3. Celtics-Lakers, 1969: This one had enough drama to make ESPN start another channel. There was the great Bill Russell in his third season as player-coach, having succeeded Red Auerbach and willing the Celtics to the Finals in his last season despite 
finishing fourth in the East. There was Wilt Chamberlain, who had joined West and Baylor on the Lakers. And there was the best rivalry in sports, with the teams battling for the title for the sixth time in eight years and LA holding homecourt advantage for the first time.
The game had plenty of drama as well. Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had stored thousands of balloons in the rafters of The Forum, ready to be released when his team won. West believed that would only motivate the Celtics, and he was right as Boston built a 100-83 lead with less than 10 minutes to play before he led a late rally by LA.
During the rally, Chamberlain hurt his knee while landing after a rebound and came out of the game. Lakers coach Butch van Breda Kolff – who had clashed with Chamberlain all season – inserted Mel Counts, who provided a spark that helped cut the deficit to 103-102. Chamberlain told van Breda Kolff he was ready to return, but the coach stuck with Counts, supposedly telling his star center, “We’re doing fine without you.”
The Lakers nearly got a steal, but the loose ball went to Don Nelson – yes, that Don Nelson – who beat the shot clock with a jumper that hit the heel, bounced straight up above the height of the backboard and dropped through the rim. The Lakers got no closer and lost, 108-106, keeping the balloons in the rafters and becoming the first team to lose Game 7 of the Finals at home.
John Havlicek scored 26 points, Sam Jones added 24 in his career finale and Russell grabbed 21 rebounds. West had 42 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists and was named Finals MVP in the inaugural year of the award. No losing player has won the award since.
The video below has the entire fourth quarter.
Could you imagine these storylines today? Another chapter in a great rivalry, an owner’s hubris, the last hurrah for the greatest winner ever, another disappointment for the hated giant and lovable loser, the second-guessing of a coach’s decision and the ensuing contradictory quotes, a lucky clutch shot and a bittersweet, empty award.
Bird is a better shooter and scorer (if Bird shot as much as lebron he’d have more points) and he’s a better passer but again he doesn’t have the ball in his had as much so he has less assist. Bird is a better teammate because he doesn’t have to be involved with everything he plays off the ball better. You ever notice how lebron lead teams live and die with him? Because he is involved with every play. He doesn’t let his teammates take over. Also those stats are stuffed. Lebron plays bell to bell and even if it’s a blowout he will continue to build up stats. As soon as he realizes he can’t win he goes to hero ball which fills up his score sheet. So bird is a better rebounder, passer, shooter and scorer. So explain how is lebron better? Because I’d take bird over bron any day.
James Worthy with a triple double in the NBA Finals game 7. I remember that so vividly.
I appreciate you taking to time to contribute That’s very helpful.
Now that’s subtle! Great to hear from you.
That’s a sensible answer to a challenging question
Thanks for taking the time to post. It’s lifted the level of debate
I appreciate you taking to time to contribute That’s very helpful.
Touchdown! That’s a really cool way of putting it!
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I’ve been looking for a post like this for an age
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A few years ago I’d have to pay someone for this information.
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Your’s is the intelligent approach to this issue.
Is that really all there is to it because that’d be flabbergasting.
This is an article that makes you think “never thought of that!”
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that the severity of his ijruny is being fabricated in an attempt to scare off would-be bidders. Sources tell me Davis hopes to end up with the Knicks, and if he does, he could be available to go w And all of that explains why the Knicks were so hopeful that Jamal Crawford would accept their $2.5
1984 Game 7:Boston 111, Los Angeles 102: This seven game slugfest, the first of 3 featuring Bird vs. Magic culminated in a Boston Victory that set a competitive standard for the rest of the Decade, and may have saved the NBA. Bird drew first blood by winning MVP honors, but Magic and Kareem would pay him back the favor 12 months later. 7 Hall of Fame Players and Two Coaches both in the Hall.