jim jividen

Simulated 1989 NBA Finals

Sunday, May 17, 2026

1988

Actual Result: Theres no 3-peat for the Lakers, the 1980s come to an end, the Pistons beating LA in the Finals to win their first NBA Championship

MVP: Magic Johnson

West Semis: Lakers d. Sonics 4-0

Suns d. Warriors 4-1

East Semis: Pistons d. Bucks 4-0

Bulls d. Knicks 4-2

Simulation: The Celtics dynasty ends, Boston is swept out of the first round by the Pistons, it's Detroit who had the best regular season record this year. Detroit faces Michael Jordan and the Bulls, it's Jordan's first ever conference finals; the Bulls have never won an NBA Championship, losing in the Finals in '74 and '75. The Lakers have won the Western Conference 6 times in 9 seasons, they return to the conference finals, facing Phoenix, the Suns have not returned to the NBA Finals since winning the title in '76.

East Finals (May) Detroit Pistons (63-19) v. Chicago Bulls (47-35)

West Finals (May) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) v. Phoenix Suns (55-27)

East Finals Game 1 (Det) Pistons 108 Bulls 103

Mark Aguirre was acquired by the Pistons during the season for Adrian Dantley and he's the leading scorer here with 25. Isiah scores 23, Bill Laimbeer double/double. It's Michael Jordan's first conference title game, he scores 26 in the loss. Double/double for Bill Cartwright.

East Finals Game 2 (Det) Bulls 128 Pistons 112

Chicago steals a game in Detroit; Michael Jordan leads the way, 24 points and 17 assists, 22 points and 12 rebounds for Horace Grant. Double/double off the bench for Charles Davis. Isiah led with 19 for the Pistons, Laimbeer double/double

East Finals Game 3 (Chi) Pistons 105 Bulls 103

Great game 3, Laimbeer goes 21 and 11, Dennis Rodman double/double off the bench. Triple/double for Jordan, 28 pts, 12 boards, 11 assists. Cartwright goes 22 and 11, Double/double for Pippen and Grant

East Finals Game 4 (Chi) Pistons 94 Bulls 79

The Pistons clamp down to take a 3-1 lead, Joe Dumars scores 25 to lead the Pistons, double/double for Laimbeer and Rodman. Jordan scores 18 in the defeat.

East Finals Game 5 (Det) Pistons 97 Bulls 96

Down 1, Isiah is fouled with a second left - he hits both FT and the Detroit Pistons are in their first ever NBA Finals. 23 for Dumars, Laimbeer is the series MVP, he and Rodman both double/double. Jordan scores 22 with 12 boards in the defeat. Bill Cartwright double/double.

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 115 Suns 105

The Lakers are 3 wins from their 22nd NBA Finals appearance. James Worthy scores 23 and is the high man for LA, 22 for Byron Scott. Double/double for Magic and AC Green. 24 for Tom Chambers, 21 with 13 assists for Kevin Johnson.

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 117 Suns 105

The Lakers are two wins from their third straight Western Conference title, Byron Scott bombs in 39. 23 pts, 15 assists, 10 rebounds for Magic. 20 and 13 for Worthy. Tom Chambers scores 22 in the loss.

West Finals Game 3 (Pho) Lakers 121 Suns 108

29 points and 13 assists for Magic, he's about to head to his 7th NBA Finals, looking for his 3rd NBA Title. 23 for Worthy, Orlando Woolridge double/double off the bench. 20 and 10 for Chambers in the loss.

West Finals Game 4 (Pho) Suns 129 Lakers 123

No sweep in the West, Eddie Johnson scores 25 in 26 minutes to lead for the Suns, 20 points and 10 assists for Jeff Hornacek, 21 for Chambers, double/double for KJ and Armon Gilliam. Was this Kareem's last great game? 26 pts in 26 minutes. Magic scores 20 with 23 assists and 14 rebounds.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 119 Suns 109

The Lakers win their 7th Western Conference Championship in 8 years. Magic is the series MVP, 36 pts, 12 assists, 12 rebounds. 21 for Worthy. 26 for Chambers in the loss.

