Retro POY '65-66 (Voting Complete)

[Doctor MJ]

In this thread we'll discuss and vote on the top 5 best player seasons of '65-66.

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 ... _1966.html
Playoff Summary http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... _1966.html
Award Voting http://www.basketball-reference.com/awa ... _1966.html
Final Box Score http://webuns.chez-alice.fr/finals/1966.htm

[ThaRegul8r]

Boston finished behind Philadelphia for the best record in the Eastern Division. Russell averaged 12.9 points, 22.8 rebounds (2nd in the league to Chamberlain [24.6]), 4.8 assists in 43.4 minutes per game (4th [behind Chamberlain (47.3), Robertson (46.0), and Jerry Lucas (44.5)]). Led the league in defensive win shares with 11.4. Finished fourth in the MVP voting behind Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson.

October 16, 1965, Russell grabbed 36 rebounds in a 102-98 win over Cincinnati in the season opener. December 27, 1965, Russell grabbed 34 rebounds in a 113-99 win over Baltimore. February 2, 1966, Russell had 26 points and 36 rebounds in a 99-93 loss to Detroit. Russell was one short of the Cobo Arena record (The Telegraph, Feb. 3, 1966).

Eastern Division Semifinals – Boston Celtics (54-26) vs. Cincinnati Royals (45-35):

Cincinnati won Game 1 107-103. Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas had 26 points apiece. Robertson shot 7-for-23 (30.4%), and Lucas 6-for-15 (40%), but Lucas grabbed 27 rebounds “as the Royals controlled the boards by a 70-61 margin” (The Dispatch, Mar. 23, 1966). “Oscar and I just weren’t hitting our shots,” said Lucas. “The defense saved us. If the two of us had been hitting, it wouldn’t even have been a ballgame” (Kentucky New Era, Mar. 21, 1966). “They were rebounding and we were standing around watching,” said Celtics coach Red Auerbach. “We came out to play but they came to win” (The Dispatch, Mar. 23, 1966). Russell led Boston with 22 points after going scoreless in the first half, Larry Siegfried had 20, and John Havlicek had 16 “after a cold first half” (The Dispatch, Mar. 23, 1966), “zero for eight from the floor in the first two periods […]” (The Palm Beach Post, Mar. 24, 1966).

Led by Bill Russell, the Celtics stormed to within one point, 83-82, before Smith and Robertson hit on shots from the side midway through the finale.

Russell and Larry Siegfried closed the gap to one point once again, 87-86, before the Big O hit on a shot from the key and Lucas connected on a long shot to pull the Royals out of danger.

The Celtics were unable to get closer than three points after that. (The Palm Beach Post, Mar. 24, 1966)

Boston won Game 2 132-125. Sam Jones scored a game-high 42 points on 14-for-24 shooting from the floor (58.3%) and 14 of 15 shooting from the line (68.6% TS), and Bill Russell had 25 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots (The Spokesman Review, Mar. 26, 1966). Oscar Robertson led Cincinnati with 35 points on 11-for-18 shooting (61.1%) from the floor and 18 for 18 from the line (67.5% TS), “although he sat out about eight minutes of the third quarter with five fouls.” Happy Hairston had 24, and Jerry Lucas had 20 points and 24 rebounds.

Cincinnati won Game 3 113-107 to take a 2-1 lead and put Boston on the verge of elimination. Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas had 27, Happy Hairston had 21. Rookie Jon McGlocklin was sent into the game with Boston leading 94-90. McGlocklin “promptly hit on a running one-hander and then added two long set shots that helped the Royals to a 105-101 lead.” Sam Jones scored on two baskets to tie the game at 105-105 with 51 seconds left. Cincinnati called time out, and Hairston was called from the bench by Royals coach Jack McMahon. Hairston was fouled and made two free throws, stole a pass by Jones and Oscar Robertson was fouled seconds later for two more free throws. Hairston then made four more three throws in the closing seconds. John Havlicek led Boston with a game-high 36 points, 14 in the third quarter. Red Auerbach said, “We won’t quit. We just have to set our minds to the job of coming from behind again. We’re not dead yet. Wait and see.”

Boston Celtic Coach Red Auerbach personally took the blame Monday for the Boston Celtics’ 113-107 loss to Cincinnati Sunday in the third game of the National Basketball Association’s Eastern Division semifinal playoffs.

Auerbach told the weekly basketball writers’ luncheon that his fourth period strategy of sending in Sam Jones for Larry Siegfried and the Royals went on to win.

Jones, who had been shackled by four fouls, was sent into action after the Celtics took a 92-88 lead. However, his shooting was below par, and Cincinnati stormed from behind to a 105-101 lead. Then Sam tied the game before the Royals pulled away in the final minute.

“Siegfried was doing well, but I thought he was tired and I had our top scorer, Sam Jones, sitting on the bench,” Auerbach said in explaining his strategy. “I normally blast the team after losing a clutch game, but I didn’t yesterday, I think we played well.” (Eugene Register-Guard, Mar. 29, 1966)

Boston won Game 4 120-103 to tie the series at 2 games apiece and force the Eastern Division Semifinals to a fifth and deciding game. Sam Jones had 32, Satch Sanders had 28. Oscar Robertson led Cincinnati with a game-high 34 points, and Jerry Lucas had 22.

Boston won Game 5 112-103 to take the Eastern Division semi-finals 3 games to 2. Sam Jones scored 35 points and Bill Russell scored 18 points and grabbed 31 rebounds. Oscar Robertson scored 37 for Cincinnati.

Oscar Robertson averaged 31.8 points for the five-game series. Royals general manager Pepper Wilson said, “I have always felt the Celtics could afford to make mistakes because Bill Russell is the world’s largest eraser” (http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nw ... 15,5317992).

Eastern Division Finals – Boston Celtics (54-26) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (55-25): “This is just down payment on the big one,” Chamberlain said. Chamberlain was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, averaging 33.5 points on a league-leading 54.0 percent shooting, 24.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 47.3 minutes per game.

Boston won Game 1 115-96, Sam Jones leading the way with 29 points, Havlicek with 22, Russell with 13 points and 18 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain led Philadelphia with 25 points and 32 rebounds. Boston forced 19 turnovers.

April 11, 1966
The Celtics Stretch An Era
On the verge of elimination from the pro playoffs for the first time in eight years, Boston knocked out Cincinnati and then easily whipped Philadelphia in the opening game of the Eastern finals
Curry Kirkpatrick

From a locker room in Cincinnati last week, following one of the very few games the Boston Celtics have had to win over the past 10 years, came these remarks:

"We're old guys. We can't keep this up too much longer."

"Thirty-two. I'm gettin' up there. It's tougher now."

"Sunday afternoon games after Saturday night games—those are the killers."

Take all of this with salt grains. The talk was by Celtics. So was the victor that night. For a while it had looked as if the era of the winningest team in professional sport was about to end. The Celtics had won seven straight world championships but they were behind two games to one in the Eastern Division semifinal playoffs against the Cincinnati Royals. One more loss and it would be all over.

