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NBA San Francisco Dons vs. NBA Georgetown Hoyas

Our next matchup features two programs whose past success centered around one of the greatest players in college basketball history. San Francisco won back-to-back championships with the legendary Bill Russell in 1955 and 1956, but they have not been back to the championship game since, and they have not even been to the NCAA tournament since the turn of the century. Patrick Ewing led Georgetown to three NCAA championship games in four seasons, but they have not been back to the big game since he graduated, and they’ve fallen on hard times in recent years, even with Ewing taking the reins as the head coach. The battle between the NBA San Francisco Dons vs. NBA Georgetown Hoyas features these two legends going head-to-head, but will likely be determined by the other pros from each school’s respective history.

Key Matchups

Battle of the Big Men – While Russell and Ewing are the headliners, each is starting next to another big man in a Twin Towers lineup, and they may not directly match up against each other as a result. Russell will be paired with Bill Cartwright, who has ample experience guarding Ewing from the Bulls-Knicks rivalry in the 1990s. Cartwright played Ewing tough in those contests, but Ewing still dominated, averaging 23.0 PPG and 11.3 RPG in 25 regular season head-to-head matchups, and 22.3 PPG and 11.0 RPG in 29 postseason matches. The best version of Cartwright, however, came before this rivalry, when he himself was a member of the Knicks. Cartwright could score effectively from the post, averaging 16.8 PPG on 55.2% shooting from the field over 8 seasons in New York. He’ll be heavily relied-upon by the scoring-deficient Dons, though he’s facing a fleet of elite defensive big men. Alonzo Mourning, one of those big men, will join Ewing in the starting lineup and will be Russell’s primary adversary. Both are among the greatest interior defenders to ever play; Mourning will try to use his bulk to establish post position, while Russell will try to use his speed and quickness to get out in transition and push the pace. Georgetown has the luxury of subbing in Dikembe Mutombo for either Ewing or Mourning and losing nothing on the defensive end of the court. San Francisco will have to rely on the likes of Erwin Mueller and Pete Cross if Russell or Cartwright gets tired or in foul trouble, which will be death against the Hoyas’ frontcourt.

K.C. Jones vs. Allen Iverson – Iverson presents a difficult challenge for the Dons’ perimeter defensive ace. Jones will use his high basketball IQ to bother Iverson, but nobody can keep AI out of the lane. How Iverson balances his role of creator and scorer, and how he deals with Jones’s defense, will ultimately help determine the effectiveness of Georgetown’s offensive attack.

Biggest Mismatches

Georgetown’s bench – San Francisco has one threat off the bench (Fred Scolari), while the rest of the reserves are replacement-level players (or worse). Georgetown’s bench complements their starting lineup and allows them to play more versatile, modern lineups. Reggie Williams and Jeff Green will get plenty of minutes at two guard and power forward, respectively, though Green’s minutes at the four will be limited in this series with the Dons playing two centers at a time. Jerome Williams will be a better fit next to one of Georgetown’s centers, to keep them competitive on the glass. Mutombo, Roy Hibbert, and Greg Monroe are all superior options to anything San Francisco can offer, and Mutombo specifically will help ensure that Ewing and Mourning get adequate rest. The Hoyas should wear the Dons out with their plethora of options.

Georgetown’s scoring options – San Francisco will have a lot of trouble scoring in the halfcourt. Expect Phil Smith to be their primary perimeter threat. Georgetown doesn’t have a great option to stop him in the starting lineup; Otto Porter will likely start off guarding him, and David Wingate may be their best defensive option off the bench. Outside of Smith though, San Francisco will rely on the inconsistent Quintin Dailey for shot creation, beyond their dual-center threat. Cartwright and Russell were good offensive players who were best suited to supporting roles, and they will have to generate offense against Georgetown’s fantastic defensive centers. The Hoyas have Iverson, Sleepy Floyd, Otto Porter, and Reggie Williams who can hurt San Francisco from the perimeter, and Ewing and Mourning will provide interior post scoring, in addition to second chance opportunities off the glass.

Bill Russell – Although the roster comparison doesn’t look good for San Francisco, Bill Russell is the greatest winner in basketball history. One could easily see him taking Mourning out of his normal game, and making Iverson and Floyd think twice about driving to the hole. One man cannot win a series, but it’s always helpful to have the best player on your side.

X-Factor

1982 – That’s the most recent year that an impact player was drafted on San Francisco’s roster (Quintin Dailey). Even though Georgetown’s had mixed success since the 1990s, San Francisco’s complete irrelevance in that time has severely hampered their NBA roster.

Results

This proves to be an ugly series, with a slew of low-scoring games. Ultimately, San Francisco simply cannot find enough ways to score against Georgetown’s defense. Although it seems blasphemous to say this, Bill Russell can’t make it out of the first round.

Georgetown wins, four games to one.

Next Round

The Hoyas face the NBA Duke Blue Devils.

Best Rookie Games in NBA History

Ja Morant did his best to carry the shorthanded Grizzlies to the playoffs, but they fell short in the play-in game, despite his career-high 35 points. Morant capped a dominant rookie season with his clutch performance, but he unfortunately won’t be able to continue his journey into the playoffs. In honor of Morant, here are the 10 best rookie games in NBA history. Only playoff games were considered for this list, as many first-year players have stepped up when the stakes are highest.

(Note: This list focuses on the NBA, so noteworthy rookie performances by Julius Erving, George Mikan, and others in the ABA, BAA, and NBL are not included).

10 (tie) Alvan Adams, 1976 Western Conference Finals, Game 7 (18 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists); Bill Russell, 1957 NBA Finals, Game 7 (19 points, 32 rebounds): The 1976 Western Conference Finals pitted the 59-win defending champion Warriors against the 42-40 Cinderella Phoenix Suns. In Game 7, Phoenix used a balanced attack to shock the Warriors at home and make their first Finals appearance. Adams, the Rookie of the Year, dominated the boards, and helped hold the opposing center, Clifford Ray, to two points on 0 for 6 from the field. Nineteen years earlier, Russell helped lead the Celtics to their first title in what may be the greatest game of all time. He played 54 minutes in the double-overtime thriller, and his two-way impact is perfectly encapsulated by this highlight.

9. Larry Bird, 1980 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 4 (34 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 13 for 20 from the field): Bird had a good debut playoff run, and in this game, he finished off the Houston Rockets with a virtuoso performance. He struggled in the previous games of this series, averaging 15.7 PPG in the first three contests on 45.8% from the field, but he found his rhythm here to lead Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals. Ironically, Boston would face Houston in the NBA Finals the following year, and would continue their domination of the Rockets with their first title of the Bird era.

