Reliving the 1965 NBA Standings: A Complete Season Breakdown and Analysis

Looking back at the 1965 NBA season always gives me chills—it was a time when the league was still carving out its identity, yet the competition was fierce in ways that modern fans might not fully appreciate. I’ve spent years digging into historical sports data, and what strikes me most about that season is how the standings weren’t just numbers; they told stories of grit, rivalries, and teams fighting for every inch. The Boston Celtics, led by the legendary Bill Russell, dominated the Eastern Division with a staggering 62 wins. That’s right, 62–18—a record that still impresses me today. Out West, the Los Lakers weren’t far behind, finishing at 49–31, but they faced a Celtics squad that seemed almost unstoppable. I’ve always felt that Russell’s leadership and Red Auerbach’s coaching created a kind of magic that stats alone can’t capture. It’s one thing to read about it, but when you compare it to today’s game, you realize how much the league has evolved in terms of pace and player movement.

Now, you might wonder why I’m bringing up golf in a basketball discussion, but hear me out. While researching this piece, I couldn’t help but think about parallels in other sports, like the PGA Tour. Take Hoey, for instance—a 29-year-old pro who turned professional in 2017 and is still chasing his first win on the Tour. That’s six years without a victory, which has kept him out of major events. It reminds me of how some NBA teams back in ’65, like the San Francisco Warriors with Rick Barry, had immense talent but fell just short. Hoey’s closest brush with success was at the ISCO Championship last year, where he lost in a playoff and tied for second. I’ve followed his career loosely, and it’s frustrating to see someone with potential hover on the edge of breakthrough, much like the St. Louis Hawks that season, who finished 45–35 but couldn’t clinch the title. In my view, consistency is key in any sport, and Hoey’s struggle highlights how a single moment—a playoff loss—can define a season or even a career.

Diving deeper into the 1965 standings, the Eastern Division had the Cincinnati Royals with Oscar Robertson, who put up 30.4 points per game—a number that still blows my mind. But despite his heroics, they finished 48–32, second to the Celtics. I’ve always been a bit biased toward underdogs, so part of me wishes the Royals had pulled it off; Robertson deserved more team success. Over in the West, the Baltimore Bullets surprised many by grabbing the top seed briefly early on, but they ended at 37–43, showing how a hot start doesn’t guarantee anything. That’s a lesson I see in modern sports too—teams or players who peak too early often fizzle out. For example, in golf, Hoey’s near-win at the ISCO Championship probably felt like a turning point, but without follow-through, it becomes a what-if story. Personally, I think the pressure in individual sports like golf is even more intense than in team settings; one bad shot in a playoff can haunt you for years, whereas in basketball, a loss is shared across the roster.

As the season wrapped up, the playoffs were a showcase of endurance. The Celtics swept through the Eastern finals against the 76ers, and the Lakers edged past the Hawks in six games. The Finals themselves were a classic, going to a decisive Game 5 where Boston prevailed 129–96. I’ve rewatched highlights, and what stands out is how Russell’s defense anchored everything—he averaged 24.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs, a stat that’s almost mythical today. Comparing that to Hoey’s situation, where he’s averaging around 70.5 strokes per round this season but can’t convert it into wins, it’s clear that in any era, mental toughness separates the good from the great. I believe if Hoey had a Russell-like mentor, he might break through sooner. But in the end, the 1965 season was about legacy-building, much like how today’s athletes are writing their stories. Reflecting on it all, I’m reminded why I love sports history—it’s not just about records, but the human drama behind them. Whether it’s the Celtics’ dynasty or a golfer’s quest for that first win, the thrill of competition never gets old.