Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers Rivalry in the 60's

The rivalry started when the Philadelphia Warriors were in the Eastern Division with the Boston Celtics. The Warriors drafted center Wilt Chamberlain in 1959. Chamberlain was considered one of the best inside scorers in the NBA and posed a serious threat to the Celtics. However, the Celtics had Bill Russell at center. He was one of the most dominant defensive forces in the NBA. When these teams played each other in the playoffs, Chamberlain had good games, but in the end, Russell and the Celtics would win. Before the 1962 season, the Warriors moved to San Francisco, and the rivalry seemed to have died.

In the 1964 season, Philadelphia brought in a new franchise called the 76ers. They were added to the Eastern Division and would therefore play the Celtics on multiple occasions throughout the season. After the All-Star break in 1965, Chamberlain returned to Philadelphia as a 76er, and a new rivalry was born from the ashes of the old one. That season, the Celtics and 76ers met in the Eastern Division Finals with a trip to the NBA Championship on the line. The series was a battle and went to a game seven in the Boston Garden. With seconds left at the end of the game and the score 110-109 in favor of the Celtics, Russell tried to inbound the ball when it hit the backboard which resulted in a turnover. However, the 76ers failed to capitalize because of a deflection on the inbounds by John Havlicek to his teammate Sam Jones. The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in five games for their seventh straight title. In the 1967 season, the 76ers collaborated a then NBA record of 68 wins and 13 losses, and the Celtics managed to go 60-21. They met in the Eastern Division final again, but this time, Wilt Chamberlain and the 76ers beat the Celtics in just five games and advanced to the NBA Finals. They would go onto win the NBA Championship by beating the former Philadelphia franchise the San Francisco Warriors in six games, giving the 76ers and Chamberlain their first title. Both teams would continue to play each other in the post season, but the rivalry didn't have the same passion as it once did.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• wilt
• chamberlain
• bill
• russell
• john
• havlicek

[geocgeo]

The difference-Wilt bragged about himself Bill Russell just played his ass off and won 11 rings in 13 years. I thank God I was there to watch most of them. R.I.P. Wilt from a Celtics fan.

[munerider]

Uh, dillweed, today's pussies couldn't survive in the rules and roughness of the NBA in those days. Write back when you grow up.

[ryanr20091]

he says guys we got to do something russel almost cost them lol

[thomkerr]

The 6ers were not a new franchise. The Syracuse Nationals moved to Philadelphia and became the 6ers.

[papatsoutsanos]

Celtic's proud!

[Akdog08]

Too many great players in NBA history to pick just one almighty great one????

[devon8trillionaire]

@Colidape nooooooo shaq comparison ok but tim ducan n wilt naw no where close

[devon8trillionaire]

@JayFeliceW agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kileer7]

:30 is taken out of context. If I'm not mistaken Wilt gave that answer in an interview conducted during the NBA 50 greatest players of all time weekend. Wilt was referring to his attitude when playing on the Phili blacktop courts; basically letting those street ballers know what time it was when he showed up.

[JayFeliceW]

PHILLY WILL ALWAYS BE BETTER THAN BOSTON.

[Salva46]

"Boston is dead". Nice...