8. Elgin Baylor, 1959 Western Division Finals, Game 6 (33 points, 8 rebounds, 13 for 23 from the field): Baylor carried a 33-39 Lakers team to the NBA Finals in his rookie season. In the Western Division Finals, they faced the defending champion St. Louis Hawks, who finished 16 games ahead of Minneapolis in the standings. While the Hawks blew the Lakers out in games 1 and 3 (by 34 and 30 points respectively), Minneapolis won the close games, including this series-clincher by two points. Although they would get swept by Boston in the NBA Finals, Baylor, the Rookie of the Year that season, was fearless throughout that run.

7. Hakeem Olajuwon, 1985 Western Conference First Round, Game 5 (32 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, 12 for 19 from the field): Dream capped a brilliant rookie season with a clutch performance in the deciding game of the first round. Utah struggled with both of Houston’s Twin Towers, as Ralph Sampson went for 23 and 13. Despite their dominance, Utah prevailed, but Olajuwon foreshadowed his future playoff excellence with this masterpiece.

Olajuwon was dominant (and clutch) from day one Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

6. Tom Meschery, 1962 Eastern Division Finals, Game 7 (32 points, 11 rebounds, 10 for 19 from the field): As previously mentioned, Meschery almost led the Warriors to an upset over the three-time defending champions. This was an amazing game, which is described in detail in the top comment at this link. Meschery’s season-high point total wasn’t enough to topple the mighty Celtics, as Sam Jones’s game-winning jumper sent Boston to their sixth straight Finals appearance.

5. Jamaal Wilkes, 1975 Western Conference Finals, Game 7 (23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 10 for 19 from the field): Wilkes (who went by Keith at the time) may have been the best player on the floor of this slugfest, which ended with the Warriors winning 83-79 to advance to the Finals. Outside of Wilkes, Golden State shot 27 for 77 from the field, and Rick Barry was miserable at the outset, shooting 2 for 15 into the third quarter. Barry played better in the second half, and Chicago faded due to their lack of bench support, but Wilkes was the key factor that led Golden State to the Finals (and an eventual championship).

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1970 Eastern Division Semifinals, Game 5 (46 points, 25 rebounds): Kareem capped a masterful series (36.2 PPG, 15.8 RPG) with his most prolific performance, clinching the series 4-1 and advancing Milwaukee to the Eastern Division Finals. Philadelphia had nobody who could stop Jabbar, who put up 36 shots from the field while shooting 15 free throws. Although they’d lose to the Knicks in the next round, Kareem would continue to dominate, averaging 34.2 PPG and 17.8 RPG against league MVP Willis Reed in their five-game loss.

3. Tom Heinsohn, 1957 NBA Finals game 7 (37 points, 23 rebounds): Heinsohn’s masterpiece was previously highlighted in this space as the 10^th best Game 7 performance of all time. Before he fouled out, he helped carry Boston’s offense, which was suffering due to the meltdown of their starting guards. The Rookie of the Year never had a finer moment, and his effort launched the greatest dynasty in history.

2. Wilt Chamberlain, 1960 Eastern Division Semifinals, Game 3 (53 points, 22 rebounds): Even though this was the third game of the series, think of it as a game 7, since the semifinals were best of three at the time. Chamberlain, who was Rookie of the Year and MVP, shredded the Nationals, shooting 24 for 42 from the field and helping to give Philadelphia a +20 advantage on the glass. As usual, the only thing that Wilt didn’t do was shoot free throws well, as he went 5 for 16 from the stripe. It didn’t make a difference, as Philadelphia built a 15 point halftime lead and never looked back, on the shoulders of their superstar rookie.

1. Magic Johnson, 1980 NBA Finals, game 6 (42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists): 40 years later, this remains the gold standard of rookie games, and it is in the running for best game ever played, regardless of tenure. Johnson showcased his one-of-a-kind versatility by playing every position and filling Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s shoes as the dominant force on the floor. Kareem was still the best player in the league at this point, so Magic was often overlooked that season, as seen in the Rookie of the Year voting (Magic lost 63-3 to Larry Bird). This quote, by Philadelphia’s Doug Collins, says it all: “Magic was outstanding. Unreal…I knew he was good but I never realized he was great…You don’t realize it because he gives up so much of himself for Kareem.” This performance singlehandedly propelled him to win the Finals MVP award, and everyone recognized his greatness from that point forward.

Honorable Mention:

Wilt Chamberlain’s playoff averages in 1960: 9 games, 33.2 PPG, 25.8 RPG, a league-leading 27.0 PER…Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s (Lew Alcindor at the time) playoff averages in 1970: 10 games, a league-leading 35.2 PPG, 16.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, a league-leading 56.7% field goal percentage, plus league-leading PER, defensive rating, true shooting percentage, and WS/48. Clearly, they could (and should) have had more entries on this list (including Wilt’s 50 point, 35 rebound effort against Bill Russell in a Game 5 win in the Eastern Division Finals to stave off elimination), though we only highlighted their single best effort here…In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, Magic Johnson put up 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to clinch the series over the defending champion Sonics. This sent the Lakers to the Finals, and set up Magic’s MVP performance against the Sixers…Andrew Toney became the “Boston Strangler” in his first season, overwhelming the Celtics with 61 combined points in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals off the bench. The Sixers would take a 3-1 lead in that series, before succumbing in seven games…In the 1985 Eastern Conference Finals, Charles Barkley helped Philadelphia avoid a sweep with 15 points, 20 boards, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Philadelphia would ultimately succumb in five games, and Barkley would never get this close to a title again until he was traded to Phoenix…In the first round of the same playoffs, Michael Jordan helped Chicago stave off elimination with 35 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals against a 59-win Bucks team…David Robinson dominated the Nuggets in the first round of the 1990 playoffs, leading San Antonio to a three-game sweep. In game 2, he put up 31 points on 11 for 16 from the field, with 12 rebounds and 5 blocked shots…Sam Cassell was a key cog on the ’94 championship Rockets team. In Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Suns, he scored 22 points on 8 for 12 from the field and dished out 7 assists in 29 minutes off the bench…In his first playoff game ever, Tim Duncan scored 32 points and grabbed 10 boards to lead San Antonio to victory. Then, in the next round against the defending Western Conference champion Utah Jazz, he put up 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots in a narrow Game 1 defeat…Boobie Gibson had one of the great random games ever in Game 6 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 31 points on 5 for 5 shooting from downtown to help send the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals. He led all scorers on that magical night in only 29 minutes off the bench…In his playoff debut, Derrick Rose scored 36 points, and had 11 assists to lead Chicago to an upset victory over Boston. Rose shot 12 for 19 from the field and 12 for 12 from the foul line in his breakout performance. This overtime game foreshadowed what was to come in this series, which might have been the best first round series ever…Ja Morant’s play-in game performance wasn’t perfect (8 turnovers, 15 missed shots), but he kept Memphis competitive against a superior opponent despite a fractured thumb.

