The Lost Finals MVP: 1968

Hondo's time to shine

After the weird year of 1967 where neither the Celtics nor Lakers made the NBA Finals, we’re back to normal in 1968! Boston once again beat Los Angeles for the league’s title, but things weren’t exactly as they were before.

The Celtics indeed got the title, but Bill Russell doesn’t get the Finals MVP. Oh he played worthy of the honor and upon future reflection, I might give it to him. My mind is a fickle thing.

Anyways, Russell averaged 17.3 PPG, 21.8 RPG, and 5.7 APG which definitely ain’t nothing to scoff at. I don’t blame you at all if choose Russell.

However, John Havlicek came in and averaged 27.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 6.7 APG, and is my choice for the Lost Finals MVP this year.

His FG% was .421, comparable to Russell’s .430. His FT% was a spectacular .885. Much better than Russ’s .600.

Of course, Russell was a terrific defender in the interior, but Hondo was a terrific defender on the perimeter in his own right.

Despite averaging 27 PPG, Havlicek was only the leading scorer in one Finals …