Simulated 1977 NBA Finals

1976

Actual Result: Portland wins their first (and through 2025, only) NBA Championship, beating the Sixers in six.  

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

East Semis: Rockets d. Bullets (4-2)

                    Sixers d. Celtics (4-3)

West Semis: Lakers d. Warriors (4-3)

                    Blazers d. Nuggets (4-2)

Simulation: The Suns missed the playoffs and the Celtics got knocked off in the East semis, so we will see a new matchup in the Finals.  The Lakers, now with Kareem in the middle, are still alive and on the hunt for World Championship #12.  They face a 1970 expansion team making its first appearance in a conference championship, the Blazers, in the east, the Sixers are led by an ABA superstar, Julius Erving - and they face the Rockets, a late 60s expansion team that began in San Diego who are led by Moses Malone.  

East Finals (May) Philadelphia 76ers (50-32) v. Houston Rockets (49-33)

West Finals (May) Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) v. Portland Trail Blazers (49-33)

East Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 121 Rockets 100

The Sixers last Finals appearance was a decade prior, Wilt was Finals MVP.  They take game one of the East Finals.  Julius Erving paces the squad with 27. George McGinnis and Darryl Dawkins double/double. Double/double for Moses Malone in the loss.

East Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 108 Rockets 104

Sixers were up 7 with 23 seconds left and held on. 25 pts and 11 boards for the Doctor.  22 and 15 for George McGinnis.  Rudy Tomjanovich leads the Rockets with 18.  

East Finals Game 3 (Houston) Sixers 124 Rockets 115

The Sixers go up 3-0 and now are one game from their first East title in a decade. Doug Collins scores 30 to pace Philly.  20 for the Doctor.  George McGinnis double/double.  Calvin Murphy scores 30 in the loss.  23 points and 20 rebounds for Moses.  Double/double for Rudy T.

East Finals Game 4 (Houston) Sixers 118 Rockets 91

Philly sweeps their way into the NBA Finals.  24 and 15 for Julius Erving, he's the series MVP.  24 for Henry Bibby.  Double/double for McGinnis.  Double/double for Moses in the loss.  

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Blazers 120 Lakers 114

First conference championship game for the Blazers, first win.  20 and 17 for Maurice Lucas.  20 for Johnny Davis.  Cazzie Russell scores 30 for the Lakers in the loss.  Earl Tatum drops 23.  21 and 17 for Kareem.  

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 120 Blazers 114

The Lakers even the series as it shifts to Portland.  Huge Kareem game, 31 and 13.  Cazzie Russell scores 26.  In the loss, Bill Walton is 21-15 and Maurice Lucas has 17 rebounds. 

West Finals Game 3 (Portland) Blazers 125 Lakers 118 (OT)

Cazzie Russell hit a halfcourt shot to tie the score for the Lakers at the end of regulation, but the Blazers win it in OT to take the 2-1 lead.  33 points and 19 rebounds for Maurice Lucas; 33 points for Lionel Hollins, 27 points and 26 rebounds for Walton.  Kareem scores 29 with 26 boards in the loss.  21 for Russell

West Finals Game 4 (Portland) Lakers 118 Blazers 99

All tied at 2 and going to LA for game 5.  29 and 13 for Kareem in the win.  Cazzie Russell scores 21 and Lucius Allen gets 20.  Walton is 21-18 in the loss. Double/double for Maurice Lucas.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Blazers 101 Lakers 98

Kareem scored the Lakers last 8 points, but the Lakers just couldn't quite catch the Blazers, Maurice Lucas hitting 2 FT with 6 seconds left to seal it.  Portland is a game from the NBA Finals.  Bill Walton scored 29 with 17 rebounds. 20 and 14 for Lucas, double/double for Lionel Hollins.  29-20 for Kareem.  

West Finals Game 6 (Portland) Blazers 118 Lakers 97

The real world result is replicated here - it's Sixers v. Blazers for the 1977 NBA Championship. Bill Walton is the series MVP, 28 and 17 in the close out.  26-18 for Lucas.  Kareem goes 25-14 in the loss.

NBA FINALS (May/June) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS v. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

The Syracuse Nationals lost the NBA Finals 3 times before winning it all in '59; they then moved to Philly, became the 76ers, and won titles in '65 and '67.  A decade later, they're back.  The star is, of course, one Julius Winfield Erving II.  26 year old Dr J spent the first 5 years as the signature performer in the ABA, the leagues merged and he was sold to the Sixers, this is his first NBA season. Next to Erving on the front line is another ABA refugee, 26 year old George McGinnis who, like Erving, was 2nd Team All NBA this season. 26 year old Caldwell Jones, in his first NBA season after 3 in the ABA, is in the middle.  In the backcourt is 25 year old All Star Doug Collins, who will spend his entire 8 year career in Philly, and 27 year old Henry Bibby who was purchased from the Jazz before the season.  

The Blazers, like the Suns the previous year, are new Finals blood.  They're led by 24 year old Bill Walton, in his third NBA season, he was second in the MVP vote.  Next to him on the front line is 24 year old Maurice Lucas, a fellow All Star.  Like the Sixers front line, Lucas arrived from the ABA. 23 year old Bob Gross fills out the frontcourt.  Very young backcourt, 23 year old Lionel Hollins and 21 year old Johnny Davis.  

76ERS

HC-Gene Shue

C Caldwell Jones (26)

F George McGinnis (26) 2nd Team All NBA

F Julius Erving (26) 5th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

G Henry Bibby (27)

G Doug Collins (25) All Star

F Steve Mix (29)

G World B Free (23)

C Darryl Dawkins (20)

TRAIL BLAZERS

HC-Jack Ramsey

C Bill Walton (24) 2nd MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

F Maurice Lucas (24) All Star

F Bob Gross (23)

G Lionel Hollins (23)

G Johnny Davis (21)

G Dave Twardzik (26)

G Larry Steele (27)

G Herm Gilliam (30)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 113 Blazers 99

The Sixers take game one at home.  Doug Collins paces Philly with 28. 26 points and 12 rebounds for Julius Erving. Double/double for George McGinnis.  25 for Lionel Hollins in the loss. Bill Walton goes 22 and 25.  Chronic injuries will end Collins career after 8 seasons in '81.  

NBA Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 123 Blazers 111

Philly takes both games at home and move two away from the 4th NBA Title in franchise history. Doug Collins again leads with 31. Double/double for George McGinnis.  25 pts and 18 boards for Walton in the defeat.  20 and 14 for Maurice Lucas.  McGinnis was a Pacer in the ABA, was ABA MVP in '75 averaging nearly 30 a game.  

NBA Finals Game 3 (Portland) Blazers 109 Sixers 106

Portland took their first 4th qtr lead with 70 seconds remaining and didnt give it back.  22 pts and 19 assists for Bill Walton.  Double/double for Maurice Lucas. Erving and McGinnis are both 20 and 12 in the defeat.  Bill Walton played just 468 regular season games in his NBA career due to injuries, the only year he'd play more than 67 games was '86.

