On this day in 1969, Boston Celtics legends Bill Russell and Sam Jones retired champions, calling it quits after winning the 1969 NBA Championship.
For Russell in particular, it was a sweet ending, defeating longtime rival big man Wilt Chamberlain and his Los Angeles Lakers four games to three in a 108-106 Game 7 triumph that is widely considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
The Celtics were by then an old team, and managed to make the Finals as a four seed, while L.A. had Elgin Baylor and Jerry West in addition to Chamberlain, the latter winning the Finals MVP award in a loss — the only time that has happened in the history of the league.
It was Boston’s 11th championship, and that in a span of just 13 years.