NBA's 60 Greatest Playoff Moments: #21

Nelson's Shot, Russell's Championship Farewell; Game 7, 1969 NBA Finals:
"The Celtics were watching a 17-point fourth-quarter lead slip away against the heavily favored Lakers at the Forum. With the lead cut to 103-102 in the final minutes, the ball was knocked away from John Havlicek, into the hands of Don Nelson at the free-throw line. Nellie put up a shot that hit the back of the rim and got the ultimate shooter's bounce: straight down and straight through the net. From there, Boston held on to win 108-106 as Bill Russell retired with the most improbable of his 11 titles." - NBA.com

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[okolaja]

the voice reaction of the commentator on this game is very awesome.

[bEfstu]

nuthman18, that commentator was johnny most and if you dont know who johnny most is, you dont know basketball

[geocgeo]

Jerry West was a great player and I had the pleasure to watch him play at the old Boston Garden many times. Lakers took 3 of the last 4 but with the new salary cap rules the Lakers and C's are both done for at least a few seasons. The largest margin clinching the NBA championship 2008 NBA finals Celtics 131 Lakers 92.West overlooked? He's in the hall of fame and is the silhouette on the NBA logo.Phil Jackson loved Jerry West do an internet search for Jerry West recounts slights from Phil Jackson

[allanthephilosopher]

@geocgeo The Lakes make be 3-9 all time in the Finals against the C's but don't forget that even though the Green won the first 8 meetings, Showtime has taken 3 of the last 4. Also, a lot of those Laker-Celtic series over the eras have gone to 7 games. And the late, great Red had nothing but respect for Jerry West, who I believe is often overlooked as one of the greatest of all time because he only won it all one time.

[YoMyMojoSoDope23]

@bEfstu then i don't know basketball that means i don't pay attention to the sport or the people broadcasting it

[geocgeo]

@EyeLoveTheStars With the Lakers payroll (the highest in the NBA by far) they should have won the 2011 playoffs but they still got blown out just like they did in the 2008 finals.

Nice try. The Lakers buy championships in the free agency era they don't win them.

[EyeLoveTheStars]

@SpaceRocker75 I agree. It's not that the Mavericks championship wasn't spectacular because it was. But the Mavericks aren't really a prolific organization. I doubt anybody but maverick fans really cared about the lakers or heat losing for that matter. I'm only saying that because its true. Kind of like with the spurs. lol no matter what the mavs do, they could beat lakeshow and heat by 50. A year will pass and nobody will care lol. its kind of sad really=/

[EyeLoveTheStars]

@geocgeo also, do you remember when the lakers almost got swept by detroit back in 2004 i believe? .it took them awhile to get back on top but they eventually did.  ...The lakers got manhandled in 2008 by the Boston Celtics lmao they got their asses BEAT just like the Mavericks dominated the hell out of them lol but what happened in 2009? And then what happened in 2010? I'm just stating Facts. That's all.

[EyeLoveTheStars]

@geocgeo im not a laker or mav fan but all i know is that the lakers won two titles back to back that hasn't been done all decade. the mavericks may do that but they haven't yet so we can't count our chickens before they hatch. I'm VERy happy for Dirk because he's an amazing player and deserves it. But I doubt laker fans or the lakers are that mad about being swept when they've had the glory of two championships and 3+ straight trips to the finals. lol. New season. Last year is last year:P

[geocgeo]

The Lakers being 3-9 vs the Boston Celtics in NBA finals playoff series I guess that would make them "second"....At least the Lakers hold record for the longest winning streak (33 games)..

Of course it took a former Boston Celtic's player (Bill Sharman) to coach the Lakers that season.

REMEMBER THAT...LOL

[geocgeo]

2011 finals. The Lakers' embarrassing 122-86 Game loss to the Mav's stain the Lakers history. Lamar Odom throwing a shoulder into Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bynum throwing a forearm at little J.J. Barea incidents that earned them ejections. With cheap-shot plays from Odom and Bynum, the Lakers didn't handle it with the necessary class. Magic Johnson said on ESPN "The Lakers are already on vacation and they didn't want to play this game."

Those LA fans riot when they win or lose.LOL

[geocgeo]

@8MRD8 The brand Johnny Most was smoking was the Lakers record against the Celtics in NBA finals series history sucks brand cigarettes.

Celtics 9 Lakers 3

2008 was classic the Celtics win the NBA championship by beating the Lakers in game 6 by 39 points(131-92) the largest margin clinching the NBA Championship in it's history.