jim jividen

Wrestling Day: Champion v. Champion: 3 - 1987

Friday, January 2, 2026

1986

The card

World Championship: Ric Flair (NWA) v. Stan Hansen (AJPW)

International Title: Randy Savage (WWF) v. Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW)

Tag Team Titles: British Bulldogs (WWF) v. Horsemen (Arn Anderson/Tully Blanchard) (NWA)

Primary Matches

Nick Bockwinkel (AWA) v. Hulk Hogan (WWF)

Curt Hennig (AWA) v. Riki Choshu (NJPW)

Secondary Matches

Hiroshi Hase (NJPW) v. Ricky Steamboat (WWF)

Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) v. Kuniaki Kobayashi (NJPW)

Dusty Rhodes (NWA) v. Perro Aguayo (UWA)

Tag Matches

Midnight Express (Condrey/Rose) (AWA) v. Midnight Express (Lane/Eaton) (NWA)

Kejii Mutoh/Shiro Koshinaka (NJPW)v. Hart Foundation (Bret Hart/Jim Neidhart) (WWF)

The Rockers (AWA) v. Rock & Roll Express (NWA)

The Awesome Twosome (Rick Rude/Manny Fernandez) (AWA) v. Akira Maeda/Nobohiko Takada (NJPW)

the result

1. Rock & Roll Express (NWA) d. The Midnight Rockers (AWA)

2. Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) d. Kuniaki Kobayashi (NJPW)

3. Akira Maeda/Nobohiko Takada (NJPW) d. The Awesome Twosome (Rick Rude/Manny Fernandez) (AWA)

4. Dusty Rhodes (NWA) d. Perro Aguayo (UWA)

5. Midnight Express (Lane/Eaton) (NWA) d. Midnight Express (Condrey/Rose) (AWA)

6. Ricky Steamboat (WWF) d. Hiroshi Hase (NJPW)

7. Hart Foundation (Bret Hart/Jim Neidhart) (WWF) d. Kejii Mutoh/Shiro Koshinaka (NJPW)

8. Curt Hennig (AWA) d. Riki Choshu (NJPW)

9. Hulk Hogan (WWF) d. Nick Bockwinkel (AWA)

10. TAG TITLES: HORSEMEN (Anderson/Blanchard) (NWA) d. BRITISH BULLDOGS (WWF)

11. INTERNATIONAL TITLE: JUMBO TSURUTA (AJPW) d. RANDY SAVAGE (WWF)

12. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: RIC FLAIR (NWA) d. STAN HANSEN (AJPW)

Wrestling Day: Champion v. Champion: 2 - 1986

Thursday, January 1, 2026

1985 and what is it we're doing here

The Card

Title Matches

World Championship: Stan Hansen (AJPW) v. Ric Flair (NWA)

International Title: Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW) v. Randy Savage (WWF)

Tag Titles: Rock & Rock Express (NWA) v. British Bulldogs (WWF)

Primary Matches

Nick Bockwinkle (AWA) v. Hulk Hogan (WWF)

Secondary Matches

Dusty Rhodes (NWA) v. Tito Santana (WWF)

Tiger Mask II (AJPW) v. Nikita Koloff (NWA)

Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) v. Arn Anderson (NWA)

Tully Blanchard (NWA) v. Nobuhiko Takada (NJPW)

Kuniaki Kobayashi (AJPW) v. Shiro Koshinaka (NJPW)

Tag Matches

Scott Hall/Curt Hennig (AWA) v. Midnight Express (Eaton/Condrey) (NWA)

and the results...

1. Midnight Express (Eaton/Condrey) (NWA) d. Scott Hall/Curt Hennig (AWA)

2. Kuniaki Kobayashi (AJPW) d. Shiro Koshinaka (NJPW)

3. Tiger Mask II (AJPW) d. Nikita Koloff (NWA)

4. Dusty Rhodes (NWA) d. Tito Santana (WWF)

5. Tully Blanchard (NWA) d. Nobuhiko Takada (NJPW)

6. Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) d. Arn Anderson (NWA)

7. Hulk Hogan (WWF) draw Nick Bockwinkle (AWA)

8. TAG TITLES: BRITISH BULLDOGS (WWF) d. ROCK & ROLL EXPRESS (NWA)

9. INTERNATIONAL TITLE: RANDY SAVAGE (WWF) d. JUMBO TSURUTA (AJPW)

10. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: RIC FLAIR (NWA) d. STAN HANSEN (AJPW)

Wrestling Day: Champion v. Champion: 1 - 1985

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Here's the conceit. Following the success of Wrestlemania, a global alliance of wrestling promotions is created to put on an annual end of year inter-promotional show. The date selected is December 27, branded as Wrestling Day.

