The NBA’s formative years featured some of the most memorable performers in league history. Goliaths like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell patrolled the paint, while guards like Bob Cousy and Guy Rogers penetrated defenses and rewarded their teammates. Young fans don’t believe in the talent of these pioneers, but without the skills of the best he NBA players of the 1960s, basketball wouldn’t exist today.
1. Bill Russell
Bill Russell won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, including nine championships in 10 seasons in 10 years. This historic feat symbolized Russell’s extraordinary influence on the way defenses and basketball players played in the 1960s. All players knew that if Bill Russell was within 15 feet of the basket, he had no chance of scoring the ball.
2. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain feels like a mythical figure in history. When his grandfathers and ancestors speak of Wilt’s accomplishments, you can hear the respect in their voices and the admiration in their souls. Chamberlain may not have won as many titles as Russell, but he transformed the personality of the sport more than anyone else in the 1960s.
3. Jerry West
Jerry West lost six NBA Finals in the 1960s, and although he didn’t make it back until the following decade, his scoring ability and defensive instincts made him one of the best guards of his era. I did. West had a picture-perfect jump shot and a fierce competitive spirit honed in the woods of West Virginia. His silhouette still shines on his NBA logo.
4. Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double in 1962, the first of many bizarre feats accomplished by the Cincinnati Royals legend. Robertson’s rivalries with Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell formed a superstar quadrant that left an indelible impact on the game they loved. The Big O broke through slow defenders and hit a smooth jumper over a big defender.
5. Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor has always been on the outside of the NBA hierarchy. Sometimes overshadowed because he played next to Jerry West, sometimes forgotten because of his military service, Baylor was elevated above the NBA, both literally and figuratively. His statistical advantage was only second to Wilt Chamberlain.
6. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit could be considered the Tim Duncan of the 1950s and 1960s. Pettitte won two NBA championships and two MVP awards over the past decade, but continued to put up impressive numbers in the early 1960s, with 20 points and 15 rebounds per game. Pettit’s game wasn’t flashy, and he hit his guys like a semi-truck.
7. Sam Jones
Sam Jones cemented the truth about NBA guards. No matter how good the center is, good teams need perimeter threats. Bill Russell would have been hard-pressed to see as many gems in his trophy case without Sam Jones flanking him outside the key for the Boston Celtics.
8. Willis Reed
At first glance, Willis Reed’s resume looks almost like something from the 1970s. Yes, the New York Knicks captain won a championship at the turn of the next decade, but Reid established himself as a presence at the center position alongside Russell and Chamberlain. Reed’s jump shot was revolutionary among centers.
9. Jerry Lucas
Jerry Lucas did not possess the immense talent that other centers of his era possessed. Instead, Lucas manipulated the court like a puzzle, putting all the pieces together and thinking through his rivals. He predicted the angles at which shots would come off, analyzed the best places to shoot, and made sure to take advantage of the talents of his teammates.
10. Nate Thurmond
Nate Thurmond’s muscles tended to blister with veins every time he fell on a rebound or dunked over a small center. Thurmond’s all-around skills give him the means to achieve his double in the quadruple, which is the line where a player scores more than his 10 points out of his four different statistics (points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals). It was done.
11. Walt Bellamy
Even though Walt Bellamy’s best days were short, that shouldn’t stop fans from appreciating the greatness he displayed during the first few years of his career. Bellamy’s scoring ability shined during his rookie season, as he averaged 31.6 points per game. Bellamy has never won a title, which places him slightly lower than his trophy-laden colleagues.
12. Dave Debucher
Dave Debucher never averaged more than 20 points per game. His greatness was evident in the small plays and the intangibles. He made the right passes, encouraged his teammates, and coached while playing were all important parts of his legacy.
13. Lenny Wilkens
Lenny Wilkens modernized the point guard position with his extensive scoring and passing skills. Though he didn’t have much to show for it, Wilkins became a prototypical point guard, continuing the legacy of players before him such as Bob Cousy. Wilkins’ leadership skills came in handy when he coached the Seattle SuperSonics after his retirement.
14. Hal Greer
Hal Grier was named to the All-NBA Second Team several times during the 1960s, proving that even though he wasn’t in the league’s top tier, he was still one of the best. His scoring ability was second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1976. Grier pioneered the cause of jump shooting guards that are beloved by many today, including Ray Allen and Klay Thompson.
15. John Havlicek
John Havlicek would be ranked higher on the list if it took into account his play in the 1970s. As it stands, Havlicek fit right in next to Bill Russell and Sam Jones in his 1960s. He consistently contributed key buckets and steals to decide games or give the Celtics an extra boost in the clutch.
16. Dave Bing
Dave Bing could rival modern-day guards like Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan. Bing was automatically scoring two points every time he got into position in Detroit, but he never had success at a high level in the playoffs and never led the Pistons to many important games. An interesting fact about Bing is that he became a politician after his retirement.
17. Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy primarily played in the 1950s, but his accomplishments in the 1960s need to be recognized here. Cousy commanded the offense for much of the first half of the Celtics’ dynasty. Even as he got older, his intelligence and sharp passing skills helped him win one championship after another in Boston.
18. Jack Twyman
Jack Twyman is one of the greatest men in NBA history. He looked after teammate Maurice Stokes when he fell on his head and his motor skills were subsequently limited. As for his play on the court, Twyman averaged over 30 points per game in 1960 and was a multiple All-Star with the Cincinnati Royals in the early ’10s.
19. Bailey Howell
Bailey Howell wasn’t truly appreciated until he joined the Boston Celtics at the end of his career. A 6-foot-7 forward with good rebounding instincts and a surefire post-score, Howell did whatever it took to help his team win.
20. Richie Guerin
Richie Guerin was one of the first stars of the New York Knicks. Guerin played a combo guard style that allowed his team to pass and score at an equal rate, a decision that was inconsistent when compared to fellow point guards such as Bob Cousy.
21. Tom Heinsohn
After his retirement, Tom Heinsohn became more famous for his broadcasting and coaching skills with the Boston Celtics, but he also played a key role in the Celtics’ frontcourt next to Bill Russell. Heinsohn put a huge physical strain on Russell, contributing to the dirty work his star center needed help with in order for the team to win a title.
22. Guy Rogers
Guy Rogers is the best player you’ve never heard of. Rodgers often averaged nearly eight assists per game in an era when scorekeepers had more control over the box score. He helped Wilt Chamberlain reach 100 points in 1962 and assisted on 20 goals that night.
