NBA Standings 1965: The Complete Season Breakdown and Final Rankings

As I sit here poring over the historical records of the NBA, I can't help but marvel at how different the basketball landscape looked back in 1965. The league was still in its relative infancy compared to today's global phenomenon, with just nine franchises competing for glory. What strikes me most about that season is how it perfectly captured the transition era between the Celtics dynasty and the emerging challengers that would shape the game for decades to come.

The 1964-65 season unfolded during what I consider basketball's golden age of big men, where the battle in the paint often decided championships. The Boston Celtics, led by the legendary Red Auerbach, dominated the Eastern Division with what I believe was one of the most complete teams in NBA history. They finished with a remarkable 62-18 record, which translates to a .775 winning percentage that would be impressive even by today's standards. Bill Russell's defensive mastery combined with Sam Jones' scoring prowess created what I've always thought was the perfect balance between offense and defense. Watching footage from that era, you can see how their team chemistry was simply light years ahead of their competitors.

Meanwhile, out West, the Los Angeles Lakers were putting together their own impressive campaign despite ultimately falling short in the Finals. They posted a 49-31 record, largely powered by what I consider the most electrifying offensive duo of that era - Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Having studied their playing styles extensively, I've always been partial to West's game - his shooting form was decades ahead of its time, and his clutch performances earned him the nickname "Mr. Clutch" for good reason. The Lakers' rivalry with the Celtics during this period created what I believe is the greatest storyline in sports history, and the 1965 chapter was particularly compelling.

What many modern fans might not realize is how the playoff structure differed back then. The division winners received automatic byes to the division finals, while the second and third-place teams battled in what they called division semifinals. This format created some fascinating scenarios that we simply don't see in today's NBA. The Cincinnati Royals, featuring the incredible Oscar Robertson, finished second in the East with a 48-32 record. Robertson's stat line that season - let me recall the numbers here - was something like 30.4 points, 11.5 assists, and 9.0 rebounds per game, which is just mind-boggling when you consider how the game was played back then.

The St. Louis Hawks represented what I see as the prototype for modern basketball teams, with a balanced scoring attack led by Bob Pettit. They finished third in the West at 45-35, but what's often overlooked is how their style influenced the evolution of the game. Pettit's ability to score from both the post and mid-range made him, in my opinion, one of the most complete forwards the game has ever seen.

Now, here's where I need to draw an interesting parallel to our reference about Hoey's golf career. Just as Hoey has been chasing his first PGA Tour victory since turning pro in 2017, several teams in that 1965 NBA season were in similar positions of chasing elusive success. The Baltimore Bullets, for instance, had been building toward contention for years before finally breaking through with a respectable 37-43 record. Like Hoey's near-miss at the ISCO Championship playoff loss last year, the Bullets kept getting close but couldn't quite get over the hump against the established powers.

The San Francisco Warriors finished 17-61 that season, which honestly was one of the worst records I've ever seen from a franchise with so much individual talent. They had Rick Barry, who would later become one of the game's greatest scorers, but the team chemistry just wasn't there yet. It reminds me of how individual talent in golf - like Hoey possesses - doesn't always translate immediately to team success in basketball or even individual victories in golf's biggest events.

Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks both struggled mightily that season, with records of 31-49 and 31-49 respectively. Watching their games from that era, you can see the foundation being laid for what would eventually become competitive franchises, much like how Hoey's playoff experience, despite ending in defeat, builds the foundation for future success.

The playoffs that year delivered some of the most dramatic basketball I've ever studied. The Eastern Division finals between Boston and Philadelphia went the full five games, with Game 7 providing what I consider one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. With the score tied at 110-110 and time running out, John Havlicek stole the inbound pass from Hal Greer to secure Boston's victory. Radio announcer Johnny Most's famous "Havlicek stole the ball!" call still gives me chills every time I hear it.

In the Finals, Boston ultimately prevailed over Los Angeles in five games, claiming their seventh consecutive championship. What often gets overlooked in this series is how Bill Russell's leadership transcended his individual statistics. He averaged what I recall being around 15 points and 25 rebounds in the series, but his defensive presence and basketball IQ were what truly made the difference.

Looking back at that 1965 season through modern eyes, I'm struck by how the fundamentals of success haven't really changed. Teams still need strong leadership, defensive commitment, and clutch performers to win championships. The Celtics had it then, and championship teams today still embody these qualities. The parallel with Hoey's golf journey is unmistakable - the difference between good and great often comes down to performing when it matters most, whether in a playoff game or during the final holes of a tournament.

As I reflect on that season, I'm convinced that 1965 represented a turning point in how basketball was played and perceived. The game was becoming faster, more strategic, and increasingly competitive. While the Celtics' dynasty would continue for a few more years, the challengers were gathering strength, setting the stage for the incredible evolution the sport would undergo in the coming decades. And much like Hoey continues to chase that elusive first victory, every team outside of Boston was chasing that championship dream, building toward future success through near-misses and hard lessons learned.