tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159003855959232638.post8841306426982642463..comments2024-01-06T09:28:27.481-05:00Comments on Lex Nihil Novi: Who is the Best Center Ever? (Bob Ryan Knows the Right Answer)Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164041545153442690noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159003855959232638.post-44818324800450660772013-12-11T13:23:55.651-05:002013-12-11T13:23:55.651-05:00written in 1996
The 10 Best NBA Teams
(regula...written in 1996<br /><br /> The 10 Best NBA Teams<br /> (regular-season record, playoff record)<br /> 1. 1985-96 Celtics (67-15, 15-3): Choose your weapon and theirs would be<br />better.<br /> 2. 1986-87 Lakers (65-17, 15-3): Consummate "Showtime."<br /> 3. 1966-67 76ers (68-13, 11-4): Wilt's finest hour.<br /> 4. 1971-72 Lakers (69-13, 12-3): 33 straight and a 51-ppg West-Goodrich<br />backcourt.<br /> 5. 1995-96 Bulls (72-10, 15-3): Came out snarling 99 percent of the time.<br /> 6. 1982-83 76ers (65-17, 12-1): Moses a major monster: "Fo-Five-Fo club."<br /> 7. 1964-65 Celtics (62-18, 8-4): Russell at his peak.<br /> 8. 1988-89 Pistons (63-19, 15-2): Bleep you, Buddy.<br /> 9. 1969-70 Knicks (60-22, 12-7): Personified concept of T-E-A-M.<br /> 10. 1976-77 Trail Blazers (49-33, 14-5): Jack Ramsey hoop fantasy come to<br />life. The NBA's All-Time "What-If?" aggregation. Team found itself in '77<br />playoffs to win title. Got off to 50-10 start in '77-'78 and would have won as<br />many subsequent titles as it chose, but Walton and three other starters got<br />hurt before the playoffs, and the team was never the same againLexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164041545153442690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159003855959232638.post-13884245096265165262013-12-11T13:22:55.056-05:002013-12-11T13:22:55.056-05:00bob wrote:
Now comes the best part. What separ...bob wrote:<br /><br /> Now comes the best part. What separates the 1985-86 Celtics from the pack is the simple fact that this was the only team in the recorded history of Man<br />to bring a reasonably healthy Bill Walton off the bench. Bill Walton alone gave you a second unit. Bill Walton and Larry Bird also composed the most fiendish assault duo on slow-thinking, low-reacting defenders in the history of the NBA. A full healthy Bill Walton (if indeed there ever was such a thing) was the most influential player, at both ends, who has ever laced up a sneaker. To have him as a gleeful auxiliary player was a sinful luxury, and it was one K.C. Jones employed expertly. <br /><br />And let's give K.C. his due. This was one course for which he was the<br />perfect horse. His decidedly laissez-faire approach was the appropriate style for this collection of savvy veterans. K.C. made about three decisions all<br />year, but he knew which three to make. His basic task was to make sure everyone knew what time the bus left for the arena. The Greatest Series That<br />Never Was did not take place between the 1985-86 Celtics and the 1986-87 Lakers. A series between the aforementioned Celtics versus the Lakers of Kareem-Magic-Worthy-Scott-Cooper-Thompson would have shaken the rafters. Alas,<br />the '86 Lakers didn't have Thompson and the '87 Celtics didn't have Walton.<br /><br />Such is life.<br /><br /> I'm slipping the Bulls into the Top 5 out of respect for Michael. If anything, I'm being generous.Lexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164041545153442690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159003855959232638.post-79382181771691338222013-12-11T13:15:32.987-05:002013-12-11T13:15:32.987-05:00BTW, this is the same logic he uses to explain why...BTW, this is the same logic he uses to explain why the 1985-86 team is the best ever.<br /><br />In a one game showdown, winner take all, to defend the universe against alien invaders, what team are you gonna put out there on the floor?<br /><br />Lexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164041545153442690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159003855959232638.post-57328993198034476792013-12-11T13:13:55.298-05:002013-12-11T13:13:55.298-05:00Bob,
There is no need to explain or qualify.
You...Bob,<br /><br />There is no need to explain or qualify.<br /><br />You said everything there is to say before the jump.Lexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164041545153442690noreply@blogger.com