The 1965 Boston Celtics: Bill Russell's Greatest Team? 

My favorite player of all times...the very underrated Satch Sanders. A gentleman of many qualities on and off the court! Much respect.

Havlicek is an almost always forgotten great ...equal to any player of any era ❤❤❤

There are 12 reasons why the Celtics from 1957- 69 are, arguably, the GOAT basketball dynasty. I will do this in several posts. Reasons # 12 through 8: 12. Clyde Lovellette was the back up C/PF. 3x NBA champion. He was on 2 of the Celtics title teams. He was also George Mikans back up and won a title with him in 1954. He also played in 2 NBA finals as a starting C with the Hawks in 1960, 61(losing both to the Celtics of course) He was a great NCAA player at Kansas (2x 1st team All-American), leading Kansas to the NCAA title and was named tournament MVP. Once got knocked out by Wilt Chamberlain. Passed away in 2016 at 86 years old. 11. Frank Ramsey. 7x NBA champion. Helped lead Kentucky to NCAA title in 1951. 2x 2nd team All-American at Kentucky. The first superstar 6th man and also “swing” men (G, F). Havlicek’s mentor. Passed away in 2018 at 86 years old. 10. Thomas “Satch” Sanders. 8x NBA champion. Career record of 22- 3 in playoff series. Think of Shane Battier on defense, except Satch was a better passer and rebounder. Sanders played both forward spots and always guarded the best offensive forward every night. Excellent teammate. Many charitable contributions off the court. Very intelligent and articulate. Look him up. This man deserves more pub! Still alive at 83 years old. 9. Tom Heinsohn. Underrated player. 8 x NBA champion. Career record of 17- 1 in NBA playoff series. NCAA All-American at Holy Cross. Rookie of the year (beating out Russell). Could play both forward positions. Versatile scorer. Tough guy. Smart player who became a 2x champion in 1974, 76 as head coach of the Celtics also. 4x 2nd team All-NBA. Not bad considering he played against Bob Pettit and Elgin Baylor his entire career. Passed away in 2020 at 86 years old. 8. KC Jones. Universally regarded as one of the greatest, nicest guys you could ever meet. Great defensive point guard, great passer. Unfortunately was back up to Bob Cousy most of his career. One of the GOAT winners in basketball history. 8x NBA champion. Career record of 18- 1 in NBA playoff series. Led USF with 24 points in 1955 NCAA title game beating defending champs LaSalle. Assistant coach with the 1972 NBA champion Lakers. Head Coach of NBA Finalist Bullets in 1975. Assistant Coach of NBA champion 1981 Celtics. Head coach of NBA Champions 1984 and 1986 Celtics. Passed away in 2020 at 88 years old.

Great video when you break down Russell stats what stands out to me is his assist game cause passing was the most underrated part of his game

This team could easily play today. Loaded with versatile defenders. Have just enough shooting (Sam Jones , Heinsohn , Naulls, Sanders )

There was so much talent back then. Celtics, Knickerbockers, Warriors, Hawks, Royals, Lakers etc. it was great growing up in that era.

According to Red Auerbach, the 61 Celtics were his best offensive team, and the 65 Celtics his best defensive team.

Just won #18! Wish Bill was here to see it. RIP

Havlicek, pronounced Hav-ul-check, was starting for the East in the All-Star game when he was sixth man on the Celtics.

Look at the 1959-60 Celtics, they were 59-16 and averaged 124.5ppg despite their highest scorer only averaging 21.7ppg

1964. Bill said so himself in his book “ Second Wind “

I was 11 years old in 1964-65. I became an LA Lakers fan, but that season the Celtics had the best team. Chamberlain being traded to the 76ers made the playoff series much closer than I expected. A bad pass by Greer; otherwise the 76ers might have won that series; and history would be very different.

Bill #6. Didn't just Play in the Olympics.... he's got a shining medal. And it's GOLD. 1956 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL.

Man I love how you break down how Great some of these team's we're from the past. Because according to LeBron Fanboys they we're all Plumber's and Firemen...SMGDH

This is very well done kudos my man!

Bill Russell lead his team in assist in 1965 and 1966 playoff runs. Only center to do so.

