1970s – Mack’s Basketball Stuff

Boston Celtics Championship teams ranked

This is a simple list ordered by each team’s total winning percentage. I made it to give myself some context about how great these teams were relative to each other, who the best players were on those teams, who coached them, who they had to beat to get that banner, and how good their opposition was.

#17: 1968-69
Regular Season: 48-34 (.585)
Playoffs: 12-6 (.667)
Total: 60-40 (.600)
Longest streak: 7 games
Coach: Bill Russell

Award Winners;
John Havlicek: 2^nd Team All-NBA, 2^nd Team All-Defense, All Star
Bill Russell: 1^st Team All-Defense, All Star
Tom Sanders: 2^nd Team All-Defense

Leaders;
Points: John Havlicek (21.6), Bailey Howell (19.7), Sam Jones (16.3)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (19.3), Bailey Howell (8.8), John Havlicek (7)
Assists: John Havlicek (5.4), Bill Russell (4.9), Larry Siegfried (4.7)
Win shares: Bailey Howell (11.3), Bill Russell (10.9), Don Nelson (7.5)

Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia 76ers: 55-27 (4-1)
New York Knicks: 54-28 (4-2)
Los Angeles Lakers: 55-27 (4-3)

#16: 1956-57
Regular season: 44-28 (.611)
Playoffs: 7-3 (.700)
Total: 51-31 (.622)
Longest streak: 10 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Bob Cousy: League MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star, All Star MVP
Tom Heinsohn: Rookie of the Year, All Star
Bill Sharman: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Bill Sharman (21.1), Bob Cousy (20.6), Tom Heinsohn (16.2)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (19.6), Jim Loscutoff (10.4), Tom Heinsohn (9.8)
Assists: Bob Cousy (7.5), Bill Sharman (3.5), Andy Phillip (2.5)
Win shares: Bill Sharman (10.4), Bob Cousy (8.8), Tom Heinsohn (7.1)

Playoff opponents;
Syracuse Nationals: 38-34 (3-0)
St. Louis Hawks: 34-38 (4-3)

#15: 1967-68
Regular season: 54-28 (.675)
Playoffs: 12-7 (.632)
Total: 66-35 (.653)
Longest streak: 7 games
Coach: Bill Russell

Award winners;
John Havlicek: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: All Star
Bill Russell: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star

Leaders:
Points: Sam Jones (21.3), John Havlicek (20.7), Bailey Howell (19.8)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (18.6), Bailey Howell (9.8), John Havlicek (6.7)
Assists: John Havlicek (4.7), Larry Siegfried (4.7), Bill Russell (4.6)
Win Shares: Bailey Howell (10.1), Bill Russell (8.2), Sam Jones (7.7)

Playoff opponents;
Detroit Pistons: 40-42 (4-2)
Philadelphia 76ers: 62-20 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 52-30 (4-2)

#14: 1975-76
Regular Season: 54-28 (.659)
Playoffs: 12-6 (.667)
Total: 66-34 (.660)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: Tom Heinsohn

Award winners;
Dave Cowens: 2^nd Team All-NBA, 1^st Team All-Defense, All Star
John Havlicek: 2^nd Team All-NBA, 1^st Team All-Defense, All Star
Paul Silas: 1^st Team All-Defense
Jo Jo White: Finals MVP, All Star

Leaders;
Points: Dave Cowens (19), Jo Jo White (18.9), Charlie Scott (17.6)
Rebounds: Dave Cowens (16), Paul Silas (12.7), Charlie Scott (4.4)
Assists: Jo Jo White (5.4), Dave Cowens (4.2), Charlie Scott (4.2)
Steals: Jo Jo White (1.3), Charlie Scott (1.3), John Havlicek (1.3)
Blocks: Dave Cowens (0.9), John Havlicek (0.4), Paul Silas (0.4)
Win Shares: Dave Cowens (10.7), Jo Jo White (7.4), John Havlicek (7.4)

Playoff opponents;
Buffalo Braves: 46-36 (4-2)
Cleveland Cavaliers: 49-33 (4-2)
Phoenix Suns: 42-40 (4-2)

#13: 1965-66
Regular season: 54-26 (.675)
Playoffs: 11-6 (.647)
Total: 65-32 (.670)
Longest streak: 6 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
John Havlicek: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Sam Jones (23.5), John Havlicek (18.8), Larry Siegfried (13.7)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (22.8), Tom Sanders (7.1), Mel Counts (6.4)
Assists: K.C. Jones (6.3), Bill Russell (4.8), Sam Jones (3.2)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (11.7), Sam Jones (10), K.C. Jones (6.6)

Playoff opponents:
Cincinnati Royals: 45-35 (3-2)
Philadelphia 76ers: 55-25 (4-1)
Los Angeles Lakers: 45-35 (4-3)

#12: 1973-74
Regular season: 56-26 (.683)
Playoffs: 12-6 (.667)
Total: 68-32 (.680)
Longest streak: 12 games
Coach: Tom Heinsohn

Award winners;
Don Chaney: 1^st Team All-Defense
Dave Cowens: All Star
John Havlicek: Finals MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, 1st Team All-Defense, All Star
Jo Jo White: All Star
Tom Heinsohn: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: John Havlicek (22.6), Dave Cowens (19), Jo Jo White (18.1)
Rebounds: Dave Cowens (15.7), Paul Silas (11.2), John Havlicek (6.4)
Assists: John Havlicek (5.9), Jo Jo White (5.5), Dave Cowens (4.4)
Steals: John Havlicek (1.3), Jo Jo White (1.3), Dave Cowens (1.2)
Blocks: Dave Cowens (1.3), Don Chaney (0.8), John Havlicek (0.4)
Win Shares: John Havlicek (9.7), Dave Cowens (9.3), Paul Silas (7.3)

Playoff opponents;
Buffalo Braves: 42-40 (4-2)
New York Knicks: 49-33 (4-1)
Milwaukee Bucks: 59-23 (4-3)