Boston had struggled all season—advancing age, the loss of hard-driving, offensive-minded corner man Tom Heinsohn and too much dependence upon defense were factors—and had finally been unable to win its own division for the first time in a decade. Knowing that pride had forced the Celtics to go all out to win and that the players might be emotionally and physically debilitated, Cincinnati was eager to take them on. And if the Royals couldn't do the job, Philadelphia was in the wings for the Eastern finale.

Cincinnati had coasted at the end and was fresh for the playoffs. The Royals had a coach whose job was in danger and players named O, Luke, Odie and Happy to make it even more interesting. But they found out that some old dogs never die; they just lie there and kick hell out of you.

Old-dog, living on defense and pride, is what the Celtics have been for some time, done are the explosive bursts, sustained for up to five minutes, that blew opponents off the court. "Now," as one longtime Boston observer says, "the bursts stop a lot sooner."

To document fully the Celtics' slide this year, one has to go beyond old age (Satch Sanders is the only regular starter under 30) and the absence of Heinsohn. Boston's average winning spread per game in the good years once reached almost 10 points through an 80-game schedule. This year it was down to 4.4. Obviously, the Celtics have been increasingly dependent upon a defense which is just not that good anymore. More significantly, the rest of the league has come up a lot more than Boston has come down. (The Celtics won 54 games this season, more than in three of their championship years.) "Man, I wish people would realize the league is so much better now." says Sanders. " Philadelphia this season is the equal of any of our great teams," says K. C. Jones.

Trying to win the regular season and a much-needed rest before the playoffs, the Celtics pushed themselves to the brink. They won their last six in a row but Philadelphia won 11 straight and the division by a game. Cincinnati, meanwhile, dropped six of its last seven, obviously relaxing. This is what may account for Boston's getting off to bad starts in each of the first three playoff games, losing two and looking sluggish throughout.

"Discount this home-court business." Royal Coach Jack McMahon said then, when all games had been won by the visiting team. "During the season you let up away from home, figuring to makeup your mistakes later. In the playoffs there is no later, so no slack-off."

Jerry Lucas was outplaying Bill Russell. Oscar Robertson was outplaying every body and Happy Hairston was coming in to help win games like the Boston sixth men used to. After the second loss, at Boston, K.C., normally poker-faced, reticent and unemotional, cried in the locker room. John Havlicek said he felt "terrible pressure," and Russell moved solemnly, shrouded in gloom. The old champ was battered and staggering.

Then, by the afternoon of the fourth game, the atmosphere of despair had vanished. Call it second wind—or last wind hut the Celtics relaxed at their hotel in Cincy, Russell looking like a huge Dracula in his special-order black cape with the sleeves-within-sleeves. Some went to a movie, The 2nd Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World. ("Worst movie in the world," said Auerbach.) Confidence took over; the team ordered tickets for a fifth game in Boston

Warm wishes came from the Renal fans—"Last game. Arnold." "You choke bums." and "Good old Celtics done shot their wad" in singsong—as Auerbach came into Cincinnati Gardens. The Celtics spread a tomblike atmosphere through their dressing room, which is the sign that they are ready.

Auerbach started Havlicek instead of Willie Naulls, hoping for an early spurt, and the Celtics jumped to a quick lead for the first time in the series. They sustained a running game based on the best rebounding of the playoffs, taking advantage of a knee injury that limited Lucas' lateral movement. With great shooting from Sanders early and Sam Jones later, Boston took Cincinnati apart in the third quarter and won 120-103. It was the critical game.

Back in Boston the next day, at a short practice in the Cambridge YMCA, Russell was animated for the first time in the series. He was "the ball handler"—dribbling between his legs, passing behind his back, laughing in that high-pitched whinny. Auerbach. too, no longer possum-eyed, looked relieved. "I didn't want to end my career in Cincinnati," he said.

Despite a newspaper strike that hampered publicity, the Garden was sold out two hours after tickets went on sale. The corridor outside the Celtic dressing room was jammed before the game, while inside there was a little more movement, a little more talk, than at Cincinnati.

On the court Auerbach greeted Boston Mayor John Collins and Massachusetts Governor John Volpe and started Havlicek again. But the Celtics did not get off well this time. They trailed by eight early in the first quarter, mulling passes and letting Robertson have too much room. It was not until early in the second period that they caught up. But when they did, it was with a sense of' not looking back. Sam Jones hit two jumpers at the end of the half and two more to start the third quarter, pushing the Boston lead from three points to eight. Cincinnati newer came back. The Celtics won 112-103; it was still an era.

Two minutes from the end Mayor Collins lit Auerbach's cigar, and the crowd went wild. Too wild. One overzealous supporter almost got a punch in the mouth for his happy rough-up job on the coach. Auerbach's insistence afterward that "it was just a semifinal playoff—why all the excitement?" did not keep a cast of thousands out of the dressing room. Red forgot it had been a long time since Boston had seen a semifinal playoff, "first time we've had to do this." said Sam Jones. "At least we ran better the last two games." said Havlicek. "That—and Russell."

Havlicek had a point. In the fourth quarter Cincinnati was rallying from 12 points back and seemed on the verge of something big. But every time the lead dropped to six, the Royals faltered. The reason—it has been the same for 10 years—was Russell. He was clearing the defensive board brilliantly, blocking movement, even driving on offense and dominating that board, too. Cincinnati could not cope with him.

Two days later, in the first game of the Eastern finals, Philadelphia found the whole Boston team too much to cope with. Breezing for the last 10 minutes, the Celtics won easily 115-96. The 76ers were learning about old dogs, too.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... /index.htm

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics are held together by more than pride, and determination. Give tape and bandages plenty of credit in the team’s bid for an eighth straight National Basketball Association championship.

The Celtics, who fought a running battle with the injury bug throughout the regular season, had trainer Joe DeLauri working overtime again today in preparation for the Philadelphia 76ers in the second game of the Eastern Division finals Wednesday night at the Garden.

Tom Sanders and Larry Siegfried nursed twisted ankles and Sam Jones had a bruised leg as Coach Red Auerbach ordered an afternoon practice on the Garden court, where the Celtics dropped a late season meeting with the 76ers. Philadelphia went on to win the Eastern title, ending Boston’s nine-year reign.

Siegfried and Jones were injured in the Celtics’ 115-96 victory at Philadelphia Sunday. Sanders turned his ankle and was forced to retire for treat-workout Sunday.

K. C. Jones ran the drill in the absence of Auerbach, who visited his family in Washington, D.C., and Capt. Bill Russell, who was given a day off to rest after a duel with the 76ers’ Wilt Chamberlain.

