SI Flashback: NBA Finals

In the first championship-series meeting between the franchises that today have the most titles of any in the NBA, the Celtics made quick work of the Lakers.

Snapshots from Short, Sweet Series for Slick Celtics

By Jeremiah Tax

They Said It "I've been playing with Frank for four years now, and it's a mystery to me how he does it. He comes out on the court and you look up and there he is alone under the basket with the ball." —Bob Cousy

Dominant: The Celtics became the first team in history to sweep basketball's World Series, fit climax to a season in which they set more than a dozen records and clearly earned the accolade their coach, Red Auerbach, had claimed for them months ago as "the greatest team ever assembled."

Star of stars: Despite this balance of excellence, one Celtic managed to stand out in the competition with both the opposition and his own teammates in this series as the key player. He is Frank Ramsey, who repeatedly came off the bench to spark Celtic rallies or recoveries -- a special talent he has developed to take advantage of the fact that he is the sixth man on this superlative squad. Immediately after coming into a game, Ramsey does either of two things to provide a quick lift for the Celtics. Within seconds, he is way in the clear for an easy layup or he is at the free-throw line for two shots.

Issue date: April 20, 1959