#11: 1962-63
Regular season: 58-22 (.725)
Playoffs: 8-5 (.615)
Total: 66-27 (.710)
Longest streak: 6 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
John Havlicek: 1^st Team All-Rookie
Tom Heinsohn: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star, All Star MVP
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Sam Jones (19.7), Tom Heinsohn (18.9), Bill Russell (16.8)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23.6), Tom Heinsohn (7.5), Tom Sanders (7.2)
Assists: Bob Cousy (6.8), Bill Russell (4.5), K.C. Jones (4)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (13.5), Sam Jones (9.6), Tom Sanders (6.8)

Playoff opponents;
Cincinnati Royals: 42-38 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 53-27 (4-2)

#10: 1958-59
Regular season: 52-20 (.722)
Playoffs: 8-3 (.727)
Total: 60-23 (.723)
Longest streak: 11 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Sharman: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Bill Sharman (20.4), Bob Cousy (20), Tom Heinsohn (18.8)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23), Tom Heinsohn (9.7), Jim Loscutoff (7)
Assists: Bob Cousy (8.6), Bill Russell (3.2), Tom Heinsohn (2.5)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (12.9), Bob Cousy (8.7), Bill Sharman (7.6)

Playoff opponents;
Syracuse Nationals: 35-37 (4-3)
Minneapolis Lakers: 33-39 (4-0)

#9: 1961-62
Regular season: 60-20 (.750)
Playoffs: 8-6 (.571)
Total: 68-26 (.723)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Tom Heinsohn: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Tom Heinsohn (22.1), Bill Russell (18.9), Sam Jones (18.4)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23.6), Tom Heinsohn (9.5), Tom Sanders (9.5)
Assists: Bob Cousy (7.8), Bill Russell (4.5), K.C. Jones (4.3)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (15.5), Sam Jones (9.6), Tom Heinsohn (9.3)

Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia Warriors: 49-31 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 54-26 (4-3)

#8: 1960-61
Regular season: 57-22 (.722)
Playoffs: 8-2 (.800)
Total: 65-24 (.730)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Tom Heinsohn: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star

Leaders;
Points: Tom Heinsohn (21.3), Bob Cousy (18.1), Bill Russell (16.9)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23.9), Tom Heinsohn (9.9), Gene Conley (7.3)
Assists: Bob Cousy (7.7), Bill Russell (3.4), K.C. Jones (3.2)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (13), Sam Jones (8.1), Bob Cousy (7.2)

Playoff opponents;
Syracuse Nationals: 34-41 (4-1)
St. Louis Hawks: 51-28 (4-1)

#7: 1983-84
Regular season: 62-20 (.756)
Playoffs: 15-8 (.652)
Total: 77-28 (.733)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: K.C. Jones

Award winners;
Larry Bird: League MVP, Finals MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, 2^nd Team All-Defense, All Star
Dennis Johnson: 2^nd Team All-Defense
Kevin McHale: 6^th Man of the Year, All Star
Robert Parish: All Star
K.C. Jones: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Larry Bird (24.2), Robert Parish (19), Kevin McHale (18.4)
Rebounds: Robert Parish (10.7), Larry Bird (10.1), Kevin McHale (7.4)
Assists: Larry Bird (6.6), Dennis Johnson (4.2), Gerald Henderson (3.8)
Steals: Larry Bird (1.8), Gerald Henderson (1.5), Dennis Johnson (1.2)
Blocks: Robert Parish (1.5), Kevin McHale (1.5), Larry Bird (0.9)
Win Shares: Larry Bird (13.6), Robert Parish (10.5), Kevin McHale (10.5)

Playoff opponents;
Washington Bullets: 35-47 (3-1)
New York Knicks: 47-35 (4-3)
Milwaukee Bucks: 50-32 (4-1)
Los Angeles Lakers: 54-28 (4-3)

#6: 1963-64
Regular season: 59-21 (.738)
Playoffs: 8-2 (.800)
Total: 67-23 (.744)
Longest streak: 8 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
John Havlicek: 2^nd Team All-NBA
Tom Heinsohn: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: All Star
Bill Russell: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: John Havlicek (19.9), Sam Jones (19.4), Tom Heinsohn (16.5)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (24.7), Tom Sanders (8.3), Tom Heinsohn (6.1)
Assists: K.C. Jones (5.1), Bill Russell (4.7), John Havlicek (3)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (17.3), Sam Jones (8.9), John Havlicek (7.7)

Playoff opponents;
Cincinnati Royals: 55-25 (4-1)
San Francisco Warriors: 48-32 (4-1)

#5: 1980-81
Regular season: 62-20 (.756)
Playoffs: 12-5 (.706)
Total: 74-25 (.747)
Longest streak: 13 games
Coach: Bill Fitch

Award winners;
Tiny Archibald: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star, All Star MVP
Larry Bird: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Cedric Maxwell: Finals MVP
Kevin McHale: 1^st Team All-Rookie
Robert Parish: All Star

Leaders;
Points: Larry Bird (21.2), Robert Parish (18.9), Cedric Maxwell (15.2)
Rebounds: Larry Bird (10.9), Robert Parish (9.5), Cedric Maxwell (6.5)
Assists: Tiny Archibald (7.7), Larry Bird (5.5), Chris Ford (3.6)
Steals: Larry Bird (2), Chris Ford (1.2), Cedric Maxwell (1)
Blocks: Robert Parish (2.6), Kevin McHale (1.8), Larry Bird (0.8)
Win Shares: Cedric Maxwell (11), Robert Parish (10.9), Larry Bird (10.8)

Playoff opponents;
Chicago Bulls: 45-37 (4-0)
Philadelphia 76ers: 62-20 (4-3)
Houston Rockets: 40-42 (4-2)

#4: 2007-08
Regular season: 66-16 (.805)
Playoffs: 16-10 (.615)
Total: 82-26 (.759)
Longest streak: 10 games
Coach: Doc Rivers

Award winners;
Ray Allen: All Star
Kevin Garnett: Defensive Player of the Year, 1^st Team All-NBA, 1^st Team All-Defense
Paul Pierce: Finals MVP, 3^rd Team All-NBA, All Star

