Were the '72 Lakers the most impressive team ever? (Basketball Mysteries of the 1970s #7)

The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, who won 33 games in a row and the city’s first NBA title, are discussed by Jason Mann and Shawn Fury, author of “Rise and Fire,” in the seventh episode of the Over and Back Classic NBA podcast’s summer series — Basketball Mysteries of the 1970s. They talk about how an aging team led by Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West thought to be on the decline ended as of one of the best teams of all-time -- after the retirement of Elgin Baylor. Also discussed: how the Lakers had failed in eight Finals since 1959 before finally winning this championship, Chamberlain joining forces with West and Baylor but failing to beat the Celtics in 1969 and the Knicks in 1970, how outgoing coach Joe Mullaley thought the big three were over the hill, new coach and Celtics legend Bill Sharman bringing in a new style and attitude, the battles between Sharman and Wilt over the new morning shootarounds, West becoming more of a playmaker and Gail Goodrich leading the team in scoring, the unheralded Jim McMillian replacing Baylor and how the team clicked into place after that. They also recap the 33-game streak, looking the closest wins and biggest blowouts, and talk about their playoff victories over the Bucks (a top 5 ever regular season team) and the Knicks, and how a championship didn’t necessarily bring peace to a tormented West or shut up Chamberlain’s critics. Original airdate: 8/2/16 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.