Boston won Game 2 114-93 “to take an unexpected 2-0 lead in the series.” “Big Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Sam Jones set the early pace before the Celtics began taking turns at heroics in the romp before a sellout crowd of 13,909 at Boston Garden” (Herald Journal, Apr. 7, 1966). Red Auerbach called it “the best game we played all season.” Auerbach said, “it’s nice to look down the bench and see 11 guys. We haven’t had 11 guys all year. But with everyone healthy, the guys know they don’t have to pace themselves. At times this year the guys had to loaf to pace their game” (Lewington Evening Journal, April 7, 1966). Bill Russell had 10 points, a game-high 29 rebounds, and nine assists to Chamberlain’s 23 points and 25 rebounds. “Chamberlain, just Wednesday voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, was overshadowed by the play of Boston’s Bill Russell. Chamberlain outscored Russell 23-10 but the Boston captain had 29 rebounds and nine assists,” in addition to “many steals and blocked shots.” The Celtics lead 58-44 at halftime, and Russell left the game with 2½ minutes left with the Celtics up 29—110-81, and received a standing ovation for a full minute. Sam Jones led Boston with 23 points, Havlicek had 19, Don Nelson 17, and Larry Siegfried 15.

In Game 3, Chamberlain scored 31 points and grabbed 27 of Philadelphia’s 69 rebounds (39.1%) to lead Philadelphia to a 111-105 win (The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 8, 1966). Hal Greer had 19, “nine […] in the last seven minutes” (The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 8, 1966), Wali Jones had 16, and Chet Walker and Luke Jackson had 14 each (Lodi News-Sentinel, Apr. 5, 1966). Boston rallied from a 24-point deficit to pull within one at 100-99 “before vital points by Greer and Chamberlain kept the 76ers on top” (The Miami News, April 9, 1966). John Havlicek led Boston with 27 points, Sam Jones had 25, and Bill Russell had 11 points and 23 rebounds.

“We have the edge still,” said Boston coach Red Auerbach. “We had a good chance at three straight and we blew it but, we’re mad. They’re going to have trouble” (The Telegraph, Apr. 9, 1966).

“We’ll win one game in Boston,” said Philadelphia coach Dolph Schayes. “And we won’t lose another in Philly. We took Boston lightly earlier—and that was pretty foolish considering the Celtics have been champions for nine years—but we won’t make that mistake again. All year we’ve been a team that would have a good streak and then hit a slump. Well, we’ve had our slump, and now we’re ready to roll” (The Telegraph, Apr. 9, 1966). “I know we can play better and Boston had better be ready for it,” said Chamberlain. “We are going to win this thing whether or not we win Sunday’s game.”

In Game 4, Russell had 18 points and 30 rebounds to Chamberlain’s 15 points and 33 rebounds in “a virtual standoff,” and Boston won 114-108 in overtime to take a 3-1 lead. Boston led 28-26 after one, but Philadelphia scored 13 straight points early in the second quarter to take a 54-49 lead at the half. They led 76-70 in the third quarter. Trailing 96-89, Havlicek scored, and Sam Jones was credited with a basket after a goaltend by Chamberlain. Luke Jackson hit a pair of free throws, and Satch Sanders scored from eight feet for Boston. Bill Russell scored on an offensive rebound, and Sam Jones hit a jumper to put Boston up for the first time in the second half, 99-98. Hal Greer gave the 76ers the lead with a breakaway basket, but K.C. Jones tied the score at 100 on a pair of free throws with 39 seconds left. “With the score deadlocked 100-100, Boston’s Bill Russell and Philadelphia’s Wilt Chamberlain matched brilliant defensive plays” (Gettysburg Times, Apr. 11, 1966). Russell blocked a layup by Luke Jackson with 12 seconds left, then on the other end, Chamberlain blocked a dunk by Russell with one second left to send the game into overtime. In overtime, the Celtics controlled the tip, Russell slapping it to Havlicek, who scored on an eight-footer and put Boston up to stay. Russell scored on another offensive rebound, then Dave Gambee made a free throw. Sam Jones hit a 10-footer and Larry Siegfried hit a free throw to give Boston a decisive lead. Russell out-rebounded Chamberlain 19-13 in the second half. John Havlicek led Boston with 27 points, Sam Jones had 22, Larry Siegfried had 18, and K.C. Jones, “a surprise starter after having an ailing knee heavily taped,” had 19 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Apr. 11, 1966).

“We were lucky,” said Auerbach. “We weren’t shooting or rebounding most of the game, but we still were in it. I thought we were going to blow it. Sitting on the sidelines in the fourth period, I was saying to myself, ‘We’ll never catch them.’ Heck, up ’till then we hadn’t done enough to deserve it” (Gettysburg Times, Apr. 11, 1966).

Hal Greer led Philadelphia with 25 points, and Al Bianchi had 20, 15 in the first half (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Apr. 11, 1966). “I can’t believe it man,” Chamberlain said. “I can’t believe it. It will be a long, hard road for us now” (The Telegraph, Apr. 9, 1966). “If we could’ve won that one, we might have won the series,” Chamberlain later wrote (Wilt, p. 174).

“Time is running out,” said Philadelphia coach Dolph Schayes. “But the fact that we’re one defeat away doesn’t mean anything. This is the type of club that doesn’t get down because of a heart-breaking loss” (Toledo Blade, Apr. 11, 1966).

In Game 5, Chamberlain had 46 points (19-34 FG, 8-25 FT) and 34 rebounds, but Boston won 120-112 to win the series 4 games to 1. “Ironically, Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 46 points, was a major contributor for the Philadelphia defeat as the notoriously poor foul shooter made only eight of 25 free throws” (St. Petersburg Times, April 13, 1966). “When you note that Boston scored only one more field goal than Philadelphia, it doesn’t take much to figure where the game was lost.” Philadelphia shot 27 of 53 from the line (50.9%), and Boston 32 of 44 (72.7%). Minus Chamberlain, the 76ers were 19 for 28 (67.9%). Boston led 61-51 at the half, Sam Jones with 16, and Havlicek with 12. Philadelphia outscored Boston 10-2 at the start of the third quarter to pull within 63-61 with 9:02 left in the quarter. “Russell then triggered an eight-point spurt and Boston moved out to an 81-72 margin entering the final period.” John Havlicek led Boston with 32 points, Sam Jones had 30, and Bill Russell had 18 points and 31 rebounds.

Boston coach Red Auerbach was “really surprised to win in five games” (The Dispatch, Apr. 1, 1966). “I told those guys before the series I didn’t want to finish my career in Philadelphia. It gave me a great deal of pleasure to beat Philadelphia here on its own home court, especially since Irv Kosloff said Philadelphia would win eight straight in the playoffs.”

“Coach Dolph Schayes blamed his 76ers ‘miserable shooting’ for the defeat. […] Schayes who kept the Philadelphia locker room closed for 20 minutes following the game, said that in the first half Chamberlain was ‘the only one who shot better than 25 per cent’” (The Dispatch, Apr. 11, 1966).

Boston coach Red Auerbach said, “I don’t want to rub it in but I seem to remember that Irv Koslof said his team would win the entire playoffs in eight games. Now he can’t win anything.”

“During the playoffs Chamberlain refused to attend several practice sessions, which reportedly irked other players on the team.”

Wilt Loses Temper, Feuds With Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Wilt Chamberlain, the Philadelphia 76ers’ huge center, had to be restrained from charging after a sports writer after the 76ers were eliminated from the National Basketball Association playoffs Tuesday night.

The dispute between Chamberlain and Joe McGinniss of the Philadelphia Bulletin was triggered by the pro star’s inept foul shooting.