Leaders;
Points: Paul Pierce (19.6), Kevin Garnett (18.8), Ray Allen (17.4)
Rebounds: Kevin Garnett (9.2), Kendrick Perkins (6.1), Paul Pierce (5.1)
Assists: Rajon Rondo (5.1), Paul Pierce (4.5), Kevin Garnett (3.4)
Steals: Rajon Rondo (1.7), Kevin Garnett (1.4), Paul Pierce (1.3)
Blocks: Kendrick Perkins (1.5), Kevin Garnett (1.3), Paul Pierce (1.5)
Win Shares: Kevin Garnett (12.9), Paul Pierce (12.4), Ray Allen (9.7)

Playoff opponents;
Atlanta Hawks: 37-45 (4-3)
Cleveland Cavaliers: 45-37 (4-3)
Detroit Pistons: 59-23 (4-2)
Los Angeles Lakers: 57-25 (4-2)

#3: 1964-65
Regular season: 62-18 (.775)
Playoffs: 8-4 (.667)
Total: 70-22 (.761)
Longest streak: 16 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Sam Jones: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: Coach of the Year, All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Sam Jones (25.9), John Havlicek (18.3), Bill Russell (14.1)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (24.1), Tom Sanders (8.3), Tom Heinsohn (6)
Assists: K.C. Jones (5.6), Bill Russell (5.3), Sam Jones (2.8)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (16.9), Sam Jones (12.8), Tom Sanders (7.5)

Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia 76ers: 40-40 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 49-31 (4-1)

#2: 1959-60
Regular season: 59-16 (.787)
Playoffs: 8-5 (.613)
Total: 67-21 (.761)
Longest streak: 17 games
Coach: Red Auerbach

Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Sharman: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Tom Heinsohn (21.7), Bob Cousy (19.4), Bill Sharman (19.3)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (24), Tom Heinsohn (10.6), Gene Conley (8.3)
Assists: Bob Cousy (9.5), Bill Russell (3.7), K.C. Jones (2.6)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (13.8), Bill Sharman (7.9), Bob Cousy (7.8)

Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia Warriors: 49-26 (4-2)
St. Louis Hawks: 46-29 (4-3)

#1: 1985-86
Regular season: 67-15 (.817)
Playoffs: 15-3 (.833)
Total: 82-18 (.820)
Longest streak: 14 games
Coach: K.C. Jones

Award winners;
Larry Bird: League MVP, Finals MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, All Star
Dennis Johnson: 2^nd Team All-Defense
Kevin McHale: 1^st Team All-Defense, All Star
Robert Parish: All Star
Bill Walton: 6^th Man of the Year
K.C. Jones: All Star head coach

Leaders;
Points: Larry Bird (25.8), Kevin McHale (21.3), Robert Parish (16.1)
Rebounds: Larry Bird (9.8), Robert Parish (9.5), Kevin McHale (8.1)
Assists: Larry Bird (6.8), Dennis Johnson (5.8), Danny Ainge (5.1)
Steals: Larry Bird (2), Dennis Johnson (1.4), Danny Ainge (1.2)
Blocks: Kevin McHale (2), Robert Parish (1.4), Bill Walton (1.3)
Win Shares: Larry Bird (15.8), Kevin McHale (11), Robert Parish (9.2)

Playoff opponents
Chicago Bulls: 30-52 (3-0)
Atlanta Hawks: 50-32 (4-1)
Milwaukee Bucks: 57-25 (4-0)
Houston Rockets: 51-31 (4-2)

The Top 10 NBA Teams of All Time: #7, The 1971 Milwaukee Bucks

#7
The 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks
Regular Season: 66-16 (80.5)
Playoffs: 12-2 (85.7)
Total: 78-18 (81.3)

Award Winners;
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: League MVP, Finals MVP, 1^st Team All-NBA, 2^ndTeam All-Defense, All Star
Oscar Robertson: 2^nd Team All-NBA, All Star

The Milwaukee Bucks were an expansion team that came into the league in 1968 and got very lucky very fast. Not surprisingly for a team in its debut season, the Bucks fared poorly, winning 27 games and winding up with the number one draft pick in 1969. There was clearly only one choice to make that year, and it was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor.

For you youngbloods who don’t know, Kareem was an absolute monster in both high school and college. His high school team, Power Memorial in New York City, won back to back national championships in 1963 and ‘64. He won three straight NCAA championships with UCLA in 1967, ‘68 and ‘69. He likely would’ve won four if he’d been allowed to play on the varsity team while he was a freshman, but it was against NCAA regulations at the time. He was so good as a freshman that in scrimmages, the freshmen team regularly beat the varsity squad. The NCAA even BANNED DUNKING because it made things too easy for him! This only helped him, as it led to him perfecting his unstoppable hook shot known as the skyhook. In his three years on the varsity team, UCLA lost two games. Two. Out of ninety. Anyway, he was good.

Here’s where Milwaukee’s luck really comes in: before David Stern introduced the draft lottery in 1985, the holder of the number one pick was literally decided by a coin toss between the worst team in the East and worst team in the West. The Bucks had been at the bottom of the Eastern Division in ‘68-69, with the Phoenix Suns being the worst in the West. The Bucks won the toss and grabbed Kareem without hesitation. The Suns got another center, the 6’10 Neal Walk. Walk actually had some pretty good seasons in Phoenix, but was out of the league by 1977. Milwaukee had more good luck in that draft, stealing future All Star Bob Dandridge at 45^th overall.

The ‘69-70 season was a dramatic turnaround for the Bucks, who improved from 27 wins to 56. Even as a rookie, Kareem was one of the best players in the NBA, and the young Milwaukee team made it as far as the division finals. They lost in five games to a great New York Knicks team led by Walt Frazier and Willis Reed, but the Bucks were clearly on their way.

What put them over the top in 1970-71 was the arrival of veteran superstar point guard Oscar Robertson, who’d played his whole career with the Cincinnati Royals (now Sacramento Kings). The Royals hadn’t made the playoffs since 1967 and hadn’t made the Finals since 1951, when they were still in Rochester. It’s well known that Robertson didn’t get along well with his coach in Cincinnati, Celtics legend Bob Cousy. Whatever the reason for the trade, Oscar was happy to have a change of scene.

