his fast-breaking teammates the scoring advantage. On defense his conscientious support allowed them to play the aggressive, gambling game that the Celtics have used with Russell for a decade.

A few hours before this game Hannum had gone to his favorite restaurant, Kelly's on Mole Street, a seafood place. With him was Danny Biasone, the man who invented the 24-second clock that saved pro basketball. Danny Biasone also invented the Philadelphia 76ers. At the time, in 1946, they were a semipro team in Syracuse, and all Biasone wanted was to play the Rochester team. But Rochester would not play him. Somebody told Biasone that Rochester belonged to something called the National League, which had an office in Chicago, so Biasone figured one way to make Rochester play him was to get in the National League, too. He called Chicago. "They told me," he said to Hannum, " 'sure you can get in. Just put a $1,000 certified check in the mail.' " Biasone sent the check, and that was the way the Philadelphia 76ers began.

There is not much of Syracuse left on the 76ers now, but Danny Biasone came down to Philly to see how far his $1,000 had gone. Hannum and Biasone had the clams and then the flounder. They were relaxed and cheerful. Their team had given Philadelphia its biggest edge over Boston since young Ben Franklin changed his residence.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... /index.htm

In Game 5 back in Philadelphia, the 76ers won 140-116 to dethrone the Celtics. Hal Greer led the Sixers with 32 points, Chet Walker had 26, Wally Jones 23, and Chamberlain had 29 points (10-16 FG, 9-17 FT), 36 rebounds, 13 assists and seven blocked shots to Russell's four points, 21 rebounds and seven assists (The Miami News, April 12, 1967). John Havlicek had a game-high 38 points for Boston, and Larry Siegfried had 24.

For the series, Chamberlain averaged 21.6 points on 55.6 percent shooting, 32 rebounds and 10 assists.

NBA Finals – Philadelphia 76ers (68-13) vs. San Francisco Warriors (44-37)

In Game 1, Chamberlain had 16 points, 33 rebounds and 10 assists in a 141-135 win in overtime.

In Game 2, Philadelphia held San Francisco to only their second sub-hundred point game of the season, held them to 29.5 percent shooting, and outrebounded them 101-83 as they won 126-95 to take a 2-0 lead. Hal Greer led Philadelphia with 30 points, Billy Cunningham had 28, and Chamberlain had 10 points, 38 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocked shots. With his fourth triple double in as many games, Chamberlain set an NBA record for most consecutive triple doubles in the same NBA postseason. After leading 26-17 after the first period, the 76ers never trailed.

[Game 3 is missing from my notes. Will fill in later.]

Philadelphia won Game 4 122-108 to take a 3-1 series lead. Hal Greer had 38, Chet Walker had 33-14 in the fourth quarter, Chamberlain had 10 points (3-6 FG, 4-9 FT), 27 rebounds, 15 blocked shots and eight assists. “Wilt never played better,” said coach Alex Hannum. “Every time I looked up, he was blocking a shot. […] I don’t believe he ever has had a better defensive game.” Rick Barry had 43 for the Warriors.

Philadelphia won Game 5 125-122 to win the NBA title. Rick Barry scored 44 in defeat. Chamberlain finally won the big one.

For the postseason, Chamberlain averaged 21.7 points, 29.1 rebounds and nine assists. He averaged 28 points, 26.5 rebounds and 11 assists against Cincinnati in the Eastern Division Semfinals, and 21.6 points, 32 rebounds and 10 assists in the Eastern Division Finals against Boston. Chamberlain had quadruple doubles in back-to-back series against Bill Russell and Nate Thurmond, the two greatest defensive centers of his era.

I've said it before: this is the greatest single season in NBA history.

[ThaRegul8r]

It should be a given Wilt is #1. I'll put information about Nate Thurmond here.


The Pittsburgh Press, February 3, 1967

“Thurmond is the key to our team. You’ve got to have a great center. We have one in Thurmond. The Celtics have Bill Russell, the 76ers have Wilt Chamberlain. We’d still be up there without me but not without Thurmond.” — Rick Barry

Los Angeles Times, February 4, 1967

“The growing number of people who think Nate Thurmond is the most valuable big man in pro basketball picked up a whole new group of believers Friday night.”
— LA Times writer Dan Hafer, after the Warriors lose to LA 129-80 without Thurmond

The Pittsburgh Press, March 30, 1967

“The Warriors, despite Super Soph. Rick Barry’s heroics, never would have won the Western Division title this season nor made it to the playoffs, for that matter, had it not been for Thurmond’s defensive work under the boards.”

