Do you remember the first Celtics championship in 1957, against the St. Louis Hawks (game seven was a two overtime affair), led by Bob Pettit, arguably the greatest power forward in history, who averaged 29.8 points and 16.9 rebounds?
What about 1963, Cousy's last season, when the Celtics had to get through the Cincinnati Royals and Oscar Robertson in the Division finals before overcoming the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Jerry West and Elign Baylor?
And of course the memorable "balloon game" in 1969 when the old men in green, wrapped in bandages, looking like mummies, ripped the heart out of the Lakers again, even though they had added Wilt Chamberlain to their already hall of fame studded roster?
Well, most likely you probably don't remember seeing Russell, Cousy, Sam Jones, Tommy Heinsohn and the rest of those great dynasty heros (11 titles in 13 years), so we've lined up "Slippery Sam" (the name comes from Johnny Most who used that as a nickname for Jones) to waltz us down memory lane and help us understand the convergence of great wills and talent that let to that greatness.
"Sam" is a noted Celtics historian, who is a favorite on the Boston Globe message board and in his younger days got to travel around the country, often to coincide with Celtics games and got to meet many of the players, back in those days before they were such celebrities and surrounded by body guards and PR battalions. We will hear stories of those meetings, when the players had time to kill and no money to burn, as they travelled by train from cities like Syracuse, Ft. Wayne and Minneapolis.
Aside from the usual statistics and chronological presentation of the great teams and stirring victories, "Sam" will get into the philosophical and psychological aspects that set those teams apart from thir rivals.
"Sam' sent along this outline of those aspects of the dynasty that provided the foundation for their majestic accomplishments
Collection of skills rather than a collection of players...interchangeable parts, versatility, combos for every situation
Intensity without ostentation
Start fast, debilitate opponents, and (when necessary) out-focus them down the stretch
Volume offensive strategy
Always attack
Thought transition as soon as the other team shot
West: "You take the shot when you have it with Russell You don't try to get any closer."
Tom Hawkins called it "Russellphobia...even guys going in for a layup look nervously over their shoulders"
Probably Russell and Dave Cowens the two greatest centers ever at turning defense into offense
Sustaining the dominance...the winning ethic and the built-in assumption of superiority and expectation
Mutual support system and replenishment of resources
Shared instincts
The longest way around is the shortest way home...willingness to lose battles in order to win wars
The creativity.....conservative continuum (with Cousy the orchestra leader)
Follow the blueprint: outscore, out-defend, out-rebound, outthink (unmatched basketball IQs
By mid-70s, 31 Celtics had coached at the college level or above)
This will be the first in a three part series.
Our next show will feature Elrod Enchilada on the teams from the Seventies and the following show (the last before camp starts) will conclude the series with Steve Bulpett on the Bird years.
If you want to participate in the show you can call our toll free number (1.866.751.9649), send us an e-mail to CSL@CelticsBlog.com, or join us in the “Pit” (the chat) during the broadcast.
We hope you will join us.
Topic: Celtics Stuff Live! W/"Slippery Sam," Sunday, 8-10:00PM (Read 3898 times)