NBA Finals Game 4 (Portland) Blazers 117 Sixers 107

Portland evens the series and we head back to Philly for pivotal game 5. 20 points and 10 assists for Lionel Hollins. Double/double for Walton. Steve Mix scores 26 off the bench to lead the Sixers. Double/double for McGinnis. Hollins was 4th in the Rookie of the Year vote the prior season, 3 years from now he'll be dealt to to the Sixers at midseason.  

NBA Finals Game 5 (Philly) Sixers 101 Blazers 90

Home teams have won the first 5 games of the series and that means the Sixers are up 3-2.  Dr J has his signature moment of the series, 30 pts, 12 rebounds to carry Philly to within one game of the Title.  Double/double for Lucas and Walton in the loss.  Erving had 3 MVP awards in the ABA, he'll win the NBA version in '81. 

NBA Finals Game 6 (Portland) Blazers 125 Sixers 101

I think this is the first NBA Finals where home teams are 6-0, Portland stays alive and for the first time in 5 years, the NBA Finals heads to a game seven. The Big Redhead carries the day, 30 points and 17 boards for Walton.  Johnny Davis scores 28. Double/double for Maurice Lucas.  Doug Collins scores 21, George McGinnis 20 in the loss.  Lucas was in an ABA deal for Sixers center Caldwell Jones.  In 1985 Lucas will be dealt from the Suns to the Lakers in exchange for a draft pick which will turn out to be Steve Kerr.  

So, here we go.  The two greatest words in all of sports....Game Seven.

NBA Finals Game 7 (Philly) Sixers 109 Blazers 103

Home teams win all 7 games and the Philadelphia 76ers are Champions of the World.  Julius Erving could not have been any bigger here, 40 points and 19 rebounds, he takes it on himself to bring to the title home to Philly and is the series MVP. 20-17 for McGinnis, 20 for Collins.  Double/double for both Walton and Lucas 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)

Simulated 1976 NBA Finals

1975 

Actual Result: Another Celtics title, their second in 3 years.  They beat the Suns in 6.

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

East Semis: Celtics d. Braves (4-2)

                    Cavs d. Bullets (4-3)

West Semis: Warriors d. Pistons (4-2)

                     Suns d. Sonics (4-2)

Simulation: The World Champion Bullets are knocked out in the East Semis, and the West Champion Bulls missed the playoffs, so we'll have a new Finals.  The Celtics won the East the prior 3 years and they are once again in the East Finals, they'll be taking on one of the 1970 expansion teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers, making their first conference finals.  The Warriors lost the West Finals last year and they return to the conference title series, facing a 1968 expansion team, the Phoenix Suns, who are playing in their first conference finals.  

East Finals (May) Boston Celtics (54-28) v. Cleveland Cavaliers (49-33)

West Finals (May) Golden St Warriors (59-23) v. Phoenix Suns (42-40)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 103 Cavs 90

The Celtics won the East 3 straight seasons prior to last year and are 3 games from doing it again.  Jo Jo White leads with 20. Dave Cowens double/double.  Jim Brewer double/double for the Cavs.

East Finals Game 2 (Boston) Celtics 91 Cavaliers 74

That Cav score is the lowest total we've seen for a conference final; John Havlicek scores 21. Cowens and Paul Silas double/double.  Jim Brewer double/double for the overmatched Cavs.

East Finals Game 3 (Cleveland) Cavs 114 Celtics 96

The Cavs come home and they cut the series deficit to 2-1.  Jim Brewer and Bingo Smith both score 20. Jo Jo White goes for 23 in the loss. 21 boards for Cowens, double/double for Silas and Charlie Scott.  

East Finals Game 4 (Cleveland) Cavs 102 Celtics 90

The Cavs win both games at home and this series heads back to Boston all tied up.  Bingo Smith scores 23 to lead the way. 22 for Jim Cleamons. Jim Brewer double/double.  An injured John Havlicek doesn't score at all in the Celtic loss.  Jo Jo White scores 20. Double/double for Cowens and Silas

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 119 Cavs 91

Home teams have won all 5 games, Boston taking the 3-2 lead.  Dave Cowens takes over, 29 pts, 16 rebounds. 26 for Charlie Scott. 23 for Paul Silas.  Nate Thurmond double/double in the loss.

East Finals Game 6 (Cleveland) Celtics 106 Cavs 96

And its done - the Boston Celtics win their 13th East Championship and are going back to the NBA Finals.  Dave Cowens is the series MVP, 22 pts and 27 rebounds. Jo Jo White scores 21. Nate Thurmond double/double in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (GSt) Suns 106 Warriors 98

Less than a decade into their existence as a franchise, the Phoenix Suns are 3 games from the NBA Finals.  Alvan Adams scores 26 with 13 rebounds. Double/double for Gar Heard. Gus Williams scores 24 for the Warriors. 22 and 10 for Jamaal Wilkes. Rick Barry double/double.

West Finals Game 2 (GSt) Warriors 111 Suns 99

The Warriors even it up and the series shifts to Arizona.  25 points and 10 assists for Rick Barry, 22 and 11 for Jamaal Wilkes. Gar Heard scores 22 with 16 boards for the Cavs. Double/double for Alvan Adams and Curtis Perry.  

West Finals Game 3 (Phoenix) Warriors 120 Suns 112

The Warriors take game 3 on the road and are 2 wins away from their first Finals appearance in 9 years.  Phil Smith and Gus Williams each score 21. Double/double for Jamaal Wilkes and Clifford Ray.  23 for Alvan Adams in the defeat.  Double/double for Gar Heard.  

West Finals Game 4 (Phoenix) Suns 114 Warriors 104

The Suns even the series and we will head back to Oakland for game 5.  Gar Heard scores 29 with 19 boards.  21 and 10 for Adams.  24 for Jamaal Wilkes in the defeat.  Clifford Ray double/double.

West Finals Game 5 (GSt) Suns 125 Warriors 123 (OT)

Rick Barry hits from distance with 6 seconds left in regulation to give the Warriors a 2 point lead, but Paul Westphal returns the favor from 40 feet to send the game into OT.  In OT, Jamaal Wilkes hit a 14 footer with 12 seconds left to tie the score - but very controversially, Alvan Adams was fouled on an attempt at a game wining shot at the buzzer - he hit both FT and the Phoenix Suns take game 5 on the road and are now 1 game from the NBA Finals.  21 and 10 for Curtis Perry for the Suns. 21 for both Adams and Westphal. Double/double for Gar Heard.  Rick Barry scores 22. Double/double for Clifford Ray.