In 1970-71, it was 23 year old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who unsurprisingly put up the biggest numbers, averaging 31.7 points and 16 rebounds on 57.7% shooting. Did I tell you he was good? 32 year old Oscar Robertson brought 19.4 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 49.6% from the field and 85% at the line. 23 year old small forward Bob Dandridge put up 18.4 points and 8 rebounds on 50.9% shooting. 27 year old two guard Jon McGlocklin chipped in 15.8 points while shooting 53.5%. With all the ingredients together, the Bucks went 66-16 in the regular season and posted a 20 game winning streak during February and March, despite at one point having to play five games in six days! Imagine playing that much and still kicking everyone’s ass.

In 1970-71, the Bucks were shifted into the Western Conference and faced the 41-41 San Francisco Warriors in the first round, who were led by Nate Thurmond and Jerry Lucas. The Warriors were clearly not up to the challenge, and the Bucks won the first three games by between 11 and 14 points. San Francisco did pull out a 106-104 win in game four before having the door slammed in their faces in game five by a score of 136-86. Yes, that’s 50 points. Seven Bucks scored in double figures in that one, with Jon McGlocklin leading the way with 28. Kareem had 23 points and 17 rebounds.

Their next challenge was the 48-34 Los Angeles Lakers, featuring Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. The result was the same, with the Bucks winning in five games. Milwaukee crushed LA in four out of five by a margin of 18 to 23 points. LA did pull out an impressive 118-107 win at home in game three, with Wilt scoring 24 points and grabbing 24 rebounds. In Milwaukee’s 23 point win in game four, Kareem put up 31 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 14 for 20.

In the NBA Finals, Milwaukee met the 42 win Baltimore Bullets, led by a young Wes Unseld, who’d managed to knock off the defending champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Finals. This series was the least challenging of all for the Bucks, and they swept the Bullets with the closest game being a 107-99 win at home in game three. Game two was the biggest blowout, with the Bucks winning 102-83 in Baltimore. Kareem led the way as usual, with 27 points and 24 rebounds and Oscar Robertson had 22 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds. Kareem was named Finals MVP, averaging 25 points, 17.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

The Bucks won over sixty games again in 1972 and ‘73 but lost in the second and first rounds respectively. In 1974 they had the league’s best record with 59 wins, but lost to John Havlicek, Dave Cowens and the Celtics in seven games in the Finals. Oscar Robertson retired after that season and the Bucks missed the playoffs in ‘75 for the first time since their debut season. That Summer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Lakers, where he went on to win five more championships in the ‘80s. Kareem had grown up in Manhattan and went to school in LA, and requested the trade as Milwaukee just wasn’t his kind of town. Even though he played most of his career and won most of his championships with the Lakers, I associate Kareem with the Bucks just as much. I think he looked really cool with the Afro and mutton chops in those old red white and green uniforms.

The Bucks had good teams throughout the ‘80s with guys like Sidney Moncrief and Marques Johnson, but still haven’t made the Finals since ‘74. Personally, as a Celtics fan, I’m terrified thinking about how good those guys could be in a few years when Giannis Antetokounmpo hits his prime. This could be the year, now that Kawhi Leonard’s off to LA.

The Top 10 NBA Teams of All Time: #3, The 1972 Los Angeles Lakers

#3
The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers
Regular Season: 69-13 (84.1)
Playoffs: 12-3 (80)
Total: 81-16 (83.5)

Award Winners;
Wilt Chamberlain: Finals MVP, 2^nd Team All-NBA, 1^st Team All-Defense, All Star
Gail Goodrich: All Star
Jerry West: 1^st Team All-NBA, 1^st Team All-Defense, All Star, All Star MVP
Bill Sharman: Coach of the Year

When I think of the history of the Lakers in LA before 1972, I think of both greatness and futility. Greatness because of some of their players, like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. Futility, because despite those players, they never won a championship, and instead lost in the NBA Finals seven times, six of them to the same damn team.

The Lakers started out in Minneapolis as part of the old NBL (National Basketball League), and joined the BAA (now the NBA) in 1948, winning five championships in six seasons between between 1949 and 1954. They were led by one of pro basketball’s first great stars, the 6’10 center, George Mikan, as well as power forward Vern Mikkelsen. Mikan retired after winning his fifth championship in ‘54, but returned for the second half of the ‘56 season before retiring for good. Big George wasn’t the fastest player, and he didn’t like the way the new shot clock had sped up the game. Once he was gone, the Lakers fell off and so did attendance in Minneapolis.

In 1958 the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time, but they drafted Elgin Baylor that Summer. He became a cornerstone of the franchise for over a decade. Although the Lakers finished below .500 in ‘58-59, Baylor led them on an unlikely Finals run, but they lost to the Celtics in the first of twelve meetings to date between the two teams. In 1960, the Lakers made two big moves; first, they drafted Jerry West at number one, and he became one of the best guards of all time. Second, they relocated to Los Angeles, and became the first NBA team on the west coast.

The talented young Lakers were back in the Finals in 1962, but lost to Boston again, this time in seven games, with the clincher decided by just three points. 1963 brought another Finals loss against Boston, this time in six games. In 1965, they lost to the Celtics again. This time it wasn’t close, and the ‘65 Celts were maybe the best of those dynasty teams. The Lakers were beaten in five, and three of their losses were blowouts. Guess what happened in 1966? The Lakers lost in the Finals to the Celtics again, with this one being more akin to 1962. A game seven loss decided by two points gave the Celtics their eighth straight title. They met again in 1968, and the Celtics were victorious in six. God damn, if I was a Lakers fan I would really hate the Celtics.

In the Summer of ‘68, Lakers fans must’ve thought their troubles were over when their team picked up one of the greatest ever, Wilt Chamberlain, in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. As great as he was on paper, Wilt could be difficult to work with and wasn’t the best leader or follower, and didn’t get along great with veteran Elgin Baylor. In the Finals that year, the Lakers met who else but the Celtics for the seventh time in eleven seasons. Bill Russell and Sam Jones were both in their mid-30s and headed for retirement, and Boston only won 48 games that year, so not many gave them a chance against what some call the NBA’s first “super team.” But guess what happened. The Celtics did it again, winning game seven by two points. Despite the loss, Jerry West played so well that he received the first ever Finals MVP award. In 1970, LA lost yet another Finals, this time to a new team, the New York Knicks, led by Walt Frazier and Willis Reed.

