Team USA Basketball: Exploring The “What If” Dream Teams Of Yesteryear
By Ray Petree
The 1968 Team
Starters
PG: Oscar Robertson
SG: Jerry West
SF: Elgin Baylor
PF: Jerry Lucas
Reserves
PG/SG: Dave Bing
PG/SG: Hal Greer
SG: Sam Jones
SG/SF: John Havlicek
SF/PF: Connie Hawkins
C: Bill Russell
C: Lew Alcindor
Head Coach: John Wooden
Assistant Coach: Bill Russell
By now, Kevin Durant’s departure from OKC has been well publicized. And, of course, he’ll be joining two of his new teammates (Draymond and Klay) in the Olympics this year. Meanwhile, former Warriors forward Harrison Barnes will have to stand side by side with his former teammates and (far superior) replacement. Dramatic right? Well there couldn’t be a situation more analogous to Durant’s decision.
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Wilt Chamberlain’s Sixers were invincible in ‘67, finishing the year with a 68-13 record (the best ever to that point), and ending the Celtics eight consecutive championship streak. Eight!
And entering ‘68, they seemed poised to run the table again, finishing the year with a 62-20 record. Eight more wins than Boston. But, come playoff time, they lost forward Billy Cunningham, and then to the Celtics in a heated 7-game series.
Then, the 76ers lost coach Alex Hannum to the ABA’s Oakland Oaks, and all hell broke loose. Wilt decided he was done playing in Philly. Whether it be Russell’s invincibility, the loss of Hannum, or to better his personal life – who knows. But, he chose to align himself with two other legends who couldn’t find their way past the proverbial wall known as the “Celtics”.
He chose Los Angeles. West, Elgin, and Wilt. Three of the five best players ever to that point. Really puts Durant’s decision in perspective right?
Of course, the Olympic squad doesn’t just serve as a sneak preview for the ‘69 Lakers. Oh no. The talent pool used to select the ‘68 team was vast. Maybe the deepest of any era we explored. Just to get an idea, here are some of the honorable mentions – Earl Monroe, Willis Reed, Lenny Wilkens, and Nate Thurmond.
Maybe the deepest of any era we explored
The starting five alone immediately pops off the page. The Big O, his partner-in-crime Jerry Lucas, and the Lakers new “Big Three”. Wait. Is that Bill Russell on the bench? How is that possible? He had led the Celtics to 10 championships. Arguably the greatest player ever. Easily basketball’s greatest winner. How could he possibly be sitting on the bench as opposed to Lucas?
And, really, it’s simple. Age. The man had already logged over 31,000 minutes and eight consecutive championships. Not to mention he’s an assistant coach, coming off his first championship as the Celtics player-coach.
Beyond Russell, the bench is pretty incredible in-it of itself. Wilt’s former teammate Hal Greer, an excellent two-way combo guard. Russell’s “sidekick” Sam Jones, an assassin with an unstoppable bank shot. John “Hondo” Havlicek, a hyper-athletic wing who could dominate on both ends of the floor. And, the two strangest selections.
The reigning ABA MVP Connie Hawkins, a lengthy forward with a knack for finishing above the rim. Then UCLA’s very own Lew Alcindor, chosen by the team’s coach John Wooden. Of course, with legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, Alcindor won’t be seeing many minutes. But, training alongside his two idol’s will certainly be a learning experience for the young phenom.
John Wooden’s choice as the head coach should come as no surprise. By 1968, he had already won his fourth National Championship in five years, and his UCLA teams seemed unstoppable. And, his emphasis on teamwork and discipline will be perfect for such a star-studded roster.
Next: The 1976 Team