While Boston could surely still pass and score, it was their defensive emergence, led by the incredible Russell, that was now leading a streak of NBA titles.
Few considered the Celtics beatable, but the Cincinnati Royals surprised and excited fans with their team this year, easily the NBA's most popular.
Coach Jack McMahon, a former Royals player from their Rochester days, finally got his man to help superstar Oscar Robertson.
The most popular player in Ohio history, thanks to his now-legendary high school and college career, Lucas was a boost to attendance at home and on the road as well.
Lucas was the fourth straight Rookie of the Year named who had starred on the 1960 U.S. Olympic basketball squad, which, decades later, is still considered by many as the best amateur team ever.
By the strict rules of the day, Robertson still averaged eleven assists per game, quarterbacking the league's best offense.
It was another rare all-around performance that had some wondering if Robertson, not Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell, was the greatest player in league history.
Expanding his game to include passing, Wilt edged past Russell to finish sixth in the NBA assists column as well.
The Warriors had five other ten-point scorers and a potential future star in rookie Nate Thurmond under coach Alex Hannum.
Coach Harry Gallatin's starting five had balanced support for Pettit, and a number of former ABL stars on the bench, including Bill Bridges.
Fred Schaus's starting five well-supported the two big stars and the Lakers also had a good bench, but so-so center play continued to be the team's Achille's heel.
The impact of this is that the Cincinnati Royals would have to beat Boston to make the NBA Finals, their second-best league record notwithstanding.
Coach Jack McMahon had been roundly criticized for trading reserve forward Bob Boozer at mid-season.
Now a starter for lowly New York Knicks, the Royals clearly missed their former teammate at playoff time when bench depth is a key consideration.