LAKERS FINALS HISTORY

1949- WIN (Capitols, 4-2)

1950 - WIN (Nationals, 4-2)

1953- LOSS (Celtics, 4-3)

1954-WIN (Nationals, 4-2)

1955-WIN (Lakers, 4-3)

1959-LOSS (Nationals, 4-1)

1962-WIN (Celtics, 4-2)

1963-LOSS (Royals, 4-1)

1965-LOSS (Sixers, 4-3)

1966-WIN (Celtics, 4-3)

1968-WIN (Celtics, 4-2)

1969-WIN (Knicks, 4-1)

1970-WIN (Knicks, 4-3)

1972-WIN (Celtics, 4-3)

1973-WIN (Celtics, 4-2)

1982-LOSS (Celtics 4-3)

1983-LOSS (Sixers 4-3)

1984-WIN (Bucks, 4-3)

1985-WIN (Sixers, 4-2)

1987-LOSS (Celtics 4-1)

1988-LOSS (Celtics, 4-1)

13-8

NBA FINALS (June) DETROIT PISTONS v. LOS ANGELES LAKERs

It's Magic Johnson's 10th year in the league and his 7th NBA Finals. He was the regular season MVP and the MVP of the Western Conference finals. For all 7 of those Finals appearances Magic has been joined by a now 41 year old Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Win/lose/or draw, this is end of Kareem's career. Two other starters are unchanged, James Worthy, AC Green. Byron Scott will miss this entire series with injury, replaced by Michael Cooper. Mychal Thompson and Tony Campbell get big minutes off the bench, as does 29 year old Orlando Woolridge.

Detroit makes its first ever Finals appearance, Chuck Daly is 58, in his 6th season behind the Pistons bench. Just one All Star, 27 year old Isiah Thomas, in his 8th season, each year an All Star, he's joined in the backcourt by 25 year old Joe Dumars, who was All Defense, 32 year old Vinnie Johnson comes off the bench. In the front court is 31 year old Bill Laimbeer, the East Finals MVP, 29 year old Mark Aguirre and 30 year old Rick Mahorn. 27 year old Dennis Rodman, 24 year old John Salley, 33 year old James Edwards round out the front court rotation.

PISTONS

HC-Chuck Daly

C Bill Laimbeer (31)

PF Rick Mahorn (30)

SF Mark Aguirre (29)

PG Isiah Thomas (27)-All Star

SG Joe Dumars (25)- All Defense

C James Edwards (33)

PF John Salley (24)

SF Dennis Rodman (27)

G Vinnie Johnson (32)

LAKERS

HC-Pat Reilly

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (41)

PF AC Green (25)

SF James Worthy (27) All Star

PG Magic Johnson (29) MVP, 1st Team All NBA

SG Michael Cooper (32)

C Mychal Thompson (34)

F Orlando Woolridge (29)

G Tony Campbell (26)

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Det) Lakers 105 Pistons 103

16 seconds left, down 2, Isiah Thomas drilled home a 17 footer to tie it; Lakers, get the ball inside to the 41 year old Captain, he's got one more moment of greatness, a skyhook at the buzzer floated home - the Lakers take game one. James Worthy leads the way with 25 pts, 11 assists. Double/double for Kareem and AC Green. Isiah scores 26 in the loss, double/double for Rodman.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Det) Pistons 111 Lakers 108

The Pistons level the series, 20 point games for Isiah Thomas and Mark Aguirre. Worthy scores 29, AC Green double/double. Magic gets hurt and plays just 28 minutes, he will try to go in game 3 back in LA

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (LA) Lakers 120 Pistons 95

Magic only plays 10 minutes, but its enough, the Lakers blow the Pistons out and move 2 games from their 14th World Championship. AC Green has the game of his life, 30 pts, 12 rebounds. 28 and 10 for Worthy, double/double for Michael Cooper. Vinnie Johnson scores 21. Double/double for Isiah.

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (LA) Pistons 118 Lakers 98

No Magic meant no chance in game 4, Pistons level the series at 2. Dennis Rodman leads in scoring with 18. Laimbeer double/double. Worthy scores 20 in the loss.

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (LA) Pistons 122 Lakers 92

Without either Magic or Byron Scott it looks like the Lakers sand has slipped through the hourglass, Isiah scores 29, Dumars 21. Michael Cooper led LA with 25, AC Green double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 6 (Det) Pistons 106 Lakers 96

The Detroit Pistons are the World Champions. Joe Dumars scores 32 to lead the Pistons, Laimbeer double/double, Isiah scores 16 and is the Finals MVP. Tony Campbell was the high man for LA with 21. Kareem held to 4 pts in his final contest.