“If there was any doubt prior to this series that San Francisco’s Nate Thurmond is Chamberlain’s heir apparent as the league’s best center, it was quickly dispelled.”
— Christian Science Monitor, April 26, 1967

Sports Illustrated, May 8, 1967

“Nate Thurmond, the man who is the only heir to Chamberlain and Bill Russell. […] He performed marvelously against Chamberlain; it was not just by choice that Wilt shot so infrequently.” — Frank Deford


Oct. 28, 1966, Thurmond had 19 points and 25 rebounds in a 105-104 win over Baltimore, and “blocked a shot by Gus Johnson that would have tied the game […]” (The Sumter Daily Item, Oct. 29, 1966). Jeff Mullins tied up Baltimore’s Don Ohl with 39 seconds left. “With these key plays stopping the Bullets, Jim King connected on a 10-foot jump shot with 26 seconds left for the San Francisco victory” (The Sumter Daily Item, Oct. 29, 1966). Nov. 14, 1966, Thurmond had 20 points, 30 rebounds and 15 blocked shots in a 115-104 win over Detroit (The Evening Independent, Nov. 15, 1966). Dec. 8, 1966, Rick Barry had an off night with 21 points on 8-for-33 shooting (24.2%) in a 116-106 loss to Baltimore, but Thurmond picked up the slack with 30 points. Dec. 22, 1966, Thurmond held Wilt Chamberlain to 14 points (6-12 FG) and outrebounded him 25-22 in a 116-114 loss to Philadelphia (Tri City Herald, Dec. 22, 1966).

Nate Thurmond, Wilt Chamberlain’s understudy when both played for San Francisco, hounded Philadelphia’s super star tenaciously but in vain Thursday night. Thurmond may have won the contest, but the 76ers won the game.

In the only National Basketball Association action, the Philadelphia 76ers outlasted a dogged Warrior squad and won, 116-114, although Thurmond held Chamberlain to 14 points and outrebounded the Big Dipper.

[…]

Thurmond played for years in Chamberlain’s super image. When the Big Dipper was traded by the Warriors to Philadelphia, Thurmond took over as San Francisco’s regular center.

Against Chamberlain, the Warrior center allowed only one field goal in six attempts in the first half. In the final quarter, however, Wilt made five of six attempts from the field and ended with 14 points.

Chamberlain had 22 rebounds and eight assists, Thurmond scored nine points, gathered in 25 rebounds and assisted on three goals.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sX ... 26,4442937

In their next meeting, Feb. 2, 1967, Thurmond “blocked eight of Wilt’s shots, dominated both backboards with 23 rebounds and scored 16 points” in a 137-120 win over Philadelphia. “Chamberlain only managed 16 points” (Park City Daily News, Feb. 3, 1967).

San Francisco coach Bill Sharman said, “I consider Nate right in the same class, but kinda in between, a Russell or a Chamberlain. Bill Russell, now who’s a little quicker than either one of ’em, will go to the corners, block a shot, or get back underneath and get the big rebound, or again pick up the cutter. Where Nate, won’t go out quite as far, but he will go out a bit farther than Wilt. Now of course Wilt is much stronger than both of ’em, so he will muscle and do a better job in close” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJdSJQvwpIY#t=2m5s).

Rick Barry was All-Star Game MVP with a game-high 38 points (16-27 FG, 6-8 FT)—second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 42 in 1962, six rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes, but “[t]here are those who think it should have gone to Thurmond. ‘Nate was the equalizer,’ commented Coach Fred Schaus of Los Angeles who directed the West. ‘He was the entire key to the ball game. With Thurmond able to contest the entire East front line (on rebounds), we were able to run. This was our game plan’” (The Sumter Daily Item, Jan. 11, 1967). Thurmond had 16 points (7-16 FG, 2-4 FT) and 18 rebounds in 42 minutes. “Thurmond definitely was the most valuable player,” said Chamberlain. “He did the entire job while Barry just put the ball through the hoop.”