The structure is an 8/10/12 match supercard which consists of belt holders from the calendar year. 3 titles are created/defended each year. A primary title, the contenders for which are primary belt holders from the calendar year. A secondary title, the contenders for which are secondary belt holders from the calendar year. And tag titles, which have the same specs as above.

Importantly, the expectation is the belt holders will defend their titles at following year's show (meaning, the only way to leave with a belt in 1985 is if you will also be able to return in 1986 as a belt holder in order to be eligible to wrestle).

Note, I'm not going to do any sort of check to see if a wrestler who had a title in the calendar year had an issue at end of year that prevented them from wrestling. If that's an element of magical realism which is a bridge too far, there we are.

Card

Title Matches

World Championship: Stan Hansen (AJPW) v. Ric Flair (NWA)

International Championship: Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW) v. Dusty Rhodes (NWA)

Tag Team Championship: Road Warriors (AWA) v. Rock&Roll Express (NWA)

Primary Matches

Giant Baba (AJPW) v. Antonio Inoki (NJPW)

Rick Martel (AWA) v. Hulk Hogan (WWF)

Secondary Matches

Dynamite Kid (AJPW) v. Tully Blanchard (NWA)

Kuniaki Kobayashi (AJPW) v. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW)

Tiger Mask II (AJPW) v. Villano III (UWA)

Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) v. Greg Valentine (WWF)

Magnum TA (NWA) v. Tito Santana (WWF)

Tag Matches:

Crush Gals (Nagayo/Asuka) (AJW) v. Glamor Girls (WWF)

Russian Team (Ivan/Nikita Koloff) (NWA) v. US Express (Windham/Rotundo) (WWF)

And the Results...

1. Crush Gals (Nagayo/Asuka) (AJW) d. Glamor Girls (WWF)

2. Tito Santana (WWF) d. Magnum TA (NWA)

3. Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) d. Greg Valentine (WWF)

4. Russian Team (Ivan/Nikita Koloff) (NWA) v. US Express (Windham/Rotundo) (WWF)

5. Tiger Mask II (AJPW) d. Villano III (UWA)

6. Kuniaki Kobayashi (AJPW) d. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW)

7. Dynamite Kid (AJPW) draw Tully Blanchard (NWA)

8. Hulk Hogan (WWF) d. Rick Martel (AWA)

9. Antonio Inoki (NJPW) d. Giant Baba (AJPW)

10. TAG TEAM TITLES: ROCK & ROLL EXPRESS (NWA) d. ROAD WARRIORS (AWA)

11. INTERNATIONAL TITLES: JUMBO TSURUTA (AJPW) d. DUSTY RHODES (NWA)

12. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: STAN HANSEN (AJPW) d. RIC FLAIR (NWA)

Simulated 1979 NBA Finals

Saturday, December 27, 2025

1978

Actual Result, last year the Bullets beat the Sonics in the NBA Finals, this year they flip it, Seattle wins their only NBA Championship, beating the Bullets in 5.

MVP: Moses Malone

East Semis: Spurs d. Sixers 4-3

Bullets d. Hawks 4-3

West Semis: Suns d. Kings 4-1

Sonics d. Lakers 4-1

Simulation: There will not be a Sixers threepeat, they got bounced in the East Semis by the Spurs. San Antonio makes their first conference final, taking on the Champs from 1975, the Washington Bullets. The '76 Champs are also back, the Suns, and they'll face a Seattle team that lost in last year's West Finals.