West Finals Game 6 (Phoenix) Warriors 97 Suns 92

The Warriors win game 6 on the road and force a return to Oakland for Game Seven.  Rick Barry goes 23 and 10. 20 for Phil Smith. 22 and 11 for Alvan Adams in the loss.  Curtis Perry double/double.

The two greatest words in sports - Game Seven.  Winner to face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

West Finals Game 7 (GSt) Suns 109 Warriors 100

The Phoenix Suns win the Western Conference and we get the same matchup as we did in the real world, Celtics/Suns for the '76 Title.  Alvan Adams goes 23 and 12 and wins the series MVP. 21 and 16 for Gar Heard. Rick Barry scores 27 for the Warriors.  

NBA FINALS (May/June) BOSTON CELTICS v. PHOENIX SUNS

If the series goes 7 it's the first June NBA game. The Celtics will be playing in their 13th NBA Finals, they've won 5, most recently 2 years prior.  The same basic Celtic group we've seen the past few years, Dave Cowens is 27, this is the last year of a 4 year run of top 5 MVP finishes. John Havlicek is 35, he was Finals MVP 2 years ago, and this is the last season of 11 that he was either first or second team All NBA.  32 year old Paul Silas joins them on the front line and was first team All Defense. Jo Jo White is 29, he's been a great postseason performer; along with Jerry West, White would be the top guard in the postseason for the first half of the decade. Next year is his last of 7 All Star appearances as you can definitely see this Celtics page turning.  The fifth starter is Charlie Scott - Scott was initially drafted by the Celtics (Scott went to the ABA after college) and his rights were dealt to the Suns for Silas back in '72. In the offseason, the Celtics reaquired Scott from Phoenix in exchange for Paul Westphal and they meet here in the NBA Finals.  Also in the rotation is 35 year old Don Nelson, in his final season (Nellie starts, plays a handful of minutes, Havlicek plays nearly the entire game but comes off the bench)

The upstart Suns are led by 21 year old Rookie of the Year center Alvan Adams, who was MVP of the West conference title series.  Two 27 year olds, Gar Heard and Curtis Perry round out the front line.  Heard came over at midseason in a deal with Buffalo - Perry and two bench pieces came over ina  deal with the Jazz for a first round pick that turned into Adrian Dantley.  25 year old Paul Westphal runs the point, he was in the rotation when the Celtics won the title in '74, the off guard is  23 year old Ricky Sobers.

CELTICS

HC-Tom Heinsohn

C Dave Cowens (27) 3rd MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

F Paul Silas (32) 1st Team All Defense

F John Havlicek (35) 2nd Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (29) All Star

G Charlie Scott (27)

F Don Nelson (35)

F Steve Kuberski (28)

SUNS

HC-John MacLeod

C Alvan Adams (21) Rookie of the Year

F Gar Heard (27)

F Curtis Perry (27)

G Paul Westphal (25)

G Ricky Sobers (23)

G Dick Van Arsdale (32)

F Keith Erickson (31)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 125 Suns 111

Boston aims for Title #6.  Jo Jo White scores 32. 28 pts and 10 rebounds for Dave Cowens.  Double/double for Paul Silas.  Paul Westphal scores 21 in the loss. White spent the decade in Boston, drafted in '69 and dealt away to the Warriors during the '79 season. 

NBA Finals Game 2 (Boston) Suns 102 Celtics 93

Phoenix gets a game in Boston and now goes home for games 3-4.  20 and 10 for Alvan Adams. Double/double for Gar Heard.  20 rebounds for Cowens, double/double for Silas in the loss.  At 21, Adams is...I think...the youngest NBA Finals starter to this date, his was named to his only All Star team this year.  

NBA Finals Gams 3 (Phoenix) Suns 123 Celtics 103

The Suns take a 2-1 lead. Keith Erickson scores 30 points off the bench, going 8 for 12 from the floor.  23 each for Adams and Westphal. Heard double/double.  20 and 13 for Silas in the loss. Cowens double/double.  Erickson won 3 NBA Championships with the Lakers, he was sent to the Suns in late '73 as part of the Connie Hawkins trade.  

NBA Finals Game 4 (Phoenix) Suns 98 Celtics 89

The Phoenix Suns are a game away from the NBA Championship.  21 and 12 for Alvan Adams, Paul Westphal scored 21. Cowens double/double in the loss.  Seven years from now, Westphal will be Comeback Player of the Year with the Knicks.  

NBA Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 115 Suns 105

The actual result here was a triple OT win for the Celtics, it only takes regulation, but the Celtics survive and the series goes back to Phoenix.  Jo Jo White drops 36 in the win.  21 and 17 for Cowens.  Double/double for Silas. 20-14 for Alvan Adams.  Double/double for Heard and Perry.

NBA Finals Game 6 (Phoenix) Suns 113 Celtics 104

The Phoenix Suns are World Champions, the Celtics lose their 8th NBA Finals.  Paul Westphal scores 30 points in the closeout game and is the NBA Finals MVP against his former team.  Alvan Adams posts a triple double, 20 pts, 11 rebounds, 11 assists in a whale of a postseason.  Gar Heard double/double.  30 pts and 16 boards for Cowens 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)

Simulated 1975 NBA Finals

1974 

Actual Result: The upstart Warriors win their first title since the move West, sweeping the Bullets. 

MVP: Bob McAdoo

East Semis: Celtics d. Rockets (4-1)

                    Bullets d. Braves (4-3)

West Semis: Bulls d. Kings (4-2)

                    Warriors d. Sonics (4-2)

Simulation: After 13 years the Celtics won the NBA Championship last season and again are in the final four.  They'll take on Celtic Hall of Famer KC Jones and the Washington Bullets.  The defending West Champion Bulls are also back, they've added future Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond in a deal with the Warriors, who they are taking on in the West Finals.  

East Finals (April/May)  Boston Celtics (60-22) v. Washington Bullets (60-22)

West Finals (April/May) Golden St Warriors (48-34) v. Chicago Bulls (47-35)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 109 Bullets 97

No team has ever played in 4 consecutive NBA Finals, the Celtics are 3 games from that accomplishment. Jo Jo White scores 24. Double/double for Dave Cowens, Don Nelson, Paul Silas. Elvin Hayes scores 28 with 11 boards in the loss.  Phil Chenier scores 21. 

East Finals Game 2 (DC) Bullets 113 Celtics 112 (OT)

Celtics by 5 with less than a minute left, Phil Chenier hits a one handed runner, after a Celtic miss, Elvin Hayes hits a turnaround with 14 seconds to play.  Celtics by 1, Bullets foul Cowens - he hits 1, and at :00 Wes Unseld in traffic beats the buzzer to force OT. Celtics led by as many as 5 in OT, led by 3 with a minute left when Unseld scores from down low.  Celtics miss and with 20 seconds left Phil Chenier scores from the block and the Bullets had their first lead since the first quarter.  Cowens misses at the buzzer and the Bullets had tied the series. 27 pts for Chenier to lead the Bullets.  Unseld and Elvin Hayes both double/doubled.  23 and 16 for Cowens in the loss.  Jo Jo White scored 20.

