OT: 1986 Boston Celtics. Greatest NBA Team Ever?

[DaSheed]

In light of the recent success of the Golden State Warriors, the New York Post today was prompted to editorialize that the greatest NBA basketball team of all time was the Larry Bird led 1985-86 Boston Celtics. Some might certainly argue, but the Post presents a mighty good case for their opinion.

To any astute fan of the game, of the right age, who has honestly and impartially followed the game, they must recognize that this team was indeed special, and arguably the most unselfish best passing team we might ever see. In the middle of the Laker Showtime decade, this team lost one home game and easily cruised to the league best record and an NBA title. And as Celtic Kevin McHale said, it all seemed so effortless. It was also Bill Walton's last year of great basketball, playing as one of four future Hall of Famers on the team, and Larry Bird playing at the pinnacle of his career, making all those around him better, en route to his third consecutive MVP of the league award.

http://nypost.com/2016/06/11/the-best-nba-team-ever-didnt-have-michael-jordan-or-curry/

 

[soap - new and improved]

Back when basketball was still basketball. Lots of finesse and a beautiful game to watch. Before it got ruined by Shaq-Dozer and Rugby-style play.

 

[DaSheed]

So sad to think about Len Bias and what he could have done in the NBA and for the Celtics.

 

[HeelFan58]

The 1966-67 76ers were a hell of a team. Wilt , Billy C , Hal Greer , Chet Walker , Luke Jackson , Wali Jones all averaged double figures. 68-13 record. 11-4 playoff record on the way to the NBA championship. Rick Barry averaged 40 pts. a game against them for the SF Warriors in the finals.

 

[Raising Heel]

Back when basketball was still basketball. Lots of finesse and a beautiful game to watch. Before it got ruined by Shaq-Dozer and Rugby-style play.

Exactly. Basketball was never meant to be a full-contact sport.

 

[heelz2345]

I'm partial to the 96 Bulls myself. Jordan leading the league in scoring with 30 a game on his way to another MVP award. Scottie Pippen & MJ were both on the All-NBA first team that year, and they were both All-Defensive first team choices along with teammate Dennis Rodman, who happened to lead the league in rebounds that year. All this on the way to a 72-10 record and another title for the Bulls.

 

[DSouthr]

Either that Bulls team or this Celtic team, hard to go wrong either way, personally I think I would have to go with the Celtics by the most slight of margins. Having said that, in my opinion, this Golden State team does not belong in the same discussion as any of the other teams listed here.

 

[Archer2]

Either that Bulls team or this Celtic team, hard to go wrong either way, personally I think I would have to go with the Celtics by the most slight of margins. Having said that, in my opinion, this Golden State team does not belong in the same discussion as any of the other teams listed here.

Or the "Showtime" Lakers of that era. IMO. Poetry in motion, just beautiful basketball to watch.

 

[DSouthr]

Or the "Showtime" Lakers of that era. IMO. Poetry in motion, just beautiful basketball to watch.

Oh yeah, when I said IMO GSW do not belong in the conversation with any of the teams listed I include Showtime as well as that Philly team, there are some Piston teams I would throw in there as well, Spurs with Rodman was fantastic.

It is that age old question of who was better, we older folk will say it was the older teams and the young folk will say it is the todays teams. But you just had to see MJ, David Thompson, Bird, magic, Jabbar, The Iceman Gervin, the Pistol, Malone/Stockton, and so many others in their prime. I wish I had been able to see Bill Russell, Wilt, Oscar Robinson and Connie Hawkins in their prime for entire seasons. many wil tell you that saw him in his prime that the best ever to lace them up was Connie Hawkins but was well past his prime when he finally got to the NBA. Yet when the topic turns to who the best ever was no one seems to mention him.

 

[HeelFan58]

Oh yeah, when I said IMO GSW do not belong in the conversation with any of the teams listed I include Showtime as well as that Philly team, there are some Piston teams I would throw in there as well, Spurs with Rodman was fantastic.

