1975-1976 Boston Celtics: Championship #13

The 1975-1976 Boston Celtics returned to the championship throne after falling in the Conference Finals in the previous year.
Still led by Dave Cowens and John Havlicek, and with Jo Jo White and Charlie Scott playing large roles, the 1975-1976 Celtics finished the regular season 54-28, good enough for the best record in the Eastern Conference and second best in the NBA.

Statistically, the Celtics were led in both scoring and rebounding by Cowens (19.0 ppg and 16.0 rpg), and White led them in assists (5.4 apg). In heart, though, Cowens and Havlicek were the leaders.

Cowens was always known for his incredible passion on a basketball court and his willingness, as an undersized center and power forward, to pursue the basketball off the glass. He was an absolute warrior, and would not let anybody, especially someone from the other team, stop him from doing what he needed to do on a basketball court.

Havlicek was the team’s captain, a guy who’d been through the trenches and played on numerous championship teams and in countless big games. Because of his pedigree, his teammates found it easy to respect him and follow his lead.

In the playoffs, the Celtics beat the Buffalo Braves, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Phoenix Suns to win the organization’s thirteenth championship.