NBA San Francisco Dons

Our next profile features a program that has not made the NCAA tournament since 1997-98. In fact, they’ve never really recovered since they chose to shut their basketball program down for three seasons (1983-85) due to multiple NCAA violations. While their recent history is putrid, they once were a significant program, earning 15 tournament appearances in a 28-year span. Ultimately, the main reason they’re in this tournament, and have two NCAA championships, is due to the presence of one of the GOATs of the sport. The NBA San Francisco Dons are led by the incomparable Bill Russell, who will try to work his magic with modest NBA talent around him.

K.C. Jones, the starting lead guard, was one of the great defensive players of his era. His offensive limitations were pronounced, which did not make a difference during his playing career (he won a title in his first eight seasons as a Celtic), but will be limiting for this team. Jones was below average from the field, even accounting for his era (for his career, he was 9% worse than league average), was a horrendous foul shooter for a guard (64.7%), and he averaged just 7.4 PPG for his career. He was, however, a key piece of the greatest dynasty we’ve ever seen, and as a playmaker, he ranked in the top 12 in assists six years in his career. The starting wings will take on an outsized scoring role for their rotation. Quintin Dailey was a good mid-range shooter who put up 15.3 PPG over the first seven seasons of his career. His impact statistics, however, were horrendous (career 101 offensive rating, 111 defensive rating, 0.050 win shares per 48 minutes), and his teams averaged just 25 wins per game over that period. Dailey had his troubles on both the college and pro levels, and his admission that he accepted money for a bogus job was the last straw that led to the university suspending its program. He was, however, immensely talented, and he’ll be surrounded by winning players in the starting lineup. Phil Smith, the other starting wing, had the talent to be a 3-and-D wing in the modern game. He was a tremendous athlete who in his prime years (his 2^nd to 5^th seasons before an Achilles injury slowed him down) averaged 19.6 PPG on 48.0% from the field, and 4.4 APG while making an all-NBA defensive team and an all-NBA second team appearance. He’ll be one of the key players on this roster, and will have to guard larger wings due to their lack of small forwards.

The starting frontcourt consists of two big men who combined to win 14 championships in their pro careers. Bill Russell is the greatest winner of all time, and the greatest defensive player ever. He has the most career defensive win shares in NBA history, and has the second most rebounds and rebounds per game ever. One researcher estimated that he averaged more than 8 blocks per game in his career based on more than 100 games for which reports are available. When accounting for pace, these numbers are less impressive, but Russell’s impact went far beyond the box score. Although impossible to quantify, he seemed to have a mental edge over his opponents, frequently intimidating them on defense, and knowing their tendencies and weaknesses as well as anyone who has ever played. He was 10-0 in game sevens in his career. And, of course, he won the championship in 11 of his 13 seasons, which will never be duplicated. His skillset would translate to any era of NBA basketball, which includes the intangibles that helped lead to all of his success. His frontcourt mate, Bill Cartwright, was best known for his supporting role on the Bulls championship teams, but he started his career off as a true offensive threat, averaging 20.9 PPG on 55% shooting over his first two years in the league. Throughout his Knicks career (from 1979-80 to 1987-88), Cartwright had a major impact on both ends of the court, as seen in his offensive (116) and defensive (106) rating over that period. He’ll be one of the prime offensive weapons for this team, and his weaknesses as a big man (rebounding, defending the rim) should be more than compensated for by Russell.

Off the bench, Fred Scolari was a pioneering point guard whose impact on both sides of the ball led to two all-star game selections and two all-BAA honors. He was more of an offensive threat than K.C. Jones as a lead guard, and can give this team a different look when he comes into the game. After Scolari, I don’t have anything informative to say about anyone else on the rest of the bench. Depth is a major problem for this team, as none of the remaining six players even approached mediocrity at the pro level. While Russell averaged 42+ minutes per game in his career, the other players will need rest, so these journeymen will be forced into action to the detriment of the team’s chances at winning.

Overall, the NBA San Francisco Dons will be offensively challenged, but should be among the best defensive teams in the tournament due to their famed Celtics duo, along with Smith and Cartwright. As the 13^th seed, they have a tough first round matchup against the NBA Georgetown Hoyas.

Best Game 7 Performances in NBA History

In part two of this series, I’m highlighting the best game 7 performances in NBA history. As a reminder, I’m only looking at the highest stakes games – the NBA Finals or the Conference Finals. On to the list…

Honorable Mention: Tom Meschery, 1962 conference finals, game 7 (32 points, 11 rebounds, 10 for 19 from the field) – Meschery, the Warriors’ rookie forward, almost led them to a shocking upset over the favored Celtics, ultimately losing by two points…Oscar Robertson, 1963 conference finals, game 7 (43 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 11 for 24 from the field, 21 for 22 from the line) – Oscar led a mediocre Royals team to the brink of the Finals, but the deeper, better Celtics stopped them in Game 7 (more on this game shortly)…George Gervin and Bob Dandridge, 1979 conference finals, game 7 (Iceman – 42 points, 16 for 31 from the field; Dandridge – 37 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 16 for 31 from the field) – this may have been Gervin’s best chance for a ring, but he was stopped by the defending champion Bullets and their clutch swingman, Bob Dandridge…Jack Sikma, 1979 conference finals game 7 (33 points, 11 rebounds, 10 for 18 from the field, 13 for 15 from the line) – Sikma helped lead Seattle to victory over a game Suns team to advance to their second straight NBA Finals…Eddie Johnson, 1993 conference finals, game 7 (34 points, 12 for 17 from the field, 9 for 9 from the line in 26 minutes off the bench) – considering the context, this was one of the more remarkable bench performances we’ve ever seen, but Johnson’s effort falls under the radar due to the result of the game…Patrick Ewing, 1994 conference finals game 7 (24 points, 22 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, 10 for 23 from the field) – A virtuoso all-around performance that included a key put-back dunk to put the Knicks up by one point with 27 seconds left. The Knicks earned their first Finals birth in 21 years due to this effort…Stephen Curry, 2016 conference finals game 7 (36 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 13 for 24 from the field, 7 for 12 from 3) – Curry helped Golden State overcome a 3-1 deficit to a hungry Oklahoma City team. In a low-scoring game (96-88), he was a game-high +18…LeBron James, 2018 conference finals game 7 (35 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists, 12 for 24 from the field) – James played all 48 minutes in this game, carrying an undermanned Cavs team to their fourth straight Finals appearance.