What finally changed things for the Lakers wasn’t a player but a coach, former Celtics shooting guard Bill Sharman, who’d won four championships in Boston in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. His assistant coach was another former Celtic, K.C. Jones, who had success later as a head coach, winning two titles with Boston in the mid ‘80s. Having an assistant was one of Sharman’s innovations. He also introduced novel concepts like pre-game shootarounds and having his players study film. His biggest contribution was changing the way the Lakers used Wilt Chamberlain. Sharman saw how effective Bill Russell had been in Boston despite his stats (other than rebounding) not being that eye-popping. It’s not like Russell didn’t score, but his main duties were to play amazing defense, block God knows how many shots, rebound, and make outlet passes to get the fast break going. Sharman knew that Wilt, who had three or four inches and 60 or 70 pounds on Russell, could do these things brilliantly if he was willing to.

Luckily for LA, he was, and his change in stats from ‘71 to ‘72 mirrored the one from 1966 to ‘67, the last time Wilt’s team had won it all. The 35 year old center’s points dropped from 20.7 to 14.8, and he went from taking 15 shots a game to 9.3, while his field goal percentage rose from 54.5 to 64.9. His rebounds also increased from 18.2 to 19.2. 33 year old point guard Jerry West was still going strong as well with 25.8 points and a league-leading 9.7 assists a game. 25 year old shooting guard Gail Goodrich put up 25.9 points and 4.5 assists on 48.7% shooting and shot 85% at the line. 23 year old small forward Jim McMillan averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, and power forward Happy Hairston had over 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Elgin Baylor began to decline during the ‘69-70 season, playing only 54 games that year. Knee problems slowed him down and in November of 1970 he suffered an Achilles tendon injury, sidelining him for nearly a year, and he played only two games in the ‘70-71 season. Nine games into ‘71-72 he decided to retire, giving up a chance to finally win a championship. He was offered a role on the team coming off the bench, but he didn’t want to play if he couldn’t be Elgin Baylor anymore.

Despite the sad end to Baylor’s career, the team ended up being one of the greatest in franchise history, and went 69-13 in the regular season. On Halloween of 1971, they lost 109-105 to the Golden State Warriors. They didn’t lose again until January 9^th, 1972, after posting a winning streak of 33 games, an NBA record that still stands. It took a great Milwaukee Bucks team and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 39 points and 20 rebounds to finally stop the madness. The most recent teams to come within shouting distance of that mark were the Warriors, who won their last four games in 2015 and then won the first 24 games of the ‘15-16 season, for a total of 28 wins, and the Miami Heat, who won 27 straight during the 2013 regular season.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers faced the 57 win Chicago Bulls, led by Bob Love, Chet Walker and Jerry Sloan. LA made short work of them, winning all four games by between 7 and 15 points. The biggest win was 95-80 at home in game one. Gail Goodrich led all scorers with 32 points and 7 assists, and Jerry West had 23 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds. Chamberlain and Hairston both had 10 points and 17 rebounds. West was great in game two as well, with 37 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds.

In the Western Conference Finals, The Lakers met a formidable opponent in the 63 win Milwaukee Bucks, who had streamrolled the league the year before, winning 66 games and cruising to a championship. They were led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson and Bob Dandridge, and they blew the Lakers out 93-72 in game one in LA. Kareem was Kareem, scoring 33 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, and Curtis Perry grabbed 18 rebounds to go with 8 points. LA barely pulled out a one point win in game two, 135-134. Jim McMillan led all scorers with 42 points and 7 rebounds, Jerry West had 28 points, 13 assists and 7 rebounds, and Gail Goodrich put up 25 points and 5 rebounds. The Lakers won another tight one in Milwaukee in game three, 108-105. Milwaukee thrashed LA in game four though, 114-88. Kareem had a routine 31 points and 18 rebounds, Bod Dandridge had a strong 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Curtis Perry was the leading rebounder with 19 boards to go with 11 points. Back home in game five, the Lakers got ‘em back with a 115-90 win of their own. Jim McMillan led LA’s scoring with 25 points, Wilt grabbed 26 rebounds to go with 12 points and 6 assists, Jerry West had 22 points and 10 assists and Gail Goodrich had 22 points. LA clinched it 104-100 in Milwaukee in game six. The series was a real clash of the titans, and honestly could’ve gone either way.

In the Finals, the Lakers met the 48 win New York Knicks, who’d beaten them to win their first championship in 1970. The ‘72 Knicks were led by Walt Frazier, Jerry Lucas, Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley. New York’s star center Willis Reed only played eleven games that year due to knee issues and missed the entire playoffs. Despite the loss of Reed, the Knicks came out hot and won game one in LA 114-92. Bill Bradley led the scoring with 29 points, Jerry Lucas had 26 points and 7 rebounds, DeBusschere had 19 points and 18 rebounds and Walt Frazier put up a triple double with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The Lakers quickly recovered though, winning the next four straight by between 5 and 14 points and clinching their first championship since leaving Minneapolis. The last game was a big win, 114-100 in LA, and Wilt Chamberlain was the hero with 24 points and 29 rebounds on 10 of 14 shooting. The whole staring five made major contributions; Gail Goodrich led the scoring with 25 points; Jerry West, who finally had a title after losing seven straight, put up 23 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds; Jim McMillan had 20 points and Happy Hairston had 13 points and 14 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain won his second Finals MVP, averaging 19.4 points and 23.2 rebounds on 60% shooting in the series.

The following year, the Lakers made it back to the Finals but lost a re-match to the New York Knicks in their third meeting in four seasons. Wilt Chamberlain retired after that season, but not before setting another NBA record by shooting 72.7% from the field. Jim McMillan was traded to the Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers) that off-season. Jerry West retired in 1974, and in 1975 the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1958, when they were still in Minneapolis. Happy Hairston retired in 1975 and Gail Goodrich moved on to the New Orleans Jazz in ‘76. In the 1975 off-season, Los Angeles traded for their old foe, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Surprisingly, they missed the playoffs again in ‘76, but that was more due to the weird way that playoff seeding was determined in that era than their mediocre record of 40-42. Coach Bill Sharman was gone after that season and it wasn’t until LA drafted Magic Johnson in 1979 that all the pieces fit together once again.

