The 1966-67 NBA Season
A pivotal year in professional basketball, marked by the end of a dynasty, the rise of new contenders, and groundbreaking team achievements.
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Season Overview
Duration & Scope
The 1966โ67 NBA season represented the 21st iteration of the National Basketball Association. It commenced on October 15, 1966, and concluded with the championship finals on April 24, 1967. This season featured 10 teams competing across an expanded 81-game regular season schedule.
Championship Outcome
The season culminated in the Philadelphia 76ers capturing the NBA Championship. They defeated the San Francisco Warriors 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals, notably ending the Boston Celtics' unprecedented streak of eight consecutive titles.
Broadcast Partner
Television coverage for the season was provided by ABC, a significant partner in broadcasting the league's growing popularity during this era.
Top Talent
The 1966 NBA draft saw Cazzie Russell selected as the top draft pick by the New York Knicks, signaling the influx of new talent into the league.
Notable Occurrences
Expansion and Realignment
The league expanded to 10 teams with the introduction of the Chicago Bulls. Concurrently, the Baltimore Bullets transitioned from the Western Division to the Eastern Division, reshaping the competitive landscape.
Season and Playoff Adjustments
The regular season schedule was extended to 81 games per team. Furthermore, the playoff structure was expanded, allowing four teams from each division to qualify for the postseason tournament, increasing competitive opportunities.
All-Star Showcase
The 1967 NBA All-Star Game convened at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The Western Conference All-Stars emerged victorious over the East, 135-120, with local star Rick Barry earning the game's Most Valuable Player award.
Coaching Dynamics
Offseason Transitions
Several teams underwent coaching changes prior to the season. The Baltimore Bullets replaced Paul Seymour with Mike Farmer. The Boston Celtics saw Bill Russell assume player-coach duties, succeeding Red Auerbach in a formal capacity. The Chicago Bulls entered the league under Johnny 'Red' Kerr. The New York Knicks transitioned from Dick McGuire to Vince Boryla. The Philadelphia 76ers appointed Alex Hannum, replacing Dolph Schayes. The San Francisco Warriors saw Bill Sharman take the helm, succeeding Alex Hannum.
In-Season Adjustments
The Detroit Pistons experienced an in-season coaching change, with Donnie Butcher taking over from Dave DeBusschere.
Season Recap
Philadelphia 76ers: A Dominant Force
Under new coach Alex Hannum, the Philadelphia 76ers redefined team play. Wilt Chamberlain, while still a dominant force averaging 24 points, 24 rebounds, and 8 assists per game (leading the league in rebounds and blocks), shifted focus to facilitating. His 68% field goal percentage set a league record. The team featured three other 20-point scorers: Hal Greer (22 PPG), Chet Walker, and Billy Cunningham (both 19 PPG). This offensive firepower led the league in scoring (125 PPG) and shooting accuracy. Their remarkable 68-13 record established a new league benchmark for regular season success, including an unparalleled 46-4 start.
Boston Celtics: Sustaining Excellence
The Boston Celtics, now led by player-coach Bill Russell, continued their legacy by winning 60 games. Russell, the first African American coach of a major American sports franchise, seamlessly integrated into his leadership role. He contributed significantly with third-ranked rebounding and blocking numbers, alongside six assists per game. The team boasted three 20-point scorers: Sam Jones (22 PPG), John Havlicek (21 PPG), and newcomer Bailey Howell (20 PPG). K.C. Jones anchored the league's top defense, complemented by five assists per game. Red Auerbach oversaw operations from the front office.
San Francisco Warriors: Offensive Prowess
Rick Barry delivered an exceptional season, leading the NBA in scoring at 35.6 points per game. He also led the league in field goals made and ranked second in free throw attempts, converting at an impressive 88% rate. Barry added eight rebounds and four assists per game, solidifying his status as an elite forward. Center Nate Thurmond, a protรฉgรฉ of Chamberlain, emerged as a dominant force, ranking second in rebounds and blocks while contributing 19 points per game. Under coach Bill Sharman, five other Warriors averaged double-digit scoring.
Postseason Dynamics
Eastern Conference Semifinals
The dominant Eastern Division saw its top two teams advance with minimal resistance. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated Oscar Robertson's Cincinnati Royals three games to one. Similarly, the Boston Celtics dispatched the New York Knicks, led by Willis Reed, by a 3-1 margin. This set the stage for another pivotal Eastern Division Final between Philadelphia and Boston.
Western Conference Semifinals
In the Western Division, the San Francisco Warriors and the second-place St. Louis Hawks secured 3-0 sweeps in their respective semifinal matchups. The Warriors routed the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without star Jerry West. The Hawks ended the inaugural season of the Chicago Bulls, coached by Johnny Kerr.
Division Finals
The Eastern Division Final was a closely contested series, with the Philadelphia 76ers ultimately prevailing over the Boston Celtics in five games. The 76ers clinched the series with a decisive 140-116 victory on their home court, ending Boston's championship aspirations for the year. In the West, the San Francisco Warriors overcame the St. Louis Hawks 4-2, advancing to the NBA Finals.
