countcenci asked: Which game would you have wanted to see more in person? Any Boston Celtics game seven against Philadelphia when Wilt still played there and Russell was on Boston--this can include 67' when Russell wasn't yet accustomed to life as a player coach and lost to the Sixers in 5)? Or any Celtics-Lakers finals match up when the Lakers had Elgin and West in their back-court (before Elgin injured his knee and Chamberlain signed there). This is very important. Also, you seem quite pretty and sardonic, which is a good combination. Michael Phelps is probably someone that kisses inexpertly by engulfing his kissing partners whole mouth with his. Mr. Ed does come to mind. I'm gonna stop blogging and just ask questions tonight.

Initially, I was sure I’d have wanted to see Russell v. Chamberlain, namely the 1967 East Division Finals you mentioned. It may have been Russell’s first year as player-coach, but I’m not sure how much adjusting he actually had had to do — he was already the unchallenged leader of that squad (at least, for the most part), and I mean, he led them to a 60-win season. But even though Wilt and Bill faced each other a mind-bendingly absurd number of times throughout the ten years of their “rivalry,”* I think the more captivating competition really began in the 1962 Finals between the Lakers and the Celtics.

Those Lakers were, on the whole, a better opponent for the Celtics — sure, Chamberlain was an insane player, but games against any of his teams were really just games against Wilt. The Lakers had to play a decent part of that season without Baylor, and during his absence West really tightened up his play, and then Elgin returned just absolutely on fire.  He missed 42 games and still scored over 1,800 points. And that ‘62 Finals series was magnificent. Big E against the Celtics in Game 5? 61 points and 22 rebounds. Only Michael Jordan has topped that in a playoff matchup. And Game 7? Russell clocked 30 points and 40 rebounds. FORTY. The game went into OT at 100-100 after Frank Selvy missed a wide-open jumper and potentially got fouled by Cousy in the process (Elgin was right under the basket, and in all likelihood had been fouled by Sam Jones; instead, Russell grabbed the rebound, and you know the rest). The Celtics only won by three (110-107), and the series as a whole was belligerently competitive, well-attended (kind of surprising, as the Lakers were only on their second season in L.A.) and it kick-started what has arguably been the best rivalry in any sport.  So yeah, I would have loved to have witnessed that. But it’s definitely a tough call. A+ question.

And I don’t know, Phelps always seemed like a biter to me. I’d posit ~1/2 of his left hand could envelop my entire head, though, which would have been neat. Also totally hot. Big hands are the best hands.

*Bill and Wilt were great friends off the court, so in my mind this somehow knocks their status as on-court enemies down a few rungs.