22.01.1986.- Lakers@Celtics: Larry Bird 22/12/7, Great Bill Walton, GOAT Team

1986 Boston Celtics proving who's the best team in the league that year, great performance, especially on defense.
Bird with a nice game (22/12/7), Parish with 16/11, DJ was pretty good, but star of the night was 1977 Finals MVP Bill Walton. The "Big Red-Head" played only 16 minutes, but had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 7 block shots! This was one of Walton's best games in Celtics uniform, there is no doubt he was 6th man of the year that season.
Celtics won the game 110:95.
www.basketball-reference.com/b...

[@capitanfuturo594]

Larry Bird was the best basketball player in NBA on the 80's.

[@jollyjoe9281]

Walton in this game: 16 minutes, 5-6 from the field, 11 points; 8 rebounds and 7 blocks... 1986 Celts were Bird at his peak with Bill Friggin Walton in his prime off the bench along with all the others at the top of their games...1986 Boston Celtics, 67-15 regular season, 50-1 at home (playoffs included), 15-3 in the playoffs= Best Team Ever. End of Story.

[@Mrd9960]

Yeah only loss they had up to the finals was at Atlanta in the 2nd round and then they swept a really good Bucks team 4-0 in the conference finals, those Milwaukee teams in the 80s were really good, from about 83-88, if not for the Celtics, they would have made it to the finals.

[@at1212b]

@@lucafurlan2919 I'm a huge Bulls and MJ fan but this Celtics team would have beat them. Study Walton carefully at how great he was, and when you see Bird, McHale and Parrish uninjured, just astounding. Nearly 4 7 footers with skill at every level imaginable. Back then, they always took commercial flights, poor shoe technology, no AC at Boston Garden, less medical technology and sports science, which led to way more injuries.

[@johnwhite2576]

Nuff said

[@kenwilliams3208]

@@at1212b The 85-86 Celtics team was scary, scary, good. We may never see that level of talent ever again on a basketball floor.

[@teofemo7000]

Walton not in his prime but he was still potent.

[@nomedigaasi]

Shame... a healthy Bill Walton in 87 would have produce another Celtics NBA championship season.

[@Amick44]

Unfortuately, the story of Bill's career.

[@michaelvronsky2013]

And imagine if Len Bias had lived. They might have gone 82-0.

[@321snoot]

@@michaelvronsky2013 No pun intended, but the loss of Len Bias was a killer for the Celtics. Red Auerbach knew exactly what he had when he drafted Bias. As a Celtics fan, that was a heartbreaker.

[@smokeyjoe795]

The 87 Lakers with Magic Johnson posting up and playing at Larry Bird's level would probably have beaten Boston with a healthy Bill Walton. They acquired Mycal Thompson to back up Kareem and cover Kevin McHale in the post.

[@bclr100]

McHale had a broken foot in 87 too. Would have been a great seven game series with Walton and McHale healthy that unfortunately never was.

[@MrJtmendoza180]

It is such a joy to watch a healthy Bill Walton dominate on the defensive end.

[@larrysullivan8890]

Joseph....he fed off the energy of that entire team and was a great contributor.

[@Amick44]

@@larrysullivan8890 and vice versa

[@tonyrex6439]

laker fan here... that 86 celtic was scary, definetly their best team of the 80s.... sixers fo fo fo, was awesome in the playoffs but this might be the greatest team ive ever seen for one year.... kinda like 85 bears sometimes its just your year

[@marzilyas]

Walton tearing shit up

[@mikedemoss9953]

Bill Walton was a BEAST!

[@alexandervillagran3621]

Yes, he was, but he was no Kareem Abdul Jabbar, together with Wilt Chamberlain the greatest centers to every play NBA basketball.

[@Mrd9960]

​@@alexandervillagran3621Well stat wise he wasn't but if healthy, he would have put up huge numbers, but the story of his whole career is that he was always injured, so he never had that opportunity.

[@davidallenspeaks9548]

Walton when healthy was a great center. 7 block ? Damn

[@Dbusdriver71]

He hadn't played this well since he was with Portland and that was several years prior. Walton really did out rebound Kareem. It was an impressive win back in the day. No one was gonna beat the Celtics that year and that is the way it felt that year.

[@aramhamparian9641]

No injuries Walton would be the GOAT center...

[@philiphyman2923]

Walton didn't suck

[@bapakhammad]

I love how Walton played the.

[@cards1985]

I can't see Cleveland or Golden State beating either of these great teams.

[@stevebaker2457]

O

[@dalethomas2434]

No way Boston players on The Who could start on other teams Boston had 5 players who could come in and play forward

[@nicholasturner7931]

I’m with ya, they would’ve ground them to dust.

[@humblebeginnings8328]

Not a chance in hell.

[@DanielF892]

Yeah but Cleveland and golden state would lose because they couldn’t get it up half court without traveling.