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Celtics 111 Bullets 109

Jo Jo White hits 2 FT with 3 seconds left and the Celtics take game 3.  26 points and 15 rebounds for Dave Cowens.  23 pts, 13 assists for Jo Jo White.  John Havlicek scored 24.  Phil Chenier leads for the Bullets with 27.  Double/double for Elvin Hayes and Nick Weatherspoon.  

East Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 107 Celtics 94

Home teams have won all 4 games and its 2-2.  Elvin Hayes scores 26 to lead the Bullets.  22 for Mike Riordan. Double/double for Wes Unseld.  Dave Cowens is 25-13 for the Celts.  Paul Silas double/double.

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Bullets 112 Celtics 98

The Bullets take game 5 in Boston and now head home 1 win away from winning the East and heading to the NBA Finals.  Phil Chenier leads the Bullets with 28. 25 for Mike Riordan. 22 boards for Wes Unseld.  Double/double for Elvin Hayes and Nick Weatherspoon.  Havlicek scores 16 to lead the Celtics.  Double/double for Cowens and Silas.

East Finals Game 6 (DC) Bullets 114 Celtics 107

The Celtics do not win their 4th straight East title- the Bullets won the BAA Title in 1948, 27 years later they are going to the NBA Finals.  Huge Elvin Hayes game, 33 pts, 13 boards.  Phil Chenier scores 28 and is the series MVP.  Unseld double/double.  Cowens is 30-17 in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (GSt) Warriors 121 Bulls 111

The Warriors take game 1.  Rick Barry was unstoppable, 41 points and 10 rebounds. 21 for Jamaal Wilkes.  Bob Love scored 26 in the loss.  23 for Jerry Sloan, 21 for Chet Walker. Norm Van Lier triple double, 15 pts, 10 boards, 10 assists.  

West Finals Game 2 (Chicago) Bulls 128 Warriors 98

The series shifts to Chicago for games 2-3 and the Bulls even it up.  41 for Bob Love with 10 rebounds. Chet Walker scores 20. Tom Boerwinkle triple doubles, 14 pts, 13 boards, 10 assists.  Jerry Sloan double/double.  Rick Barry has 24 in the loss.  22 for Jeff Mullins, Clifford Ray double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (Chicago) Bulls 105 Warriors 100

The Bulls take both in Chicago and we are two games away from a Bulls/Bullets NBA Finals.  Norm Van Lier drops 32. 20 for Walker, double/double for Nate Thurmond against his old club.  Rick Barry scores 27 in the loss.  Double/double for Jamaal Wilkes.  

West Finals Game 4 (GSt) Bulls 107 Warriors 98

Chicago moves within a game of going back to the NBA Finals.   26 points and 12 assist for Van Lier, 23 for Bob Love. Double/double for Walker. Rick Barry scores 30 for the Warriors. Double/double for Clifford Ray.

West Finals Game 5 (GSt) Bulls 121 Warriors 111

The Chicago Bulls win the West in back to back seasons and we have turned the page from all the seasons of Knicks/Celtics/Lakers - it's Bulls v. Bullets for the NBA Championship.  It's Chet Walker, in his final season, who leads with 31 in this one. 29 for Bob Love, he is the series MVP.  20 for Van Lier and a double/double for Tom Boerwinkle.  37 for Rick Barry in the loss.  

NBA FINALS (May) WASHINGTON BULLETS v. CHICAGO BULLS

The Chicago Stags lost the first BAA Finals - 37 years later the city of Chicago returned to the Finals, getting swept by the Celtics.  A year later, the Bulls are back.  Chet Walker is 34, headed to the Hall of Fame, a 2 time Champion with the Sixers, he is retiring after the season.  Joining him on the front line is Bob Love, West Finals MVP, 32 years old, second team All Defense.  Splitting time in the middle is 33 year old future Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond, playing in his only full season with the Bulls, he gets dealt early next year to the Cavs - and Tom Boerwinkle, 29 years old his minutes have increased during the postseason.  In the backcourt, 27 year old Norm Van Lier, second team All Defense, and first team All Defense 32 year old Jerry Sloan.  

The Bullets were in Baltimore when they won the second BAA Title in '48, they moved to DC last season.  They've got two future Hall of Famers on the front line, Wes Unseld is 28, he will spend his entire career as a Bullet. Rookie of the Year in '69, he was named to his 5th All Star team this year. Elvin Hayes is 29, he finished second to Unseld as a rookie with the Rockets, was acquired a couple of seasons prior by the Bullets for Jack Marin.  Hayes was 3rd in the MVP vote this season.  Mike Riordan and Nick Weatherspoon split time at the other forward spot.  In the backcourt, 24 year old Phil Chenier was 2nd Team All NBA in what will turn out to be his career best season.  24 year old Kevin Porter runs the point.  

BULLETS

HC-KC Jones

C Wes Unseld (28) All Star

F Elvin Hayes (29) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

F Nick Weatherspoon (24)

G Kevin Porter (24)

G Phil Chenier (24) 2nd Team All NBA

F Mike Riordan (29)

BULLS

HC-Dick Motta

C Tom Boerwinkle (29)

F Bob Love (32) 

F Chet Walker (34)

G Norm Van Lier (27) 

G Jerry Sloan (32) 1st Team All Defense

C Nate Thurmond (33)

NBA Finals Game 1 (DC) Bullets 98 Bulls 88

One of the lowest scoring finals games in history, Elvin Hayes goes 21 and 12 in the win for the Bullets. 20 for Phil Chenier, 24 rebounds for Wes Unseld.  In the loss, Jerry Sloan is 21 and 10. Double/double for Tom Boerwinkle.  In his senior season at the University of Houston Hayes averaged 36 and 19.  

NBA Finals Game 2 (Chicago) Bullets 104 Bulls 95

The Bulls were swept in last year's Finals, it was only the second sweep in Finals history - and they go down 2-0 this year.  Mike Riordan drops 28 for the Bullets. Kevin Porter 27 as the future Hall of Famers play supporting scoring roles, Unseld does add 22 boards and Hayes double/doubles.  Jerry Sloan leads for Chicago with 18 pts and 10 rebounds.  Riordan has Finals experience, he was on that Knicks team that lost 3 straight Finals.  He was dealt here three years ago as part of the Earl Monroe deal.  

NBA Finals Game 3 (Chicago) Bullets 95 Bulls 81

The Bullets go up 3-0 and will head home for games 4 and 5, just one win away from their first Championship since 1948.  23 and 13 for Hayes, double/double for Unseld.  For the Bulls, double/double for Sloan and Love.  

