Sams' Celtics Forum Proudly Announces Vintage Celtics Game Video Time

[Sam]

I was rewatching my favorite Celtics game video, and I decided to google it just for kicks. Lo and behold, it showed up. Celtics vs. Cincinnati Royals in the fifth and deciding game of the Eastern Finals of 1965. It's in three separate Youtube segments, and I've listed the URL for each. It's presented in the form of a documentary, with some replays. Red Auerbach is "miked," so you can occasionally hear some of his comments. Unfortunately, they edited it into about half its original length (the original, which I have, shows virtually the entire game). Don't let the geek who's doing the announcing and quasi-instructionals bother you. He's William Schallert, the father in the old Patty Duke Television Show. The original does a great job of demonstrating the fast pace and has a tutorial on Russ blocking Oscar Robertson after being six feet behind him. Unfortunately, some of that stuff didn't make it to this edited version, which is also missing much of the frantic emotionality of the last five minutes. And it kind of peeves me that they omitted A LOT of Sam Jones and Larry Siegfried jumpers. But this is a lot better than nothing. You'll even hear the announcer mention that the Celts are getting into their "triangle" offense (referencing an earlier tutorial omitted from this edited version). And Red Auerbach is "miked" during game action, so you can hear some of his outbursts. The last video finishes with a pretty decent insight into why the Celtics are different. If anyone wishes (s)he owned the full-length version of this video, just email EdAgwit@aol.com and see what happens. I believe the title of this tape is something like "2006 The Final Game." Rather misnamed because it was only the final game of the Eastern Finals. And yes, toward the end, there's a white vertical line down the middle of the screen; can't be helped.

Here are the three URLs in order. Double-click on the video for zoom and hit Escape to return to the original size.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_h34wT3SHc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WUEf_dgdkY&NR=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYCVbZwoDy4

The second set of videos I found (also a series of three URLs) involves the Celtics-Lakers final of 1966. The most distinctive thing about this one is that the Celtics had the game well in hand, and Red had his cigar well in hand when the Lakers mounted a furious run in the last minute of play as the crowd overran the court and wouldn't give the Celtics enough room to pass the ball in. You'll have a glimpse of the Celtics weave. Also, on this tape, there's commentary from Sam Jones and Tom Sanders (obviously many years later). Same suggestion as above for someone who wishes (s)he owned the full-version of this video.

Here are the three URLs in order.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=OzFD11VsSJI
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=MTllM99ri04&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMCATfNqBmw&NR=1

Here's a URL that will allow you to watch Frank Selvy's missed shot in the 1962 Final game, about which there have been so many stories told.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IfZmHAgChM

And finally, here are three URLs showing the 4th quarter of the Balloon Game, Celtics @ Lakers, 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyYlq28YLWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp4v3a3-fHk&NR=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v04yqjjgb8

Enjoy. It's almost 3:00 a.m., but I'm going to watch the last video of the Royals game once more before retiring for the evening. It pumps me up nearly as much as the full-length version.

Sam

[bobc33]

Yet another of a multitude of reasons why this forum is awesome.

The 60s is the spot in my Celtic lore where I don't have first hand knowledge, so watching these will be great.

Thank you Sam.

[bobc33]

After watching the first two clips one thing hasn't changed. The camera still pans the crowd for good looking women.

[LACELTFAN]

Great stuff, thanks Sam. LACELTFAN

[dbrown4]

Sam,

It's like watching Duke Blue Devil/Coach K/Carolina defense. How come no teams in the NBA pick up the pressure in the backcourt today on every (heck, most) possession(s)? It easily takes 2-3 seconds more off the 24 especially if they pick up the dribble and since you only have 8 to get it over, some coach needs to figure that out and exploit it.

I remember our current Boston team(s) occasionally playing backcourt pressure defense like that, but very rarely. What gives?

[Sam]

D,

I think that the super superb superior athletic specimens I'm always reminded are playing today's slowed-down ball don't have the endurance. God forbid one of today's super superb superior superstar athletes should ever have to play as many as 44 minutes, to say nothing of applying full-court pressure on a regular basis, to say nothing of doing it at an uptempo pace. Besides, they have to save their strength for dunking—the real mark of a super superb superior athlete.

Sam

[dbrown4]

You said you would throw in a LBJ jab if you got the chance. Nicely done. I'm probably the biggest perpetuator (is that a word?) and/or perpetrator of the anti-LBJ sentiment on the board here. I honestly cannot help myself. I'd apologize with the intent of never doing it again, but that would be a lie!! I have no explanation for my behavior!! But thanks for letting us continue it on an almost daily basis!! I've said it before. I don't know why, I just want this guy to lose hard, hopefully at our expense.

The 60's teams look and play nothing like today's. Those Celtic teams were playing today's Nellie Ball all the time with the originator on the team! Any chance of the Celtics bringing him out of retirement after Doc probably pulls the plug at the end of this season? Or has that bridge already been burned?

[Sam]

D,

I meant it when I said "Go to it," because the guy deserves all the trash that's talked of HIM. I'm just amazed people don't get bored with him. I guess he just has a knack for continuing to bring it on himself. There are many players from other teams whom I've admired—none more than Jerry West, by the way. But there has always been something about Lebron that has rubbed me the wrong way—an attitude of self-importance or entitlement—I'm not quite sure what it was. Fortunately, most of my basketball focus is dedicated to the home team.

You speak very aptly about Nellie Ball. In the video of the Royals game, you can see where he caught the bug! That three-quarters pass from Sam was to Nellie, streaming down the right side. It was Nellie who helped convince me that fast-breaking was not primarily about speed.

Before this season started, I would have loved to see Nellie come back as an assistant offensive coach. But, for the most part and for the first time in four seasons, I really like most of what I'm seeing at the offensive end. So I think the chances are that any additional inputs would have a better chance of hurting rather than helping.

Besides, Nellie's now age 70, is in reasonably good health, has to be financially set for life, and is apparently happily married. So savor your coaching record and enjoy life in green (what else?) pastures, Nellie. In some ways, you were one of the most unlikely Celtics ever...and turned out to be one of the greats! The most glowing tribute I can toss your way is that Red would be very proud of you.

Sam

[worcester]

Sam, I've got about 16 Celtics games from the 1980s on videotape. Any way we can put them to use for the Board? W

[Sam]

W, that's a nice offer. Administrators like gyso, NYCelt and Pete would be more appropriate to ask. Maybe you could private message any of them.

I seem to recall something about memory limitations for this board. I don't know how storing a video might impact that memory.

In addition to posting YouTube links, I've been trying to convince people to own their own copies of videos. I posted a source, and I plan to repeat that information.

Sam

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