I loved all the eras. But when you look back at the 1960s video, the game was played more on the floor with only a couple guys on each team constantly above the rim. Connie Hawkins was the first big time dunker. Russell started the big change in elevation when he came along in the 1950s. You guys all know this from the history. My best sports memory of the 1960s was getting home from church at noon, turning on ABC and seeing Wilt and Russ lining up for the opening tip. Still my top NBA memory, those two guys.
I got a Wilt story for you.
it was April 1967, the Eastern Conference Finals, Philly was up 1-0, and game 2 was a Sunday afternoon game on the parquet.
i snagged tickets early in the week (I went into the Garden box office, it used to be easy snagging C's tickets) in the 2nd balcony, and me and my buddy, took the T for the 40 minute trollley ride into the Garden to witness the latest battle between the Eastern conference rivals, and the match-up between Bill and Wilt.
As you surely recall that 76ers team was a monster, Wilt, Greer, Chet the Jet, Luke Jackson, Billy C, winning a then record 68 games, and favorites to finally dethrone the Celts.
Most details of that sad Sunday escape me, but as the 76ers were putting a strangle-hold on a 107-102 win and a 2-0 series lead, with the last few seonds ticking off the clock, Wilt took the ball and fist punched it straight up in the air, almost hitting the huge scoreboard that hovered over the court .
Disappointed and almost in shock with the home court loss, my buddy and I went to pinball arcade off the North Station lobby to kill time and let reality sink in before hopping the T back to the burbs. After dropping several dimes, we headed towards North Station lobby and to the subway, when I noticed I was walking in the shadow of a mountain. I looked up and saw a goateed covered chin what seemed like seeral feet above my head.
As I looked up, I said, "Good game Wilt""
He looked down and through the clouds, I heard a laugh, as he said,
"Good game?" Kid that was a great game"
And he was right as he strode off leaving me and the Cetls in his wake.
Wilt was going back to Philly up 2-0, secure in the knowledge he had a vice like grip on the series and now Bill and the Cs had to come to his house and win on his court.
That 76ers team was awesome.