It was climaxed when Chamberlain went after McGinniss in the 76ers dressing room and had to be restrained

McGinniss wrote in last Sunday’s Bulletin that Chamberlain had refused Coach Dolph Schayes’ plea to report to practices “just to shoot a few fouls.”

Chamberlain missed 17 of 25 attempts against Boston Tuesday night as the Celtics won 120-112 and took the Eastern playoff finals four games to one.

When another writer questioned Chamberlain about skipping practice, Chamberlain pointed to McGinniss and said, “Ask him about it.”

McGinniss replied with a question:

“Wilt, you missed 17 foul shots tonight; don’t you think you could have used some practice on the line Monday?”

Chamberlain answered:

“All the practice in the world ain’t gonna help me at the line.”

“Dolph asked you to report for foul shooting,” McGinniss said in the crowded dressing room.

“Yeah,” Chamberlain snapped, “and I told him I didn’t want to because I felt some rest would do me good. Now you getta outta here.”

“I have a right to stand here,” McGinniss said.

With that, Chamberlain, who stands 7-foot-1 and weighs about 275-pounds, charged McGinniss, a 6-2, 175 pounder. A couple of writers and 76ers scout Vince Miller intervened.
(“Wilt Loses Temper, Feuds With Writer.” April 14, 1966. Herald-Tribune. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ux ... 3300012&dq)

[ThaRegul8r]

NBA Finals – Boston Celtics (54-26) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (45-35):

The Lakers won Game 1 133-129 in overtime, Jerry West with a game-high 41 points, Elgin Baylor with 36, and Gail Goodrich with 20. “Being realistic, I’d have been content to win one of the two games played here,” said Lakers coach Fred Schaus. “But when you win the first, you get greedy and want the second” (Kentucky New Era, Apr. 15, 1966). Russell led Boston with 28 points and 26 rebounds, but was called for goal-tending on a block on Baylor with 30 seconds left in regulation, which put LA up 121-119. Boston tied the game on a driving layup by Sam Jones to send it into overtime.

West took charge at the outset of the extra session, hitting on a 10-foot baseline shot and then cashing a free throw. Baylor followed by grabbing a rebound of his own set shot and scoring on a layup.

The Celtics […] bounced back as Russell hooked a shot and Tom Sanders added another two points, pulling Boston within one, 126-125.

However, it was the Celtics’ last gasp as West converted a rebound and then hit on a 25-foot shot. West completed the scoring by laying the ball up for a basket at the final buzzer. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Apr. 18, 1966)

“He gives them a ball game with just one call,” Red Auerbach said afterwards (Kentucky New Era, Apr. 15, 1966). Sam Jones had 23, but was “guilty of numerous errors” (St. Petersburg Times, Apr. 18, 1966), and John Havlicek had 21.

Red Auerbach later announced that Bill Russell would succeed him as coach of the Celtics. Russell became the first African American coach of a professional sports team. “As a player, I believe I’m one of my assets as a coach.”

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EU ... 54,5258518

Boston won Game 2 129-109. John Havlicek and Sam Jones led Boston with 21 points apiece, Larry Siefried had 20, and Bill Russell had 19 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, “several [blocked] shots,” and three steals (The Milwaukee Journal, Apr. 20, 1966). “I’m not happy yet,” said Boston coach Red Auerbach. “They still have an edge on us because the next two games are in Los Angeles. And we’re not going to be deluded into thinking things are going to be easy out there” (Reading Eagle, Apr. 20, 1966). “If we play strong defense, we can with them both,” said Larry Siegfried. “All you need to play defense is guts. And the name of the game is defense.” Elgin Baylor and Jerry West were held to 18 points and 13 points, respectively. “Boston picked up the loose ball the way we did in the first game and Russell was fantastic,” said West. “We have an edge in Los Angeles, but the home court advantage doesn’t mean too much in a championship series.” “It’s going to be tough for us to win because the entire Boston team is hot,” said Baylor. “And the team certainly proved its ability in defeating Cincinnati and Philadelphia in the Eastern Division playoffs.”

Boston won Game 3 120-106 to take a 2-1 lead. Sam Jones had a game-high 36 points, Satch Sanders had 22, John Havlicek 21, and Bill Russell “collected 14 points, but his 19 rebounds and defensive play were crucial” (The Miami News, Apr. 21, 1966).

Auerbach’s successor, Bill Russell […] again has led the Celtics’ effort. The 6-10 veteran dominated Wednesday’s 120-106 triumph, leading Laker coach Fred Schaus to comment:

“This wasn’t just the story this time. It’s been the story for 10 years. Russell doesn’t deteriorate. He improves. He was the whole story of the game. He turned the game around in the second half.”

The Celtics held a 57-56 lead at intermission but outscored Los Angeles, 35-19, in the third quarter as Russell swept the backboards to provide impetus for the devastating fast break.

In one patented Boston burst, the Celts raced to 10 straight points, and the reeling Celtics never recovered.

Said Laker star Elgin Baylor:

“They just got to running. They know Russell is going to control the backboards, so they just take off downcourt—all four of the others.” (The Telegraph, Apr. 22, 1966)

“We didn’t come out here to split,” said Red Auerbach (Times Daily, Apr. 21, 1966). Jerry West led LA with 34 points and Elgin Baylor had 18.

Boston won Game 4 122-117 to take a 3-1 series lead. “Three clutch veterans put together another clutch performance to overcome the 45-point effort of Laker star Jerry West. Bill Russell, keystone of the Celtics’ intimidating defense and successor to Auerbach, scored 25 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dominated play under the Laker basket. John Havlicek totaled 32 points, including several crucial baskets when the Lakers drew close. Sam Jones came through with a 20-point performance” (Reading Eagle, Apr. 23, 1966).

Boston shot well in the first half and led, 66-56, at intermission. The Celtics threatened to run away with the decision in the third quarter when, with Russell controlling the boards, they launched their fast break and sped to an 88-73 advantage.

At this point, led by West and Elgin Baylor, the Lakers fought back to take a one-point led, 105-104, with 7:27 left to play.

But Russell swept four straight rebounds, and Havlicek and Larry Siegfried contributed crucial field goals to give the Celtics a lead they never relinquished. (Reading Eagle, Apr. 23, 1966)

“I’m hoping that the next game will be my last as a coach,” said Red Auerbach. “I don’t want to finish the season in Los Angeles” (Reading Eagle, Apr. 23, 1966). Jerry West scored 45 for Los Angeles, Elgin Baylor had 24, and LeRoy Ellis had 21 (The Deseret News, Apr. 23, 1966).