[@michaelfrankel8037]

Look at all the mid range jump shots and how well the ball moved without all the isolation dribbling of today.The players were multi skilled and had high basketball IQ compared to most players of today.Great footage thnxs for the memories.

[@dater58]

Greatest team of all time

[@alexandervillagran3621]

Los Angeles Lakers of 1985 and 1987 were bette and the greatest teams of all time.

[@321snoot]

Absolutely!

[@jjs777fzr]

Am I really watching a game from 30 years ago and cheering loudly when the C's score? Especially nice to see Walton making his presence known to Kareem. Walton was a big guy back in those days.

[@Amick44]

Yeah and you shoulda' seen him at Portland for those 2 years.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

The 1987 Los Angeles Lakers were the most balance team of all time.

[@robmckrobmck5567]

@@Amick44 a 70--15 with a ring stretch of continuity in which his intangibles were equal to any of the great sportsmen in any team sport, elevating him, however briefly, to equal to the very best, at any position, in NBA history

[@wmden1]

It just now came to me that Boston's bench, with a healthy Bill Walton, was very close to championship caliber its self, especially if you stirred in a Dennis Johnson, Bird, McHale, Ainge, or Parish, once in a while. Also, young folks, notice the great passing, and unselfishness, of the super stars, and the close to the basket play of the big men. This was real, as intended, basketball, at its best, from both teams. I sure miss it now days.

[@elnardowebster2842]

Bird hits from 18, Russel says "nice layup" LOL

[@jwim3969]

The best team I’ve ever watched!

[@ronaldclatterbuck5953]

Me too.....Right on

[@nymike06]

Lakers vs Celtics in the 80's was the best NBA Matchup. 1986 Celtics are arguably the best NBA ever. Bill Walton had one heck of a game.

[@jjs777fzr]

The best matchup - rivalry was Celtics vs Sixers in the early 80’s. The Lakers rivalry was great but of you listen to Bird it was the Sixers that was really intense. The Celtics would meet the Sixers more often. So the battle was intense. What C’s fan doesn’t remember the Boston Strangler aka Andrew Tony. Put up the Sixers vs Celtics on the big screen and it will pack the house.

[@nymike06]

@@jjs777fzr I watched it during the 80's. It was an incredible rivalry. Andrew Toney was one great player. I got to meet him once before a Knicks vs Sixers game. I can re-watch Sixers vs Celtics anytime. and do so with enjoyment.

[@Amick44]

@@jjs777fzr Celts had NO answer for Toney til they got DJ. Unfotunately 4 Philly, Toney got injured soon afterward.

[@wmden1]

@@jjs777fzr I was just going to say the name, Andrew Tony. Yep, he was bad news.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

Except they were unable to beat the 1985 or 1987 Los Angeles Lakers.

[@ChosenOne-jk6go]

Walton was awesome, he made a great 6th man!!! Those were the days and if you didn’t get to see them play live, you really missed out!!!

[@jonb6531]

Bill Walton is unconsious in this game.

[@skippyjunior2744]

Yeah....smoked too much hippie lettuce before the game....slept right thru it.

[@eyesopen5547]

This team could have fielded 5 white dudes, C Walton, PF McHale, SF Bird, SG Ainge, PG Schisting and won.

[@federalcontraband]

eyes open 5 you are completely undervaluing what Dennis Johnson meant to this team. Major part. There’s a reason bird called him the best player he ever played with. I understand your point, and maybe this has no relevance to topic at hand.. but I felt obligated to appreciate dennis whenever I get the chance

[@cflo1386]

It's sad to see how great Walton was when healthy only because if he would've stayed healthy he definitely would've been a top five all time center.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

You are close, when healthy Walton was the sixth greatest center of all time. Behind Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, Olajuwon and O' Neal.

[@dwartfarquart9590]

Maybe the biggest "what if" ever. He was a machine when he was healthy.

[@robmckrobmck5567]

Walton spearheaded a 70--15, one ring run over parts of two seasons when parity ruled the day so the league had no 60 win teams. He led the NBA in blocks and rebs, won a finals and reg season MVP trophy. But it was during that stretch of continuity that his intangibles proved immeasurable making his play equal to the very best at any position in league history

[@teofemo7000]

Top 5 alltime player perhaps.

[@teofemo7000]

​@@alexandervillagran3621At his best he was on par with all those guys.

[@edwardyoung522]

Watching Walton get his groove back brought a tear to my eyes.

[@teofemo7000]

If anyone deserved it Walton did. Everything he had been through with injury, misdiagnosed, the trust that was lost in Portland. Some accused Bill of not being tough or wanting to play. Nobody wanted to play ball more than Bill. 1986 was a testement to his determination and love of the game.

