Greatest Game Ever Played - 1976 Finals - Game 5 vs Phoenix. 3 OT Celtics win. Of course it was televised live, CBS, Musberger and ironically, Rick Barry on the call. I say ironically because Barry's Warriors had suffered a huge upset to Phoenix in the West, but he was still doing commentary.
Havlicek may have been getting older but he was still in his latter-prime. Nelson was older, but Cowens was definitely in his prime and just one year removed from League MVP and Silas was plenty strong.
Thanks for the refresh, though. I knew they had played us tough in the regular season, but had forgotten that we both finished with 60+ wins. However, to say they were a younger version of us just coming into their prime is a reach. They were swept in the finals after us (emotional letdown ?).What happened to them in '76 and '77 if they were so good and on their way up ?? I know they made the Finals in '78 and '79, but those were two weak seasons, league-wide.
Seems more like they did have a very solid team that just got it going that year and then had their stars play solid against us with some role players performing over their heads (Weatherspoon and Riordan). Remember that wild-man Riordan getting into a bad fight in the finals vs Golden State.
At least we came back and won again in 1976. The 1970's Celtics are still my favorite Celts of all time and Cowens my favorite player. Good Times, indeed.