Shooting less, he made a league-record 68% of his shots; his 875 free throw attempts, another league record, offset his dismal percentage from the foul line.
Some wondered if the team's whites would follow Russell, especially as America was now entering the Civil Rights Movement that included urban riots.
These two powerhouses again cast such a huge shadow over the league, that only one of the NBA's other eight teams won more than half their games.
His meteoric rise this season saw Barry move past L.A.'s Elgin Baylor and Cincinnati's Jerry Lucas as the best forward in the game.
A former protégé of Chamberlain, Thurmond ranked second in the NBA in rebounds and blocks while adding 19 points per game.
Chicago surpassed the Detroit Pistons for the last spot in the West, putting America's second-largest city in the playoffs, which continued to become a larger television event each year.
Boston beat an improving New York Knickerbockers club led by third-year star Willis Reed three to one also.
The Warriors routed the Lakers, minus superstar Jerry West, while the St.Louis Hawks ended the first season of Chicago's Bulls, led by coach Johnny Kerr, the former Syracuse Nationals star, and players Bob Boozer, Don Kojis and Guy Rodgers.
Rich Guerin's balanced Hawks, led by Lenny Wilkens, Lou Hudson and Bill Bridges, tried hard to slow Barry, Thurmond and Co., but the Warriors made their second NBA Finals in four seasons, four games to two.
But Philadelphia's three 20-point scorers – Chamberlain, Walker and Greer – led their franchise to their first NBA title since the old Syracuse days in 1955, the first season of the 24-second clock.
x – clinched playoff spot Note: Prior to the 1969–70 season, league leaders in points, rebounds, and assists were determined by totals rather than averages.