NBA Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 114 Bulls 102

The Bulls get swept in back to back NBA Finals - the Washington Bullets are World Champions.  Phil Chenier scores 33, Kevin Porter 25 with 11 assists.  Mike Riordan scores 21, 21 rebounds for Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes double/doubles and is the Finals MVP.  Bob Love scores 33 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)

Simulated 1974 NBA Finals

 

1973

Actual Result: It's the Celtics, winning their first title in 5 years, beating Kareem's Bucks in 7.

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

East Semis: Celtics d. Braves (4-2)

                    Knicks d. Bullets (4-3)

West Semis: Bulls d. Pistons (4-3)

                     Bucks d. Lakers (4-1)

Simulation: There wont be another Lakers threepeat, they lose to the Bucks in the West semis to end Jerry West's career; it's Oscar Robertson's final season.  The Bucks face Chet Walker and the Bulls.  In the East - of course - it's Knicks v. Celtics, it's always Knicks v. Celtics, either the Knicks or Celtics has lost the last 6 NBA Finals.  

East Finals (April) Boston Celtics (56-26) v. New York Knicks (49-33)

West Finals (April) Milwaukee Bucks (59-23) v. Chicago Bulls (54-28)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 122 Knicks 102

The Celtics look to win their 3rd straight East Title and take game 1.  22 pts and 10 rebounds for John Havlicek. 21 and 13 for Dave Cowens.  Double/double for Don Nelson.  High scorer for the Knicks is Henry Bibby, with 16 points in 15 minutes.  

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Celtics 123 Knicks 103

Boston rolls on the road and goes up 2-0.  Jo Jo White leads the way with 31. 23 and 21 for Dave Cowens. Double/double for Don Nelson and Paul Silas. Bill Bradley scores 19 for the Knicks, double/double for Dave DeBusschere.  

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Celtics 109 Knicks 105

Boston goes up 3-0, they're a game from their 3rd consecutive East Title, which follows the Knicks 3 consecutive East Titles.  26 pts/20 rebounds for Dave Cowens 26 for Don Nelson. Havlicek scores 22, double double for Silas.  30 pts and 10 assists for Walt Frazier in the loss.  Double/double for Phil Jackson and John Gianelli, both starting with Reed/DeBusschere coming off the bench.  

East Finals Game 4 (NY) Celtics 103 Knicks 92

The Celtics sweep the Knicks and head to their 3rd consecutive NBA Finals, their last NBA Championship was in '61, 13 years prior.  24 for Jo Jo White, Don Chaney has 23 and 11. Double/double for Dave Cowens and he is the series MVP. Walt Frazier triple double in the Knicks loss.  

West Finals Game 1 (Milwaukee) Bulls 107 Bucks 99

The Bulls take game 1 on the road.  Chet Walker is the high man with 25. 24 and 12 boards for Norm Van Lier. 24 for Bob Love. Clifford Ray double/double.  Huge triple double for Kareem in the loss.  38-11-11.  Double/double for Bob Dandridge

West Finals Game 2 (Chicago) Bucks 119 Bulls 94

First ever conference final in Chicago, they get hammered by the Bucks.  Bob Dandridge leads with 23, Cornell Warner goes 21 and 13.  Kareem scores 20, a rare Bucks win when he is just a component and not the leader.  Bob Love scores 25 for Chicago.  16 and 11 assists for Norm Van Lier.

West Finals Game 3 (Milwaukee) Bulls 100 Bucks 85

The road team wins each of the first 3 games. Bob Love leads the way for Chicago with 20 and 11. Clifford Ray double/double.  19 for Dandridge in the loss. Double/double for Kareem and Warner.  

West Finals Game 4 (Chicago) Bulls 112 Bucks 101

The Chicago Bulls are one game away from their first NBA Finals.  Chet Walker scores 29. 24 for Bob Love. Clifford Ray double/double. Dandridge goes 23 and 10 in the loss, 21 for Warner. Double/double for Kareem.  

West Finals Game 5 (Milwaukee) Bucks 116 Bulls 94

The Bucks take game 5 and we head to Chicago, the Bulls having a chance to clinch the West on their home floor.  Kareem breaks through with 36 and 19.  20 for Dandridge. Warner double/double.  33-14 for Love, he's been the best player in the series.  20 with 10 assists for Van Lier. 

West Finals Game 6 (Chicago) Bulls 121 Bucks 109

It is done - the Chicago Bulls upset the Milwaukee Bucks and head to the NBA Finals to take on the Boston Celtics in the final game of the NBA career of Oscar Robertson.  27 pts and 10 assists for Norm Van Lier. 23 for Walker, Bob Love wins the series MVP, 20 pts, 10 rebounds. Clifford Ray double/double.  Kareem scores 28 in the loss.

NBA FINALS (April/May) BOSTON CELTICS v. CHICAGO BULLS

The hard luck Celtics return to the NBA Finals, they do have 4 NBA titles ('53, '57, '58, '61) but have lost the NBA Finals in '55, '60, '62, '66, '68, '72, '73.  This is their 12th Finals appearance. John Havlicek is 33, it's his 4th straight year as 1st Team All NBA. Dave Cowens is 25, it's his second straight top 4 MVP finish. Backcourt mates Jo Jo White and Don Chaney are both 27, White was an All Star, Chaney second team all Defense.  30 year olf Paul Silas is the fifth starter, the veteran Don Nelson and young Paul Westphal are both in the rotation.  It is the first ever Finals appearance for the Bulls, their top player this year was Norm Van Lier, 26 year old point guard, second team All NBA. He shares a backcourt with 31 year old Jerry Sloan, Sloan missed the conference final but brings his first team all defense performance into this one. 33 year old Chet Walker was an All Star for the 7th time this year, he is in his penultimate NBA season; 31 year old Bob Love was conference finals MVP, second team all defense.  The center is 25 year old Clifford Ray and he is off to the Warriors after the season in a huge deal for Nate Thurmond.  

CELTICS

HC-Tom Heinsohn

C Dave Cowens (25) 4th MVP

F Paul Silas (30)

F John Havelicek (33) 1st Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (27) All Star

G Don Chaney (27)

F Don Nelson (33)

BULLS

HC-Dick Motta

C Clifford Ray (25)

F Bob Love (31) 

F Chet Walker (33) All Star

G Norm Van Lier (26) 2nd Team All NBA

G Jerry Sloan (31) 1st Team All Defense

G Bob Weiss (31)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 102 Bulls 91

The Celtics take game 1 at home.  Big game for John Havlicek, 34 pts.  This is Hondo's 12th season, he'll play 16, all in Boston.  Dave Cowens had 23 rebounds. Bob Love scored 24 in the loss. 21 for Chet Walker, double/double for Norm Van Lier.

