Flashback Friday: Memorable moments from the 1970's Boston Celtics
1. Winning the 1974 NBA Finals - The Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in a seven-game series to win their first NBA championship since 1968. John Havlicek was named Finals MVP.
2. Havlicek's steal in the 1976 Eastern Conference Finals - With the Celtics up by one point in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Havlicek stole an inbound pass to secure the win and advance to the NBA Finals.
3. Dave Cowens' MVP season in 1973 - Cowens averaged 20.5 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while leading the Celtics to a 68-14 record and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
4. Larry Bird's debut in 1979 - After being drafted by the Celtics in 1978, Bird chose to play one more season in college before joining the team. His debut in the 1979-80 season was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint, averaging 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
5. Winning the 1976 NBA Finals - The Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games to win their 13th NBA championship. The series featured several close games and iconic moments, including Gar Heard's game-tying shot in Game 5 and the triple-overtime Game 5 itself.
These moments helped establish the Celtics as one of the premier franchises in the NBA and cemented their place in basketball history.