But Havlicek dislocated his right shoulder in the Eastern Conference Finals after running into a Dave DeBusschere pick, tried to come back playing left-handed against a Knicks defense that gladly forced him right, and New York went on to its second NBA title in four years. Nothing about that wet blanket ending diminishes Cowens’ affection. “1973 was the epitome of my whole career, even more-so than winning a championship,” he said. “That was the greatest time I ever had, playing basketball that year. It was a great team, we got along and we kicked a lot of ass.”