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)

1980 Boston Celtics d. Seattle SuperSonics (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 23)

1981 Boston Celtics d. Kansas City Kings (4-0) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 24)

1982 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 25)

1983 Philadelphia 76ers d.LA Lakers(4-3) MVP Moses Malone C 27/Julius Erving(SF 32)

1984 Los Angeles Lakers d. Milwaukee Bucks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 36)

1985 Los Angeles Lakers d. Philadelphia 76ers (4-2) MVP Magic Johnson (PG, 25)

1986 Boston Celtics d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 29)

1987 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Kevin McHale (PF, 29)

1988 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 31)

1989 Detroit Pistons d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) MVP Isiah Thomas (PG, 27)

1980s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Lakers)

PF Kevin McHale (Celtics)

SF Larry Bird (Celtics)- Playoff Player of the Decade

PG Magic Johnson (Lakers)

SG Sidney Moncrief (Bucks)

2nd Team

C Robert Parish (Celtics)

PF Marques Johnson (Bucks)

SF Julius Erving (Sixers)

PG Dennis Johnson (Celtics)

SG Byron Scott (Lakers)

Simulated 1988 NBA Finals

Saturday, May 16, 2026

1987

Actual Result: Back to Back Championships for the Lakers, they take out the Pistons in 7.

MVP: Michael Jordan

East Semis: Celtics d. Hawks (4-3)

Pistons d. Bulls (4-1)

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

Mavs d. Nuggets (4-2)

Simulation: The Celtics dominance of the 80s continues, 5 titles in 8 seasons, Bird and Parish now tied for 3rd in all time NBA Championship wins. They win a tough 7 game semi-final with the Hawks to once again reach the Eastern Finals - it's a rematch from last year, they again face the Pistons, who knocked off the league MVP Michael Jordan in the semis. In the West, the Lakers are back, they've won the Western conference four times in the decade, with 2 NBA Championships and are coming off last year's loss to Boston. They face a newcomer, the Dallas Mavericks were an expansion team in '81, made the playoffs for the first time in '84, and this is their first ever conference finals.

East Finals (May) Boston Celtics (57-25) v. Detroit Pistons (54-28)

West Finals (May) Los Angeles Lakers (62-20) v. Dallas Mavericks (53-29)

East Finals Game 1 (Bost) Celtics 113 Pistons 87

The defending champs roll through game 1. Kevin McHale was last year's Finals MVP, he goes for 36. 28 and 14 for Larry Bird. Double/double for Danny Ainge and Robert Parish. 16 pts for Isiah leads for the Pistons.

East Finals Game 2 (Bost) Celtics 126 Pistons 104

Boston takes both games at home and head to Michigan up 2-0. 36 points, 19 rebounds for Larry Bird, 28 and 12 for Kevin McHale. Dennis Johnson double/double. Adrian Dantley leads for Detroit with 23, double/double for Isiah and Rick Mahorn.

East Finals Game 3 (Det) Celtics 130 Pistons 125

Boston goes up 3-0, they're about to head to their 6th NBA Finals of the decade. Kevin McHale has really asserted himself, he scores 48, in last year's NBA Finals McHale took the scoring load for himself and has kept that energy here. 27 and 13 for Bird. Isiah scores 30, Dumars 29 in the defeat.

East Finals Game 4 (Det) Celtics 112 Pistons 94

The Boston Celtics sweep their way back to the NBA Finals, Dennis Johnson leads in scoring with 30, the series MVP is Kevin McHale who goes 26 and 16, Larry Bird adds 23 and 13, 23 for Adrian Dantley in the loss. Laimbeer double/double.

The 10x World Champion Boston Celtics win their 19th conference title and head back to the NBA Finals, trying to threepeat for the second time in the 80s.

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Mavericks 120 Lakers 114 (OT)

The Mavs take game 1 at the Forum; how about a 41 point 10 rebound game for Mark Aguirre, 22 points and 21 rebounds off the bench for Roy Tarpley, 21 for Derek Harper, a double/double for Sam Perkins, the Mavs stun the Lakers on their home floor. James Worthy with 28 in the loss, Magic triple/double in the loss, double/double for AC Green.

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 120 Mavs 104

The Lakers even it up as the series shifts to Texas. James Worthy leads with 23, 20 and 11 assists for Magic. 22 for Aguirre in the loss. Double/double for Derek Harper and Roy Tarpley.

West Finals Game 3 (Dall) Lakers 109 Mavs 91

The Lakers regain the series advantage with a road win of their own, Worthy again paces LA with 19, double/double off the bench for Mychal Thompson. Rolando Blackman scores 20 for the Mavs, 20 and 12 for Tarpley, 20 for Aguirre.

West Finals Game 4 (Dall) Lakers 122 Mavs 108

Here we go again, the Lakers are a game from meeting the Celtics for the third time in the decade in the NBA Finals, Boston having won the prior 2. 23 pts and 14 rebounds for Magic, 22 for Worthy. Sam Perkins goes for 23 in the defeat. Another Tarpley double/double.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 115 Mavs 100

Would you like to do it again? One more Bird/Magic - one more Celtics/Lakers. Byron Scott is the high man with 21, AC Green double/double, Worthy scores 18 and is series MVP. 26 for Aguirre in the loss. The Lakers head to their 21st NBA Finals.

