Boston Celtics All-Decade Teams: The 1960s
The 1960's
The Celtics simply dominated the 1960's. They won the championship every year except for 1967 when Wilt Chamberlain decided to play team ball for once. There's nothing more that needs to be said, they dominated the decade like no other team prior or ever will. Not even Jordan's 90's Bulls had the longevity the 60's Celtics had. Think the Miami Heat of today that's been to 4 consecutive NBA Finals are good, try WINNING 8 in a row.
Coach - Bill Russell
With Auerbach already the coach of the 50's, Russell is the next choice. He did win 2 titles as a coach, 1 more than Doc Rivers.
1st Team
Center - Bill Russell
No brainer here. The greatest winner in NBA history with 11
championships in 13 years and made the NBA finals in 12 of them. If
blocked shots were counted when he played, he could very well be the
all-time leader to this day. He was also the greatest defender that ever
played and a superb rebounder. He changed the game from the hulking,
clumsy centers to the quick footing, shot blocking ones we know today.
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| Bailey Howell |
Forward - Bailey Howell
He was a hall of fame forward for the Pistons before becoming an integral part of the late 60's Celtics. Brought over in a trade for the 67 season, Howell played 3 outstanding years before falling off in 1970 due to age and injury. Playing 3 years and winning 2 championships is an investment well spent.
Forward - Satch Sanders
He was never supposed to be a big scorer but his defense put the clamps on rival superstars from 1960 all the way to 1973. He took home 9 titles as a player and was considered one of the best defensive players of the 1960's. Think of him as the Bruce Bowen of his day.
Guard - Sam Jones
Another no-brainer. He was one of the best shooters of the 1960's
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| Satch Sanders |
Guard - KC Jones
Like Sanders, his role was primarily defense. As a player he won 8 NBA championships, won 2 as an assistant coach and 2 more as a head coach. That's 12 rings totals. Can't get much better than that both on the court and on the sidelines.
2nd-Team
Center - Clyde Lovellette
The hall of fame country boy backed up Bob Petit, George Mikan and Bill Russell and was a hell of a player in college. He won a ring his rookie year with the Lakers, became a 4 time all-star and took home 2 more rings in 1963 and 1964 with the Celtics.
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| Clyde Lovellette |
Wayne "The Wall" later became a hall of fame general manager but was a talented center/forward in the late 50's and early 60's. He was a 5 time all-star for the Cincinnatti Royals (after several name changes, they're known today as the Sacremento Kings). He was the classic veteran that gave it his all for one final shot at a championship ring, which he won in 1968.
Forward - Willie Naulls
Willie was a 4 time all-star for the hapless New York Knicks of the early 60's before winning 3 rings in a row as a reserve foward from 1964-66. He was no slouch during his career, averaging 25 points a game in 1962.
Guard - Larry Siegfried
If you notice a pattern, its the fact the Celtics were able to win
championship after championship with guys
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| Larry Siegfried |
Guard - Emmette Bryant
Unlike the others, Bryant wasn't an all-star or a future hall of famer when he was signed prior to the 1969 season. He did lead the Celtics as the starting point guard when they made their final championship run of the Russell era. Not bad for a 7th round pick discarded by the Knicks.
Extra - Mel Counts
Counts had a lengthy, productive career that began in Boston. Red realized with Russell in the way, Counts wouldn't be able to flourish so he traded Mel to Baltimore for Bailey Howell after two years and two championships. Later he averaged in double figures for the Lakers. On any other franchise in the 60's, Counts would have been a star.
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| Wayne Embry |
Like Mel, Barnett played one year with the Celtics before becoming a star elsewhere. He posted double figured in scoring 7 consecutive years between 1969-75. The Celtics left him unprotected in the 1967 expansion drafts and the San Diego Rockets (now in Houston) gobbled him up. So, does he belong on the Celtics all-decade team? Yes, but because of contributions elsewhere. Like Counts, he was never going to become a star in Boston but he had the talent for sure.
That about wraps up the 60's. There has never been a dominant team before or since as they won 9 of the 10 titles in the decade, with different phases of the team. The Cousy-Sharman era drew to a close and one by one the 50's Celtics retired but the shrewd Auerbach was able to replenish his troops by bringing in discarded talent. The 70's would be the toughest decade since the 50's as after Russell and Sam Jones retired, Red had a lot of work to do.
Guest post by The Sports Hayes
