My grandpa went to college with this guy in North Carolina. According to my mom he would go down to the Garden and hang out with Sam after games, and I think he even used to come over to their house sometimes
What a wonderful interview with the player who was my sports hero in the late 1960s. As a teen living in NJ, I occasionally got to see the Celtics play in New York, but then got an opportunity to travel to Boston - which might as well have been a world away - to see the Celts play at home against the Lakers, the matchup that would become the Finals a few months later. Mark talked in the video about the players being more accessible in those days - they sure were! I wrote a fan letter to Sam, telling him about my trip, & saying how much I'd like to meet him. A couple of weeks later I got a letter back - I still have it 50 years later - saying sure, after the game just show this letter to the ushers & ask them to direct you to where the players' wives sit, and you can stay with them while the Garden was cleared out. This I did. Although she was very nice to me, I don't remember saying much to Gladys; I was taken aback that she was white, something outside the realm of experience in 1969. I also was sitting a few seats from Beth Havlicek, who was an absolutely stunning blonde, and I had to make sure I didn't stare! After awhile, the wives were saying it was really unusual that the locker room was being kept shut so long, but finally the ushers directed them downstairs to the hallway by the Celtics locker room, & I tagged along. The 35-point drubbing that the Celtics took that day undoubtedly was the reason for the delay. Eventually the players came out, & along with Sam I got to meet Larry Siegfried, Don Nelson, Satch Sanders, Bailey Howell, John Havlicek, and Bill Russell. All of them signed the back of the photocopy of the letter I had shown the ushers. All except Russell, tha is, who told me, "man, I've got a bad hand". It wasn't til years later than I learned that he never signed autographs. Sam was kind of quiet. When I showed him the letter, I expected him to say he remembered writing it, or make some comment about it. But he didn't, & I wondered why. It was only much later that I figured out that it had been Gladys, not Sam, who had read the letter from a teenage fan, & written back to arrange this meeting for me. So I will echo the things that Sam and Mark said about Gladys in the interview, & will always be appreciative for giving me one of the biggest thrills of my young years.
I liked the story about Sam's mentoring and helping Jimmy Walker! (This same Jimmy Walker, by the way, is the actual biological father of the great Jalen Rose.)
Sam Jones never fully got credit for his amazing talent. He was overshadowed by Bill Russell. But 10 world championships would not have happened without him. Absolutely talented and one of the greatest guards in basketball.
He was a great underrated shooter, made some clutch shots, one in particular was against the Lakers, in the 1969 finals game 4, the sweet bounce off the rim to go in, with no time left, to give the Celtics a 3-2 series lead, going back to LA.
@@casualfandestroyer2503 Oh well, excuuuuse me, Mr Fucken genius, they tied the series 2-2, going back to LA for game 5, I guess you never fuck up and make a mistake, and yes I know they won it in 7 games, dumbass, I never said they didnt! Unbelievable the idiots here on UA-cam, love correcting people's mistakes, feel better now? Feel smarter?🤣
I don't know for sure, but I expect this man suffered years of racism in his own town. But he quietly endured, and his play spoke for itself. Quiet grace, Hank Aaron had it too. Bring back the bank shot!!
I remember Dick Barnett on the Knicks and how he shot his free throws. I also remember how he kicked his heels up for a jumpshot. Many of my friends emulated him, haha. I saw Kobe do that once or twice and made me think of Dick Barnett.
How fitting of the great 60s Celtics dynasty to end in the 1969 Finals with Sam Jones outscoring Wilt in back to back Games 6 and 7, and the fourth consecutive Game 7 meeting in a row (1962, 1965, 1968, 1969) between the two, Wilt choking at the free throw line once again just like in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969, Wilt quitting, the Lakers making a run with him off the floor only to lose by a mere 2 points in spite of Wilt's 9 bricks at the FT line, and his Hall of Fame teammate Jerry West doing everything he can to carry his team to the ring, dropping 43-13-12 in Game 7 and winning Finals MVP, only for Chamberlain to fail him. In 1968 (3-1 lead) and 1969 (3-2 lead) alone, Wilt was 0-5 vs OLD Bill Russell in closeout games. That's the most "dominant" player in history? Wilt's scoring NEVER benefited his team during this scoring champ seasons, and when his team needed him to score in the post-scoring title years of his career, he failed to step up - just like when Sam Jones outscored him in all four Game 7 meetings.
Sam the Man is the man, also in most of those games 7s Wilt shot like the 3rd most shots on his team.. . and guess what? They still lost, so how is Wilts scoring not beneficial to his team when he shoots less and they still lose? Maybe the Celtics are just the better team.