10. Tom Heinsohn, 1957 NBA Finals game 7 (37 points, 23 rebounds, 17 for 33 from the field, 3 for 10 from the line): Before he fouled out, Heinsohn and fellow rookie Bill Russell held the team together while their starting backcourt fell apart. Heinsohn’s effort was particularly impressive considering the rest of the team shot a combined 31.6% from the field. While his free-throw shooting left something to be desired, the 1957 Rookie of the Year (over Russell!) had the greatest moment of his career leading the team to their first championship.

9. Draymond Green, 2016 NBA Finals game 7 (32 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 11 for 15 from the field, 4 for 4 from the line, 6 for 8 from 3): This is one of the great under-the-radar performances of all time. Golden State only scored 89 points in their disappointing Game 7 effort, with Curry and Klay Thompson combining to go 12 for 36 from the field, and the team as a whole shooting 31% outside of Green. Draymond filled the box score while playing his typical stout defense. The one drawback is that Green could not stem the ugliness of the team’s offensive meltdown down the stretch, as they scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, and failed to score in the final 4:40 of this game. While that prevents this game from being placed higher on this list, his performance deserves recognition.

8. Allen Iverson, 2001 Eastern Conference Finals game 7 (44 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 17 for 33 from the field, 6 for 7 from the line, 4 for 6 from three): The indefatigable Iverson never had a problem getting his shot off. This skill proved extremely valuable in the 2000-01 season, with a scrappy roster of defenders and supporting players around him who all had limited offensive skillsets. Iverson dominated in the biggest game of his career to date, and carried the Sixers to their first championship series in 18 years with his performance.

Iverson led the Sixers to the Finals in his MVP season
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

7. Sam Jones, 1963 Eastern Division Finals, game 7 (47 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 18 for 27 from the field, 11 for 12 from the line): This series seemed like a mismatch, with the 58-win, four-time defending champions taking on a team that was barely over .500 during the season (the 42-38 Royals). Cincinnati proved resilient, however, behind Oscar Robertson’s brilliance, and forced an unexpected Game 7. As usual, Boston rose to the occasion, this time behind their clutch shooting guard. Boston as a team shredded the Royals defense, scoring 142 points and shooting .520 from the field in the win.

6. Charles Barkley, 1993 Western Conference Finals, game 7 (44 points, 24 rebounds, 12 for 20 from the field, 19 for 22 from the line): In the biggest game of his career (up to that point), Barkley played up to his MVP credentials, dominating the Sonics and sending the Suns to their second Finals appearance. His rebounding prowess was staggering: Barkley collected 24 rebounds while the Sonics as a team collected 31, with their starting frontcourt grabbing only 14. He repeatedly went to the free throw line and carried the Suns when they needed him most. Unfortunately, he ran into the ultimate MVP in the Finals, but his performance here should be lauded.

5. Bill Russell, 1962 NBA Finals, game 7 (30 points, 40 rebounds, 4 assists, 8 for 18 from the field, 14 for 17 from the line): Russell never lost a Game 7 in his career, and this ’62 Finals game may have been his signature performance. He played the entire 53 minutes (the game went into overtime), and helped hold the Lakers to 35% shooting from the field. Nobody shot particularly well in this game, as the Celtics were even worse from the field (32.7%). They withstood their poor shooting effort by defending and dominating the glass, with Russell hauling in 40 of the team’s 82 rebounds, and giving them a +17 rebound advantage for the game.

4. James Worthy, 1988 NBA Finals, game 7 (36 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 15 for 22 from the field, 6 for 10 from the line): How is it possible for a player to get the only triple double of his career in game 7 of the NBA Finals? Worthy’s signature performance helped lead a weary Lakers team to their second title in a row. This effort was crucial because Detroit looked like the better team for much of the series, and Laker captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was running on fumes (he had 4 points on 2 for 7 from the field and 3 rebounds in 29 minutes). Worthy’s effort pushed L.A. to their final title of this era, though they made two more Finals appearances in the next three seasons.

3. Jerry West, 1969 NBA Finals game 7 (42 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists, 14 for 29 from the field, 14 for 18 from the line): The first ever Finals MVP remains the only one who won the award in a losing cause. From a team perspective, this was one of the worst losses in league history, with the Lakers, led by the triumvirate of Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and West, losing on their homecourt to what was supposed to be a broken-down Celtics team (they were 48-34 during the season). West was valiant in defeat, playing the full 48 and having one of the great all-around games of his career. As usual it wasn’t enough, as Russell, Sam Jones and company won their final ring. The Celtics duo retired after this game, with West having lost to them 6 times, and Baylor having lost to them an impossible 7 times in the Finals.

2. LeBron James, 2013 NBA Finals game 7 (37 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 12 for 23 from the field, 8 for 8 from the line, 5 for 10 from three): When thinking of the greatest game 7 performers in history, two players rise to the top of the list: Bill Russell, who went 10-0 in game sevens in his career, and LeBron James, the career postseason leader in game 7 scoring average (currently 34.9). James struggled with his shot earlier in this series, with San Antonio using a similar defensive tactic that flummoxed him in the 2007 Finals. However, the 2013 version of James was unstoppable, and with the Heat backed against the wall, he devastated the Spurs from long-range, after previously struggling from 3 in the series (29% prior to game 7). He also hit a crucial jump shot with 28 seconds left to put them up by 4. In a low scoring game (95-88), against the premier perimeter defender of his generation (Kawhi Leonard), James cemented his legacy and earned his second straight championship.

1. Walt Frazier, 1970 NBA Finals game 7 (36 points, 7 rebounds, 19 assists, 12 for 17 from the field, 12 for 12 from the line): The Lakers misery continued in the first year after Bill Russell retired. L.A. had bad luck that season, only getting 12 regular season games from Wilt Chamberlain and 54 from Elgin Baylor. Even though they came together in the playoffs, they ran into another great team in the Finals. While Willis Reed often gets the shine due to his courageous effort, he only scored four points, all in the first moments of the game. With the league MVP compromised, “Clyde” was the one who carried the Knicks. He played a brilliant all-around game, and never gave L.A. any signs of hope (the halftime score was 69-42 in favor of NY). By leading a shorthanded team, outplaying the legendary West, and dominating on both ends of the court, Frazier deserves recognition for the greatest game 7 performance ever.

Worst Game 7 Performances in NBA History

In 2016, LeBron James had the defining moment of his career, slaying the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in game seven on their home floor. James had a triple-double that game and added perhaps the most iconic blocked shot in league history. However, that game was an offensive struggle for both teams, with James shooting 9 for 24 from the field.

NBA history is littered with uneven shooting performances when the stakes are highest, even among the game’s greatest players. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson combined to shoot 11 for 32 in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen combined to shoot 15 for 43 in Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan shot 6 for 24 and 10 for 27, respectively, in Game 7 of the 2010 and 2005 NBA Finals, and still brought home MVP honors for those series (as did Bird in 1984 and James in 2016).