LAKERS v. CELTICS FINALS HISTORY

1953 Celtics 4 Lakers 3 (MVP-Cousy, the Celtics first NBA Championship)

1955 Lakers 4 Celtics 3 (MVP-Lovellette, it's the Minneapolis Lakers 4th and final title)

1962 Lakers 4 Celtics 2 (MVP-Baylor, the first Lakers title in Los Angeles)

1966 Lakers 4 Celtics 3 (MVP-Baylor)

1968 Lakers 4 Celtics 2 (MVP-Baylor)

1972 Lakers 4 Celtics 3 (MVP-West)

1973 Lakers 4 Celtics 1 (MVP-McMillan, the Lakers win 6 straight Finals over their rivals)

1982 Celtics 4 Lakers 3 (MVP-Bird)

1987 Celtics 4 Lakers 1 (MVP-McHale, the Celtics win their 5 title in 8 years)

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

From 1966-73 the Lakers won 6 NBA Championships, its the greatest dynasty in NBA history and the Celtics are looking to match. Larry Bird is a 5 time NBA Champion and only trails Wilt (8) and West (6) for all time NBA Titles. McHale and Parish each have 4, they'd be all by themselves with 5 with a win here. KC Jones was part of the Celtics '61 title team and is attempting to win his 3rd as the Celtics head coach after 3 as an assistant with Bill Fitch. 31 year old Larry Bird is a 4 time Finals MVP, no one has ever won 5, he finished second in the MVP this season; he's joined on the front line by 30 year old Kevin McHale and 34 year old Robert Parish. McHale, like Bird, was an All Star this year and so was 28 year old Danny Ainge. The fifth starter is 33 year old Dennis Johnson. The bench has gotten really short in the postseason, 30 year old Jim Paxson is the third guard and everyone else really plays only nominal minutes, including 38 year old Artis Gilmore, in the final season of his Hall of Fame career, searching his first NBA Title.

This might be 28 year old Magic Johnson's last chance to beat Bird in the NBA Finals, he was 3rd in the NBA race this season, also making the All Star team was 26 year old James Worthy and the now 40 year old Kareem Abdul Jabbar, in his penultimate campaign. 24 year old AC Green and 26 year old Byron Scott round out the lineup. 33 year old Mychal Thompson and 31 year old Michael Cooper get a lot of run off the bench. Both Celtics and Lakers with the same starting 5 as last year, that might be unprecedented.

Lakers

HC-Pat Reilly

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (40) All Star

PF AC Green (24)

SF James Worthy (26) All Star

PG Magic Johnson (28) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

SG Byron Scott (26)

C Mychal Thompson (33)

G Michael Cooper (31)- 5th Defensive Player of the Year

Celtics

HC-KC Jones

C Robert Parish (34)

PF Kevin McHale (30) All Star

SF Larry Bird (31) 2nd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

PG Dennis Johnson (33)

SG Danny Ainge (28) All Star

G Jim Paxson (30)

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (LA) Celtics 120 Lakers 110

The Celtics take game 1 in Los Angeles. Larry Bird dominates, 37 pts, 10 rebounds. 25 and 14 for Kevin McHale, 21 pts, 14 assists for Dennis Johnson. Double/double for the Chief. Magic just cant get past Larry, 22 pts and 18 assists. 23 for Mychal Thompson, 21 for Byron Scott, Kareem double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (LA) Lakers 118 Celtics 105

With games 3-5 in Boston, the Lakers had to have this one. James Worthy leads the way with 31 and 11 boards. 22 for Magic adds 22, double/double for Kareem and AC Green. Larry goes for 30 in the loss.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Bos) Celtics 123 Lakers 114

Boston moves within 2 games of its 6th title of the decade. Larry Bird is undeniable, 42 pts. McHale adds 22, the Chief double/double. 21 for James Worthy, Magic triple double in the loss, his 12th career Finals triple double.

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Bos) Celtics 108 Lakers 100

Boston is up 3-1, and a home game 5 under the current 2-3-2 format from once again winning the NBA Championship. Larry Bird is about to win his unprecedented 5th Finals MVP, 32 pts and 14 rebounds. 25 for McHale, Dennis Johnson double/double. 22 pts, 11 assists for Byron Scott in the loss.

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Bos) Celtics 118 Lakers 103

For the 6th time in 9 seasons, the Boston Celtics are champions of the world. It's their 11th World Championship. Larry Bird is the first man in NBA history to win the Finals MVP 5 times, 32 pts, 16 rebounds. 21 for McHale. Kareem's 19 pts lead the way for LA, Magic and AC Green double/double.