NBA Finals Game 2 (Boston) Celtics 134 Bulls 100

The Celtics have not won an NBA Championship in 13 years - but they dominate in game 2 and are now 2 games away.  Dave Cowens scores 25 with 23 rebounds. Cowens will be an All Star in 9 of his 10 Celtics seasons.  24 points and 10 boards for Don Nelson, 21 pts and 10 assists for Jo Jo White. Chet Walker leads the Bulls with 19. 

NBA Finals Game 3 (Chicago) Celtics 116 Bulls 108

Boston goes up 3-0, all the heartbreak the Celtics have been through with 5 Finals losses since their last win could be coming to an end.  Havlicek scores 30. Cowens has 28 pts and 17 boards. Double/double for Paul Silas.  Chet Walker scores 28 in the loss, Walker's a 2 time champion with the Sixers, dealt to the Bulls five seasons prior.  27 and 13 for Love. Double/double for Jerry Sloan. 

NBA Finals Game 4 (Chicago) Celtics 113 Bulls 111

Chet Walker hit a long jumper with 10 seconds to play to tie the score - Cowens was fouled with 2 seconds left, hit both shots and the Boston Celtics are the Champions of the World.  Jo Jo White scores 29. 22 and 10 assists for Havlicek, he is the Finals MVP.  Double/double for Cowens.  Walker scores 32 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)

Simulated 1973 NBA Finals

 

1972

Actual Result: The Knicks win their second title in 4 years, defeating the Lakers in 5

MVP: Dave Cowens

East Semis: Celtics d. Hawks (4-2)

                    Knicks d. Bullets (4-1)

West Semis: Warriors d. Bucks (4-2)

                    Lakers d. Bulls (4-3)

Simulation - the Lakers are coming  off their 10th World Championship and are back in the final four, taking on the Warriors, who now play their games in Oakland.  In the East, of course, it's Knicks/Celtics. 

East Finals (April) Boston Celtics (68-14) v. New York Knicks (57-25)

West Finals (April) Los Angeles Lakers (60-22) v. Golden St Warriors (47-35)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 125 Knicks 96

A year ago the Celtics beat the Knicks in 7, coming back from a 3-0 deficit.  Boston thumps the Knicks to open this year's series.  Jo Jo White leads the Celtics with 29.  A triple double for John Havlicek, 25 pts, 11 assists, 10 rebounds.  Double/double for Dave Cowens and Paul Silas.  Dave DeBusschere double/double in the loss.  

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Celtics 99 Knicks 94

Boston takes game 2 and has control of the series at 2-0.  High scorer for the Celts is Havlicek with 18. Double/double for Cowens/Silas and Don Chaney.  31 pts and 10 rebounds for Walt Frazier in the loss.  DeBusschere double/double.

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Knicks 100 Celtics 94

The Knicks get back into the series with a road win.  19 pts and 10 assists for Frazier. Double/double for Willis Reed.  23 and 19 for Cowens. 21 for White, 21 boards for Silas. Double/double for Chaney.

East Finals Game 4 (NY) Knicks 111 Celtics 107

With Havlicek and Earl Monroe down with injuries, both clubs came in shorthanded and the Knicks even the series at 2.  Dean Meminger and Bill Bradley both score 22 in the win. Double/double for Frazier and DeBusschere.  Don Nelson scores 23 in the loss. 20 boards for Silas. Double/double for Cowens.

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Knicks 109 Celtics 88

The Knicks have won 3 straight and now head to MSG for game 6 with a chance to win the East. Walt Frazier scores 22 and Earl Monroe scores 20.  20 DeBusschere rebounds.  23 for Don Nelson in the loss. Jo Jo White scores 22. Silas double/double

East Finals Game 6 (NY) Celtics 122 Knicks 105

The Celtics tie it up and we will go back to Boston for Game 7.  Don Nelson stepped into the starting lineup during the series and has really been the Celtics best player, 25 pts and 14 boards.  21 for Jo Jo White. Double/double for Cowens and Silas.  Bill Bradley scores 20. DeBusschere double/double.  

East Finals Game 7 (Boston) Celtics 107 Knicks 88

Boston cruises in game 7 and goes back to the NBA Finals. 23 pts, 16 rebounds for Dave Cowens in the closeout and he is named series MVP.  25 rebounds for Paul Silas.  20 pts/10 rebounds for Walt Frazier as the Knicks lose again in 7.  

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 126 Warriors 111

The defending champs take game one; if seeding holds we will have Lakers/Celtics VII in the NBA Finals.  24 pts and a dozen assists for Jerry West. 22 each for Jim McMillan and Gail Goodrich. Wilt Chamberlain double/double.  Joe Ellis leads the Warriors with 20 in the loss.  Double/double for Nate Thurmond. 

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 118 Warriors 111

28 more for Jerry West. 21 for Jim McMillan.  24 Bill Bridges rebound. Double/double for Wilt. For the Warriors, Jeff Mullins scores 23. Nate Thurmond 22 and 13. Double/double for Clyde Lee.

West Finals Game 3 (GSt) Lakers 115 Warriors 107

The Lakers go up 3-0 and we are nearing another Celtics/Lakers Finals.  21 pts/10 assists for Jerry West as he efficiently controls this series.  21 boards for Wilt.  Double/double for Mel Counts.  25 for Rick Barry to lead the Warriors. 22 Nate Thurmond rebounds. 

West Finals Game 4 (GSt) Warriors 101 Lakers 96

The Warriors take a game and force a return to LA.  Rick Barry scores 24. Double/double for Thurmond and Lee.  West scores 24 for the Lakers.  Goodrich 21.  Double/double for Wilt and Counts.  

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 98 Warriors 93

Gentlemen's sweep, the Lakers march toward yet another NBA Finals with a chance to repeat by beating, once again, the Boston Celtics.  Jerry West scores 25 and picks up the series MVP. Mel Counts double/double.  Wilt almost gets a triple double and the part that's missing is the points, he scored 8.  Cazzie Russell scores 23 off the bench for the Warriors.

NBA FINALS (May) BOSTON CELTICS v. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

The Lakers have won 10...10!...World Championships, 5 of them coming against the Boston Celtics, who have only beaten the Lakers in the Finals once, 20 years ago. The Celtics have not won the NBA Title in 12 years, they have been the Washington Generals to the Lakers Harlem Globetrotters.  The Celtics won 68 games, they were the best team in the regular season.  4/5 of last year's starting 5 returns, Cowens, the league MVP, Havlicek, now 32, still 1st Team All NBA; the backcourt of White and Chaney - the newcomer is 29 year old Paul Silas, who came over from the Suns for Charlie Scott.  The defending champion Lakers also return 4 starters; Wilt is 36 years old and win or lose, this series will be the end of his career.  West is 34 and next year will be the last season in his career.  Goodrich and McMillan return on the wing; the addition is Bill Bridges, who was Paul Silas's teammate with the Hawks early in both of their careers. The Lakers got Bridges and a former Laker, Mel Counts, from the Sixers in an early season deal for Leroy Ellis and John Trapp.  