There are some Game 7 performances that particularly stand out for the wrong reasons. What happened to the players during these games? Was the moment too big, or did the defense figure them out after a six-game sample? Did they simply have a bad shooting day at an inopportune time? Every circumstance is different, as you’ll see below.

This post highlights 10 of the worst Game 7 performances in NBA history. This list is skewed toward offensive performances, since defensive tracking is difficult for games, especially in the pre-merger era. I’m also focusing on the very highest stakes games – only semifinals and finals games are included.

Dishonorable Mention: The first three quarters of Kobe’s performance in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals were shockingly awful, but he had a spirited fourth quarter and wound up with 23 points and 15 rebounds in spite of his 6 for 24 shooting performance. In the same game, Ray Allen shot 3 for 14, capping a series where he shot just 36.7% overall…In Game 7 of the 1979 Eastern Conference Finals, Tom Henderson put up 0 points on 0 for 9 shooting in 30 minutes. Despite his effort, tbe Bullets beat the Spurs and went to their second straight NBA Finals…Bob Love shot 6 for 26 from the field in a four-point Chicago loss to Golden State in the 1975 Western Conference Finals. Chicago only scored 79 points that game, and Love shot 10 more times than any other teammate…The Boston Celtics shot 32.7% from the field as a team in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals and still found a way to beat the Lakers by the three…In the previous round, the Celtics won another Game 7, this time against the Philadelphia Warriors, and won on a last second Sam Jones shot. Paul Arizin shot 4 for 22 for Philadelphia. Curiously, Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 50.4 PPG in the regular season, took only 15 shots. He scored 22 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, and was clutch down the stretch, but this was the rare example of the Warriors version of Wilt being too unselfish.

10. Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown, 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7 (combined 8 for 42 from the field, 21 total points): In 2018, an overachieving Celtics team without Kyrie Irving (and Gordon Hayward, who missed virtually the entire season after a gruesome opening-night injury) advanced to the brink of the NBA Finals in a weak Eastern Conference. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stood in their way, but they were not the juggernaut of year’s past. Kevin Love, Cleveland’s second leading scorer, did not play in this game due to a concussion. Boston also had homecourt, since Cleveland only won 50 games that season. However, the moment seemed too big for a young Celtics team. Brown, who played like a future star throughout their unlikely playoff run, shot 5 for 18 from the field, and 3 for 12 from 3. Marcus Smart, a notoriously inconsistent shooter, made only one of his 10 shots. Finally, the clock struck midnight on Terry Rozier, who impressively filled Irving’s shoes throughout the playoffs. Rozier shot 2 for 14 from the field, and 0 for 10 from three, part of an embarrassing 7 for 39 team performance from long distance. While Boston would have had no chance against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, this game may have represented their best shot at the Finals in this era, considering the rise of the Toronto Raptors the next season and the dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the following years.

9. Chris Bosh, 2013 NBA Finals, Game 7 (0 for 5 from the field, 0 points): The Heat won the 2013 Finals, and Bosh’s rebound in Game 6, and subsequent pass to Ray Allen, will live in history. However, it’s odd for a future Hall-of-Famer who averaged 16.6 points per game in the regular season to score zero points and shoot only five times in the season’s biggest game. Bosh was an all-around player, and wound up +1 for the game, but this performance would have been (rightfully) vilified if Miami lost. It should be noted that Ray Allen also had 0 points in this game, but he was more of a role player than Bosh in the Heat’s scheme, and was fresh off of perhaps the greatest shot in NBA history in Game 6.

8. Oscar Robertson, 1974 NBA Finals Game 7 (2 for 13 from the field, 6 points, 11 assists): The storybook ending to one of the greatest careers ever did not come to fruition. Game 6 was one of the best games in NBA history, with the Bucks staving off elimination with a double-overtime victory in Boston. However, the Bucks could not muster the same spirit back home in Game 7, and the Celtics won by 15. Did playing 58 minutes in the previous game affect the aging Robertson? He was well past his prime at this point, only averaging 12.7 points per game during the regular season, and 14.0 PPG in the postseason. He could not get on track during this game, and the greatest era in Bucks history ended with a whimper. This was Robertson’s last game in the NBA, and after a disappointing 38-44 record the next year, Milwaukee shipped off Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers and have not been back to the Finals since.

7. Stephen Curry, 2016 NBA Finals Game 7 (6 for 19 from the field, 4 of 14 from 3): Chalk this one up to the burden of high expectations. Curry’s 17-point performance wasn’t the seventh worst in history, but it certainly was one of the most disappointing. The unanimous MVP had one of the greatest seasons ever, and his team’s 73 regular season wins may never be surpassed. It’s still hard to pinpoint what happened in the last three games of this series. Certainly, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving deserve credit, but Golden State’s performance, and especially Curry’s, will live in infamy.

6. The Jordannaires, 1990 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 (Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, B.J. Armstrong, Craig Hodges, and Bill Cartwright – combined 11 for 57 from the field, 28 points): A back-and-forth series ended with a blowout as the Bulls failed to step up to the challenge. Scottie Pippen had a migraine, which helps explain his 1 for 10 performance, but what about the others? Horace Grant was 3 for 17, though he did contribute 14 rebounds. Craig Hodges was 3 for 13, and 2 for 12 from three, which was a shockingly high number at the time. Armstrong was 1 for 8, and Cartwright was 3 for 9. The team scored 74 points total, with Michael Jordan contributing 31 of those. It was fair to wonder whether Jordan’s supporting cast would ever step up in crunch time after this game, but luckily for Chicago fans, they answered all questions the following year in a dominant 15-2 postseason run.

Worst Game 7 Performances in NBA History - Chicago Bulls, 1990 Eastern Conference Finals

5. Trevor Ariza, 2018 Western Conference Finals, Game 7 (0 for 12 from the field, 0 for 9 from three, 0 points): Ariza, a tested veteran and NBA champion, simply could not hit a shot during this deciding game. The Rockets shooting performance is infamous, as the team missed 27 three pointers in a row at one point, and shot 7 for 44 from three for the game. Yes, they were missing their point guard (Chris Paul), and no, Ariza wasn’t alone in his futility. However, 0 points and -15 in 41:50 of playing time represents a historic meltdown on the league’s second biggest stage.

4. Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, 1957 NBA Finals Game 7 (combined 5 for 40 from the field, 21 total points): This is a candidate for the single greatest game in NBA history. A double-overtime classic in Game 7 of the Finals. Bill Russell, in his first year in the league, facing third-year stud Bob Pettit. The NBA regular season and all-star game MVP Bob Cousy looking for his first ring. Cousy capped his historic season with a shockingly poor game 7, finishing 2 for 20 from the field in 58 minutes. His backcourt mate, Hall-of-Famer Bill Sharman, was 3 for 20 in 48 minutes. Boston’s two leading scorers in the regular season came up empty, but their rookie frontcourt mates carried the load, as Tom Heinsohn and Bill Russell led them to victory. The Hawks would get their revenge the following year, but Boston would defeat St. Louis two more times in the finals on their way to eight championships in a row between 1959 and 1966, a record that’s likely never going to be broken.

3. Danny Green, 2013 NBA Finals Game 7 (1 for 12 from the field, 1 for 6 from 3, 5 points): Through five games in this series, Danny Green looked like he was heading toward the most unlikely Finals MVP campaign in league history. During that stretch, he averaged 18 PPG on 56.6% shooting from the field and an unimaginable 65.8% from 3, with five made three pointers per game. Unfortunately, he lost his hot hand at the worst possible time. In games 6 and 7, he scored 4 PPG on 10.5% shooting and 18.2% from downtown. Game 7 was particularly tough, as Green could only make 1 of his 12 field goal attempts as the series slipped from San Antonio’s hands. This series was Green’s breakout performance on a national stage, but just as his hot shooting brought the Spurs to the brink of an unlikely championship, his cold spell was a big reason they were unable to bring the championship home.

2. John Starks, 1994 NBA Finals Game 7 (2 for 18 from the field, 0 for 11 from 3, 8 points): Starks was coming off of a brilliant Game 6 (27 points, 50% from the field, 5 for 9 from 3), but had a last second shot blocked by Hakeem Olajuwon to force a game 7. Unfortunately for Knicks fans, their notoriously hot and cold shooting guard came up empty in their biggest game of that era. The Knicks as a team averaged 11.1 three-point field goal attempts per game in 1994, so it was appalling to see Starks match that output on his own in this game and fail to make a single one. Hubert Davis only played four minutes while Rolando Blackman was a DNP-CD. Knicks fans will always wonder if Pat Riley should have played either of them more instead of watching Starks melt down in 42 minutes of play.

1. Dennis Johnson, 1978 NBA Finals Game 7 (0 for 14 from the field, 4 points): The expected rematch of the 1977 Finals between the Blazers and Sixers turned into a surprising encounter between the 44-win Bullets and 47-win SuperSonics due to Bill Walton’s injuries and Washington’s upset of Philadelphia. Even though Seattle had game 7 at home, Washington eked out a victory on the road. Johnson entered the game averaging 18.7 PPG on 44.8% from the field in the series, but he came up shockingly empty in Game 7. The fact that Seattle still had a chance to win at the end makes this performance all the more painful. Luckily for Johnson, he’d have five more Finals appearances in his career, including the following year, when he captured Finals MVP in the rematch between these teams.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Los Angeles Lakers

In the end, the results were inevitable. The NBA has been dominated by two franchises since its inception. One rose to power with the greatest dynasty in professional sports history, capturing 11 championships in 13 seasons from 1957 to 1969. The other was established with a selection of the highest profile players in league history, leading to the NBA’s best franchise winning percentage, and the most Finals appearances. The greatest rivalry in NBA history is reborn in the finals of the NBA Franchise Tournament: the All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Los Angeles Lakers.

Matchup Breakdown

Ball handlers: Each team is guided by the greatest point guard of his generation. The Celtics have multiple points of attack on offense, but their starting lineup will primarily be led by Bob Cousy. The Houdini of the Hardwood brings elite court vision and ample big game experience, but his slight frame will create issues on defense. The Lakers high-scoring attack will be guided by Magic Johnson, a 6’9” anomaly who can physically dominate Boston’s backcourt. Neither player was known for his outside shot; expect each team to put the ball in their playmaker’s hands and surround him with scorers.

Johnson’s size will cause Boston to cross-match defensively. When the starters are in, expect Sam Jones and Larry Bird to take turns checking Johnson. Cousy will primarily defend Jerry West, and will struggle with West’s length and athleticism advantage. Johnson will primarily guard Cousy on defense, but will also spend time on his archrival Larry Bird, due to their size similarities.

Each team will go stretches without a traditional point guard on the floor. Jo Jo White is Boston’s theoretical backup point guard, but he’ll struggle to crack this talented squad’s rotation. Bill Sharman, John Havlicek and Larry Bird will split time initiating the offense when Cousy rests. They’ll also look to get on the break whenever possible, with Bill Russell and Dave Cowens expertly throwing outlet passes to initiate this action. Jerry West and Gail Goodrich will initiate L.A.’s attack when Johnson sits. While both are capable of filling this role, expect Johnson, the only true floor leader on a team with many mouths to feed, to play heavy minutes throughout the series.

Wings: Boston has a deep collection of wing players that will present matchup problems for Los Angeles. Sam Jones was one of the great clutch players in NBA history, and his constant movement with and without the ball may tire his defenders out over the course of the series. Sixth man extraordinaire John Havlicek, who may have been the most tireless player in the NBA, will split time off the bench at shooting guard and small forward. Havlicek was one of the great all-around players in league history, and he stands as Boston’s best wing defender against L.A.’s high-powered attack. Larry Bird, the centerpiece of Boston’s offensive attack, will start each game at small forward, but will frequently play as a stretch four, especially if Los Angeles goes large stretches without a traditional power forward, as expected. Paul Pierce was another deadly scorer whose firepower will be needed in this series.

Los Angeles counters with three legendary wing scorers in their starting lineup. Jerry West will stretch the floor and serve as L.A.’s secondary ball handler on offense, while doubling as their best wing defender. Kobe Bryant will also be tasked with focusing more on defense, which he exceled at during his prime. Elgin Baylor will also start, and though he lacks great size, he’ll help the Lakers stay competitive on the glass against Boston’s bigger frontcourt. Off the bench, Jim Pollard will contribute with his athleticism and long-distance shooting ability. He’ll stretch the floor and help to guard Boston’s plethora of wing options. Like Baylor, James Worthy will primarily play at power forward, and will boost L.A.’s athleticism advantage whenever he’s on the court. Both Pollard and Worthy will balance the Lakers lineup as lower usage players who will fit in alongside any combination they’re paired with.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Los Angeles Lakers — The two most iconic franchises in NBA history
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

Big Men: Boston will start three players who stand between 6’9” and 6’10”. The aforementioned Bird will split time between the forward positions, while Kevin McHale and Bill Russell will man the interior for the starting lineup. McHale will have a distinct advantage on offense against L.A.’s smaller forwards, and will be one of Boston’s primary options as a result. He’s also skilled and versatile enough on defense to guard Baylor and Worthy, and will be utilized in Boston’s most effective defensive lineups. Russell, the greatest defensive player in NBA history, will face the greatest challenge of his career in this series, matching up against three behemoths who are all among the greatest scorers of all time: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and his old adversary Wilt Chamberlain. He’ll use his uncanny motor to try to beat them down the court on offense, but his effectiveness on defense will be compromised by their sheer size and talent levels. Dave Cowens, another 6’9” undersized center, will use his bulk and will to attempt to slow this trio down. Robert Parish, Boston’s only true seven-footer, will also get plenty of minutes, but does not have the bulk to stop any of L.A.’s threats. Russell and Parish will need to use their quickness and speed advantage to score easy baskets on offense, and tire their counterparts out.

