Best Team in NBA History Final!!!

Here we are, down to the championship game of our simulation to determine which team is the best team in history! Of course, as it should be, we have a Lakers-Celtic match-up. With both teams winning at least 67 games and the championship during their seasons, I guess it would be okay to say they both deserved to be at this stage.

(2) 1986 Boston Celtics (67-15) vs. (1) 1972 LA Lakers (69-13)

Unfortunately, unlike so many games in the Boston-LA rivalry, this game didn't exactly end up being a classic. For most of the game, though, it was tight as neither team seemed to be able to pull apart. Boston led by a single point after the first frame, only to have LA come back to take a 57-51 lead heading into the half. Despite their lead, the second half, and especially the fourth quarter, was mainly the Celtics. Boston cut the lead to 79-81 heading into the final period, setting us up for what could have been a memorable result. However, Robert Parish's jumper with 10:54 gave Boston an 83-81 lead, and they would never look back. Boston extended their lead to ten points after a Larry Bird three-point play with 5:05 to go. The Lakers would respond with a 6-0 run led by Jerry West, but 106-102 would be the closest Los Angeles would get, as the Big Three of the Celtics led the team to victory! 

Boston 116, Los Angeles 107

http://whatifsports.com/NBA/boxscore.asp?GameID=5831616&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1

Bird played great, leading all scorers with 29 points, along with 15 rebounds (not to mention 3 steals, 3 blocks, and 3 assists). His play earned him the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Bird was aided by Parish who chipped in 19 points and Kevin McHale who contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds.

For the Lakers, Jerry West scored 26 points to lead the team, and Gail Goodrich added 23. The great Wilt Chamberlain had an extraordinary performance himself, as he recorded a line of 18 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 blocks.

In this game, what it all came down to was making shots. Boston shot 53% from the field, compared to only 43% by Los Angeles. As well, Boston got to the line more and hit their shots, going 26/30, while Los Angeles managed just 17 mades off 23 attempts.

Final Thoughts

You know what I love? Is that I can do this all over again next year, and most likely get pretty different results. Maybe we'll see an appearance from Michael Jordan or one of Russell's Celtics in the Final Four. Perhaps it'll be a team from the 2011-12 season. And most likely I'll change the selection process, so who knows, maybe a team who wasn't even in the tournament will win it all!