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 6: Tom Heinsohn

#15 Tom Heinsohn, “Tommy the Hawk,” Forward & Coach, 1956-1965, 1969-1978

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1934, Tom Heinsohn was a star at Bob Cousy’s Alma Mater, the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1953 to ‘56. He set school records in total points with 1,789, and points in a single game with 51. He was also First Team All-American in 1956 and Second Team in ‘55, and his number “24” was retired by the school. As he played at a New England college, the Celtics were able to draft Heinsohn as a territorial pick, and he joined the Celtics the same year as Bill Russell and was also selected in the same draft as K. C. Jones, whose pro career began in 1958.

Heinsohn started off with a bang; he won Rookie of the Year, made the All Star team, and helped the Celtics win their first NBA Championship against the St. Louis Hawks. Heinsohn has the remarkable distinction of playing in the finals in all nine years of his career, with the Celtics beating the Minneapolis Lakers in 1959, the Hawks again in ‘60 and ‘61, the now Los Angeles Lakers in ‘62 and ‘63, the San Francisco Warriors in ‘64 and the Lakers once more in ‘65. They also made the 1958 Finals, but lost to the Hawks. Only his teammates, Bill Russell and Sam Jones, have won more rings.

Along with his team’s many accomplishments, Heinsohn made All-NBA Second Team every year from 1961 to ‘64 and was an All-Star six times; first in 1957, then five straight years from 1961 to ‘65. Heinsohn also served as president of the NBA Players Association from 1958 to ‘65, following his teammate and the Association’s founder, Bob Cousy, and helped bring free agency to the league by threatening to strike shortly before the 1964 All-Star Game. He retired after the 1964-65 season after a relatively brief but impactful career, an eight time champion in nine seasons. Despite only playing 654 games, Heinsohn currently sits at ninth all time among Celtics players in rebounds and twelfth in points. His career highs include 22.1 points per game in 1961-62 and 10.6 rebounds per game in ‘59-60. He scored a career high 45 points in a win against the Syracuse Nationals on Christmas Day, 1961. His number 15 was retired by the Celtics in 1965, but his time in Boston was far from over.

He became head coach of the Celtics in 1969 until part way through the ‘77-78 season. The team initially struggled during Heinsohn’s tenure, as many of the greats of the ‘50s and ‘60s had retired. By 1971-72 however, they were back on track thanks to young stars like Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens, and the continued excellent play of veteran John Havlicek. In ‘72-73, the Celtics had their best ever regular season, winning 68 games and losing just 14, although they lost to the eventual champion New York Knicks in the Conference Finals. Heinsohn was awarded Coach of the Year for his efforts. The following season, the Celtics won their first championship in five years against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games. Boston won yet another title in ‘76 against the Phoenix Suns. Heinsohn was released by the Celtics 34 games into the ‘77-78 season, Boston’s first losing year since ‘70-71.

In nine seasons as head coach, he was selected to coach the Eastern Conference All-Star Team four times (1972, ‘73, ‘74, and ‘76). Both before and after his coaching career, Tommy has been a Boston Celtics broadcaster who worked for CBS in the 1980s, and still does color commentary for NBC Sports Boston. He began calling games in 1966 at the behest of Red Auerbach, and since 1981, he and Mike Gorman have called Celtics television broadcasts. Tom Heinsohn is one of the few people who can say he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice; as a player in 1986 and as a coach in 2015. At the age of 84, after over sixty years, Tommy continues to be a Celtics institution.

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 10: Tom Sanders

#16 Tom Sanders, “Satch,” Power Forward, 1960-1973

Born in New York City in 1938, Tom “Satch” Sanders attended New York University from 1957 to ‘60, where he was Third Team All-American and won the Haggerty Award for best college player in New York City, both in 1960.

That year he was drafted eighth overall by the Boston Celtics, and they won the NBA Championship in his rookie year against the St. Louis Hawks. Sanders would win seven more with the team by 1969; against the Los Angeles Lakers in ‘62 and ‘63, the San Francisco Warriors in ‘64, and the Lakers four more times in ‘65, ‘66, ‘68 and ‘69. Sanders is one of only three NBA players to play in eight championships without losing a single one, the others being his Celtic teammates, K. C. Jones and John Havlicek.

Always a strong defensive player, Sanders was named All-Defensive Second Team in 1969, the first year All-Defensive selections were made. Tom Sanders retired following the 1972-73 season, and his number “16” was retired shortly after. He currently sits at eighth all time among Celtics players in rebounds and 15^th in points. His career highs include 12.6 points per game in 1965-66, 9.5 rebounds per game in 1961-62, and a free throw percentage of 88% in 1969-70. He scored a career high of 30 points in a March 1962 drubbing of the Syracuse Nationals.

He went on to coach at Harvard from 1973 to ‘77, becoming the first black head coach of any major American sports team at an Ivy League school. Sanders returned to the Celtics as the team’s assistant coach for the 1977-78 season and was promoted to head coach mid-season following the departure of his old teammate, Tom Heinsohn. He was replaced by Dave Cowens, who took on the role of player-coach, 14 games into the next season. In 1986, Sanders became the head of the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, which was the first of its kind in any major North American sport. In 2011, Tom Sanders was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 11: John Havlicek

#17 John Havlicek, “Hondo,” Small Forward, 1962-1978

Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1940, John Havlicek attended Ohio State University from 1959 to ‘62, where he won a National Title in 1960, was named Second Team All-American in ‘62, and Third Team All-American in ‘61. His number “5” was retired by the school.

Havlicek was drafted seventh overall in 1962 by the Boston Celtics, and was good enough at football that he was also drafted by the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Luckily for Boston he decided to go with basketball, and made All-Rookie First Team in ’62-63, which also saw Hondo and the Celtics winning the NBA Championship against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the first of many titles in Havlicek’s career. Boston won it all the next three years in a row, against the San Francisco Warriors in ‘64 and the Lakers again in ‘65 and ‘66. His game-winning steal against the Philadelphia 76ers in game seven of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals has gone down as one of the most famous plays in NBA history. The Celtics lost in the playoffs to the 76ers in 1967, but were champions again in ‘68 and ‘69, defeating the Lakers both times.

