1957 Boston Celtics

Boston had been a fast, high-scoring team for years under Red Auerbach with nothing to show for it in April. That changed when Auerbach traded Ed Macauley and the rights to Cliff Hagan to St. Louis for the draft rights to Russell. The Celtics finished 44-28, first in the East, and finally had the rebounder and shot-blocker their guards had been missing.

Bob Cousy won the league MVP and ran the offense. Bill Sharman shot it from the outside. Russell joined in December after winning Olympic gold in Melbourne and still averaged almost 20 rebounds a game over 48 contests. Heinsohn won Rookie of the Year.

The Finals against the Hawks went the distance. The teams split the first six, with Cliff Hagan winning Game 6 on a buzzer tip. Game 7 went to double overtime. Heinsohn scored 37 with 23 rebounds before fouling out, and a late Bob Pettit miss at the buzzer forced the second OT, where Boston held on 125-123. Russell grabbed 32 rebounds in that game.

It was the first banner of what became eleven titles in thirteen years. No NBA Finals Game 7 since has gone past a single overtime.