Jabbar will anchor L.A.’s big man rotation, and will serve as the centerpiece of their dynamic offense. O’Neal’s brute force will provide a devastating contrast for L.A.’s second unit, which Boston will have difficulty countering. Chamberlain’s Laker years were characterized by lower usage, high efficiency, and dominating defense, and coach Pat Riley will utilize him in their best defensive lineups. Expect the legendary George Mikan to play sparingly as the fourth center, but he will provide another dominating offensive presence when called upon.

Five-man Lineups

Coach Red Auerbach will likely use a combination of the following five five-man lineups most frequently throughout series:

John Havlicek and Paul Pierce will play two of the biggest roles on the team off the bench, as swingmen who can match up with Los Angeles defensively. Late in games, Auerbach may turn to his best defensive lineup of Jones-Pierce-Havlicek-McHale-Russell for key stops.

Coach Pat Riley will be tempted to try two-center lineups, but will ultimately stay away and utilize his wing depth. Each center will be surrounded by shooting, which will force Boston to make a difficult choice – leave Russell, Cowens, and Parish alone on an island defensively, or double-team and try to recover on the perimeter. Gail Goodrich and Pollard provide elite shooting off the bench, while West, Bryant, Worthy and Baylor will be used together in their defensive lineup, with Chamberlain in the middle, to form a dominant athletic quintet.

Biggest Mismatches

The size and bulk of L.A.’s centers – Boston’s centers are all physically overmatched, and will struggle to contain the Laker big men. They’re also in danger of falling into foul trouble, and must avoid taking the easy way out early in games, especially with O’Neal and Chamberlain. Boston’s big men will not require the same level of attention on the other end of the court, and each Lakers center should be able to hold their own in their defensive matchup.

Boston’s passing offense – Boston’s offense will flow through the unselfish hands of their playmakers, Cousy and Bird. These are two of the best passers in league history, and together with Russell, a great passing big man, their offense will hum. The Lakers have Magic Johnson, so they won’t be devoid of playmaking, but their offense has a greater chance of stalling with some of the high-volume scorers on their roster.

L.A.’s athleticism advantage – Both teams boast tremendous depth and versatility, but L.A. has a greater collection of athletes on their roster. West, Bryant, Pollard, Worthy, and Baylor can disrupt Boston on both sides of the ball, and will cover ample ground on defense. Boston has Havlicek, who will see starter’s minutes in this series, but the rest of their perimeter players fall short of L.A.’s in this department.

X-Factor

History – These teams have met 12 times in the Finals, with Boston winning nine of those matchups. West and Baylor were famously never able to defeat Russell, which haunts them to this day, as West eerily described in his autobiography. However, Johnson, Jabbar, and Worthy were able to win two of their three finals matchups against Bird, McHale, and Parish, and Bryant split his two finals series against Pierce. Does any of this matter? Is Boston’s “mystique” actually something that Los Angeles fears, or does their recent success render this meaningless?

Results

Los Angeles comes out in full attack mode, and wins the first two games of the series against a shell-shocked Celtics team. Boston, however, refuses to wilt, with Bird and Russell leading the way to two close wins to tie the series up. In the critical game five, Magic Johnson orchestrates a perfect game, and Shaquille O’Neal, a destroyer of worlds in his Lakers Finals appearances, overwhelms his smaller counterparts in a comfortable victory. Los Angeles leads throughout the sixth game, but down the stretch, key plays by Jones and Havlicek save Boston and set up a winner-takes-all game seven.

In the final game, both teams play inspired basketball. Russell and Jones lead Boston to the brink of a championship, using their collective will and clutch team play. Down the stretch, however, Magic finds Jerry West repeatedly behind the arc, where he hits multiple clutch three-pointers. The curse is lifted, as West and Baylor finally get to celebrate against their tormentors.

Lakers win, four games to three.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors

Our first semifinal matchup is a battle between the most balanced team in our tournament against arguably the most offensively explosive one. Boston has had a relatively easy path to this point, with a first-round bye and two five-game series, while Golden State shocked many with their narrow escape in the Elite Eight against the vaunted Spurs. Can the Warriors continue their magical run by outscoring the number one seed? The All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors is an intriguing matchup, featuring some of the game’s greatest stars.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors

Key Matchups

Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell – Perhaps the greatest rivalry in NBA history resurfaces in the Franchise Tournament. The greatest offensive force in league history faces the greatest defensive stopper. These two battled 57 times when Wilt was a Warrior, with Russell’s Celtics winning 41 of those encounters. Chamberlain averaged 35.4 PPG in those encounters, which, while obviously dominant, was less than the 41.5 PPG he averaged in his Warriors career. Russell’s ability to defend Chamberlain one-on-one with no help will be an essential part of Boston’s defense; they can’t afford to sag off of Golden State’s shooters if they have any chance of slowing the Warriors down.

Larry Bird vs. Rick Barry – An absolutely joyous matchup between an original (Barry) and his doppelganger (Bird). Both players were known for their transcendent shooting and passing skills, and each was the best player on a championship team (in Bird’s case, teams). Bird was a bigger player (6’9” and 220 lbs, compared to Barry’s 6’7” 205 pound frame), and can easily switch to power forward when needed. Neither player should be expected to stop the other, though Boston can switch the multitalented Kevin McHale onto Barry while Bird guards Neil Johnston. Expect John Havlicek to play heavy minutes on Barry as well, while Golden State’s best perimeter defender, Tom Gola, will often be tasked with guarding Bird and Boston’s other wings.

Bob Cousy vs. Stephen Curry – One of the first showmen in league history takes on the most recent. Cousy, one of the greatest passers in league history, led the league in assists for eight straight seasons, and was the second player in league history to win the MVP award. Curry, one of the greatest shooters ever, has led the league in made three point field goals for four years running, and has captured the last two MVP awards. Both are probably better defenders than they’re given credit for; Cousy accumulated more defensive than offensive win shares in his career, while Curry has become a solid defender over time, as detailed here. However, neither is a good bet to stop the other, but Cousy, in particular, must avoid defensive lapses against the explosive Curry, whose three-point shooting provides a unique challenge for opponents.