[@danielsullivan9123]

A healthy Bill Walton in big games was a joy to watch, big time defense and clutch shooting and rebounding, todays big men should watch and take notes, just don't stay still near the 3 point line

[@bowtieguy377]

When Bill Walton was even half-healthy, he could play with the very best of them.

[@markhildebrand2417]

I totally agree. He had more talent than any center ever! He just didn't have the healthy bone structure in his feet.

[@Amick44]

Absolutely. Height, good, if not great athleticism, court awareness & vision of a G or a FEW SF's. And the mindset to protect the hoop & grab boards.

[@wmden1]

You've got that right.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

Bill Walton was the greatest center I ever saw play basketball. He was the greatest passer and most fundamentally sound big man ever.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

+Greenwolfe Green Yes, in his prime, he was one of the all time centers, but I saw other centers, who were just as fundamentally sound and much better offensively. Walton great weakness were his average offensive skills. Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, Malone, Olajuwon, and O'Neil were greater players in their prime.

[@elnardowebster2842]

+Alexander Villagran now Russel better offensively than Walton must be a mistype.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

+Elnardo Webster You have a good point, they were equals as offensive players, but I would not say Walton was better than Russell as an offensive force and vice versa.

[@elnardowebster2842]

Alexander Villagran You clearly have never seen Bill Walton play in college or during his first years as a pro. And if you did, well, I guess you were not paying attention properly :)))

[@alexandervillagran3621]

I am from L.A., I saw Walton play at UCLA when I was in middle school. He was a great college center and a great center at Portland for the few years he was healthy. But, I maintain my position, there were five perhaps six centers in NBA history, who were better than him. Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, Olajuwon, O'Neal and perhaps Moses Malone. Walton was not a great offensive force, he was okay but not above average. His game was passing, rebounding and defense which were all definitely above average and made him a great center, but not the best of all time. Perhaps you should research or ask some of the old timer about Russell, Chamberlain and Jabbar. Best wishes.

[@dcowboys1214]

The 86’ Celtics , the best Celtics team ever put together, nothing but hall of famers

[@steverenom.299]

Not only Walton coming off the bench but an all-star like Scotty Wedman too. Greatest team of all time. But in a playoff series do not ever count out a team with Bill Russell. 3 years college (freshman could not play) 2 championships. 1 Olympics, 1 Gold Medal. 13 NBA seasons, 11 Championships. Knew it's a team game and played accordingly. Aurebach had promised him he would never mention points scored when negotiating contracts with him. Russell has to be the greatest team player of all time.

[@gregsgetawaychannel7141]

U mean the best NBA team ever!!

[@kenwilliams3208]

The '85-"86 Celtics were the best NBA team.... ever.

[@gregsgetawaychannel7141]

@@kenwilliams3208 Yes they were!!

[@Amick44]

Great players who played well TOGETHER!

[@ackmino]

Most balanced team I have ever seen and they were all healthy. The bench players were phenomenal. They kept Walton healthy all year and nobody was going to touch this team in the playoffs. They could play any style of basketball.

[@daveverplank]

One of the best seasons of all time. Walton was a beast in this game.

[@christiankeil7845]

When Walton was on the court there were no easy layups and that passing, just wow. Insane frontcourt

[@alexandervillagran3621]

By 1986 Bill Walton could no longer jump over a quarter. He was way past his prime. Jabbar and Thompson were a better combination than Parrish and Walton. Even at 39 years of age Jabbar was better than either Walton or Parrish. That is a fact.

[@hikerdog8562]

⁠@@alexandervillagran3621Jabbar and Thompson were a better combination than Parish and Walton? What the hell are you smoking?😂😅

[@alexandervillagran3621]

@@hikerdog8562 The same thing you are smoking your distorted view of the Parish/Walton combination. Jabbar/Thompson were a better combination, and Jabbar more effective than any of them even at the advance ages of 38 and 40.

[@hikerdog8562]

@@alexandervillagran3621 Calm down cupcake😉

[@alexandervillagran3621]

@@hikerdog8562 ditto cream puff.

[@larrywize]

Birds passing is what's unbelievable

[@TorresinhoLFC]

Healthy BIll Walton was a beat. Imagine him in his prime along side already the best front court ever...

[@fiatvoluntastua9183]

Top Skills Now imagine if Len Bias hadn’t died.

[@mikegillins4992]

Bill Walton was spectacular in this game and really all year...only one lost at home the entire season even surviving Jordan 63 point game in the playoffs...their is a reason why KC jones called this team the best in Celtic history!!!

[@michaelburke5907]

I think Walton won the 6th man award, yes?

[@mikegillins4992]

@@michaelburke5907 Walton won 6th man and bird took home his 3rd straight league MVP

[@johnwhite2576]

Best in Celtic history ? He’ll GOAT..beat a Laker team with magic Kareem worthy Nixon Lucas (ie one of the two best Laker teams along with the west/Wilt championship team)

[@gregsgetawaychannel7141]

The 85 - 86 Celtics were the best team ever!!! And a healthy Larry Bird was the true GOAT!!

