NBA Champions ·
1967 Philadelphia 76ers
The 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers went 68-13, the best regular-season record the league had seen, then beat the San Francisco Warriors in six for the title. Wilt Chamberlain spent the year passing and defending as much as scoring, leading the NBA in rebounding while shooting 68 percent from the floor. The loudest statement came in the division finals, where Philadelphia ended Boston's run of eight straight championships.
Alex Hannum took over from Dolph Schayes and changed what the team asked of Wilt Chamberlain. Instead of chasing scoring titles, Chamberlain set up teammates and anchored the defense. The 76ers opened 46-4, still the best 50-game start in league history, and finished 68-13.
Chamberlain averaged around 24 points, led the league in rebounding, and made 68 percent of his shots while handing out nearly eight assists a game. Hal Greer scored about 22 a night and Chet Walker gave them a steady 19. Billy Cunningham, the sixth man, poured in close to 18 off the bench, which gave Hannum a second wave most teams could not match.
The playoffs ran through Boston. The Celtics had won the title nine of the previous ten years, but Philadelphia took the Eastern Division finals four games to one. In the NBA Finals the 76ers handled the San Francisco Warriors in six.
There was no Finals MVP award yet, so Chamberlain's regular-season MVP had to stand in for it. The 1966-67 76ers were later voted one of the greatest teams in league history, and the franchise would not win another title until 1983.
Championship roster
Featured in Ring Holders Club
| Player | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilt Chamberlain | C | 99 |
| Hal Greer | SG | 88 |
| Chet Walker | SF | 86 |
| Billy Cunningham | PF | 87 |
| Wali Jones | PG | 79 |
| Luke Jackson | 6th man | 78 |
| Alex Hannum | Coach | 88 |
Ratings are year-specific curated estimates for Ring Holders Club, not official NBA stats.
Rest of the roster
| Player | Pos | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Larry Costello | G | veteran guard who later coached the 1971 champion Bucks |
| Dave Gambee | F | frontcourt reserve |
| Matt Guokas | G | rookie out of Saint Joseph's |
| Bill Melchionni | G | |
| Bob Weiss | G |