Why are the ’70s Celtics overlooked? (Basketball Mysteries of the 1970s)

Sportswriting legend Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe joins us to discuss the 1973-76 Boston Celtics in the sixth episode of the Over and Back Classic NBA podcast’s summer series — Basketball Mysteries of the 1970s. Jason Mann joins him to talk about the high and low points of a team that won two titles in three seasons and 68 games in 1973.

Also discussed: how Red Auerbach was able to rebuild the Celtics after the Bill Russell era, the all-around brilliance of John Havlicek, drafting Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens, acquiring the rugged Paul Silas as a final piece, their playoff rivalry with the Knicks and their famous 7-game battle in 1973 (and Boston’s perspective on some questionable refereeing in that series), a controversial series win over Bob McAdoo’s Buffalo Braves, knocking off Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks for a championship in 1974, running into Elvin Hayes and the Washington Bullets in 1975, what made Cowens so special as a player and his pride in being the center despite lack of size, Don Nelson’s integral role as an aging veteran, White’s sometimes contentious relationship with teammates, the Paul Westphal for Charlie Scott trade, how Don Cheney helped shore up the team’s defense, the team’s fast-breaking style, and of course their Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns in 1976, including the famous triple-overtime Game 5 with all kinds of twists and turns.

Music:

Aurea Carmina Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) / Stringed Disco Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)