[@alexandervillagran3621]

The Los Angeles Lakers of 1985 and 1987 were the greatest NBA teams of all time

[@alexandervillagran3621]

Larry Bird was truly one of the top six players of all time but he was not the GOAT.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

@Sheha Nagaraj The Lakers beat the Celtics twice. The Celtics were not better than either the 85 or 87 Lakers, the greatest teams in NBA history. I have a simple question for you, who beat the better team in the NBA finals, the Lakers in 1985 and 1987 or the 1986 Celtics? The 1986 Celtics were not off the chart that is a big myth.

[@Jbf-76]

@@alexandervillagran3621 Lmao... K guy...

[@alexandervillagran3621]

The 1985 and 1987 Lakers were the greatest teams of all time. They beat the 1986 Celtics.

[@TheJMSESQ]

I'm a Knicks fan but that '86 Celtics team, playing in a tough NBA before expansion watered it down, is the best single season NBA team I've ever seen. No disrespect to the 72 win Bulls team or this year's Warriors intended, but it just wasn't the same NBA.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

They were fortunate that the Lakers had a transition year in 1986. When you lose in between, I would say they were fortunate that the pieces fell into place for them in 1986. But, certainly not the best single season of all time.

[@TheJMSESQ]

+Alexander Villagran I would submit the lakers were fortunate that Walton & McHale were injured for the '87 finals but we can go back n forth w that argument w/o getting anywhere. Why don't u tell me what single season team was better than the '86 Celtics?

[@alexandervillagran3621]

The records show Walton and McHale played in the 1987 Finals. The only player from the 1986, who did not play because of injuries was Scott Wedman. By the end of the NBA season every player in the league has some type of injury. In short, it is an old myth perpetuated by the east coast media. What was the Celtics excuse in 1985?

[@TheJMSESQ]

+Alexander Villagran if memory serves McHale played the last 2 games on what was later diagnosed as a broken ankle which sidelined him for much of the next season. Bill Walton played a total of 24 minutes of the '87 finals and had zero impact. No excuses for '85, lakers were a better team. For one season, however, the Celtics played as well as any team I've ever seen. The ball movement and continuity was unmatched. Walton had a renaissance season and clearly that was the piece of the puzzle that was missing in '87. Clearly, the Lakers were the best team of that decade. Not even worth arguing. My statement was limited to the '86 season.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

The 1986 Celtics were a great team, but not the best. As a defensive team they poor and ordinary at best. Their passing was excellent namely because of Bird, Walton and DJ. And, they possessed the best front court in NBA History. The Lakers had an excellent front court, not quite the equal of the Celtics because of Rambis and Green, but able to compete with them. Where there was a significant difference was the back court Johnson/Scott had a decisive edge over DJ/Ainge. And those are just the starters, what are your thoughts?

[@BasketballJones48021]

Probably the greatest team of all-time. Great upload.

[@couldbe8348]

SPurs 2014

[@tombstone1111]

BS. 86 Boston over 14 Spurs in 5. Who's gonna stop Bird, McHale, Parish, Wedman and Walton on the 14 Spurs? Total mismatch and I do consider the 2014 Spurs a great team, just not on the same universe as 86 Boston. If you think so, you weren't alive in 86 to see the utter dominance and excellence of the Celtics.

[@LeoWhalen1933]

Spurs 14 team wasn't even the best Spurs team...

[@mercuryrising2424]

I'd like to see the 85-86 Celtics vs. the 82-83 Sixers.

[@Amick44]

@@tombstone1111 They sure had a lot a' weapons. In starting lineup and off the bench. Detroit a few yrs later, did too.

[@dutchtea8354]

Walton & Bird were just having fun out there.

[@jamesstroud8833]

Bill Walton was a big part of the 86 Celtics championship. A pleasure to watch him play.

[@321snoot]

You bet. Every time he came off the bench during the finals you could see how how pumped he was, and couldn't wait to get on the floor and kick ass - which he did!

[@Mrd9960]

What a game by Bill Walton, he was pumped up for this!

[@YanusDV]

this is a joy to watch

[@derrickpfeil528]

Best team ever!

[@georgewagner2352]

Some very uninformed people on here have posted that the 1986 Celtics were not a good defensive team. The 1986 Celtics were a GREAT defensive team. They were 1st in Defensive Rating, 1st in Defensive rebounds, 3rd in points against, 4th in blocks and 1st in Opp FG% (holding the opposing team to a low shooting %). Opp FG% is much more important than steals.

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

"Some very uninformed people on here have posted that the 1986 Celtics were not a good defensive team." Perhaps they read too much into MJ getting 63 in game 2 of 86.

