How many of us remember the 1968 Sixers-Knicks semifinal playoff series?

With the Sixers and Knicks beginning an Eastern Conference semifinal series tonight in New York, many prognosticators believe the series will be one of the more entertaining ones and go either six or seven games.

It looms as a clash in the center between the Sixers’ Joel Embiid and the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Townes. This has the potential to be a high scoring series with Philly’s Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecomb meeting New York’s Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and ex-Sixer (sort of) Josh Hart.

Well, back in 1968, the Sixers and Knicks battled in a classic series that eventually was won by the Sixers in six games. It was a rather high-scoring series, with the Sixers averaging 124 points and the Knicks averaging 123.3 in the first three games before the series shifted to a more defensive series.

The Sixers then had an epic seven-game skirmish with the Celtics in which Boston pulled out on its way to another championship.

In this version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll take a look at some Sixers-Knicks playoff series as well as some happenings from 1968.

Looking back, do you remember the song, “Honey” or “Young Girl?” What TV show coined the phrase “Sock It To Me?” What local basketball team won a district title in 1968? Who was the “biggest” WWWF wrestler in 1968? And what former Phillies broadcaster had his start in Harrisburg?

Wilt and Willis ... In the 1968 series, Wilt Chamberlain made his final series appearance with the Sixers before he was traded to the Lakers two months later in July.

With the series tied 2-2, the Sixers won Game 5 in Convention Hall, 123-105, and then Game 6 in Madison Square Garden, 113-97.

In the series, Chamberlain was dominant, as he averaged 25.5, points, 24.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. Willis Reed also was big down low, averaging 21.3 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Other big men who were prominent in the series were Luke Jackson, who was a true grinder in the paint with his 12.2 points per game average and 8.8 rebounds, as was the Knicks’ Walt Bellamy, who was good for 20 points and 16 rebounds.

They both set the tone in the opening game when Chamberlain poured in 37 points and grabbed 29 rebounds. Reed was just as good with 38 points and 23 boards.

But the Sixers had four other guys in double-figure scoring with Hal Greer (25.3), Chet “The Jet” Walker (17.0), Wali Jones (15.2) and sixth man Billy Cunningham (20.7).

The Knicks brought Cazzie Russell, who averaged 21.7 points in the series, off the bench along with rookie Bill Bradley and Walt Frazier. If you’re a Knicks fan, that probably sounds weird.

Ten Years Later ... In 1978, the Sixers and Knicks met again in the semifinals, and this time Philly swept the Knicks in four games.

The Sixers set the tone with an impressive 130-90 blowout in the opening game, as they put on a balanced effort with seven players in double figures. Caldwell Jones stole the show with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

They followed that with a 119-100 handling, before the Knicks managed to make it close the final two games.

Just like in 1968, the Sixers had six players in double figures, all of them within a point or two of each other. It was the Julius Erving (22.3 ppg), Doug Collins (21.0) and George McGinnis (160) show, but the key was the deep bench with Lloyd B. Free (19.3), Steve Mix (14.5) and Henry Bibby (11.0).

The Sixers would then lose to the eventual champion Bullets in six games.

Fo, Fo, Fo ... In 1983, the Sixers had their third semifinal showdown, and Moses Malone dominated in the first of the three postseason wins — two of them sweeps — toward a championship.

It was a Malone-Bernard King scoring showdown in which Malone seemed unstoppable, pouring in an average of 31 points and grabbing 15 rebounds per game.

The Others ... They met twice in a first round series with the Knicks winning in four in 1989, and two years ago in six games. For you old-timers, the pre-Sixer Syracuse Nationals won two-game series in 1954 and 1959.

Honey and A Young Girl ... In the first week of May, Bobby Goldsboro was at the top of the hits chart with his tribute song to a lost life “Honey,” many likely remember.

Some other hits back then were “Young Girl” by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, “Cry Like A Baby” by the Box Tops, “A Beautiful Morning,” by the Rascals, and “Lady Madonna” by the Beatles.

“Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel made the top 10 from the then controversial film, “The Graduate,” one of my favorite flicks. There also was “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” a cover version by Hugo Montenegro from the legendary film starring Clint Eastwood.

By the way, 83-year-old Gary Puckett is part of the “Happy Together Tour” that will perform at Penn’s Peak June 4.

A Bad Dance ... In 1968, the Kentucky Derby saw its first disqualification in winner Dancer’s Image, who finished a length-and-a-half in front of Forward Pass, who eventually was declared the winner.

Back then, the Derby was on CBS and started at 3 p.m., broadcast by Jack Drees, Jack Buck and legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro. It supposedly was viewed by millions, but actual numbers weren’t kept.

Unfortunately, Dancer’s Image wasn’t declared the winner because traces of Butazolidin showed up in the post-race urine test. At Churchill Downs, it could only be administered “as long as it was no longer present in the horse’s urine at the time of a race.”

More Than A Laugh ... During this week in 1968, Rowan and Martin’s “Laugh In” topped the charts with a 31.5 rating. I watched it, but some of my friends weren’t allowed to because of its risqué nature and style.

It was a ground-breaking show that stayed within the guidelines, but there was plenty of innuendo.

Goldie Hawn made her mark on the show that ran until 1973. Chamberlain, who graced numerous TV shows, made a guest appearance along with former defensive tackle turned actor Alex Karras, Olympic gold medal swimmer Mark Spitz, and Howard Cosell.

Two classic, repetitive phrases back then were “Sock It To Me,” and “You Bet Your Sweet Bippy.” I was too young at the time to figure them out, and still don’t know what they mean.

Local Panther Hunting ... In 1968, Panther Valley won its first of two consecutive District 11 boys basketball titles, defeating Nazareth, 68-65, in double overtime behind Bob Polinsky’s 16 points.

The Panthers lost to Wissahickon, 73-48, in the opening round of the state tournament in the Class B bracket.

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... In each column, I will look back at a former wrestler from our youth.

William Dee Calhoun, or better known as “Haystacks Calhoun” was active in the ring from 1956-1980. He weighed a minimum of 600 pounds.

In 1973, Calhoun and Tony Garea held the title of WWWF Tag Team Champions for six months. Debuting as “County Boy Calhoun,” he was also a six-time Tag Team champion in the NWA and AWA.

Known for his “sit down splash” move, Calhoun posted an overall 1,207-543-111 mark over his 25 years. He was recognized for his overalls and his metal chain with a horseshoe.

Calhoun lost his left leg in 1986 due to diabetes, and passed away at age 55 in 1989.

Memory Lane ... In each column, I will look back at a former player, coach or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember Andy Musser? Known for his smooth voice, Musser called Sixers and Eagles games from 1965-71 after he worked for WCAU radio and Channel 10. He got his start at WHP-TV, a CBS affiliate in Harrisburg, where he did sports and weather.

When By Saam retired from the Phillies in 1975, Musser took over primarily as the radio play-by-play man and also did some TV until he retired in 2001. He also worked the World Series, The Masters, Super Bowls and the NCAA tournament.

Musser passed away at age 74 in 2012.

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