Category Archives: 1970s

1970s: Review

Posted on June 24, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Teams in the Finals The 1970s were an interesting decade for the NBA, as no team emerged as a dominant force. Eight different teams won championships, and the league competed for talent with the ABA. Teams to win single championships … Continue reading →

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1970: Knicks versus Lakers Round Three (New York’s First Title)

Posted on June 24, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Background After losing in the 1953 NBA Finals, the Knicks struggled throughout the ’60s before returning to playoff contention in 1969 thanks to the arrival of defensive stalwart Dave DeBusschere. The team lost in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett, Dick Garrett, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Keith Erickson, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Wilt Chamberlain | Leave a comment

1971: Bucks versus Bullets (Alcindor’s Arrival)

Posted on June 23, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Background The Bucks initially struggled after joining the league in 1968, but a coin flip awarded them the opportunity to draft franchise center Lew Alcindor, immediately making the team contenders. After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1970, Milwaukee … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Baltimore Bullets, Bob Dandridge, Earl Monroe, Greg Smith, Gus Johnson, Jack Marin, Jon McGlocklin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Loughery, Larry Costello, Lew Alcindor, Milwaukee Bucks, Oscar Robertson, Wes Unseld | Leave a comment

1972: Lakers versus Knicks Round Four (L.A.’s Sensational Streak)

Posted on June 21, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Background With the aging Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor, the 1972 Lakers were expected to be a rebuilding team. After a 6-3 start, Baylor retired, but the team embarked on a 33-game winning streak that remains the longest in NBA … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Bill Bradley, Bill Sharman, Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Jerry Lucas, Jerry West, Jim McMillian, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Walt Frazier, Wilt Chamberlain | Leave a comment

1973: Knicks versus Lakers Round Five (Wilt’s Last Season)

Posted on June 21, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Background The Knicks were shorthanded when they lost the 1972 NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, and they returned a year later with vengeance in mind. Though the team reeled off 57 regular season wins, they still only finished … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, Uncategorized | Tagged Bill Bradley, Bill Bridges, Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe, Gail Goodrich, Jerry Lucas, Jerry West, Jim McMillian, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Wilt Chamberlain | Leave a comment

1974: Celtics versus Bucks (The Big O’s Farewell)

Posted on June 18, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Background The Celtics briefly struggled after Bill Russell retired in 1969, missing the playoffs in 1970 and 1971. In 1973, they reeled off a team-record 68 wins behind league MVP Dave Cowens, but they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Bob Dandridge, Boston Celtics, Cornell Warner, Dave Cowens, Don Chaney, Don Nelson, Jo Jo White, John Havlicek, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mickey Davis, Milwaukee Bucks, Oscar Robertson, Paul Silas, Paul Westphal, Ron Williams, Tom Heinsohn | Leave a comment

1975: Warriors versus Bullets (Barry’s Bay Area Upset)

Posted on June 17, 2016 by austinmurphy1

Background After losing in the 1967 NBA Finals, the Warriors would lose twice more (1968, 1973) in the conference finals to the Los Angeles Lakers and change their name from San Francisco to the Golden State Warriors in 1971. Before … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Al Attles, Butch Beard, Charles Johnson, Clem Haskins, Clifford Ray, Derrek Dickey, Elvin Hayes, George Johnson, Golden State Warriors, Jamaal Wilkes, Jeff Mullins, K.C. Jones, Kevin Porter, Mike Riordan, Nick Weatherspoon, Phil Chenier, Phil Smith, Rick Barry, Truck Robinson, Washington Bullets, Wes Unseld | Leave a comment

1976: Celtics versus Suns (Hondo’s Last Finals)

Posted on September 10, 2015 by austinmurphy1

Background Coming off their 1974 NBA championship season, Boston was the favorite to win back-to-back titles. In 1975, the Celtics won 60 games but were disappointed when their bid for a repeat championship ended with a loss to the underdog … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Alvan Adams, Boston Celtics, Charlie Scott, Curtis Perry, Dave Cowens, Dick Van Arsdale, Don Nelson, Gar Heard, Jo Jo White, John Havlicek, Keith Erickson, Paul Silas, Paul Westphal, Phoenix Suns, Ricky Sobers, Steve Kuberski, Tom Heinsohn | Leave a comment

1977: Trailblazers versus 76ers (Bill Walton and Blazermania)

Posted on September 9, 2015 by austinmurphy1

Background The Trailblazers entered the league in 1970 and struggled in their first few seasons before hiring new head coach Jack Ramsay and acquiring Maurice Lucas during the dispersal draft that followed the ABA-NBA merger of 1976. Paired with 1974 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Bill Walton, Bob Gross, Caldwell Jones, Darryl Dawkins, Dave Twardzik, Doug Collins, Gene Shue, George McGinnis, Henry Bibby, Herm Gilliam, Jack Ramsay, Johnny Davis, Julius Erving, Lionel Hollins, Lloyd Neal, Maurice Lucas, Mike Dunleavy, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, Steve Mix, World B. Free | Leave a comment

1978: Bullets versus SuperSonics (Wes Wins his Ring)

Posted on September 4, 2015 by austinmurphy1

Background Despite reaching the NBA Finals in 1971 and 1975, the Bullets failed to win a single game in the championship series as they were swept both times. Midway through the 1977 season, Washington traded for Tom Henderson to replace … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged Bob Dandridge, Charles Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Dick Motta, Elvin Hayes, Fred Brown, Greg Ballard, Gus Williams, Jack Sikma, John Johnson, Kevin Grevey, Larry Wright, Lenny Wilkens, Marvin Webster, Mitch Kupchak, Paul Silas, Seattle SuperSonics, Tom Henderson, Washington Bullets, Wes Unseld | Leave a comment