East Finals (May) Washington Bullets (54-28) v. San Antonio Spurs (48-34)

West Finals (May) Seattle SuperSonics (52-30) v. Phoenix Suns (50-32)

East Finals Game 1 (DC) Spurs 111 Bullets 106

The Spurs win game 1 on the road. James Silas leads in scoring with 29. 28 points and 14 rebounds for Larry Kenon. George Gervin scores 25. 26 for Bob Dandridge in the loss. Double/double for Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld.

East Finals Game 2 (DC) Bullets 126 Spurs 100

The Bullets tie the series on 28 from Kevin Grevey. Triple double for Wes Unseld, 22 pts, 22 rebounds, 10 assists. Larry Kenon goes 29-13 in the loss. 22 for Gervin.

East Finals Game 3 (SA) Bullets 121 Spurs 90

The Bullets roll into San Antonio and roll through the Spurs. Kevin Grevey again leads in scoring with 22. Double/double for Unseld and Hayes. George Gervin scores 23 in the loss. Kenon double/double.

East Finals Game 4 (SA) Spurs 119 Bullets 110

The series is tied at 2. James Silas paces the Spurs with 26. 20 and 14 for Larry Kenon. 20 for Ice Gervin. Elvin Hayes goes 29 and 13 in the loss. Wes Unseld double/double.

East Finals Game 5 (DC) Bullets 129 Spurs 100

The Washington Bullets move a game from the NBA Finals. Bob Dandridge scores 32 in the win. Double/double for Hayes and Unseld. 23-10 for Gervin in the loss. Double double for Kenon and Mike Green.

East Finals Game 6 (SA) Bullets 109 Spurs 95

The Washington Bullets won the NBA Championship 4 years prior, they head back to end the decade. 23 points and 10 boards for Bob Dandridge. 21 for Grevey, it's Wes Unseld who is series MVP with a double/double. 22 for Gervin in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Seattle) Suns 114 Sonics 112

Down 4 with 45 seconds left, Gus Williams scored twice to tie it up for the Sonics, but with 2 seconds left, Alvan Adams scored in traffic to give Phoenix a game one road win. Walter Davis ran all over Seattle with 36 points. Adams double/double. Williams scores 25 for the Sonics. Double/double for Jack Sikma, John Johnson, Lonnie Shelton.

West Finals Game 2 (Seattle) Suns 120 Sonics 119

Dennis Johnson hit from the top of the key with 9 seconds to go to give Seattle a 1 point lead, but Walter Davis dropped one from 27 as the clock hit :00 and the Suns take both games 1-2 in Seattle and head home. 25 and 13 for Alvan Adams, 25 for Paul Westphal, double/double for Truck Robinson. Gus Williams scores 23 in the loss. 20 for John Johnson. Shelton/Sikma double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (Phoenix) Sonics 117 Suns 93

The Sonics had to win on the road and they do. 22 and 15 for Jack Sikma. 21 for Dennis Johnson. Lonnie Shelton double/double. Paul Westphal scores 28 in the loss.

West Finals Game 4 (Phoenix) Sonics 103 Suns 91

Alvan Adams was hurt early in game 3, misses game 4 entirely and the size disparity really shows up in favor of Seattle, who ties the series. Lonnie Shelton scores 22, 18 points and 20 rebounds for Jack Sikma. Walter Davis double/double in the loss.

West Finals Game 5 (Seattle) Sonics 99 Suns 86

The first home victory of the series - the loss of Adams too much for the Suns to overcome. Downtown Freddie Brown scores 21. Double/double for Sikma. Truck Robinson double/double in the loss.

West Finals Game 6 (Phoenix) Sonics 135 Suns 125

Seattle wins 4 straight after dropping the first two and they win the West and head to their first NBA Finals to take on the Bullets. Jack Sikma is the series MVP, he feasts without Adams on the other side, 38 points and 22 rebounds. 22 for Gus Williams, 21 for Lonnie Shelton, 20 for Dennis Johnson. 31 in the loss for both Westphal and Davis.

NBA FINALS (May/June) WASHINGTON BULLETS v. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

The Bullets won in '75, the decade is closing and they have a chance for another. KC Jones was coaching the Bullets then - and then, it was the Chicago Bulls who the Bullets beat to win the title. Their head coach was Dick Motta - who now is coaching these Bullets. Elvin Hayes was the Finals MVP in '75 and remains the team's best player, now 33, 3rd in the regular season MVP this year. Bob Dandridge was in his second season in 1971 when, as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, he won the NBA Title. He's now 31, on the front line with Hayes, 5th in the MVP race this year. In the middle is Wes Unseld, 32, a Bullet lifer, post peak, in his 11th season, that Title team in '75 was his last All Star appearance. In the backcourt is 27 year old Tom Henderson and 25 year old Kevin Grevey. 24 year old Larry Wright is the third guard, 24 year old Greg Ballard the first big off the bench.

Lenny Wilkens is the HC of the Sonics, competing in their first NBA Finals. They had two All Stars this year, 23 year old center Jack Sikma, who was MVP of the West Finals, and 24 year old Dennis Johnson, first team All Defense, working as the off guard. Next to DJ is 25 year old Gus Williams, 2nd in the Rookie of the Year race in '76 as a Warrior, signed with the Sonics as a free agent before last year. Downtown Freddie Brown is a 30 yard old combo guard off the bench. Joining Sikma in the front line is 23 year old Lonnie Shelton and 31 year old John Johnson. Paul Silas is the first big off the bench, he's now 35, he played with Wilkens (and Bob Pettit!) with the St Louis Hawks, won a Championship with the '74 Celtics. Next year is his final season.

BULLETS

HC-Dick Motta

C Wes Unseld (32)

F Elvin Hayes (33) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

F Bob Dandridge (31) 5th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

G Tom Henderson (27)

G Kevin Grevey (25)

G Larry Wright (24)

F Greg Ballard (24)

SONICS

HC-Lenny Wilkens

C Jack Sikma (23) All Star

F Lonnie Shelton (23)

F John Johnson (31)

G Gus Williams (25)

G Dennis Johnson (24) All Star, First Team All Defense

F Paul Silas (35)

G Freddie Brown (30)

NBA Finals Game 1 (DC) Sonics 110 Bullets 104

The Sonics take game one on the road. Jack Sikma keeps his conference finals dominance going, 30 pts and 14 rebounds. Gus Williams drops 25. Double/double for Dennis Johnson and Lonnie Shelton. Bob Dandridge scored 27 in the loss. 21 for Kevin Grevey. Double/double for Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. Sikma is in year 2 of what will be a 14 season career.

NBA Finals Game 2 (DC) Bullets 105 Sonics 98

Washington ties the series. Bob Dandridge dominates, throwing up a 42 point game. 20 for Kevin Grevey. Elvin Hayes double/double. Lonnie Shelton scores 21 in the loss. 20 and 10 for DJ. Sikma double/double. Dandridge left the Bucks last season in free agency.

NBA Finals Game 3 (Seattle) Sonics 117 Bullets 110

The first Finals game in Seattle goes to the home team. Dennis Johnson scores 29 to lead Seattle. 24 for Gus Williams. 22 for Lonnie Shelton. Double/double for Sikma and John Johnson. Elvin Hayes scores 27 with 18 rebounds in the loss. 23 for Dandridge. 21 rebounds for Unseld. This is the third year of DJs career, his first of 4 straight All Star selections. A year from now, he's headed to Phoenix for Paul Westphal.

NBA Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 121 Sonics 114

We got a good one, the Bullets square the series as we go back to DC for game 5. Elvin Hayes again leads the Bullets, 24 pts and 17 rebounds. 25 and 16 for Sikma in the loss. 24 for Williams. This is Hayes 11th season, he's been an All Star in all 11 years, next year will be his final appearance.

NBA Finals Game 5 (DC) Bullets 114 Sonics 112

Gus Williams hit from the corner to cut the Sonics deficit to 2 with 6 seconds left, but didn't get another chance and the Bullets move within a game of the 3rd NBA Title in franchise history. 29 for Bob Dandridge. Hayes again goes 24 and 17, will he become the 4th man to win 2 Finals MVPs? DJ scores 27 in the loss. 23 for Williams. Double/double for Sikma.

NBA Finals Game 6 (Seattle) Sonics 123 Bullets 113

Great conclusion to the decade, we're going to game 7. Gus Williams takes over with a 33 point game. 20 for DJ. 24 rebounds for Sikma. Hayes gives all he can in the loss, 24-10. Unseld double/double.

Here we go, the two greatest words in sports. Game Seven.

NBA Finals Game 7 (DC) Sonics 109 Bullets 100

The Seattle SuperSonics take game 7 on the road and are the Champions of the World. Dennis Johnson is the Finals MVP, he scores 24 to pace the Sonics. 20 and 12 for Lonnie Shelton, 20 for Gus Williams. Double/double for Sikma. 33 for Dandridge in the loss.

NBA Finals History

1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)

1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)

1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)

1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)

1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)

1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)

1953: Boston Celtics d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-3) - MVP: Bob Cousy (PG, 24)Back

1954: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2) - MVP: George Mikan (C, 29)

1955: Minneapolis Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) - MVP: Clyde Lovellette (C, 25)

1956: Philadelphia Warriors d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP: Neil Johnston (C, 26)

1957: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (C, 24)

1958: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-1) - MVP Bob Cousy (PG, 29)

1959: Syracuse Nationals d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-1) - MVP Dolph Schayes (PF, 30)

1950s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks) - Playoff Player of the Decade

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

1960: St Louis Hawks d. Boston Celtics (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (PF, 27)

1961: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP Bill Russell (C, 26)

1962: Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 27)

1963: Cincinnati Royals d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Oscar Robertson (PG, 24)

1964: San Francisco Warriors d. Cincinnati Royals (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 27)

1965 Philadelphia 76ers d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 28)

1966 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 31)

1967 Philadelphia 76ers d. San Francisco Warriors (4-2) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 30)

1968 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 33)

1969 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-1) MVP Jerry West (SG, 30)

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors/Sixers/Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

1970 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 33)

1971 Milwaukee Bucks d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 23)

1972 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Jerry West (PG, 33)

1973 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-1) MVP Jim McMillan (SF 24)

1974 Boston Celtics d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP John Havlicek (SF 33)

1975 Washington Bullets d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP Elvin Hayes (PF, 29)

1976 Phoenix Suns d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Paul Westphal (PG, 25)

1977 Philadelphia 76ers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3) MVP Julius Erving (SF, 26)

1978 Philadelphia 76ers d. Denver Nuggets (4-2) MVP Doug Collins (SG, 26)

1979 Seattle SuperSonics d. Washington Bullets (4-3) MVP Dennis Johnson (SG, 24)

1970s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

F Julius Erving (Sixers)

G Jerry West (Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade

G Jo Jo White (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Dave Cowens (Celtics)

F Elvin Hayes (Bullets)

F Bob Dandridge (Bullets)

G Doug Collins (Sixers)

G Walt Frazier (Knicks)

Simulated 1978 NBA Finals

Friday, December 26, 2025

1977

Actual Result: The first title for DC, the Washington Bullets beating the Sonics in 7.

MVP: Bill Walton

East Semis: Sixers d. Knicks (4-0)

Bullets d. Spurs (4-2)

West Semis: Nuggets d. Bucks (4-3)

Sonics d. Bullets (4-3)

Simulation: The defending champion Sixers are still alive and they face the '75 Champs, the Bullets in the East Final. Two new teams in the West Semis the expansion Sonics and from the ABA, the Nuggets.

East Finals (April/May) Philadelphia 76ers (55-27) v. Washington Bullets (44-38)

West Finals (May) Denver Nuggets (48-34) v. Seattle SuperSonics (47-35)

East Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 129 Bullets 121

The Sixers look to defend their titles and take game 1. Julius Erving was Finals MVP last year and scores 28 with 11 rebounds in game 1. George McGinnis scores 26 with a dozen rebounds. Caldwell Jones double/double. Bob Dandridge scores 27 in the loss. 25 for Kevin Grevey. 24 pts and 17 rebounds for Elvin Hayes.