Feb. 5, 1967, Thurmond scored the winning basket on a tip-in with four seconds left and blocked a last shot in a 142-141 overtime win over Chicago. Feb. 10, 1967, Thurmond fractured two bones in his left hand during the second quarter of a 137-136 double overtime loss to Boston (The Free Lance-Star, Feb. 11, 1967). “If Thurmond is out for six weeks, he could miss one or two playoff games. But if he misses eight weeks, his teammates might join him on the sidelines because of elimination.”


Lodi News-Sentinel, March 15, 1967

The San Francisco Warriors clinched the Western Division regular season championship nine days ago, but it’s doubtful if they get anywhere when the National Basketball Association playoffs begin next week.

The combination of numerous injuries and erratic performances by those in good shape have resulted in a flock of defeats. The San Franciscans have lost nine of their last 11 contests and often looked like the worst team in the Western Division rather than the title winner.

The Warriors began to struggle when 6 ft. 11 in. center Nate Thurmond broke his hand against Boston Feb. 10. Thurmond is back but unless he’s in top shape for the playoffs, a doubtful prospect, the San Francisco pros will have a tough time beating anyone.

Sparked by high scoring Rick Barry and Thurmond, the Warriors got off to a fast start last October and had run up a 9½ game lead over second place St. Louis by the middle of January. They were breezing along until Thurmond’s injury.

[ElGee]

^^^ Do you have the 16 games Thurmond missed?

Quick notes about Thurmond:
-he was 2nd in MVP voting (why do you guys think there were so many non-Wilt votes?)
-anchored the 2nd best defense (estimated)
-Wilt named Thurmond one of his top centers of all-time in a 1988 interview at halftime of the Finals. (Thurmond, Bob Lanier -- who was sitting next to him -- Russell, Kareem, and himself as No. 1).

[ThaRegul8r]

^^^ Do you have the 16 games Thurmond missed?

I can get those up later.

2/3/67 - Thurmond missed game with strep throat, and the Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Lakers @ LA 129-80 for their worst defeat of the season.
2/4/67 - 140-127 L to Philadelphia

2/10, Thurmond fractures two bones in his left hand against Boston.

2/11/67 - 125-122 OT L @ New York
2/12/67 - 134-124 L @ Detroit
2/14/67 - 128-122 W over Boston
2/16/67 - 125-124 W over Chicago
2/18/67 - 130-124 W over Boston
2/21/67 - 136-133 W over LA
2/24/67 - 137-122 L to Cincinnati
2/25/67 - 129-116 L to Cincinnati
2/28/67 - 127-123 L @ New York
3/1/67 - 137-125 L @ Boston
3/2/67 - 136-128 L @ Philadelphia
3/4/67 - 111-102 W over New York
3/5/67 - 115-103 L to New York

3/8/67, Thurmond receives medical clearance to return (NY Times, Mar. 9 1967). Warriors went 5-8 without Thurmond (38.5%).

Mar. 14, 1967 LA Times says, “Nate Thurmond playing his second game after sitting out 14 games with a broken hand.” That means he played 3/13 against Detroit and 3/11 against LA, so...

3/10/67 - 111-105 L to St. Louis

5-9 after Thurmond's broken hand (26.3%).

Warriors went 5-11 without Thurmond (31.3%)

[Manuel Calavera]

^^^ Do you have the 16 games Thurmond missed?

Quick notes about Thurmond:
-he was 2nd in MVP voting (why do you guys think there were so many non-Wilt votes?)
-anchored the 2nd best defense (estimated)
-Wilt named Thurmond one of his top centers of all-time in a 1988 interview at halftime of the Finals. (Thurmond, Bob Lanier -- who was sitting next to him -- Russell, Kareem, and himself as No. 1).

Not 100% sure but since votes were done by GMs/players/coaches it's likely there'll be a rule about voting on people from your own team.

[Sedale Threatt]

So, Wilt is a lock for 1, and I refuse to put anybody ahead of Russell unless there's an absolutely air-tight case on their behalf. So there are basically three spots left on my ballot.