1963-64 New era, same results: Celtics win again
This year proved to be important both for the league and its top team.
Maurice Podoloff, the first and only NBA commissioner, retired and was replaced
by J. Walter Kennedy. Meanwhile, the Bostonians began their first season without
Bob Cousy. The Chicago Zephyrs moved to Baltimore and changed their name to the
Baltimore Bullets, while Syracuse moved to Philadelphia, and became the 76ers.
A pair of impressive rookies began their run in the league. They were Jerry
Lucas (Cincinnati) and Nate Thurmond (San Francisco). Alex Hannum became coach
at San Francisco, where he applied his defensive concept based on Wilt
Chamberlain's play. The Warriors were the best defensive team in the NBA by
allowing just 102.6 ppg. On their way to the Finals, the Warriors fought off the
Hawks with Bob Pettit, but cave in under a heavy load from the Celtics, who
reached for a sixth straight title.
The sixth straight title was one of the easiest to win (4-1), and people
started to have doubts if anybody else would ever get beat Boston. Previously,
from 1949-53 , only the New York Yankees had such a long winning streak.
Red Auerbach commented that this way: "IThe thrill has never left me but the
reasons changed. At first you simply try to win, but later, when you're on top,
you don't want to lose. That stimulates you."
See also:
