Using the same simulation engine where I reconstructed every Super Bowl Champion, I'm going to do every NBA Finals. My current plan is to go from the conference finals forward each year, so replaying 3 series for each season, expanding it even one more round really adds to the games played in a way that isn't manageable.
The first year of the simulation engine is the '51-52 season, the Lakers were the first NBA Champions (1950, after a merger of two associations created the NBA). The Rochester Royals won in '51, taking us to 1952.
Real Result: The Lakers win their second NBA Title, beating the Knicks in 7.
East Semis: Knicks d. Celtics (2-1)
Nationals d. Warriors (2-1)
West Semis: Lakers d. Olympians (2-0)
Royals d. Pistons (2-0)
East Finals: New York Knicks (37-29) v. Syracuse Nationals (40-26)
West Finals: Minneapolis Lakers (40-26) v. Rochester Royals (41-25)
April, 1952: East Finals: Game 1: Nationals 93 Knicks 83
Red Rocha with 20 pts and 9 boards for Syracuse, they take game 1 of a best of 5 at home. Ray Lumpp paced the Knicks off the bench with 21 points.
Game 2: Nationals 103 Knicks 94
The Knicks had 7 in double figures but still drop game 2 on the road. 22 points/13 rebounds for Dolph Schayes. 10 points/15 rebounds for Nat Clifton in the loss.
Game 3: Knicks 103 Nationals 94
The Knicks stay alive, winning at home. Nat Clifton again dominates the glass with 18 boards. Ernie Vandeweghe led Knicks scoring with 22. 24 points/13 rebounds for Dolph Schayes, Paul Seymour added 20.
Game 4: Knicks 105 Nationals 87
We get a showdown game 5 in the first series of the simulation, the Knicks had 5 in double figures. 16 points/7boards/5 assists for Vandeweghe. 16/11 for Schayes in the loss. We head back to Syracuse for the final game of the series.
Game 5: Nationals 108 Knicks 99
The first series of the simulation flips the result, the Syracuse Nationals head to the NBA Finals. 18 points/17 boards/5 assists for the series MVP Dolph Schayes. 17 points/10 rebounds for Red Rocha. 13 points/13 boards for Nat Clifton in the loss.
March/April, 1952: West Finals: Game 1: Royals 92 Lakers 87
The home team wins game 1; 22 for Bobby Wanzer, 17 points/16 boards for Arnie Risen, George Mikan goes 24/10 and Jim Pollard 20/10 in the loss for the Lakers.
Game 2: Royals 109 Lakers 85
The Royals blow out the Lakers to take a 2-0 lead. 25 points/10 boards for Bob Davies. 15 and 18 for Jack Coleman. Jim Pollard goes for 20/8 in the loss.
Game 3: Royals 100 Lakers 99
The defending champs sweep the Lakers and return to the NBA Finals. The Lakers had a 14 point lead with 11 minutes to play. Bob Davies did not score in the real game 3 - but here, he hits a driving layup as time expired to end the Lakers season. 15 points/9 assists for Davies, named the series MVP. 20 points/10 boards for Jack Coleman. Vern Mikkelsen went 25/10 and George Mikan 27/16 for the Lakers.
1952 NBA FINALS (April) ROCHESTER ROYALS v. SYRACUSE NATIONALS
Rochester
HC - Les Harrison
C Arnie Risen (27) - All Star
F Jack Coleman (27)
F Arnie Johnson (31)
G Bob Davies (32) - 1st Team All NBA
G Bobby Wanzer (30) - 2nd Team All NBA
Syracuse
HC - Al Cervi
C Red Rocha (28) - All Star
F Dolph Schayes (23) - 1st Team All NBA
F Wally Osterkorn (23)
G George King (23)
G Paul Seymour (24)
Game 1: Royals 112 Nationals 109 (OT)
-The first NBA Finals game of the simulation is also the first OT game. Huge game for Arnie Risen, 33 pts/16 rebounds. Bob Davies scores 27 in 25 minutes. 8 Nationals in double figures, 17 points/16 rebounds for Dolph Schayes. Davies scored the last 5 for the Royals.
Game 2: Royals 97 Nationals 88
-Rochester takes the first two games at home. 19 pts/12 rebounds for Arnie Risen, 21 points for Bobby Wanzer. 19/10 for Schayes.
Game 3: Nationals 89 Royals 87
-The series shifts to Syracuse and the Nationals get the win. Down 1 with 30 seconds left, Dolph Schayes wins the game with a 14 footer. 20/10 for Schayes. 16/19 for Risen with 5 blocks.
Game 4: Nationals 99 Royals 94
-Syracuse squares the series. 16/16 for Schayes. 17/11 for Risen in the loss. 2 future Hall of Famers, 23 year old Schayes and 27 year old Risen battling it out; Risen's Royals trying to go back to back.
Game 5: Nationals 108 Royals 91
-The first road win, the Nationals thumping the Royals. Red Rocha is the hero in this one; 28 points/13 boards. Jack Coleman goes 16/10 for Rochester. We head to Syracuse where the Nationals have a chance to close this out.
Game 6: Royals 84 Nationals 78
-The Royals force game 7 back in Rochester. 16 points/7 assists/5 rebounds for Bobby Wanzer; a 15 rebound day for Coleman. Schayes goes 15/19 in the defeat. We go back to Rochester for Game 7.
Game 7: Royals 93 Nationals 84
-The Rochester Royals go back to back. Jack Coleman wins the Finals MVP, really coming through in the last 3 games, 20/11 in this one. Schayes held to 10 points 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)
