On this day in 1959, legends Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain faced each other for the first time in history; remember the clash between the NBA’s greatest champion and the league’s top scorer
On November 7, 1959, the first confrontation between two of the greatest pivots in the history of the NBA took place. On one side of the court was the debutant Wilt Chamberlain, which already haunted the league in its first season. On the other, there was the consolidated MVP and champion Bill Russell.
Bill was coming off a season of 16.7 points, 23 rebounds and 3.2 assists and the NBA MVP title, being extremely dominant in the team’s defense and attack. Boston Celticswho arrived with a record of (6-0) for the game against the then Philadelphia Warriors (3-1), from rookie league sensation Wilt Chamberlain.
Wilt Chamberlain blocks Bill Russell’s shot attempt during Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/ODoD3lUuk4
— WiltStats (@WiltStats) October 30, 2023
Both teams sought to maintain a positive record. The Celtics were still at the beginning of their dynasty with just one title won. The Warriors were beginning their rebuild by selecting Wilt with the first pick in the draft.
The clash between the two teams was dubbed the “The Big Collision” by journalist John Taylor. That day began one of the biggest rivalries in sports, the biggest prospect in the history of the draft up to that time against the best player in the league.
A lot of tension was expected before the game, even though it was in the middle of the regular season, which would mark the names of both centers in basketball history. The game went on as expected, with both leading their teams on both sides of the court.
The Celts got the better of the Warriors, by a score of 115 to 106, with Bill Russell scoring 22 points and an incredible 35 rebounds, leading his team to victory. Wilt didn’t sell the defeat cheaply and showed why he was the number one choice, with the box score 28 rebounds, 30 points and just one assist.
That year the Celtics would begin what would be the longest run of titles in NBA history, with eight in a row. Bill would win 11 total titles as a Celtic. Wilt would win his two rings years later with the Philadelphia 76ers It is Los Angeles Lakers in 1967 and 1972, respectively.
Source: sportbuzz
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