East Finals Game 2 (Philly) Bullets 116 Sixers 105

The Bullets even the series, taking a game in Philly despite Wes Unseld being down with injury. Bob Dandridge goes for 30 in the win. Double/double for Mitch Kupchak and Elvin Hayes. Doug Collins scores 22 in the defeat. 20 for Erving.

East Finals Game 3 (DC) Sixers 120 Bullets 118

Kevin Grevey missed a 14 footer with 5 seconds left that would have sent the game to OT and the Sixers take game 3. World B Free scores 24 off the bench to lead the Sixers. 21 for Collins. Caldwell Jones double/double. 28 for Dandridge in the loss. 20 each for Grevey and Hayes. Charles Johnson double/double.

East Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 114 Sixers 112

Very similar to game 3, this time it's tied, seconds left, Kevin Grevey again with a jumper - this time, he hits it and the Bullets even the series at 2. Starting in place of Wes Unseld, Mitch Kupchak scored 25 with 14 rebounds. 21 for Grevey, double/double for Hayes. 24 for Erving in the defeat. 20 and 13 for McGinnis. Caldwell Jones has 21 rebounds. Henry Bibby double/double.

East Finals Game 5 (Philly) Sixers 116 Bullets 105

The Sixers win pivotal game 5 and go up 3-2. Erving goes 26 and 10. Collins scores 21. Double/double for McGinnis and Jones. Elvin Hayes double/double in the loss.

East Finals Game 6 (DC) Sixers 105 Bullets 99

For the first time in franchise history the Sixers win back to back East Titles and head to the NBA Finals with a chance to defend their championship. Doug Collins is the series MVP, he scores 25. Double/double for McGinnis and Jones. 22 for Dandridge in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Denver) Sonics 114 Nuggets 91

First conference finals game for either franchise, the Sonics blow the Nuggets out on their own floor. Gus Williams scores 22. Double/double for Jack Sikma and Marvin Webster. David Thompson drops 22 in the loss. Dan Issel double/double.

West Finals Game 2 (Denver) Nuggets 109 Sonics 102

The Nuggets split games 1 and 2 and head to Seattle. Big, big game for Dan Issel, 33 and 17. David Thompson scores 28. Anthony Roberts and Darnell Hillman double/double. Jack Sikma goes 21 and 16 in the loss. Marvin Webster double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (Seattle) Sonics 128 Nuggets 107

Seattle rolls in game 3. Downtown Freddie Brown scores 25 off the bench. 23 and 13 for Sikma. Dennis Johnson double/double. 23 rebounds for Webster. David Thompson rips 33 for Denver.

West Finals Game 4 (Seattle) Nuggets 135 Sonics 128 (OT)

A Marvin Webster drive to the bucket tied the score late in regulation for the Sonics, but they fall in OT to Denver and the series is tied at 2. Dan Issel is the man today, 42 points and 13 rebounds. David Thompson scores 28. Bobby Wilkerson triple doubles, 10-10-10. Double/double for Bobby Jones. John Johnson scores 29 for the Sonics. 26 for Gus Williams. Dennis Johnson scores 21. Double/double for Sikma and Webster.

West Finals Game 5 (Denver) Nuggets 117 Sonics 110

The Denver Nuggets move one game from the NBA Finals. David Thompson scores 36, Dan Issel 34 with 14 boards. Bobby Wilkerson double/double. 26 and 15 for Marvin Webster in the loss. Gus Williams scores 26.

West Finals Game 6 (Seattle) Sonics 121 Nuggets 93

The Sonics bust out, and we will go back to Denver for Game Seven. Dennis Johnson leads the way with 27. 20 for Freddie Brown. 22 and 11 for Dan Issel in the loss.

West Finals Game 7 (Denver) Nuggets 112 Sonics 103

Two years ago the Denver Nuggets were in the ABA and now they are headed to the NBA Finals to face the Sixers. David Thompson is the series MVP, he and Bobby Jones both score 24. 21 for Issel. Freddie Brown scores 25 in the loss.