Los Angels won Game 5 121-117 to cut Boston’s lead to 3-2. Elgin Baylor had 41 points and 16 rebounds, “play[ing] all but two minutes—on chronically stiff, sore knees at that” (The Miami News, Apr. 26, 1966), and Jerry West had 31. “Considering the trouble Elgin’s had with his knees, I would say this was his greatest game,” said Lakers coach Fred Schaus. “He excelled at both ends of the court and his rebounding was tremendous” (The Miami News, Apr. 26, 1966). The Celtics “put on their worst performance of the series […]” (The Evening Independent, Apr. 25, 1966). “The Celtics had two terrible shooting periods, falling behind 37-23 in the first period while making only eight of 25 shots. Boston sunk only nine of 22 field goal tries in the fourth period although they still outscored the Lakers from the floor 45-43 for the game” (The Evening Independent, Apr. 25, 1966). Bill Russell led Boston with 32 points and 28 rebounds (The Milwaukee Sentinel, Apr. 25, 1966).

Los Angeles won Game 6 123-115 to tie the series at 3-3. Jerry West led the Lakers with 32 points, Gail Goodrich scored 28, “eight of them in four driving layups against the 6-foot-10 Russell” (The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 27, 1966), Elgin Baylor had 25, and Rudy LaRusso had 20. “The loss was a bitter disappointment to Auerbach, who retires this season after 21 years as a coach and after seven straight NBA titles. He’s still hoping the Celtics give him his eighth NBA trophy” (The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 27, 1966). “Auerbach, visibly angry after [the] loss, spoke to only one newsman after the game and then left quickly. ‘So we lost,’ he said. ‘So what? Are we supposed to be invincible?’” (The Miami News, Apr. 27, 1966). Five Celtics scored in double figures, John Havlicek with 27, Tom Sanders and Sam Jones with 23 each, Russell with 22, and K.C. Jones with 13 (The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 27, 1966). John Havlicek had 23, Larry Siegfried 16, and Sam Jones and Satch Sanders had 15 each.

Celtics star Bill Russell, rated the league’s best defensive player and the man named to succeed Red Auerbach next season, was asked if he felt the Celtics may have been complacent after piling up a 3-1 lead.

“No,” said Russell. “I don’t think so. We had a real good practice before this game and we felt we were ready to play our best, but apparently we weren’t.” (The Free Lance-Star, Apr. 27, 1966)

“The Lakers, to a man, feel we can win the championship in Boston, even though this means we will have had to win three in a row,” said Lakers’ coach Fred Schaus.

Boston won Game 7 95-93 to send off Red Auerbach as a winner.

The Celtics, riddled by a season of injuries and dethroned by Philadelphia after a nine-year reign as regular season Eastern Division kings, capped a hard fought playoff by winning their ninth NBA championship in 10 years.

Led by veteran Capt. Bill Russell, who will take over as player-coach as Auerbach moves into fulltime duty as general manager, the Celtics turned in a tremendous defensive effort in stopping the Lakers’ high powered attack.

The Celtics carried a 16-point lead, 76-60, into the final period and were in front 95-85 with 1 ½ minutes remaining. Then Boston withstood a blistering Los Angeles rally which just fell short.

Russell, the 32-year-old former University of San Francisco All-American, turned in one of his finest performances in leading the Celtics with 25 points and grabbing 32 rebounds.

Sam Jones contributed 22 points and John Havlicek 16 as the Celtics became the first major league team ever to win eight straight championships.

Jerry West, held to two field goals by the tenacious Boston defense in the first half, sparked the Lakers’ vain comeback and finished with 36 points. Elgin Baylor, limited to one field goal in the first half, ended up with 18 points. (Daytona Beach Morning Journal, Apr. 29, 1966)

Had the award existed, Russell would have been NBA Finals MVP, leading the Celtics in scoring at 23.6 points per game, and shooting 74 percent from the free throw line.

[Dipper 13]

Boston won Game 5 112-103 to take the Eastern Division semi-finals 3 games to 2. Sam Jones scored 35 points and Bill Russell scored 18 points and grabbed 31 rebounds. SOscar Robertson scored 37 for Cincinnati.

Royals vs. Celtics Game 5 NBA TV

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

[Dipper 13]

In Game 2, Russell had 10 points, a game-high 29 rebounds, and nine assists to Chamberlain’s 23 points and 25 rebounds, and Boston won 114-93 “to take an unexpected 2-0 lead in the series.” Red Auerbach called it “the best game we played all season.” Auerbach said, “it’s nice to look down the bench and see 11 guys. We haven’t had 11 guys all year. But with everyone healthy, the guys know they don’t have to pace themselves. At times this year the guys had to loaf to pace their game” (Lewington Evening Journal, April 7, 1966). The Associated Press said, “Chamberlain, just Wednesday voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, was overshadowed by the play of Boston’s Bill Russell. Chamberlain outscored Russell 23-10 but the Boston captain had 29 rebounds and nine assists,” in addition to “many steals and blocked shots.” The Celtics lead 58-44 at halftime, and Russell left the game with 2½ minutes left with the Celtics up 29—110-81, and received a standing ovation for a full minute. Sam Jones led Boston with 23, Havlicek 19, Don Nelson 17, Larry Siegfried 15.

To add to this a NY Times article (all I could get from the free preview.)

New York Times - Apr 7, 1966

'Again they were unable to get the ball to Wilt Chamberlain. Again they were startled by the hawking defense and pressure applied by the Celtics.'


But I will say that Chamberlain's apparent lack of discipline off the court and some of the privileges he was given by the team (such as living in NYC while playing in Philly, inexplicably skipping practices in the middle of the Celtics series) may have rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way. I think Coach Dolph Schayes had lost him well before then, as evidenced by his article in Sports Illustrated before the '64-65 season had concluded.

I'm Punchy From Basketball, Baby, And Tired Of Being A Villain - April 12, 1965

[Dr Positivity]

This is a really tough one. Boston's d is getting more and more historically dominant as we go back, indicating we're getting closer to prime Russell - But Wilt had a sick year. Dropped a 33/24/5 on a great team, but the PS result was disappointing after getting so close in 65. Nevertheless it feels like Wilt is the best player in the world at this point.

But I just have to say, the Celtics having the motivation for an 8TH straight title run is impressive as hell. We've seen teams like the Bad Boys and Shaq/Kobe Lakers lose the hunger after 2-3 of them. Here's Russell at 31 and starting his downswing, seeing Wilt finally get a great team and push him hard in 65 while he loses players like Heinsohn - Seeing West and Oscar still hungry for a title - and he still brings it for an 8th straight year. 8 freakin years in a row!

[Sedale Threatt]

But I will say that Chamberlain's apparent lack of discipline off the court and some of the privileges he was given by the team (such as living in NYC while playing in Philly, inexplicably skipping practices in the middle of the Celtics series) may have rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way. I think Coach Dolph Schayes had lost him well before then, as evidenced by his article in Sports Illustrated before the '64-65 season had concluded.

I'm generally sympathetic toward Wilt, but this is one area where he has absolutely no defense. You do not build a cohesive team by having one guy lord over everybody in such an overt fashion. You can argue that this was a problem throughout his career, but this was probably the most blatant instance, if not the lost season of 65.

Jordan threatening to beat somebody's ass is one thing, but blowing off practice and dictating the team's schedule because you have to drive in from NYC, just so you can party and hang out, has to be incredibly damaging.

A quote from an unnamed player in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "Sure, he should he have been here (at practice between Games 3 and 4). Isn't Wilt just like you and me. Today was the same as it's been all year long. Wilt misses a practice and it sort of aggravates the guys."