[@georgewagner2352]

@@NameCallingIsWeakThat’s just 1 game. In game 3, the very next game, the Celtics held your airness to only 5 points in the second half and 19 for the game. Well below his season avg. BTW, if you know any of the history behind that series, the Celtics were letting MJ score. It is well documented by McHale and others that they knew (at this point in MJ’s career) that MJ would NOT pass and would hog all the shots. That was the philosophy going into the series. Boston wanted to conserve energy knowing they had 3 more teams to beat to win the title. However, the media pissed them off by ONLY talking about Jordan and not about how the Celtics won the game (and game 1). The Celts then decided to put the clamps on in game 3, IN CHICAGO and blew out MJ by 20 points. PLEASE watch game 3 on you tube, and you’ll see the difference in their TEAM DEFENSIVE strategy. This was the game that the “Bad Boys” got their philosophy from. Also, for the series the Bulls shot 46% FG and 25% 3PFG%, well below their season averages. Yeah, so the 1986 were a GREAT defensive team. They played 100 games in that season and you’re going to use 1 game to try and act is if they weren’t a great defensive team? Typical MJ worshipper. BTW, the next year, when they were injured and fatigued they held MJ to even WORSE numbers and swept him again and closed him out IN CHICAGO again.

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

@@georgewagner2352 No sir I'm not an MJ worshipper. I wish I could show you my comments history. I'm the one who tells people that MJ was a "dwarf bully" since Reggie Lewis at 6'7" once blocked MJ **4** times in one game. MJ was a great scorer with stupendous athleticism, but unlike Bird, Pippen, Magic, Bill Russell and a few others who NEVER played on a bad team, MJ played on quite a few. Why? Since someone like Bird with 20/10/10 is a BIG help for a team to WIN. Thanks for the history lesson. When I have some time I'll check out Chicago/Boston Game 3 1986. I heard "Dennis Johnson and a few prudent double teams" did a lot to stop MJ in that game, and I'm glad to hear confirmation from you. The Lord Jesus bless you richly and abundantly.

[@georgewagner2352]

@@NameCallingIsWeak Thanks.

[@larrywize]

Danny Ainge was an underrated jump shooter

[@danielbarbera-tt4wz]

I am happy that Bill Walton had a chance to play on the greatest team of all time with the greatest player of all time!!!!!🏀☘️

[@ireneduke5022]

After injuries, it is very difficult for the body to heal and eventually takes its toll on the player's. I'm thankful I lived in the era to see one of the greatest teams to EVER play. I was young and in college but vaguely missed a Boston game. THANKS CELTICS FOR ALL THAT YALL GAVE TO YOUR FANS. It is priceless.

[@Solrac1424]

walton owned Kareem and mcgee on that game.

[@celticsarebest]

I wish the Lakers made the finals that year so we could seem them get beat like this instead of the Rockets.

[@Solrac1424]

i hear you man, I wish the Celtics would've crushed the lakers that year

[@Mrd9960]

@@Solrac1424 Yeah me too, the Lakers would have had no chance, maybe they would have won 1 game.

[@IvoryNerva]

Lol at Bill Russell saying "nice layup" when Bird hits the wide-open 20 footer. That was Russell doing the color for that game, right? Pretty distinctive voice.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

I was glad that Walton got to play that 1986 year with the Celtics. Anybody who watches any of those games posted here on KZbin gets to see what a great magnificent center he was. A lot of people will dispute this but in my opinion he was the greatest center of all time. He could dominate anyone.

[@MrBruinman86]

+Greenwolfe Green It was really a bummer as a celtics fan to see him go down with injury in '87. Had they been able to stay healthy, no doubt the '87 team could have repeated against the Lakers. Man, I miss that team.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

+Greenwolfe Green The 1986 Bill Walton was way past his prime. Again, Russell, Chamberlain, Jabbar, Malone, Olajuwon, and O'Neil were greater players in their prime.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

+Alexander Villagran ....The truth is, that no one ever got to see how great Walton was offensively. He was a tremendous shooter but few people saw him at his greatest. For that, you have to see some of his play in college.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

+Greenwolfe Green But, remember in his prime he was dominated by Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Give credit where credit it due. Jabbar was a greater center, Just ask Bill Walton himself.

[@alexandervillagran3621]

+Greenwolfe Green Walton had average offensive skills even in his prime. He had great passing and defensive skills and was a very good rebounder, but his offensive were not close to those of Jabbar, Chamberlain, Malone, O'Neil, Olajuwon or even George Mikan.