@@fatalsniper3413 when they needed him to pass he tried to score when they needed him to score he tried to pass, 1968 game 7 he didn’t make a single field goal the whole second half
@@fatalsniper3413 In playoff meetings between Russell and Chamberlain, Wilt's scoring went down each time Wilt = 37.6 ppg in 1959/60 season Wilt = 30.5 ppg vs Russell in 1960 EDF (- 7.1 ppg) Wilt = 50.4 ppg in 1961/62 season Wilt = 33.6 ppg vs Russell in 1962 EDF (- 16.8 ppg) Wilt = 36.9 ppg in 1963/64 season Wilt = 29.2 ppg vs Russell in 1964 Finals (- 7.7 ppg) Wilt = 34.7 ppg 1964/65 season Wilt = 30.1 ppg vs Russell in 1965 EDF (- 4.6 ppg) Wilt = 33.5 ppg in 1965/66 season Wilt = 28.0 ppg vs Russell in 1966 EDF (- 5.5 ppg) Wilt = 24.1 ppg in 1966/67 season Wilt = 21.6 ppg vs Russell in 1967 EDF (- 2.5 ppg the only time he beat Russell) Wilt = 24.3 ppg in 1967/68 season Wilt = 22.1 ppg vs Russell in 1968 EDF (- 2.2 ppg) Wilt = 20.5 ppg in 1968/69 season Wilt = 11.7 ppg vs Russell in 1969 Finals (- 8.8 ppg) And this is without factoring in that Wilt likely padded his stats in blowout situations, like we saw in the 1962 EDF. Russell - a genius who molded his came to fit the needs of multiple title runs Wilt - less of a helpful impact on his team's success.
@UCpNGBdwSIJULxzaGvGp7q5Q few more details ;”The most memorable recipient of Sam's taunting was Wilt Chamberlain. Both Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey recollect well Sam's efforts to distract Chamberlain. Ramsey noted a common refrain by Sam, "I'm getting ready to shoot, Wilty." Then came the “inevitable basket and the follow up: "Too late, Wilt."
My grandpa went to college with this guy in North Carolina. According to my mom he would go down to the Garden and hang out with Sam after games, and I think he even used to come over to their house sometimes
What a wonderful interview with the player who was my sports hero in the late 1960s. As a teen living in NJ, I occasionally got to see the Celtics play in New York, but then got an opportunity to travel to Boston - which might as well have been a world away - to see the Celts play at home against the Lakers, the matchup that would become the Finals a few months later. Mark talked in the video about the players being more accessible in those days - they sure were! I wrote a fan letter to Sam, telling him about my trip, & saying how much I'd like to meet him. A couple of weeks later I got a letter back - I still have it 50 years later - saying sure, after the game just show this letter to the ushers & ask them to direct you to where the players' wives sit, and you can stay with them while the Garden was cleared out. This I did. Although she was very nice to me, I don't remember saying much to Gladys; I was taken aback that she was white, something outside the realm of experience in 1969. I also was sitting a few seats from Beth Havlicek, who was an absolutely stunning blonde, and I had to make sure I didn't stare! After awhile, the wives were saying it was really unusual that the locker room was being kept shut so long, but finally the ushers directed them downstairs to the hallway by the Celtics locker room, & I tagged along. The 35-point drubbing that the Celtics took that day undoubtedly was the reason for the delay. Eventually the players came out, & along with Sam I got to meet Larry Siegfried, Don Nelson, Satch Sanders, Bailey Howell, John Havlicek, and Bill Russell. All of them signed the back of the photocopy of the letter I had shown the ushers. All except Russell, tha is, who told me, "man, I've got a bad hand". It wasn't til years later than I learned that he never signed autographs. Sam was kind of quiet. When I showed him the letter, I expected him to say he remembered writing it, or make some comment about it. But he didn't, & I wondered why. It was only much later that I figured out that it had been Gladys, not Sam, who had read the letter from a teenage fan, & written back to arrange this meeting for me. So I will echo the things that Sam and Mark said about Gladys in the interview, & will always be appreciative for giving me one of the biggest thrills of my young years.
Bob Stevens I read that bill Russell threatened to fine the players if they ever played that badly again lol
What an honor to have met Mr. Jones and have him as my substitute teacher back in Maryland.
This guy sounds and looks amazing for 87
Fascinating interview. Underrated legend by far.
I liked the story about Sam's mentoring and helping Jimmy Walker! (This same Jimmy Walker, by the way, is the actual biological father of the great Jalen Rose.)
M magic no wonder jalen loves the 60s Celtics and bill Russell
My favorite player. Master of the Bank shot!
What an incredible wealth of knowledge Mr. Jones is. Im excited to learn more about those old Celtics teams
Everybody talks Bill Russell when talking about the Celtic's Dynasty. But without Sam Jones, no dynasty.
So true!
Sam is a reserved man, but study his smirk...it is world class
Sam Jones never fully got credit for his amazing talent. He was overshadowed by Bill Russell. But 10 world championships would not have happened without him. Absolutely talented and one of the greatest guards in basketball.
Lovely interview!
He was a great underrated shooter, made some clutch shots, one in particular was against the Lakers, in the 1969 finals game 4, the sweet bounce off the rim to go in, with no time left, to give the Celtics a 3-2 series lead, going back to LA.
