The 76ers are 4-1 and on pace for 66-16, two wins short of the 1966-67 team that went 68-13. History says the record is the easy part, and the real test is the Knicks, who swept Philadelphia out of the second round in May.
Is a 4-1 start worth comparing to the 1966-67 team?
Not yet. That team had Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham and Hal Greer. It opened 46-4, finished 68-13, and in 1980 it was voted the greatest team in league history. On this date in 1966 it beat Boston 138-96. This group's 66-16 pace comes from five games, and one of them was a 13-point home loss to Detroit. Call it a pace, not a pedigree.
What does the 1983 title team say about four stars sharing the ball?
The 1982-83 champions won it with two stars, Julius Erving and Moses Malone, and on October 29, 1982, they won 104-89 in New York. Nick Nurse has four. At Indiana, Maxey, Embiid, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James scored 81 combined, and Maxey took over with 17 in the fourth. Anfernee Simons, not James, was in the lineup for the last five minutes. Sharing the ball works when everyone knows who closes, and Wednesday they did.
Are the Knicks turning into what the Celtics used to be?
Boston ended Nationals and 76ers seasons again and again through the 1950s and 1960s. That run included a quadruple-overtime playoff loss in 1953 that is still the longest game in league history. New York swept Philadelphia in the second round in May, and the sweep led to Daryl Morey's firing. Philly won 106-100 in New York on October 20. One regular-season win does not cancel out a sweep.
How long is this window with LeBron James at 41?
The archive's warning is the trade that sent Chamberlain to the Lakers after 1967-68. By 1971-72, five years after the title, the 76ers went 30-52 and missed the playoffs for the first time. James, 41, signed for two years, and Embiid played only 38 games last season. The payroll is $206.6 million, above the $200.4 million tax line. James had 10 assists and no turnovers Wednesday, but this window will not stay open for five years.
When do the 76ers play the Knicks?
Friday, October 30, at home on Prime Video, in the NBA Cup group stage. Philadelphia won the last meeting 106-100 in New York on October 20.
How good was the 1966-67 76ers team?
It started 46-4, finished 68-13 and won the title. At the time that was the best record in league history, and in 1980 it was voted the greatest team the league had seen.