It's Lakers/Celtics VIII, the Lakers have won 6 straight.  

CELTICS

HC-Tom Heinsohn

C Dave Cowens (24) MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

F Paul Silas (29)

F John Havlicek (32) 5th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (26) All Star

G Don Chaney (26)

LAKERS

HC-Bill Sharman

C Wilt Chamberlain (36) 4th MVP

F Bill Bridges (33)

F Jim McMillan (24)

G Jerry West (34) 1st Team All NBA

G Gail Goodrich (29) All Star

NBA Finals Game One (Boston) Lakers 111 Celtics 93

The Lakers win game 1 in Boston.  Jim McMillan leads the Lakers with 21. McMillan's spent each of his first 3 seasons with the Lakers, but this is the last one, he'll be dealt to Buffalo for Elmore Smith.  Wilt pulls down 20 rebounds. Bill Bridges double/double.  John Havlicek scores 28 in the loss. Double/double for Dave Cowens and Paul Silas.  

NBA Finals Game Two (Boston) Celtics 113 Lakers 112

Down 1 with 2 seconds left Jo Jo White was fouled - he hit both shots to even the series.  White was an All Star seven straight seasons, this was the 4th. Havlicek again leads in scoring with 32.  21 for White. Double/double for Cowens.  Jerry West scores 29 in the loss. Double/double for Wilt and Bridges.  

NBA Finals Game Three (LA) Lakers 124 Celtics 118

The Lakers take game 3 at home.  Jim McMillan once again leads the way, scoring 34. Gail Goodrich scores 26, next year will be his first team All NBA season.  28 rebounds for Wilt.  It's Havlicek for Boston, with 28.  Double/double for Cowens and Silas.

NBA Finals Game Four (LA) Lakers 113 Celtics 99

LA is a game away from going back to back and winning a truly startling 11th championship.  Jim McMillan is a game away from a Finals MVP, scoring 29.  20 for West. Double/double for Wilt and Bridges.  Havlicek scores 27 for Boston.  21 for White. 21 boards for Cowens.  Double/double for Silas.

NBA Finals Game Five (Boston) Lakers 112 Celtics 103

The Lakers go back to back, beating the Celtics again, their 6th consecutive Finals win over the Celts, it is the Lakers 11th World Championship and the last game of the greatest basketball player of all time to this point, Wilt Chamberlain.  Gail Goodrich led the way in this one, 32 points. 22 for West - 21 for maybe the most unlikely Finals MVP ever, Jim McMillan.  Double/double for Wilt, he retires as the greatest winner in history, 8 Time NBA Champion, 4 Time Finals MVP.  Cowens scores 30 in the loss, the 7th Finals loss for the Celtics.  

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)

Simulated 1972 NBA Finals

 1971

Actual Result: The Lakers win 69 games and beat the Knicks in the NBA Finals.

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

East Semis: Celtics d. Hawks (4-2)

                    Knicks d. Bullets (4-2)

West Semis: Lakers d. Bulls (4-0)

                     Bucks d. Warriors (4-1)

Simulation: The Bucks swept the 3 time defending champion Lakers in last year's West Finals before beating the Knicks in 7 to win the Championship. Its Bucks/Lakers again in this year's West Finals, Wilt v. Kareem and Oscar v. West.  The Knicks have had their hearts broken in 3 straight seasons, the only team in NBA history to lose 3 consecutive NBA Finals, the last two in 7 games.  They are still alive and facing the Celtics, who are now without Bill Russell.  

East Finals (April) Boston Celtics (56-26) v. New York Knicks (48-34)

West Finals (April) Los Angeles Lakers (69-13) v. Milwaukee Bucks (63-19)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Knicks 124 Celtics 103

It's not Bill Russell v. Willis Reed, it's Dave Cowens v. Jerry Lucas with Russell retired and Reed out with injury.  Game one goes to Walt Frazier, 27 pts. Double/double for Dave DeBusschere. 22 for John Havlicek. Double/double for Cowens.

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Knicks 102 Celtics 98

The Celts never led in the 4th quarter, the Knicks are two games away from reaching the NBA Finals for the 4th consecutive season.  23 pts and 23 rebounds for Jerry Lucas and another double/double for DeBusschere.  Havlicek again leads the Celtics with 28. 21-15 for Cowens. 

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Knicks 128 Celtics 126 (OT)

Knicks had an 11 point lead with 5 minutes left in regulation, but the Celtics were down 1 when Don Nelson was fouled with 2 seconds left, he hit just one of the FT to send the game into OT.  The Celtics were again down in OT when Cowens was fouled with 15 seconds left, he hit both shots to tie the score - and at the buzzer it was Bill Bradley calmly stroking from deep to take game 3 for the Knicks.  It's now 3-0 and New York has 4 chances to win their 4th straight East title.  Bradley scored 31.  29 for Earl Monroe.  22 and 18 for Lucas, 22 and 17 for DeBusschere. Jo Jo White goes 29 and 10 in the loss. 25-11 for Havlicek. 23-13 for Cowens.  22-11 for Nelson.  

East Finals Game 4 (NY) Celtics 118 Knicks 116

The Celtics were up 7 with 4 to play, but needed a Jo Jo White 14 footer with 8 seconds left to give them a win and keep the series alive.  25 for Don Nelson to lead the way for Boston, Havlicek scored 20. Double/double for White and Cowens.  Lucas scores 26 in the loss. 23-14 for DeBusschere. 21 for Frazier. Phil Jackson double double off the bench.  

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 114 Knicks 104

Boston takes game 5 and back we head to MSG, the Knicks lead now 3 games to 2.  Jo Jo White scores 28 to lead the Celts in scoring. 21 for Havlicek and a double/double for Cowens.  Lucas goes 24 and 17 in the loss.  22-15 for Frazier. 

East Finals Game 6 (NY) Celtics 120 Knicks 113

The Celtics trailed 3 games to 0 - but now will head back to Boston for Game 7.  Huge for Havlicek, 39 pts and 11 rebounds. 23 and 14 for Cowens.  20 and 19 for Nelson.  Walt Frazier triple doubles in the loss, 31-10-10.  Monroe scores 21. 24 rebound game for Lucas.

One to go - will the Knicks win their 4th straight East title or will the Celtics return to their first NBA Finals since '68?  

East Finals Game 7 (Boston) Celtics 122 Knicks 115

Boston does it, coming all the way back from the 3-0 deficit to pull the reverse sweep, winning the East and returning to the NBA Finals.  30 pts and 10 assists for Havlicek, he's the series MVP. Don Nelson scores 33 with 13 rebounds, just an enormous game 7 for Nellie.  Cowens goes 20 and 20.  33-12 for Clyde in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 109 Bucks 96

A year ago it looked like the Laker dynasty was done when the Bucks swept them in 4 games in the West Finals and went onto win the NBA Championship - but the Lakers are back and they win game one.  Gail Goodrich is the Lakers leading scorer with 21. 22 boards for Wilt and a double/double for Happy Hairston.  Kareem was the regular season MVP again and he has a huge day, 34-14.  