These Celtics on 2K give you hell 🔥 😅I had to do my research 😤 after Sam Jones and havlicek put 30 on me

I have vivid memories of that season, and especially of the 5th and what was to prove to be the final game versus the Lakers. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Celtics were leading by 16 points (87-71). Before the Lakers were able to score their first point of the period, the Celtics ran off 20 STRAIGHT POINTS! This was before the era of the 3-point shot, and they took no free throws during that entire period! With a lead of 107-71, they coasted in to victory. I was sitting at the end of the court near the Lakers bench, and the roar that went on for that 4th quarter was THE LOUDEST, LONGEST CONTINUED SUSTAINED ROAR I HAVE EVER HEARD! Why? Because the Celtics were putting on an unbelievable display of basketball power that day...one that will never be forgotten by those of us who were lucky enough to be at the Boston Garden for that game. Greatest Celtics team of all-time? Yes, and perhaps the greatest TEAM of all-time....bar none.

Great video. Hope there will be more to come

COOZ! is SIK! Look at those PASSES! How Bob would even see his teammates is quite disturbing! Beautiful to ⌚ watch tho. If Cooz had uh JUMPER! mannnn!

That was a great team indeed!!

He just got his number retired league wide

It was almost a complete All-Star team

So many great players on those Celtic teams. People don't know that Heinsohn retired after that year because of bad knees. Satch Sanders was the Scottie Pippen of his day with his ability to defend at the forward position. Ray Allen, to me is Sam Jones reincarnated. So silky smooth. Then there is Russell.

Six Hall of Famer‘s on the team? Not bad for a bunch of firemen and plumbers right JJ?

I like the 62-63 celtics that has Cousy and Havlicek

For that era pre 70's it was a super team...

I was in basic training when he died. Celtics didn't win in '22 but this is our year #33yo

One of the reasons why the Celtics were so successful was that Red Auerbach would, every year, either trade or draft players that were SMART PLAYERS. He would trade for veterans who won championships in college or w/ other NBA teams (Arnie Risen, Clyde Lovellette, Larry Siegfried, and Frank Ramsey). He would only get players he thought would fit in THEIR SYSTEM (Andy Phillip, Carl Braun, Wayne Embry, Bailey Howell, Willie Naulls, Si Green, Woody Sauldsberry, Don Nelson, Jim Barnes, Em Bryant, and Don Chaney). They had to be unselfish, hard working, smart, could play multiple positions or play a specific role, REAL TEAM players, winners.

Thanks for showing love to this team. But I think 64 was better b/c of better version of heinsohn. He fell off his last year in 65. Plus u get Ramsey

to be COMPLETELY honest i did do and/or PROBABLY will SOMEWHAT like the celtics because i did do and/or PROBABLY will really LOVE bill russell

Peace to Bill Russell and his brother Charlie

8:23 that guy tries to steal the ball

On paper the 1963 Celtics are the GOAT team. 9 HOFers! Red Auerbach as head coach. The only year that Cousy and Havlicek played together, plus a quality player, their enforcer, "Jungle" Jim Loscutoff. The HOFers were: Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, Sam Jones, KC Jones, Satch Sanders, Frank Ramsey, and Clyde Lovellette.

Jerry West was the beast in scoring in game 2 45 pts?

1961/62 CELTICS were the best of all those teams! That season was: 4 IN A ROW & COUNTING! Consider that HONDO! was uh senior at OHIO STATE, Bill Sharman was the 1st player to retire from the dynasties' INCEPTION! after the '60/'61 season.

i think if you just look at the roster, the 63-64 team would be my choice. you no longer have cousy. but you do have both naulls and siegfried. and you also have frank ramsey, in his last year.

Did KAREEM improve the HOOK SHOT! upon ⌚ 👀 watching Heinson?!!

24.1 rebounds a game...............

Which nba team had the most blacks on it in a racist city. The Celtics of the 60's.

Satch sanders is a HOF as contributor 👎🏽 Bills Celtics are the only team where haters count coaches, washed veterans and contributors as actual HOF players lmao

Only had to play 2 rds,and most of the good players was in the aba