The lead to another article: Everyone was asking Russell how the Boston Celtics beat the 76ers in five games when they weren't even supposed to do it in seven.

Said Russell, "I think this is a team game. I'm not saying anything bad about Wilt Chamberlain. He had a great season and I voted for him for Most Valuable Player. But any time you take this game out of the team realm, you foul up your team."

Granted, Russell was never asked to do what Wilt did, nor could he have if he had been. But obviously, Bill knew what Bill Simmons calls "The Secret," and Wilt pretty clearly did not, at least at this stage of his career.

Cherry went on to write in summation: Wilt had an extraordinary fifth game (and series). If not for his 46 points and 34 rebounds, the 76ers wouldn't have been competitive in the final game. He was hardly the reason the 76ers lost to the Celtics. * His teammates had a lousy series. But he shouldn't have lived in New York during the season and commuted to Philly for most home games. And he shouldn't have missed practice during the playoffs when he wasn't injured. For the lapse of judgment, he deserves to be criticized.

Wilt was the best player in the league, and Philly was right there with the Celtics. So basically, it comes down to how much you think Wilt's errors in judgment impacted Philly's failure to win a very winnable championship.

* A common theme that needs to be considered (again).

[Manuel Calavera]

With that, Chamberlain, who stands 7-foot-1 and weighs about 275-pounds, charged McGinniss, a 6-2, 175 pounder. A couple of writers and 76ers scout Vince Miller intervened.
(“Wilt Loses Temper, Feuds With Writer.” April 14, 1966. Herald-Tribune.

Yeah, somehow I doubt that Chamberlain, who apparently was "charging" at this writer was "restrained" by a couple of writers and a scout.

[ThaRegul8r]

With that, Chamberlain, who stands 7-foot-1 and weighs about 275-pounds, charged McGinniss, a 6-2, 175 pounder. A couple of writers and 76ers scout Vince Miller intervened.
(“Wilt Loses Temper, Feuds With Writer.” April 14, 1966. Herald-Tribune.

Yeah, somehow I doubt that Chamberlain, who apparently was "charging" at this writer was "restrained" by a couple of writers and a scout.

[ronnymac2]

Contenders: Robertson, Wilt, Russell, and West are practically guaranteed spots.

Baylor, Lucas, Thurmond, Barry, Bellamy, Beaty, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, and Hal Greer are all going for that fifth spot. They all are great, but they all have their own giant black marks on them. Baylor's production through the REG SEA was bad due to injury, Greer's playoffs sucked, Barry was a rookie with no playoff run, etc.

I think in 1966, Sam Jones was the main perimeter threat for Boston. In 67, or maybe even in the 66 playoffs, it shifted more to Hondo (or maybe they co-anchored the perimeter offense). Pretty important job.



Reed isn't a contender anymore. His run was better than I thought it was going to be though.

Just a reminder, Bob Pettit is in play next season.

[ronnymac2]

Also, props to Dick Barnett for a very good season.

I want to mention Bill Bridges and Richie Guerin, teammates of Zelmo Beaty (and Lenny Wilkens). They both had a great playoff run. Bridges dropped 20/15 on 50% shooting, while Guerin put up 20/8 on 45% shooting. STL brought the Baylor/West Lakers to seven games (those same Lakers brought the champion Celtics to seven games). Pretty impressive.

[penbeast0]

There were two great teams, Boston and Philly "(55 and 54 wins), and two good ones, LA and Cinn. All three of the other contenders lost to Boston which not only makes the Celtics the best team, but minimizes the question of how far the others got in the playoffs.

Boston -- As always led by the defense and rebounding of Bill Russell. Easily the star and with Wilt, one of the two MVP contenders (as usual). The second star and potential top 5 player is Sam Jones who by any offensive measure blew John Havlicek out of the water. He scored a lot more (24 to 19), was a LOT more efficient (.521 tsp v. .450) and while Havlicek picked up his game in the playoffs, Sam was still the Celtics leading playoff scorer (25 to 24ppg) at a much more efficient level (.524 to .473) than Havlicek. The idea that Havlicek took over in the playoffs as the #1 offensive threat for Boston is just wrong; that's next year. Hondo was, as always, better defensively and in secondary numbers (reb and ast) but Sam was still the Celtic's second most valuable player this year.

Philly -- Had the best record in the league (by a game) with Wilt having a typically super season (34/25/5). Yes, Wilt had some team cohesion issues, but Russell by this point was missing a lot of practice time too to try to stay healthy. Still, Russell beat him head to head again and it's hard to say the supporting cast was the reason. Greer was on the same level as Sam Jones in scoring with a little less efficiency but a little more defense and ballhandling. Walker and Cunningham are a match for Havlicek and Nelson, Luke Jackson for Satch Sanders, Gambee an excellent 4th forward (as was Willie Naulls), and Wali Jones and Al Bianchi are solid if not quite up to the level of KC Jones and Larry Seigfried (who I think Boston picked up off the waiver wire). These are both solid, deep teams built around one of the top 3 players of all time -- and Russell won again for the 8th straight time in their careers. That counts more than stats for me. Greer v. Sam Jones comes down to playoff performance for how I rank them as Greer slipped badly to 16.4ppg @ .352 (KC-itis?) which helped lead to Philly’s loss.

LA – Elgin Baylor was not Elgin Baylor this year (17/10/3) but Jerry West raised his game to new levels (31/7/6 with 12 FT/G! for a TSP of .573) then actually raised it again for the playoffs (34/6/6 @ .581). But, even with Elgin returning to form for the playoffs (27/14/4), they couldn’t beat Russell and the Celtics.
Cinn – In Cincinnati, Oscar had a lot more regular season help than Jerry West did with Jerry Lucas putting up 22/21/3 (@.only .499ts%) to support Oscar’s 31/8/11 (@ .563ts%). Unlike West, Oscar’s efficiency dropped in the playoffs (only to .530 as he drew a lot of contact) though putting him well behind the finalist from LA in the MVP race.

Others: Barry scored like Sam Jones, Thurmond rebounded like Jerry Lucas, Guy Rodgers got assists like Oscar but none of them put it together in multiple categories or drove their team to winning records. So, my top 5 are:
1. Bill Russell – winning counts more than numbers
2. Wilt – numbers do count though
3. Jerry West – Mr. Clutch
4. Oscar – hard to believe he couldn’t play Sam Jones’s role or Sam could play his
5. Sam Jones

[TrueLAfan]

I’m having some problems with the reports from the games. Not with the research done by posters here—which is terrific and is much appreciated. But with the articles themselves.

I see some favoritism toward the Celtics and Bill Russell. Which is understandable. It’s hard for us to conceive of now, but the NBA bordered on being a regional sport in terms of popularity the mid-1960s. Half the teams in the league drew under 5000 fans per game. The Celtics (and, to a lesser extent, the Lakers) were the known commodities. So was Wilt—although his portrayal (and self-portrayal) is not always good. I think the press pumped up Boston and Russell.

