Page 6 - My FlipBook
P. 6
The Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell dunks the
ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in 1965.
CHAPTER 1
The Finals
N 1949, THE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (BAA)
merged with the National Basketball League to form
Ithe NBA. Every year since, two teams have faced off in
the NBA Finals. Center George Mikan and the Minneapolis
Lakers dominated in the early 1950s. The Lakers moved to
Los Angeles before the 1960–1961 season. From 1957 to
1969, center Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA
championships, including eight in a row!
6
