Giannis-To-Thunder Trade Would Turn OKC Into ‘1960s Celtics’, Says Podcaster
Yeah, pretty much.
Boston Celtics fans with a taste for the franchise’s history will appreciate a new take from Yahoo Sports’ NBA writer/podcaster Kevin O’Connor, who suggested that Giannis Antetokounmpo landing with the Oklahoma City Thunder via trade would result in a team as powerful as the 1960s Celtics.
During a new episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show, O’Connor was discussing Giannis trade destinations in light of the recent buzz, and his thoughts on Antetokounmpo possibly landing in OKC were scary:
“I do not think this will happen, but this is the deal that would break the NBA (and) that would make people quit watching basketball … is if (the Thunder) sent Isaiah Hartenstein, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah, Joe, Nico Topić, and as many picks as it would take to go get Giannis … this is the deal that should never happen, should be banned, but it would turn them potentially into the 1960s Celtics.”
In the ’60s, the Celtics crafted an unmatched era of supremacy under Red Auerbach, securing nine NBA championships in a single decade (a feat unmatched in major American sports).
Anchored by Bill Russell’s defensive prowess (22.5 rebounds per game in 1962) the squad toppled rivals like the Los Angeles Lakers six times in the Finals. Other stars for the Celts including John Havlicek, Sam Jones, and K.C. Jones fueled a seven-year reign from 1959 to 1966, only stumbling in 1967 to Philadelphia’s 76ers.