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals pitted the dominant Philadelphia 76ers against the San Francisco Warriors. Despite a strong showing from Barry and Thurmond, and taking two games, the Warriors were ultimately defeated by the 76ers' balanced offensive attack. Philadelphia secured their first NBA title since 1955, with Wilt Chamberlain delivering a stellar playoff performance, averaging 22 points, 29 rebounds, and 9 assists per game.
Final Standings
Eastern Division
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Neutral | Div |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x-Philadelphia 76ers | 68 | 13 | .840 | โ | 28โ2 | 26โ8 | 14โ3 | 28โ8 |
| x-Boston Celtics | 60 | 21 | .741 | 8 | 27โ4 | 25โ11 | 8โ6 | 30โ6 |
| x-Cincinnati Royals | 39 | 42 | .481 | 29 | 20โ11 | 12โ24 | 7โ7 | 14โ22 |
| x-New York Knicks | 36 | 45 | .444 | 32 | 20โ15 | 9โ24 | 7โ6 | 11โ25 |
| Baltimore Bullets | 20 | 61 | .247 | 48 | 12โ20 | 3โ30 | 5โ11 | 7โ29 |
Western Division
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Neutral | Div |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x-San Francisco Warriors | 44 | 37 | .543 | โ | 18โ10 | 11โ19 | 15โ8 | 24โ12 |
| x-St. Louis Hawks | 39 | 42 | .481 | 5 | 18โ11 | 12โ21 | 9โ10 | 21โ15 |
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 36 | 45 | .444 | 8 | 21โ18 | 12โ20 | 3โ7 | 14โ22 |
| x-Chicago Bulls | 33 | 48 | .407 | 11 | 17โ19 | 9โ17 | 7โ12 | 17โ19 |
| Detroit Pistons | 30 | 51 | .370 | 14 | 12โ18 | 9โ19 | 9โ14 | 14โ22 |
x โ Clinched playoff spot
Playoff Bracket
Postseason Progression
The expanded playoff format featured four teams from each division competing for the championship. The bracket illustrates the path through the Division Semifinals, Division Finals, and ultimately the NBA Finals.
| Division Semifinals | Division Finals | NBA Finals | ||||||||||||
| E1 | Philadelphia* | 3 | ||||||||||||
| E3 | Cincinnati | 1 | ||||||||||||
| E1 | Philadelphia* | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Eastern Division | ||||||||||||||
| E2 | Boston | 1 | ||||||||||||
| E4 | New York | 1 | ||||||||||||
| E2 | Boston | 3 | ||||||||||||
| E1 | Philadelphia* | 4 | ||||||||||||
| W1 | San Francisco* | 2 | ||||||||||||
| W1 | San Francisco* | 3 | ||||||||||||
| Western Division | ||||||||||||||
| W2 | St. Louis | 2 | ||||||||||||
| W3 | Los Angeles | 0 | ||||||||||||
| W2 | St. Louis | 3 | ||||||||||||
| W4 | Chicago | 0 | ||||||||||||
- * Division Winner
- Bold Series Winner
- Italic Team with Home-Court Advantage in NBA Finals
Statistical Leaders
Key Performance Metrics
The following players led the league in major statistical categories during the 1966-67 season. Note that prior to the 1969-70 season, league leaders were determined by total points, rebounds, and assists, not averages.
| Category | Player | Team | Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Rick Barry | San Francisco Warriors | 2,775 |
| Rebounds | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | 1,957 |
| Assists | Guy Rodgers | Chicago Bulls | 908 |
| FG% | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | .683 |
| FT% | Adrian Smith | Cincinnati Royals | .903 |
Accolades & Honors
Major Awards
Individual and team honors recognized outstanding performance throughout the season.
- Most Valuable Player: Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers
- Rookie of the Year: Dave Bing, Detroit Pistons
- Coach of the Year: Johnny Kerr, Chicago Bulls
All-NBA Teams
The league's top performers were recognized with selections to the All-NBA First and Second Teams.
All-NBA First Team
- G โ Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals
- G โ Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers
- C โ Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers
- F โ Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers
- F โ Rick Barry, San Francisco Warriors
All-NBA Second Team
- G โ Hal Greer, Philadelphia 76ers
- G โ Sam Jones, Boston Celtics
- C โ Bill Russell, Boston Celtics
- F โ Jerry Lucas, Cincinnati Royals
- F โ Willis Reed, New York Knicks
All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie First Team celebrated the league's top incoming talent.
- Jack Marin, Baltimore Bullets
- Dave Bing, Detroit Pistons
- Erwin Mueller, Chicago Bulls
- Lou Hudson, St. Louis Hawks
- Cazzie Russell, New York Knicks
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Important Notice
This document was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely comprehensive, accurate, or up-to-date. While efforts have been made to ensure fidelity to the source material, the AI's interpretation and presentation may introduce nuances or omissions.
This is not professional sports analysis or advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for expert consultation regarding sports history, statistics, or professional league operations. Readers should consult official league resources and qualified historians for definitive information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.