After a bumpy transition period following the retirement of Bill Russell and Sam Jones in 1969, Havlicek and the Celtics were back in the playoffs in ‘72 and won two more championships in 1974 and ‘76, against the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns respectively, and he was named MVP of the ‘74 finals. The team had its best ever regular season in ’72-73, going 68 and 14, but lost game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals only after Havlicek dislocated his shoulder part way through the series. Hondo heroically continued to play with just one good arm. By that time he’d long since moved on from the sixth man role he thrived in early in his career. Havlicek is one of only three players to reach eight NBA finals without losing a single one, the others being his Celtic teammates K.C. Jones and Tom Sanders.

Along with being an eight-time champion, Hondo won many individual accolades; he was First Team All-NBA four years in a row (1971 to ‘74), Second Team seven times (1964, ‘66, ‘68-‘70, ‘75, ‘76), NBA All-Defensive First Team five straight years (1972 to ‘76), All-Defensive Second Team in 1969, ‘70 and ‘71, and made an incredible thirteen straight All-Star Games, from 1966 until his last year in the league in 1978. He also served as the Celtics’ captain from 1967 until his retirement. His number “17” was retired by the Celtics after his final game at the Garden.

At the time, he was the NBA’s all-time leader in games played, a record he held until it was broken by Elvin Hayes in 1984. He was also third all-time in points behind Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. Future NBA star Chris Mullin would later wear number “17” in tribute to Havlicek. To this day, Havlicek is the Celtics all-time leading scorer with 26,395 points, over 2,000 more than his closest competitor, Paul Pierce. He also leads all Celtics in minutes played with 46,471, nearly 6,000 more than Bill Russell, who’s sits in second place. He’s also second only to Bob Cousy in assists and fifth in rebounds. His career highs include 28.9 points per game in 1969-70, and over 3,600 minutes played and 7.5 per game assists in 70-71 and ‘71-72. He scored a single game career high of 54 points in a playoff win against the Atlanta Hawks in April 1973.

He was named to the NBA’s 35^th and 50^th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Many, including Bill Russell, count Havlicek as one of the greatest players of his generation, if not all time. In 1984, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. John Havlicek died in May of 2019 of Parkinson’s disease.

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 12: Don Nelson

#19 Don Nelson, “Nellie,” Small Forward, 1965-1976

Born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1940, Don Nelson attended the University of Iowa from 1959 to ‘62, where he made Third Team All-American in his final year. He was drafted 17^th overall by the Chicago Zephyrs (now the Washington Wizards) in 1962. He moved to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1963, and reached the NBA Finals with the team in 1965, but lost to the Boston Celtics.

Nelson became a Celtic himself later that year, winning a title against the Lakers in 1966, and two more against them in 1968 and ‘69. Nelson scored a key basket towards the end of the deciding game of the ‘69 series, helping to secure another title for Boston. He spent much of his career in Boston as the team’s sixth man, following in the footsteps on Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek. After a rough couple of years following Bill Russell’s retirement in 1969, Nelson and the Celtics got back on track, winning two more championships; in 1974 Against the Milwaukee Bucks, and in ‘76 against the Phoenix Suns, capping off his career with a fifth title.

His career highs include 15.4 points per game in 1969-70 and shooting a league-leading 54% from the field in 1974-75. He scored a career high 40 points in a win against the San Diego Rockets in February 1970. Despite mostly coming off the bench, Nelson currently sits at 14^th all time among Celtics players in points. He retired as a player in 1976, and his number “19” was retired by the Celtics in 1978.

He was far from done with basketball though, becoming head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1976. He won Coach of the Year in 1983, the same year the Bucks swept the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. Unfortunately for Nelson, the Bucks were eliminated the next round by the eventual champion Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics got their revenge the following year, defeating the Bucks in the Conference Finals in five games on their way to another title. Nelson won Coach of the year for the second time in 1985, despite being swept by the 76ers in the semifinals. In 1986, the Bucks were swept by the Celtics in the Conference after Nelson made the mistake of saying he was a better, smarter coach than the Celtics’ K.C. Jones.

Nelson left the Bucks after losing to the Celtics in the playoffs again in 1987, joining the Golden State Warriors in 1988. Although he never made it past the second round of the playoffs at Golden State, he won his third coach of the year award in 1992. He also coached Team USA to a Gold Medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championships in Canada. In 1995-96, Nelson moved on to the New York Knicks, but was fired that March due to disagreements with management. From 1997 to 2005, Nelson coached the Dallas Mavericks, who made it as far as the Conference Finals in 2003, losing to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in six games. Nelson returned to coaching the Warriors from 2006 to 2010, although they only made the playoffs in his first year back. Don Nelson is one of only three coaches to win Coach of the Year three times, the others being Pat Riley and Greg Popovich. He also coached the Western Conference All-Star Team twice, in 1992 and 2002. Don Nelson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2012, and it’s likely only a matter of time before he’s inducted as a coach

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 13: Jo Jo White

#10 Jo Jo White, Point Guard, 1969-1979

orn in St. Louis in 1946, Joseph Henry “Jo Jo” White attended the University of Kansas from 1965 to ‘69 where he was a star player; he was a back to back Second-Team All American in 1968 and ‘69, and his number “15” was retired by Kansas. As a student, White won Gold Medals at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. White was drafted by Boston ninth overall in the 1969 NBA draft, and was so good at football that he was also drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

He came into the league following the retirement of two Celtic greats, Bill Russell and Sam Jones. As a result, the Celtics experienced their first losing season in nearly twenty years. White performed well however, and having been a member of the Marine Corps, he came into the league in excellent physical condition and made All-Rookie First Team in 1970. By 1971-72, the team was back to its winning ways. White won two championships with the Celtics, first in 1974 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and in 1976 against the Phoenix Suns. He was named MVP of the ‘76 finals, having averaged about 22 points, 6 assists and 1.5 steals in the six game series.