[@Jim_L]

Walton had such incredible talent. What a shot blocker. He was quite literally playing with two defective knees and two defective feet. They were structurally unsound (he talks about that in his autobiography). So just think how much better he probably could have been if he had two normal legs to work with. Amazing! 👍

[@kellygreen3888]

the best part about this video is the look on GREG KITES face when BILL WALTON comes out of the game after making like 5 or 6 blocks , clinches his fist and mouths the word ....LETS GO ! LOL LOVE IT

[@WayneBriggs]

Bill Walton, for me, gets the All Time "Biggest Kid" in the History of the NBA. The way Walton played and his genuine passion for the game along with his sincere grateful nature for the game is second to none. Especially so, when he got with the Celtics, his favourite team and organization. By the way, Jerry Sichting wasn't no joke on the jumpers.🤠

[@chriswarrick6538]

Had Bias lived, Celtics repeat in 87. As good as the 87 Lackers were, the injured Celtics gave them a rough time. The Celtics were in command of game 6 until they just ran out of gas due to extended minutes.

[@artboston4787]

Wow Kevin McHale was great!

[@irishgrl]

I NEVER watched b-ball UNLESS it was the Celtics with Larry Legend.

[@markquick3332]

People Forget Walton won a Championship with Portland before joining the Celtics.

[@robertjohnson4401]

Kareem learned in this game why their college coach John Wooden considered Walton the best center he ever coached. Walton dominates on both offense and defense.

[@PorkTips]

Bill Walton had 7 blocks in 16 minutes in this game. That’s absurd

[@jinpaloalto]

Man, Walton was dominating

[@ltrenum]

Outrageous amount of all-time great talent on the court, both sides, but nobody has ever been better than the 86 Celtics. So many different ways to beat you.

[@JD-zd8tm]

You'll never see basketball like this again ...ever. So many great players ,future HOF's ,MVP's and just great overall team effort playing defense as well as the competition itself . The Cavs and Warriors wouldn't get out of the first round back then .

[@steveclapper5424]

There are a lot of HOFer's on that court.

[@ChristianCentury2000]

The 1985-86 NBA season was special! That would be the last time that Larry Bird would enjoy an NBA World Championship season. He would earn three titles during his NBA career. Boston's 16 banner would be so special! Watched my first NBA basketball game on television in late December 1979. The Seattle Supersonics were defending World Champions and they were playing the Portland Trailblazers when I was watching the game on television. They had a great coach in Lenny Wilkens. They had a great team in: Dennis Johnson, Vinnie Johnson, John Johnson, Gus Williams, Downtown Freddy Brown, Jack Sikma, Paul Silas, Wally Walker, James Bailey, Lonnie Shelton, Tom LaGuarde. I think they were on track to winning back to back championships but they ran into one of the greatest NBA starters in history, the original fab five: Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jamal Wilkes, and Norm Nixon. That starting line up was formidable even against the spectacular Julius Erving and his crew in Philadelphia! Had Magic and company not stood in the way, I think the 1980 NBA Finals would have been a thrilling 7 game series between Seattle and Philadelphia. LA was just too magical. They were so good that I learned the names of all the fab five starters by the end of the Western Conference Finals. The most dominating starter was Kareem Abdul Jabbar. I noticed that he did four major things very well: rebound, slam dunk, sky hook, and block shots. He kept doing those four things till Seattle lost their title in 1980. He'd do that again in 1985 and 1987 against Boston. Kareem was most definitely one of the best ever. Even Wilt Chamberlain said of Kareem, that for the first time in his career, he needed help when he faced Kareem! The 1979-80 NBA season was the rookie year for two franchise players: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson! Those two players would transform the NBA! They were magnificent in the NBA, just as Joe Montana was in the NFL, and Wayne Gretsky was in the NHL! Bird went to Boston. Magic went to LA. Both teams were ripe for dynasty. LA Lakers would win 5 titles in the 1980s. Boston Celtics would earn 3 titles, and Detroit and Philadelphia would each get a title during the 1980s. The music of the 1980s and the sports events and personalities of that decade were as unique and special as the President we had during most of the 1980s. The miracle at Lake Placid which happened in February 1980, sparked off an indelible decade of athletic excellence!

[@jefflawver971]

I was so happy for Walton that year. Was able to play night in and night out all season. Of course he showed what he could do. Made a championship caliber team even better. I'd put that team up against any in NBA history.

[@stevekyhos8358]

That big ol redhead could play!

[@h0gwartz]

such a shame that Bill Walton was healthy for only brief periods in his career but what a joy to watch when he was

[@libertydrive4388]

Walton was the difference maker in '86. He took them from a great team to a legendary team.

[@rmcfete]

Don’t belittle Gary S

[@davidholcomb7897]

I wish the Lakers could have made it to the finals that year too it would have made it even better for Larry to have beaten his great rival Magic once more but the Lakers could not get past the Rockets.