It is that age old question of who was better, we older folk will say it was the older teams and the young folk will say it is the todays teams. But you just had to see MJ, David Thompson, Bird, magic, Jabbar, The Iceman Gervin, the Pistol, Malone/Stockton, and so many others in their prime. I wish I had been able to see Bill Russell, Wilt, Oscar Robinson and Connie Hawkins in their prime for entire seasons. many wil tell you that saw him in his prime that the best ever to lace them up was Connie Hawkins but was well past his prime when he finally got to the NBA. Yet when the topic turns to who the best ever was no one seems to mention him.

I read an article that said Wilt could not succeed in today's NBA. I reflexively yelled out Bull Shat. The guy was probably the greatest "freak" Athlete of all time. He would abuse any current NBA player in the post. He also may have been the greatest cocksman of all time.

 

[DSouthr]

I read an article that said Wilt could not succeed in today's NBA. I reflexively yelled out Bull Shat. The guy was probably the greatest "freak" Athlete of all time. He would abuse any current NBA player in the post. He also may have been the greatest cocksman of all time.

IDK who wrote that article but who ever it was really should NEVER be paid another dime to write anything sports related. To say Wilt could not play in todays NBA is totally dumb, Wilt would score at will, who could stop him? Wilt would average over 50 a game in any game he wanted to. I could just see Dwight Howard or Boogarboy trying to guard Wilt, he would treat them like little girls.

 

[topps coach]

IDK who wrote that article but who ever it was really should NEVER be paid another dime to write anything sports related. To say Wilt could not play in todays NBA is totally dumb, Wilt would score at will, who could stop him? Wilt would average over 50 a game in any game he wanted to. I could just see Dwight Howard or Boogarboy trying to guard Wilt, he would treat them like little girls.

Wilt would do the same to Shaq as well

 

[heelmanwilm]

I know its blasphemy on a tarheel board but imo wilt was the goat. Maybe he and mj are 1 and 1a considering the game was so different then. Still blows my mind that unc beat kansas with him on their team. Sounds like we took certain uh.....liberties in defending him. Heh heh heh.

 

[DevilBlue]

I know its blasphemy on a tarheel board but imo wilt was the goat. Maybe he and mj are 1 and 1a considering the game was so different then. Still blows my mind that unc beat kansas with him on their team. Sounds like we took certain uh.....liberties in defending him. Heh heh heh.

Never liked the comparison of Wilt and MJ. Vastly different positions. I think it would be safe to say that Wilt is the best big of all time and Jordan the best SG/SF of all time. That said I don't think I would pick Wilt on my top team, but that's mainly bc of foul shooting.

 

[heelz2345]

Nothing against Wilt, but Michael is easily the GOAT in my book. Wilt was a great player, but I don't think you can consider him the GOAT when he arguably wasn't even the best player of his era considering Russell won more MVPs and championships. I would say Wilt is definitely in my top 10, and I disagree with the notion that he wouldn't be a successful player in any era, because he would have been, but Michael wins the GOAT argument in my mind.

 

[DSouthr]

Never liked the comparison of Wilt and MJ. Vastly different positions. I think it would be safe to say that Wilt is the best big of all time and Jordan the best SG/SF of all time. That said I don't think I would pick Wilt on my top team, but that's mainly bc of foul shooting.

My all time team would be based on players I saw in their prime mostly but would go like this:

Center - Lew Alcindor/Jabbar, that sky hook was the only unstoppable shot I have ever seen.
Power forward - Wilt Chamberlin, with respect to Russell and the Mail man and Rodman.
Small forward - I have to go with the doctor, Dr J with respect for the Iceman and the Hawk and larry the legend Bird (maybe my all time favorite player).
2 guard - oh ya didn't know, his airness, MJ !
Point - Hard hard call but the man averaged a triple double didn't he, the big O, Oscar and that is with total respect for Magic and the Pistol and Mr NBA logo Jerry West.