He was named All-NBA Second Team in 1975 and ‘77, and was an All-Star seven straight years, from 1971 to ‘77. He would also serve as the Celtics team captain for part of the 1978-79 season. Following an injury sustained during the ‘77-78 season, White’s play began to decline and he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1979, where he would play alongside future Celtic great Robert Parish. White loved being able to call himself a Celtic and be a part of the team’s proud tradition, and wasn’t happy to leave Boston.

In 1980 White joined the Kansas City Kings, retiring in 1981. His number “10” was retired by the Celtics in 1982. In 1982 and ‘83, he served as the assistant coach of his old college team, the Kansas Jayhawks. Among Celtics players, White currently sits at seventh all time in assists, ninth in minutes played and tenth in points. His career highs include 23.1 points per game in 1971-72, 6.1 assists per game in 1972-73, and shooting 88% from the line in 1978-79. He scored a career high 41 points in a March 1977 win against the Kansas City Kings.

In 2015, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and was introduced by his old teammates, John Havlicek and Dave Cowens. Jo Jo White died in January of 2018 due to complications from surgery.

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 14: Dave Cowens

#18 Dave Cowens, “Big Red,” Center, 1970-1980

Born in Newport, Kentucky in 1948, Dave Cowens attended Florida State University from 1967 to ’70, where he was named Second Team All-American in his last year. To this day, he’s the school’s all time leader in rebounds with 1,340, as well as the leader in rebounds per game with 17.5 in 1968-69 and is second all time in single game rebounds with 31. His number “5” was retired by Florida State. Although relatively short for a center at 6’9’’, Cowens was drafted fourth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1970, partly on the recommendation of Bill Russell.

The Celtics were going through a difficult transition following the retirement of Russell and many of the other stars of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and they missed the playoffs in Cowens’ rookie season. He started strong however, winning Rookie of the Year and making All-Rookie First Team in 1971. The Celtics soon turned things around, thanks to Cowens and Jo Jo White, who had entered the league the year before, and the C’s were back in the playoffs in ‘72. 1972 was also Cowens’ first All Star Game, something he would repeat every year of his Celtics career besides 1979. In 1974, Cowens would win his first NBA Championship against the Milwaukee Bucks, and won another in 1976 against the Phoenix Suns. Cowens retired for the first time in 1980 at the relatively young age of 31.

He was later convinced to return to basketball to play one more season for the Milwaukee Bucks in 1982-83, where his old teammate Don Nelson was head coach. Alongside his two championship rings, Dave Cowens was also League MVP in 1973, averaging over 20 points and 16 rebounds in a season that the Celtics went 68 and 14. He was also All-NBA Second Team in 1973, ‘75 and ‘76, All-Defensive First Team in 1976, and All-Defensive Second Team in 1975 and ‘80. He served as Celtics team captain from 1978 to 1980 and as player-coach for most of 1978-79. He was also selected to the NBA’s 50^th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Among Celtics players, Cowens currently sits at third all time in rebounds, sixth in blocked shots, eighth in minutes played, ninth in both points and steals, and tenth in assists. His career highs include 16.2 rebounds and 20.5 points per game, both in 1972-73. He scored a career high 39 points in a January 1976 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. That March, he grabbed a ridiculous 27 rebounds in another win against the Sixers. In 1977-78, he was one of five players ever to lead their team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals in the same season. Cowens’ number “18” was retired by the Celtics in 1981.

After his playing career, Cowens became the assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs from 1994 to ‘96, then head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 1996 to ‘99 and of the Golden State Warriors from 1999 to 2001. In 2006, he joined the coaching staff of the Detroit Pistons. In 1991, Dave Cowens was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Celtics Retired Numbers Series pt. 15: Cedric Maxwell

#31 Cedric Maxwell, “Cornbread,” Forward, 1977-1985

Born in Kinston, North Carolina in 1955, Cedric Maxwell attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 1973 to ‘77, where he was a Third Team All-American and the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year as a senior, and his number “33” was retired by the school. Maxwell was drafted 12^th overall by the Boston Celtics in 1977, and joined a team going through a rough patch.

Although they’d won a championship just two years before, the Celtics were aging in ‘77-78, which was John Havlicek’s last season in the league. Things went from bad to worse in ‘78-79, with the Celtics missing the playoffs for the second straight year and winning just 29 games. Despite their poor record, Maxwell had a career year, averaging close to 20 points and ten rebounds per game.

Things turned around sharply in ‘79-80 with the addition of Larry Bird, and got even better the next year with Robert Parish coming from the Golden State Warriors and Kevin McHale being drafted third overall.They went on to win the championship that year against the Houston Rockets, and Maxwell’s career reached its pinnacle as he was named MVP of the 1981 NBA Finals. Maxwell averaged 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and a blocked shot on 57% shooting in the series.

After a poor showing in the ‘83 playoffs, the Celtics were champions again in 1984, beating their arch rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. Maxwell played a key role in this victory as well, as he and teammate M. L. Carr successfully got in the heads of the Lakers, especially their young forward, James Worthy. Cedric told his teammates to “climb on my back” before game seven and proceeded to score 24 points to go with 8 assists and 8 rebounds in the clincher.

He played only 57 games in the ‘84-85 season due to a knee injury, losing his spot as a starter to Kevin McHale. The Celtics made it back to the finals in ‘85, but lost to the Lakers in six games, with Maxwell playing only five of the six games at an average of less than ten minutes per game. In the 1985 off-season, Maxwell was traded along with a draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for veteran center Bill Walton. In early 1987, the Clippers traded Maxwell to the Rockets in exchange for two draft picks. Maxwell retired after the ‘87-88 season, having scored over ten thousand points and grabbed over 5,000 rebounds in his career.

He currently sits at ninth all-time among Celtics players in blocked shots and 17^th all time in points. His career highs include 19 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in ‘78-79, and shooting a league leading 61% from the field in ‘79-80, the second straight year he’d led the league in shooting. He scored a career high 35 points in a January 1979 loss to the Kansas City Kings. Maxwell currently lives in Massachusetts and is the long-time radio voice of the Celtics on WBZ in Boston and is a frequent contributor on the Boston sports station WEEI. In 2003, Cedric Maxwell’s number “31” was retired by the Boston Celtics.