[@jps101574]

It certainly would have been a better Finals, but I don't think it would have been a certain win for the Celtics. They were certainly the best team ever in a half court set. A real joy to watch. But that '86 team wasn't bullet proof. They had one weakness: team speed. The Lakers still would have caused Boston problems in the open floor. Enough to beat Boston in a sever game series? We will never know. Remember, Magic played both regular season games vs Boston in '86 with an injured knee slowing the Lakers fast break and forcing them to play a half court style which obviously favored Boston.

[@Mrd9960]

@@jps101574 I don't think it would have mattered, i mean they didn't deserve to make it to the finals because they weren't good enough, they lost to Houston 4-1, no excuses, i mean they flat out got beat, so they didn't deserve it, maybe if they lost in 7 games and if that fluky tip in was in game 7, then i could see it being lucky, but they lost 4-1.

[@jps101574]

@@Mrd9960Maybe. But remember the last 3 games of that series were very close. Heck, the Rockets never lead at any point in game 5. I'm not saying the Lakers were better than either Houston or Boston, but I think the Lakers would have matched up better vs Boston than Houston did. Houston had no backcourt to exploit Boston's only real weakness. The Lakers did.

[@denisepink8794]

Walton had the eye of the tiger fir this game.

[@bigone4311]

man Walton was a beast. Boston was so lucky to have a HOFer center to back up another HOFer.

[@euroamerican5189]

The 86 Celtics were the best team in the history of the league.

[@MerkinMuffly]

If McHale wasn't on a broken foot, Parish on two high ankle sprains and Walton was healthy and not on the bench, Celtics would have beaten the Lakers in 87. They did after all win two games (3 if refs hadn't given LA game 4, LA shot 32 FTs, BOS only 16 FTs). You have to ask yourself, how many games would LA have won in 87 if Kareem was on a broken foot, Worthy on two high ankle sprains and Mychal Thompson sat the bench? Maybe one game?

[@josecarranza7555]

Every team goes through injuries. A healthy Walton wouldn’t have beaten the 1987 Lakers. Lakers were too good.

[@josecarranza7555]

If, if, if... LMAO 🤣

[@humblebeginnings8328]

Damn Walton was a beast. Had no idea.

[@insanusmaximus2857]

Watching Bill Walton on that Celtics team was just a joy. Whether he was making the most of every minute he played, or cheering on his teammates from the bench, he savored every possible moment.

[@Amick44]

Absolutely, Merkin. LA didn't have to deal with key injuries to stars. And that year (86) Boston had a real bench with Walton, Wedman and Sichting. Not so much following years.

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

Injuries are always part of the game. Ask the 89 and 91 Lakers, the 87 Celtics, the 90 Clippers, ...

[@lisztme6001]

Actually the Lakers dealt w MAJOR injuries in at least two finals. (Just not against the Celtics.) 1980 against Philly, when Magic replaced Kareem at center in Game 6. 1989 against Detroit, when half the team went down...

[@paulazzar8936]

Larry Bird tore the lakers apart in every which way you can imagine. He could everything almost as well as any player can do one single thing. One of a kind, GOAT.

[@TonyinMBSC8669]

Think about how good this team would have been in 87 with the addition of 6'9" Len Bias. That guy was talented like Jordan but taller. Bird statistically had his best season in 86-87 and 87-88. With Bias they may have also won championships in those two years.

[@celticsarebest]

That's the truth.Thay would have competed more against the Pistons in late 1980s

[@KHayes666]

+Edward Anthony Leone If Len Bias never died, the bad boy Pistons would have been a footnote like the 80's Bucks

[@TonyinMBSC8669]

***** I have to agree. Statistically Bird had his best 2 seasons in 86/87 & 87/88. Having Bias coming off the bench to rest Bird/McHale and anchor the 2nd unit would have been incredible. Larry told Auerbach that if they got Bias he was going to rookie camp. Imagine how much better Bias would have gotten working with Larry everyday! I believe that the Celtics would have beat the Pistons and Lakers for the title had he not died. Tragic!

[@KHayes666]

Edward Anthony Leone Another thing people don't realize, is how they lost Walton for 87. While practicing with Parish in training camp, he broke his wrist. While he was recovering from the wrist, Walton was riding a stationary bike for HOURS at a time...breaking his foot. What if Walton was practicing with Bias, or Parish was practicing with Bias and Walton doesn't break his foot? Bias could have extended the careers of Bird, McHale and Walton.

[@davidholcomb9393]

Yea Boston and pro basketball lost out to a great career of Len Bias. What a shame. I think the Celtics compete for more titles had he lived.

[@donniepate7313]

The 86 Celtics greatest team ever

[@MikeJones-rk1un]

I would love to see this inside dominant Celtic team play any team from today's NBA. It would be fascinating.

[@twobeer3316]

These two teams were forces of nature. If the game was still played this way, I'd be watching...

[@fiatvoluntastua9183]

3:05. Larry Joe doing what he does best.