And I think sportswriting was in the last throes of racism and sensationalism, and was only about halfway to the professionalism it would achieve by the middle of the next decade. (And, to be honest, most of the “good” sportswriters covered baseball.) I have a real problem with a sportswriter that looks a player who scores 46 points (on 34 shots) and grabs 34 rebounds in Game 7, and says he’s a primary reason to the team’s loss—“a major contributor to the Philadelphia defeat”—for his poor free throw shooting. I’m just baffled by that.

So here’s what I’m baffled about. Who or what were the other Philadelphia contributions to defeat? Because here’s what I don’t see in the articles…any reference to the rest of the Philadelphia team playing poorly. And they stunk. The only starter other than Wilt on the team that shot over 40% in the series was Luke Jackson. He shot .429 while taking less than 10 shots a game. Hal Greer shot .352. Chet Walker shot .375. Wali Jones shot .325. The bench shot .324. And here’s how much was written about that; nothing. I have a problem with that. I have problem with the rest of the team playing so poorly without notice while Wilt gets called out from getting 28 points and 30 rebounds a game, and shooting 51%.

I’m also going to say that I think the “players being irked” about Wilt missing practice and the emphasis on this at all is somewhat biased as well. As noted by penbeast0, Russell missed practices sometimes. Red let him do it. The team knew that Russell played almost every minute of every game; I think they were willing to let it slide when Russell didn’t practice or didn’t practice hard. But Wilt played more than that; more than anyone. He missed one game, and played all but 65 minutes of every game during the season. He played every minute of every game in the playoffs. He was the only player on the team playing well in the postseason. Most of those players were his friends and remained his friends after this season and throughout his career.

Do I think Russell outplayed Wilt in their series? Well, Russell averaged 14 points and 26.2 rebounds a game against the Sixers. Wilt, as noted averaged 28 and 30.2. And I’m totally willing to say that Russell affected the shooting/scoring of some of the other Sixers. But all of them? Look, if Wilt’s teammates had shot 40% in the series, the Sixers would have outscored the Celtics. I’ll be blunt; I think Wilt played great in the playoffs. I think his team was short a valuable member and his teammates all choked. But I think Wilt outplayed Russell—not by as much as he did in the regular season, but still.

Do I think Wilt handled situations well, such as missing practices? No. Do I think he should have made a bigger effort to get along with Dolph Schayes? Absolutely. But I think way too much blame is being given to Wilt for losing a playoff series to a team with a virtually identical RS record where the Sixers’ HOF sixth man was injured, and Wilt’s teammates shot 35% and these issues get swept under the rug. A series where Wilt averaged over 28 points and 30 rebounds on 51% shooting. I can see people are selling; I’m just not buying. Wilt is going to be my #1 this year.

[bastillon]

I see some favoritism toward the Celtics and Bill Russell. Which is understandable. It’s hard for us to conceive of now, but the NBA bordered on being a regional sport in terms of popularity the mid-1960s. Half the teams in the league drew under 5000 fans per game. The Celtics (and, to a lesser extent, the Lakers) were the known commodities. So was Wilt—although his portrayal (and self-portrayal) is not always good. I think the press pumped up Boston and Russell.

I see some favoritism toward the Lakers legends from you. Which is understandable - you are native LA citizen after all (from what you've said in the past). still I'm pretty baffled by the way you keep diminishing contemporary opinions when it comes to the Celtics just because they don't suit your world view. it's not just the Celtics actually - Cowens, Reed, Unseld, Russell - I mean it IS possible some pushed for their favorites, but what makes you think these players, typical hard working guys had more fans than guys like Wilt, West or Frazier (who you seem to love) when fast break basketball was at its peak. I hardly think so. why do you punish Cowens or Russell, but not West or Wilt (when he was playing in LA) ? either there's a conspiracy against smaller markets and players in metropolies enjoy some handicap or nobody is favored at all. it does work both ways. can't have journalists pump up Russell and then ignore the same thing in West's case.

I think you're abusing intangibles too. when you can't prove your point by boxscore numbers, pointing out to poor intangibles is your next stop on the road. "Frazier was better than his numbers suggest", "West is better than Oscar because of intangibles" etc. why do you punish Oscar vs West but not Wilt vs Russell ?

it's ok if you disagree with their opinion, but whenever it's different from yours, it doesn't mean that there's some conspiracy going on... these intangibles are very provable too. West hardly has great intangibles when his team plays very well without him.

the same thing with Russell vs Wilt analysis... it's inconsistent. you seem to understand the value of intangibles in general, but for some reason the greatest winner of all-time wasn't attributed with it in this analysis. do you think it's coincidence teams always "choked" against Boston ? some magical effect of their arena ? c'mon man, it happened time and time again, season after season, and they kept winning because of that. it's all Russell. there are various accounts stating how Auerbach installed a ultra gambling defensive system because of Russell's error-erasing presence in the middle.

Heinsohn, who is one of nine former Celts now coaching in college or the pros (excluding ex-Coach Russell, who could have a job simply by mentioning he would like one), is trying to teach his new players the old Boston system. The plays are almost all the same ones that Red Auerbach installed years ago, and the Celtic offense is still based on running at every opportunity. Two major differences are that the defense no longer tries to funnel opponents into the middle, even though Cowens is a good shot blocker, and all five players go for defensive rebounds instead of just one or two. Both adjustments have been made simply because Russell is no longer in there.

it was refering to Celtics defense in Cowens era (and they were perennial TOP5 defensive team during those years). it means that Celtics guards were overplaying their counterparts just because they had Russell in the middle and it allowed them to contest shots better. more importantly, Sixers guards hardly ever had pts in the paint in HCO and were forced to take tough 2P jumpers (and again, Celtics guards were overplaying them so those were contested heavily often). I'm not even getting into Russell's transition defense as he was famous for his chase down blocks. I'm sure you've seen that highlight with Russell blocking the hell out of West despite being way behind so you're aware of his capabilities. now West was one of the most athletic guards in the league, imagine what Russell's presence must've done for mere mortals (white unathletic guards... plenty of them in the 60s).

it's IMO foolish to look at what Russell has done in his career as a defender and assume that Sixers were choking just because they could hit their shots. the trend keeps coming back every year except '67 (probable injury) and how long do you think you can insist on believing this. it's not like they sucked in one game. it was the whole series. magic ? yeah, the same magic eliminated Wilt in '68 and '69. you know that's not true. Magic played in the 80s, he couldn't have eliminated Wilt when he was a kid... or could he ? (intangibles anyone ? )

my point is that Russell outplayed Wilt on the defensive end. while Boston's offense didn't seem to be bothered by his presence, Sixers were clearly suffering from bill-itis. wasn't the last time, either. if you have Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, you're trying to gather information about their shooting, passing, team offense results etc. then it's understandable boxscore data will greatly help you. in this case, though, you've gotta come up with some other way to evaluate his impact. Russell, as a defensive player, hardly has any impressive boxscore stats (I mean all-time impressive). his impact is seen on opp. offense. it was very measurably visible in this case, and that's how we should treat it, given all the data we have (Russell leading Celtics to epic defenses, various accounts praising his defense and saying it was the reason why the Celtics won, Sixers sucking in this series, then sucking again in 68, then Lakers in 69 etc). there's plenty of evidence to conclude Russell made the Sixers shot low percentage, but I don't remember any case in NBA history when entire team would choke in the entire series for no reason. that hardly supports your point that Sixers "just" choked. Russell was the reason and that's where his higher impact on winning comes from.

