25 Most Dynamic Duos in NBA History

#10 John Havlicek and Dave Cowens (Boston Celtics)

Dave Cowens and John Havlicek

When Bill Russell retired in 1969, the Celtics were looking to reload. They still had star shooting guard John Havlicek, but that wasn't nearly enough for them to contend for a title. In 1970 they drafted an undersized center, Dave Cowens. Cowens was known for his technical ability, but no one knew about the aggression that he brought to the Celtics.

The duo of Cowens and Havlicek quickly became an exciting combo but weren't at the level of the Knicks and Lakers to contend immediately. After a few steady seasons, Cowens came into his own in 1973 and took home the MVP award.

The following year was when the team really stepped up. They made the 1974 NBA finals and met the Milwaukee Bucks led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, who was playing his final year of basketball. The series was an instant classic. it came down to the seventh and deciding game. In the decider, Cowens had a stellar game with twenty-eight points and fourteen rebounds which resulted in a blowout. Havlicek took home the finals MVP award.

They returned to the Finals again in 1976, this time facing the Phoenix Suns and winning 4-2. Havlicek retired in 1978 after winning eight titles. While Cowens retired in 1983 with two championships.