[@jjs777fzr]

Hey kids...that’s Bill Walton. Walton > Kareem and thats no joke. If it weren’t for injuries. I think Walton still holds records over Kareem in pre-NBA stats.

[@steveclapper5424]

He had an Indian summer at the end of career. this team gave a master class on how to pass a basket ball.

[@TRJ2241987]

It was always Bill Walton's dream to play against Kareem in the NBA Finals and prove he could outplay him. I've always felt a little bad for Bill that the opportunity was missed in 1986 & 1987. He honestly could have done it.

[@Mrd9960]

@@TRJ2241987 He did play a little in the 87 finals, not alot though.

[@charlesgaboton]

DJ crossed the shit out of Magic w/ a side of a bucket at 3:27

[@Amick44]

DJ was quite an underrated offensive player. He wasn't Westphal, Thompson or Magic. But he gave them fits as well. And none of them were even close to him defensively.

[@williamgallucci9913]

Just incredible to watch these two talented teams play one another missing this

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

BILL WALTON was the greatest center in basketball history. Nothing more need be said.

[@scottstewart5784]

86 Celts 50-1 at home. 15-3 overall in the playoffs. Whose gonna beat them in 7? Walton and Parish seven footers. McHale at 6-11 but with arms like he's 7-11. Bird a legit 6-9 1/2. All can run the floor. Throw in DJ and Ainge, and role payers like Schichting and Wedman, who can shoot lights out.

[@josearturogarciamontes2509]

Wooow Super Team Celtics 86. The Best!!!!!

[@borrelnoot1810]

Best channel ever !

[@jonquist7089]

Notice how often the Celtics use a double pass.

[@johannesswillery7855]

Walton had two healthy seasons in his career. And won titles both times.

[@arciefan]

Parish said when Walton was feeling good , there wasn't gonna be any layups.

[@michaeln.2383]

It looked like the Lakers were guarding McHale closely and leaving Bird open after the '85 Finals.

[@ppumpkin3282]

I loved that team.

[@rosrebel]

Watching these teams play shows up the crap that’s being played today ....all facets of the game .,,athleticism , teamwork , defense ,,passing shooting ....in my mind the golden era of the nba was the80s .....Lakers , Celtics , 76ers , pistons ....teams that played as teams loaded with hall of famers ...

[@ezsmith3765]

Walton with SEVEN freaking blocks ??? 😳😳

[@mbrawthen]

1986 Boston Celtics the GOAT Team …Greatest Of All Time‼️🎯

[@CLewey44]

No doubt, had LA not folded in the conference finals in 86, the LA/Boston series in the Finals would be 2-2. And if Mchale hadn't botched a routine missed free throw rebound at the end of game 4 of the following year, who knows what would have happened. That was supposed to be Bird's moment, not Magic's. There would have been an 87 Finals game 7 and who knows what would have happened.

[@gffpau]

it was either a foul on thompson over mchales back or boston ball . the celtics got jerked by david stern's refs

[@Mrd9960]

@@gffpau Yeah same type of thing happened in Dec of 1986, with the Lakers at the Celtics, they gave the Lakers a timeout when they didn't even possess the ball, it was a Danny Ainge missed free throw, then Magic hit that last second shot, the refs were mostly in favor of the Lakers, i don't know why.

[@gffpau]

@@Mrd9960 the answer is that the celtics were too white for white hating david stern

[@tonyrex6439]

lakers BLEW 1984 be grateful you got that one... lakers were the better team of the 80s live in facts

[@Mrd9960]

@@tonyrex6439 That's BS! The Lakers were not the better team in 1984, they had 7 games to win 4 and they won 3, had plenty of chances in those games, the best team always wins, the Celtics outrebounded, outmuscled and simply outplayed the Lakers, plain and simple!

[@peterfilardo9380]

Had Walton arrived a year earlier and remained healthy, the Celtics would probably have won the NBA Championship from 1984 to 1989 or 1990. This team was just too good for the Lakers to handle, and they never did acquire, during this era, the outstanding power forward which could have made them the better team.

[@marksheppard6498]

I love his all these Celtics post are from games on their home court when they won the game. That was sarcasm!

[@andybilakshow260]

Look at Walton... He's in Celtic heaven👼

[@trysometenderness7466]

Tell me there was a better team than the 86 Celtics!

[@ahalfelven1]

Other than Magic, Bill Walton was the only other NBA player that was ALWAYS an immediate threat when he took a defensive rebound under his own board.. He was always eyes-up-court to find the fast break or to make a deadly accurate full court "snowbird" pass for two points.

[@ericmol2614]

As a kid in the 80s I kept on seeing that guy on the bench and wondered what he did and why was he there. I never remember him playing game after game. I hardly ever saw him play at all until now. He had some pretty big blocks there. Pistol Pete was there. This was a good team.