[mopper8]

my point is that Russell outplayed Wilt on the defensive end. while Boston's offense didn't seem to be bothered by his presence, Sixers were clearly suffering from bill-itis
[...]
his impact is seen on opp. offense. it was very measurably visible in this case, and that's how we should treat it, given all the data we have
[...]
there's plenty of evidence to conclude Russell made the Sixers shot low percentage, but I don't remember any case in NBA history when entire team would choke in the entire series for no reason.
[...]
Russell was the reason and that's where his higher impact on winning comes from.

If you want to argue that Russell was the highest-impact defensive player the league has ever seen, I would agree with you whole-heartedly. That being said, from the clips I've seen of him and the Celts, its just simply not the case that the entirety of Boston's team defensive success is him and only him. As has been noted before, Boston had plenty of good positional defenders outside of Russ, be it Hondo, KJ Jones, Satch Sanders, etc. That's not to downplay Russell's contributions, as they are significant, and he's far-and-away the most important piece. But I just don't buy the idea that he gets all the credit for the success of Boston's team defense against Philly. The lionshare of credit for sure, but the idea that he single-handedly shut down Philly's D doesn't ring true.

You say the evidence backs you up, but the hard evidence doesn't differentiate between Russell's contributions and those of the team as a whole defensively. So all you really have are the sportswriters of the time, and my first impression when I read about this season (in The Rivalry) was that the treatment of Wilt was anything but fair after this. And if the media is being overly harsh on Chamberlain, basically blaming him for the defeat when he puts up 46/35 or whatever, it's hard to take any of their analysis seriously. It feels like some sort of melo-drama: Wilt takes all the blame for the loss, Russell all the glory for the win, and everyone else are just extras, providing the stage for these personalities to play out their conflict. And that's probably what it felt like. But that doesn't at all represent the reality of basketball as I know it.

[bastillon]

If you want to argue that Russell was the highest-impact defensive player the league has ever seen, I would agree with you whole-heartedly.

his teams posted the best DRtg relative to league average. I think they had like 5 results in TOP10 all-time.

As has been noted before, Boston had plenty of good positional defenders outside of Russ, be it Hondo, KJ Jones, Satch Sanders, etc.

yeah, it's hard for me to argue for or against these guys with such limited data or footage, but I read 2003 SI article where Paul Pierce was described as poor defender and Ray Allen was known for his notoriously poor defense in Seattle. now several years later, way past their physical prime (which is crucial in case of perimeter defenders), they're being recognized for their defense and Pierce even won all-defense selection, I think.

it's easy to be overrated with an elite big behind you (Garnett in 00s, Russell in 60s).

all I need to know about Russell's defensive impact is how Boston performed when he retired. they went from being easily first to, what, below average ? now consider that Russell was 35 in '69 and he's near prime in '66 so his defense is likely much better. I don't think I have to diminish his accomplishments because he played with other good defenders. you don't say Magic's overrated offensively because he had Kareem, do you ? just as Magic has proven he can lead Lakers to #1 offense without KAJ, Russell's Celtics were 1st on defense regardless of whom he played with. teammates kept changing, Celtics stayed on top. Russell walked away and their defense collapsed.

his impact is not that hard to isolate and it's clearly Magic-like on offense, even moreso given more dominant team results and more sudden downfall after his retirement...

[bastillon]

Baylor missed 17 games. Russell missed 4. Sam Jones 15. Hondo 11. Oscar 6. it'd be awesome to find out how their teams did without them. it could provide us with some revolutionary data. I'm counting on ya, Reg and Elgee. keep up the great job guys.

[TrueLAfan]

The “LA” in my signature does not refer to where I’m from, bastillon. It refers to being a Clippers fan. (And your simultaneously telling me I’m favoring Los Angeler players and “loving” Walt Frazier…which would be a pretty skewed kind of team/player loyalty.) In general, I’ve been as hard on Laker players as most others on here. (For instance, I had both West and Wilt a bit higher in 1972, but didn’t vote for either in 1973 when the consensus had Wilt at 3 and West at 7). So, no to that.

And, look, saying Wilt was better than Bill Russell in 1966 is not some sort of radical idea. And it’s giving Bill Russell all sorts of credit for intangibles. On paper, Wilt outrebounded him, scored twice as much, and shot better. I think Bill Russell was, in general, a much better teammate and leader than Wilt; much better. But I’m not interested in what a player does historically or in general in a year-by-year vote. When a player gets 46 and 34 in a Game 7 and is not only not credited for his play when his teammates are bricking everything in sight, but is blamed for the loss…well, I’m not buying it. I’m also avoiding the trap of saying “Russell couldn’t handle Wilt in Game 7!” I think Bill Russell did what was necessary for his team to win; I give him—as always—huge credit for that. But, yeah, I think Wilt outplayed him in both the series and regular season…enough to have him at #1 despite Russell’s intangibles. In this particular year I think we’re paying too much attention to sensational headlines and not enough to the facts that Billy Cunningham was hurt and Wilt’s teammates shot a combined 35%.

[bastillon]

So, no to that.

I've seen you argue on realGM for West, Kareem, Wilt, Frazier. you're arguing against Russell, Cowens, Havlicek, Oscar, Reed. something tells me you favoring LA players :shruggs: everybody does. I spent most of my time here defending Hakeem, Garnett and Nash. everyone has his idols and so do you. I'm not trying to make you look like some weird fanatic. I was trying to say you're inconsistent (media recognition for Boston, but not for LA... intangibles for West over Oscar for no reason, but not for Russell over Chamberlain when there's plenty of evidence, these sort of things).

I think Bill Russell did what was necessary for his team to win; I give him—as always—huge credit for that. But, yeah, I think Wilt outplayed him in both the series and regular season…enough to have him at #1 despite Russell’s intangibles. In this particular year I think we’re paying too much attention to sensational headlines and not enough to the facts that Billy Cunningham was hurt and Wilt’s teammates shot a combined 35%.

well, Wilt shot 41% FTs, too. his TS% was .500. his team combined .421. it's not AS BAD as you're making it out to be. Sixers scored 104 PPG in the series. they sucked offensively. now you can give credit for that to anybody you want, my thinking is that Russell had a lot to do with it.

all this talk about Russell's poor boxscore numbers, he actually averaged 19/25/5 on better TS% than Wilt on the whole postseason. not that bad for a guy whose impact is seen primarily on opposing team (and it was... still, more frighteningly).

[Sedale Threatt]

For what it's worth, the head-to-head:

R.S.

Wilt -- 28.3 points, 30.7 boards
Russell -- 10.5 points, 20.5 boards

P.S.

Wilt -- 28.0 points, 30.2 boards
Russell: 14.0 points, 26.2 boards