Biggest Mismatches

Boston’s versatility vs. Golden State’s – The Celtics have the ability to win any type of matchup with their depth and versatility. They can play big with any combination of Russell, Dave Cowens, Robert Parish, McHale, and Tom Heinsohn, or play small with Havlicek and Paul Pierce occupying the forward positions. They can also trot out a defensive lineup featuring Russell, McHale, Havlicek, and Sam Jones, and can space the floor on offense with Bird, Bill Sharman, and Pierce. They also have Red Auerbach on the sidelines, who got the most out of his players and popularized several strategic concepts, such as the sixth man. He’ll meld the extraordinary talent on the Boston roster and put them in position to succeed. Golden State has several solid wing defenders in Gola and Guy Rodgers, and two players who can protect the paint in Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond. However, their best lineup probably consists of one of Gola or Thurmond alongside Chamberlain, Barry, Paul Arizin, and Curry, which leaves them vulnerable to opposing perimeter threats. Expect Boston to hide their defensive liabilities better, and to benefit from the two-way ability of many of their stars.

Boston Celtics Big Three, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com — Boston Celtics Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

X-Factor

Wilt the Stilt – One could argue that despite his gaudy numbers as a Warrior, Wilt’s best years were with the Sixers, where he served as the centerpiece of one of the great teams in NBA history. The Warriors’ version of Wilt was accused of being a stat-monger who cared more about individual glory than team success. Is that a fair assessment? Probably not, since his teams made one NBA Finals appearance and two Eastern Division Finals appearances in his five and a half years there. However, there are concerns about how he will mesh with Barry, a notoriously difficult personality who has lambasted Chamberlain in the past, and how he will react to playing alongside so much firepower. If coach Al Attles can channel him to play like he did with the Sixers, then Golden State has a chance to win this series. If he’s not interested in letting his teammates shine, they’re in trouble.

Results

Despite the questions surrounding fit and personality, Chamberlain and Barry play brilliantly, and lead Golden State to several wins over the favored Celtics. Boston, however, has the deeper, more versatile roster, and their championship mettle comes through over the course of the series. Every single player on the Boston roster won at least one championship with the club, and the 17-time champions advance, as expected, to the Franchise Tournament finals.

Boston wins, four games to two.

Next Round

Boston faces the winner of the All-Time Lakers vs. All-Time Pistons in the finals.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Miami Heat

Our next matchup represents the greatest generational divide in our tournament. The Miami Heat’s first year of operation was 1989, while the Boston Celtics have been in existence since 1947. Eleven of the twelve players on Boston’s roster were either retired, or near retirement, before Miami ever existed. However, since that time, Miami has won the Eastern Conference five times, which is three more times than Boston. Miami has three titles, while Boston has one. Does this give Miami any sliver of hope in the battle between the All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Miami Heat? Here’s a breakdown of our first Elite Eight matchup.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Miami Heat

Key Matchups

Larry Bird vs. LeBron James: The two greatest small forwards in NBA history square off in a dream matchup. Both were elite passers who will serve as the fulcrum of their team’s offenses. James was a better defender, while Bird was a better outside shooter. James won two MVP awards in his four years in Miami, while Bird won three MVP awards in a row from 1984 to 1986. Expect LeBron to guard Bird for large stretches of each game, while Boston will make Kevin McHale their primary LeBron defender. Miami also has to deal with a couple of other Hall-of-Fame small forwards off Boston’s bench: John Havlicek, the perpetual motion machine, and LeBron’s old nemesis Paul Pierce. Miami will play James at power forward at times, meaning Dwyane Wade, Eddie Jones, and Glen Rice will be needed to slow Boston’s trio down.

Red Auerbach vs. Erik Spoelstra: Both coaches will have several matchup dilemmas to figure out. How will Boston adjust when LeBron James moves to power forward? They can put Larry Bird at the four, and bring in one of their wings off the bench, or they can stay big and have Bird guard one of Miami’s wings (preferably Glen Rice). Who will be left out of Boston’s rotation? It’s almost impossible to play 12 players, so expect Jo Jo White and Tom Heinsohn to stay glued to the bench, and to only be used if others are in foul trouble. Expect Spoelstra to go primarily with an eight-man rotation, with his starting lineup, Jones, Rice, and Shaquille O’Neal. Spoelstra has a decision on how to use his big men in this series. Chris Bosh can play the five when they go small, but he’d be at a severe disadvantage on the boards against Bill Russell, Dave Cowens, or Robert Parish. On offense, O’Neal will give any of Boston’s big men fits, but he won’t be able to protect the paint as well as two-time Defensive Player of the Year Alonzo Mourning. Expect Spoelstra to play stretches with a deadly defensive lineup of Jones, Wade, James, Bosh, and Mourning to slow down Boston’s offense.

Biggest Mismatches

Celtics bench vs. Heat bench: Much like the real-life playoffs, expect teams to shorten their rotations to feature their best players in this tournament. Miami’s eight-man rotation should create issues for Boston. However, depth is still important, and Boston’s players should be less taxed than Miami’s as the series goes on. James and Wade may play 40 plus minutes per game, and will be working hard on both ends of the court. The fact that they have to play against two players who were known for their constant movement, Sam Jones and John Havlicek, will only exacerbate Miami’s problems.

Miami’s wing athleticism vs. Boston’s wing athleticism: While Boston has a great athlete on the wing (Havlicek), they also have several others who weren’t known for their athleticism (namely Bird and Pierce). Miami’s greatest strength is the athleticism of their dynamic duo, Wade and James. Eddie Jones is another terrific athlete for Miami off the bench, and expect him to get heavy minutes alongside Wade and James to smother Boston’s perimeter players defensively, and to create mismatches on the other end of the court.

X-Factor

Generational comparisons: One of the guiding principles of this tournament is to consider the relative dominance of players from previous generations, so the results aren’t skewed toward the bigger, more athletic players in the modern era. Bob Cousy and Bill Russell are two of the greatest players ever, and will be favored to win their matchups in this series against Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning, respectively, even if the latter looks like the Incredible Hulk next to the players that Russell faced in his era. This helps to provide some context for Boston’s depth advantage, and the problems their opponents will face trying to stop them.

Results

Remember when LeBron left Bill Russell off his NBA Mount Rushmore? Bill Russell doesn’t forget these things. He leads the Celtics to victory.

Bill Russell's reaction to being omitted from LeBron's Mount Rushmore Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com — Bill Russell’s reaction to being omitted from LeBron’s Mount Rushmore
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

Boston wins, four games to one.

Next Round

Boston faces the winner of the All-Time Spurs vs. All-Time Warriors.

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