Wilt vs Butch Van Breda Kolff

Player coach obvious dislike.

[@bordertown]

Butch was obviously watching a different game than everyone else. He said they were playing better without Wilt? In that 4th quarter the Lakers with Wilt shaved 10 points off a 17 point lead, Russell and Havlicek drew their fifth fouls and Sam Jones fouled out (all on plays involving Wilt), and they committed only 1 turnover. After Wilt leaves the game the Lakers went cold after 6 points, couldn't foul out anyone, and then committed 8 turnovers. So no, they obviously weren't playing better without Wilt. And even after that Butch still refused to put Wilt back in. Dumbest coaching decision ever.

[@patrickgray5633]

The most dominant force in the history of basketball & you leave him on the bench. Totally stupid & he was rightfully fired.

[@franknberry6397]

Damn shame!

[@surfrunnerd8457]

Should have been the 3rd championship in Wilt's career.

[@radar0412]

I didn't know until just now that Wilt asked to go back in the game. Which makes that a top ranked coaching Blunder of Alltime.

[@tunanorth]

@@radar0412 I was AT the game, and was sitting close enough to see Wilt arguing vehemently to be put back in!

[@tunanorth]

I was AT that game 7 in 1969, sitting close enough to see Wilt arguing vehemently with VBK to be put back in [we could not hear them of course]. Years later, when VBK passed away, his obituary in the LA Times read: "He Benched Wilt".

[@88smjls]

A great coach understands the psychological aspect and how to communicate.

[@Amick44]

Which is why he quickly became their ex coach.

[@choward5430]

Russell was not only DONE, he had five fouls. Sam Jones had already fouled out. All the Lakers had to do was go to Chamberlain down low. Russell wouldn't have challenged him. The other thing I noticed is the Lakers played dumb basketball. Boston played smart basketball.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

1:13 Controls, no - but Wilt DID listen to Alex when he was with the 76ers and did do a lot of what Alex wanted him to do. Could it be that Alex having been the last coach to beat the Celtics in a Finals series (and the ONLY one to beat the Russell-era Celtics) had a bit of input into Wilt's thinking?

[@bobbest1611]

van breda kolff left the next year. new coach (bill sharman). lakers win 33 straight games and championship. enough said.

[@TL2354]

That wasn’t until 1971-72 season

[@Amick44]

@@TL2354 I think Joe Mullaney replaced VBK. Then Sharman afterward.

[@Thedearster]

As a Celtics fan, thanks Butch! 🤣

[@CoachJCYOBB]

That quote about how nobody can control wilt wasn’t the full story. He also said “I am not a thing I am a person. You handle things; you work with people; I think I can work with anyone. This quote was so significant that John Wooden who was present at that press conference actually went back and edited every quote from his newly published book Practical Modern Basketball from “handling your players” to working with your players” Butch was unfit to be coaching adults much less a team of the Lakers caliber. If you can’t coach without talking down to your players then you have no business in professional basketball.

[@tylerhall9412]

they would've won if he put Wilt back in. lol

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

Tyler hall “. When van Breda Kolff took Chamberlain out, he switched Counts to center, and by playing the pivot Counts freed up the middle, allowing Baylor to return to his trademark driving game. The substitution made the entire team click, all five men playing in the zone, and they suddenly resembled the fluid, rhythmic Lakers of previous years. In late-season games, with Chamberlain on the bench and Counts in the pivot, the Lakers managed to make up eighteen points against Phoenix and fifteen points against Baltimore. The players loved it and so did the fans.” Excerpt From The Rivalry John Taylor

[@tylerhall9412]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 Yeah I guess that's why they were winning by like 18 points when Wilt came out and ended up losing the game by 2 because bradakoff didn't put him back in. That coach was a total jackass and a nobody, and him and Wilt never got along. Wilt's team wasn't very good, they go closer to winning with him taking all of the shots. Wilt is the greatest player of all time and Bill Russell is the greatest winner of all time. Facts, however Wilts 2 wins were incredible as well, and his teams always performed well even if they didn't make it through the playoffs. I definitely disagree with what that excerpt from the rivalry, and a few other things they say in it.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

Not a certainty, but with so many Celtics in foul trouble, Wilt in the game would have increased the odd of a Lakers win.

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@tylerhall9412 the Celtics were up by 9 when wilt came out. What are you talking about

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@bricefleckenstein9666 he was 4-13 in FT. He wasn’t guarding the screen and roll like Mel counts was which is was what cut into Boston’s scoring. The fourth quarter is on KZbin

[@DavidChen322]

What I don't get is: why didn't the Lakers go to Wilt every single time down the court. He could've fouled Russell out. Then all Lakers try to drive to the hoop.

[@patrickgray5633]

Very sad was the brilliant play of Jerry West scored a Triple Double in Game 7 to this day only man to win NBA Finals MVP from a team that lost the series.

[@nonamewillbegiven1217]

You're never gonna make the 8 team NBA 60s sound great old man

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

“. When van Breda Kolff took Chamberlain out, he switched Counts to center, and by playing the pivot Counts freed up the middle, allowing Baylor to return to his trademark driving game. The substitution made the entire team click, all five men playing in the zone, and they suddenly resembled the fluid, rhythmic Lakers of previous years. In late-season games, with Chamberlain on the bench and Counts in the pivot, the Lakers managed to make up eighteen points against Phoenix and fifteen points against Baltimore. The players loved it and so did the fans.” Excerpt From The Rivalry John Taylor

[@edbea2]

THEY LOST!!!

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@bricefleckenstein9666 the Celtics won in 68 4-2. Lakers get wilt for 30 cents on the dollar and lose the following year 4-3. 76ers finish with 55 wins their first year without Wilt

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 76ers still had *3* Future Hall of Fame players the year after Wilt left. It's not like him leaving the Warriors and Nate having to move from PF to Center as a result....

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@bricefleckenstein9666 in 1966 they took Celtics 7 games and lost by two with Leroy Ellis at center. In 69 same result but with Wilt and against Celtics being coached by Russell

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 The point is "lost" - and the Lakers weren't short on firepower themselves, with BAYLOR, WEST, and the crew that Wilt joined.

[@arravYT]

I love the suspense.