NBA: The 30 best trios in league history

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Bill Russell (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

Best trios in NBA history: 5. Bill Russell, Sam Jones, and Tom Heinsohn

Russell: 16.6 ppg, 23.7 rpg
Heinsohn: 19 ppg, 8.7 rpg
Jones: 16.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg,
Finals record: 7-1
Time together: 1958-1965

The Boston Celtics of the 1950s and 60s were unlike any other team in NBA history. No matter who stood on the opposite side of the court, more times than not, the Celtics were going to come out on top with the victory.

The heart and soul of those teams was, of course, Bill Russell. Often referred to as the greatest Celtic of all time and one of the best Centers ever, Russell only knew how to do one thing, win.

Alongside his two other Hall of Fame teammates in Tom Heinsohn and Sam Jones, the Celtics ruled the late 50s and certainly all of the 60s. No other trio in NBA history can boast of winning seven titles as a group. They did let one title slip through their fingers, however, the first one they played as a group against the St. Louis Hawks in the 1958 Finals. That would be the last time that they lost on the game’s biggest stage as they reeled off seven straight. All three players were countless All-Stars and All-NBA selections.

Television screens may have been deprived of color when they played, but when they got on the court, the talent was obvious.