NBA FINALS (May/June) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS v. DENVER NUGGETS

The Royals/Lakers/Celtics/Lakers/Lakers have all repeated as NBA Champions, the Sixers look to join that list. Billy Cunningham was part of the '67 Sixers champions and early in the season he became the head coach. The defending champs bring back the same group, Doc is 27, first team All NBA, McGinnis is 27, averaged over 20 PPG (more about him later) and Caldwell Jones/Daryl Dawkins split time in the middle; Dawkins is still only 21 and has an NBA Title in the bank. 26 year old Doug Collins, East Finals MVP and Henry Bibby remain the starting backcourt. Steve Mix and World Free coming off the bench.

The Nuggets are coached by Larry Brown, 20 years before he became the head man with the Sixers. 23 year old David Thompson was West Finals MVP and finished 3rd in the regular season MVP vote. 22 year old Anthony Roberts joins him in the backcourt, with 28 year old Ralph Simpson as the third guard. In the front court is Dan Issel, 29 years old, 6 time ABA All Star. 23 year old Bob Wilkerson is on the front line with him, as is 26 year old Bobby Jones, 1st Team All Defense. After the season, Jones and Simpson are dealt to the Sixers for George McGinnis.

76ERS

HC-Billy Cunningham

C Caldwell Jones (27)

F George McGinnis (27)

F Julius Erving (27) 1st Team All NBA

G Henry Bibby (28)

G Doug Collins (26) All Star

G World Free (24)

F Steve Mix (30)

C Darryl Dawkins (21)

NUGGETS

HC-Larry Brown

C Dan Issel (29)

F Bobby Jones (26) All Star, 1st Team All Defense

F Bob Wilkerson (23)

G David Thompson (23) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Anthony Roberts (22)

F Darnell Hillman (28)

G Ralph Simpson (28)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 139 Nuggets 135

Maybe the highest scoring non OT game in Finals history; Doc leads the Sixers with 28. 25 points and 14 rebounds for George McGinnis. Doug Collins scores 25. Double/double for Caldwell Jones. Dan Issel goes 27 and 11 in the loss. 21 for Bobby Jones. David Thompson with 20 points. Julius Erving was an All Star in every one of his 16 seasons.

NBA Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 118 Nuggets 105

Philly takes both games 1-2 at home. George McGinnis is the big man in this one, 26 points and 22 rebounds. Doug Collins adds 21. 26 for David Thompson in the loss. McGinnis will be an All Star next year for the Nuggets and be dealt away to the Pacers the following season for Alex English.

NBA Finals Game 3 (Denver) Nuggets 121 Sixers 118

David Thompson needed to hit a foul shot with 6 seconds left to seal it for Denver, he did, the Nuggets winning at home. 37 points and 10 rebounds for Thompson in a statement performance. 23 and 14 for Dan Issel. The Doctor scores 28 in the defeat. Collins and Bibby each added 20. Thompson came with the Nuggets from the ABA, Rookie of the Year in the ABAs final season, 1976.

NBA Finals Game 4 (Denver) Nuggets 127 Sixers 121

And the series is tied. David Thompson and Dan Issel have carried the Nuggets throughout the playoffs and continue here. 35 for Thompson, 34 and 15 for Issel. Bobby Jones double/double. 31 and 13 for McGinnis in the loss. 30 and 16 for Doc. 27 for Collins. Issel spent the first 5 years of his career in Louisville, playing for the Kentucky Colonels, was with Denver in their final ABA season and is now here. These Nuggets are really as close as you could get to an ABA team playing in the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals Game 5 (Philly) Sixers 113 Nuggets 110

Steve Mix hit a corner jumper with 10 seconds left to extend the Sixers lead to 3 and give them the game 5 win. Home teams winning every game. George McGinnis takes control, 26 pts. 23 for Erving. 20 for Collins, double/double for Caldwell Jones. Dan Issel has a big day in the loss, 30 and 16. Bobby Jones scores 20. Doug Collins averaged over 32 a game his junior year at Illinois St.

NBA Finals Game 6 (Denver) Sixers 121 Nuggets 115

The Philadelphia 76ers are back to back NBA Champions. Doug Collins follows up his East Finals MVP with an NBA Finals MVP coming off of a 33 pt close out performance. 20 and 15 for McGinnis, 20 and 10 for Erving. Great series for Davis Thompson, he scores 32 in the loss.