Wrong lakers lead 3-2 and Celtics come back and win in 7 dummy
@@casualfandestroyer2503 Oh well, excuuuuse me, Mr Fucken genius, they tied the series 2-2, going back to LA for game 5, I guess you never fuck up and make a mistake, and yes I know they won it in 7 games, dumbass, I never said they didnt! Unbelievable the idiots here on UA-cam, love correcting people's mistakes, feel better now? Feel smarter?🤣
17:38 That story that Sam Jones talked about with chair was pretty funny 😂... Great basketball player and a winner 🏆
Ten rings wow
16:40 - the situation with the stool, him on Wilt Chamberlain ''I was protecting my life''.
I don't know for sure, but I expect this man suffered years of racism in his own town. But he quietly endured, and his play spoke for itself. Quiet grace, Hank Aaron had it too. Bring back the bank shot!!
Legend
Him and Dick Barnett played for the great Coach John McLendon
I remember Dick Barnett on the Knicks and how he shot his free throws. I also remember how he kicked his heels up for a jumpshot. Many of my friends emulated him, haha. I saw Kobe do that once or twice and made me think of Dick Barnett.
259 views. Wow 10 rings and this man gets nothing, really sucks :(
How fitting of the great 60s Celtics dynasty to end in the 1969 Finals with Sam Jones outscoring Wilt in back to back Games 6 and 7, and the fourth consecutive Game 7 meeting in a row (1962, 1965, 1968, 1969) between the two, Wilt choking at the free throw line once again just like in 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969, Wilt quitting, the Lakers making a run with him off the floor only to lose by a mere 2 points in spite of Wilt's 9 bricks at the FT line, and his Hall of Fame teammate Jerry West doing everything he can to carry his team to the ring, dropping 43-13-12 in Game 7 and winning Finals MVP, only for Chamberlain to fail him.
In 1968 (3-1 lead) and 1969 (3-2 lead) alone, Wilt was 0-5 vs OLD Bill Russell in closeout games. That's the most "dominant" player in history?
Wilt's scoring NEVER benefited his team during this scoring champ seasons, and when his team needed him to score in the post-scoring title years of his career, he failed to step up - just like when Sam Jones outscored him in all four Game 7 meetings.
Sam the Man is the man, also in most of those games 7s Wilt shot like the 3rd most shots on his team.. . and guess what? They still lost, so how is Wilts scoring not beneficial to his team when he shoots less and they still lose? Maybe the Celtics are just the better team.
@@fatalsniper3413 when they needed him to pass he tried to score when they needed him to score he tried to pass, 1968 game 7 he didn’t make a single field goal the whole second half
@@fatalsniper3413 they either lost because he didn’t show up or because he missed like 10 free throws or both
@@casualfandestroyer2503 is Jerry West scoring not beneficial to his team?
@@fatalsniper3413 In playoff meetings between Russell and Chamberlain, Wilt's scoring went down each time
Wilt = 37.6 ppg in 1959/60 season
Wilt = 30.5 ppg vs Russell in 1960 EDF
(- 7.1 ppg)
Wilt = 50.4 ppg in 1961/62 season
Wilt = 33.6 ppg vs Russell in 1962 EDF
(- 16.8 ppg)
Wilt = 36.9 ppg in 1963/64 season
Wilt = 29.2 ppg vs Russell in 1964 Finals
(- 7.7 ppg)
Wilt = 34.7 ppg 1964/65 season
Wilt = 30.1 ppg vs Russell in 1965 EDF
(- 4.6 ppg)
Wilt = 33.5 ppg in 1965/66 season
Wilt = 28.0 ppg vs Russell in 1966 EDF
(- 5.5 ppg)
Wilt = 24.1 ppg in 1966/67 season
Wilt = 21.6 ppg vs Russell in 1967 EDF
(- 2.5 ppg the only time he beat Russell)
Wilt = 24.3 ppg in 1967/68 season
Wilt = 22.1 ppg vs Russell in 1968 EDF
(- 2.2 ppg)
Wilt = 20.5 ppg in 1968/69 season
Wilt = 11.7 ppg vs Russell in 1969 Finals
(- 8.8 ppg)
And this is without factoring in that Wilt likely padded his stats in blowout situations, like we saw in the 1962 EDF.
Russell - a genius who molded his came to fit the needs of multiple title runs
Wilt - less of a helpful impact on his team's success.
Casuals don’t show respect to the dynasty Celtics real fans know tho
@UCpNGBdwSIJULxzaGvGp7q5Q few more details ;”The most memorable recipient of Sam's taunting was Wilt Chamberlain. Both Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey recollect well Sam's efforts to distract Chamberlain. Ramsey noted a common refrain by Sam, "I'm getting ready to shoot, Wilty." Then came the “inevitable basket and the follow up: "Too late, Wilt."
🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