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 118 Bucks 105

The Lakers take both games at home.  27 pts, a dozen assists for Jerry West. Double/double for Wilt and Hairston. Kareem again is a monster in the loss, 37 pts, 24 rebounds.  

West Finals Game 3 (Milwaukee) Bucks 122 Lakers 113

The Bucks take the first game on their home floor.  Kareem has been the best player in the series, 40 pts and 17 boards.  24 and 12 for Bob Dandridge, Wilt had 23-26 in the defeat.  27 pts and 18 assists for West.  

West Finals Game 4 (Milwaukee) Lakers 126 Bucks 112

The Lakers go up 3-1 and are now 1 game away from facing the Celtics in the NBA Finals one more time.  Gail Goodrich leads the Lakers with 32.  27 for Jim McMillan. 22 rebounds for Happy Hairston as its the non legends leading the way for LA.  Double/double for the legends, both Wilt and West.  27-13 for Kareem in the loss.  24 for Lucius Allen.  Double/double for Dandridge and Curtis Perry.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 115 Bucks 113

For the 6th time in history, we will have a Lakers/Celtics NBA Finals. The Bucks were down 4 with 40 seconds left - Kareem hit a sky hook and then blocked a shot on the other end leading to an Oscar fast break layup.  But at the buzzer - it was West, from near halfcourt, to end the series and send the Lakers to their 14th Finals.  26 points, 12 assists for West, 24 pts and 17 boards for Wilt.  24 for Goodrich, Double/double for Hairston.  Despite the loss, Kareem is series MVP, 35-22 in this one.

NBA FINALS (April/May) LOS ANGELES LAKERS v. BOSTON CELTICS

1953: Celtics d. Lakers (4-3)

1955: Lakers d. Celtics (4-3)

1962 Lakers d. Celtics (4-2)

1966 Lakers d. Celtics (4-3)

1968 Lakers d. Celtics (4-2)

The Minneapolis Lakers split two Finals in the 50s with the Celtics - but once they moved to Los Angeles they won 3 straight without a loss.  The Lakers are the dominant franchise in NBA history, 9 Championships including the only 3-peat in history.  The Celtics have 4, but its been a decade since their last win.  The Lakers head coach is now a Celtics Hall of Famer, Bill Sharman, who was on the 1st Team All Playoffs for the decade of the 50s.  Elgin Baylor is gone, but the other two future inner circle Hall of Famers, Wilt and West, remain.  Wilt's 35, in his second to last NBA season.  West is 33 with two years still to play.  Red Auerbach is strictly in the front office and Bill Russell is gone entirely for the Celtics, their head coach is another Celtics Hall of Famer, Tom Heinsohn. Their leader is now John Havlicek, 31, in the middle of his Hall of Fame Boston career, he's joined by Dave Cowens, just 23 and early into his Hall of Fame career.  

It's Lakers/Celtics VI.  The 1972 NBA Championship.

LAKERS

HC-Bill Sharman

C Wilt Chamberlain (35) 3rd MVP, 2nd All NBA

F Happy Hairston (29) 

F Jim McMillan (23)

G Jerry West (33) 2nd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Gail Goodrich (28) All Star

CELTICS 

HC-Tom Heinsohn

C Dave Cowens (23) All Star

F Don Nelson (31)

F John Havlicek (31) 4th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (25) All Star

G Don Chaney (25)

NBA Finals Game 1 (LA) Celtics 103 Lakers 94

Boston takes game 1 on the road. 22 for John Havlicek, this year was Havlicek's career best MVP finish (4th). 20 points and 17 rebounds for Dave Cowens. Jerry West led the Lakers with 21, double/double for Wilt Chamberlain and Jim McMillan.

NBA Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 126 Celtics 117

The Lakers even the series and we head to Boston for Games 3-4.  Gail Goodrich leads with 28. This is Goodrich's second Lakers run; he spent the first 3 years of his career in LA, was taken by the Suns in the '68 expansion draft, and came back to LA before the '70-71 season in a deal for Mel Counts. 23 points and 16 assists for West. 21 boards for Wilt. Happy Hairston double/double. Monster game for Havlicek, 39 pts, 10 boards, 12 assists.  Double/double for Cowens.  

NBA Finals Game 3 (Boston) Lakers 127 Celtics 89

The Lakers hand the Celtics their worst ever home playoff loss.  28 for Jerry West; this season was West's 4th second place MVP finish. Goodrich scores 27. 24 more boards for Wilt. Double double for Hairston and Jim McMillan.  20 pts for Don Nelson to lead Boston. Double/double for Cowens.  

NBA Finals Game 4 (Boston) Lakers 140 Celtics 115 

Los Angeles overwhelms the Celtics, it's 3-1, the Lakers 1 game away from their 10th championship.  Gail Goodrich leads the way with 36 points - he has been the best player in this series.  26 and 16 for Wilt.  26 for West. 20 for McMillan and a double/double for Hairston.  26-13 for Cowens in the loss.  25 for Jo Jo White. 

NBA Finals Game 5 (LA) Celtics 124 Lakers 113

Boston cuts the deficit to 3-2. 24 for Havlicek and Don Nelson.  After 2 seasons as a Laker, Don Nelson signed off the street with Boston for the '65-66 season and will remain with them until the retiring in '76.  23 points and 24 boards for Cowens. Jerry West scores 34 in the loss.  21 boards for Wilt.  Double/double for Hairston.

NBA Finals Game 6 (Boston) Celtics 125 Lakers 119

In the East Finals, the Celtics came back from a 3-0 deficit -- here, they trailed 3-1, but win games 5 and 6 and we will head to LA for Game 7.  It's Jo Jo White who leads the way with 29 points. 28 for Havlicek, 23 for Nelson and a double/double for Cowens.  26 for both Goodrich and McMillan in the loss.  25 pts and 11 assists for West.  Double/double for Wilt and Hairston.  

For the 4th time, a Laker/Celtics NBA Finals goes to Game Seven.  Lets go to LA.

NBA Finals Game 7 (LA) Lakers 128 Celtics 101

The Lakers are 10 Time World Champions.  Jerry West goes for 24 with 12 assists and wins his second Finals MVP.  Goodrich scores 24. 22 with 15 rebounds for Wilt. 20 and 12 for McMillan. Double/double for Hairston.  Great series for Havlicek, he scores 39 in the loss.

Check out all the Finals MVPs from '64 forward.  The last 9 seasons:

Wilt

Wilt

Elgin

Wilt

Elgin

West

Wilt

Kareem

West

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)