Celtics Pulled Off an Improbable Victory With an Improbable Shot: A Look Back At The 1968-69 Season
The 1969 NBA World Championship Series to determine the champion of the 1968–69 NBA season was played between theLos Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Let's take a quick look at this epic match!
When the Celtics finished the regular season in fourth place with a 48-34 record, it was the club’s worst finish since 1949-50. Yet, there was a feeling among those Celtics that they could band together one last time to win against Lakers.
There seemed to be a special bond among the players on that Celtic team. Because they had been together so long, it could almost be described as a team that coached itself. The ’68-69 Celtics, Team Co-Op.
Because the Celtics were a veteran team that had played together many years, all the veterans had input in the decision making. In some respects, it had to be that way because Russell obviously couldn’t be a bench coach when he was on the court.
Russell may have been the coach, but Auerbach still was the leader. Although he didn’t travel to all the road games, Auerbach was a regular at Garden practices. Russell rarely practiced with the team and huddled with Auerbach on the sidelines.
Auerbach, of course, built the team through deft handling of personnel and wise trades. It was a team that revolved around Russell, who dominated defensively and was the focal point of the offense.
“I played because I was dedicated to being the best. I was part of a team, and I dedicated myself to making that team the best." Never was the Celtics’ teamwork more evident than during the 1969 playoffs.
Boston won Game 6 at the Garden and returned to Los Angeles for a seventh game. The Celtics didn’t need any inspiration, but they got it from Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke, who had planned quite a victory celebration.
“Somehow, we got a hold of a script for the Lakers’ celebration,” Havlicek said. “They had it all planned. We hung it in our locker room.”
The Celtics seemed on their way to an easy victory, but a late Laker comeback made it close. Nelson then attempted a jump shot that gave the Celtics a three-point lead and the Lakers never recovered, losing 108-106.
Balloons stayed atop the Forum after the Celtics beat the Lakers in the seventh game that season!
It took Auerbach five years before he could build another championship team, but that 1973-74 Celtic team didn’t repeat and neither has any other team.
Talking to players from the 1968-69 Celtics, you get the impression that it’s impossible to have repeat champions. Or, at least, impossible for any team to build a dynasty such as the Celtics.
“There’s more parity,” Auerbach said. “Teams are stronger benchwise. See, years ago, you could repeat if your key players didn’t get hurt. Today, if your key guys get hurt, you’ve got great backups.”
Siegfried needed only two words to explain why there hasn’t been a dominant franchise: “Bill Russell.” Auerbach laughed and took another puff on his cigar when Russell’s name was mentioned.