jim jividen

Simulated 1994 NBA Finals

Sunday, May 31, 2026

1993

Actual Result: The Rockets end the Bulls 3 straight run of NBA Championships with Houston's first NBA Title.

MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon

East Semis: Knicks d. Bulls (4-3)

Pacers d. Hawks (4-2)

West Semis: Rockets d. Suns (4-3)

Jazz d. Nuggets (4-3)

Simulation: The Sonics ended the East Conference's run of 7 straight NBA Titles when they beat the Bulls, neither Seattle or Chicago reaches the conference finals this year. The Knicks are back in the East, they lost to Chicago in the East Finals a year prior and took the Bulls out in this season's semis. The Knicks face the Pacers, looking for their first conference title after winning 3 ABA Championships. Its the first time since joining the NBA that the Pacers have advanced past the first round. The Rockets reached the NBA Finals in '86 and they take on a Utah team looking for its first conference title, they were in the West Finals two seasons prior.

East Finals (May) New York Knicks (57-25) v. Indiana Pacers (47-35)

West Finals (May) Houston Rockets (58-24) v. Utah Jazz (53-29)

East Finals Game 1 (NY) Pacers 101 Knicks 71

The Pacers destroy the Knicks and win game 1. Rik Smits 17 is the high for the winners, double/double for Dale Davis. 12 from Derek Harper leads for New York and that might be an all time low playoff high.

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Knicks 112 Pacers 103

The Knicks square the series. 25 pts, 13 rebounds for Patrick Ewing. Rik Smits has 23 in the loss.

East Finals Game 3 (Ind) Knicks 100 Pacers 91

The Knicks get home court advantage back, taking game 3 in Indiana. John Starks is high for the winners with 16. Double/double for Ewing. 21 points off the bench for Byron Scott leads the Pacers.

East Finals Game 4 (Ind) Pacers 109 Knicks 98

All tied up, we go back to MSG for pivotal game 5. Reggie Miller scores 29 to pace Indiana. 21 rebounds for Dale Davis. Haywoode Workman double/double. 20 for Ewing, 20 rebounds and 14 pts for Charles Oakley.

East Finals Game 5 (NY) Knicks 117 Pacers 108

The New York Knicks are 1 game from reaching their first NBA Finals in 23 years. 27 and 10 for Patrick Ewing to lead the way. Derek Harper adds 23, 20 and 17 for Charles Oakley. Reggie Miller scores 35, desperately trying to keep the Pacers alive. 20 for Derrick McKey, another Workman double/double.

East Finals Game 6 (Ind) Pacers 100 Knicks 98

John Starks scores 9 points in the last 20 seconds in a flurry of threes, but the Pacers hold on and force game 7. 23 and 13 for Rik Smits, double/double for Derrick McKey and Antonio Davis. Starks had 20 for New York.

Lets go - back to MSG for game 7, who is going to win the Eastern Conference?

East Finals Game 7 (NY) Pacers 104 Knicks 84

For the first time in their history, the Indiana Pacers are Eastern Conference Champions and will head to the NBA Finals, the Knicks held to 9 points in the 4th quarter, the lowest scoring game 7 4th quarter of all time. Reggie Miller scores 29 and is the series MVP. Double/double for McKey, Workman, Antonio Davis. 21 for Ewing in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Hou) Rockets 113 Jazz 105

Houston takes game 1 at home, 26 pts and 14 rebounds for Hakeem Olajuwon. Kenny Smith goes for 22. Otis Thorpe double/double. 25 and 15 for Karl Malone in the defeat. Jeff Hornacek scores 20. Felton Spencer and David Benoit double/double.

West Finals Game 2 (Hou) Rockets 107 Jazz 97 (OT)

The Rockets take both home games and move two wins away from returning to the NBA Finals 8 years after losing to the Celtics. Is this Olajuwon's year? The Dream goes 39 and 15 in the win. 21 for Kenny Smith and a double/double for Otis Thorpe. Huge game for the Mailman, 42 and 12. Felton Spencer double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (Utah) Rockets 106 Jazz 97

Houston closing in on the Western Conference Championship and a date with the Pacers in the Finals. 20 and 17 for Otis Thorpe, 20 for Vernon Maxwell and a double/double for Olajuwon. 18 for Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek leads for the Jazz. David Benoit double/double.

West Finals Game 4 (Utah) Rockets 104 Jazz 95

The Houston Rockets win the West for the first time since '86 and look to win their first ever NBA Championship. 23 points and 10 rebounds for Hakeem Olajuwon, the series MVP. Otis Thorpe double/double. 32 and 18 for Karl Malone in the loss. Felton Spencer double/double

NBA FINALS (June) HOUSTON ROCKETS v. INDIANA PACERS

Rudy Tomjanovich leads the Houston Rockets into the NBA Finals, in search of the franchise's first NBA Title. The Dream is now 31, regular season MVP, Conference Finals MVP, looks to complete the hat trick. 31 year old Otis Thorpe and 23 year old Robert Horry are the forwards. Earl Cureton, Carl Herrera and Mario Elie, who was with Olajuwon when the Rockets lost the '86 Finals to the Celtics, come off the bench. The backcourt is 28 year old Kenny Smith and 28 year old Vernon Maxwell. Sam Cassell is the third guard.

This is Larry Brown's 6th head coaching stop, he brings the Pacers into their first NBA Finals; no All Stars with the Pacers, 28 year old Reggie Miller was Conference finals MVP, joined in the backcourt by 28 year old Haywoode Workman, the third guard is Vern Fleming. 27 year old Rik Smits is in the middle, he's joined on the front line by 24 year old Dale Davis and 27 year old Derrick McKey - McKey was a starter with last year's NBA Champion Sonics, he's looking to join Wilt as starting for different NBA Champs in consecutive seasons. Antonio Davis comes off the bench, rounding out the rotation is 32 year old Byron Scott, part of the All 80s playoffs second team as a Laker.

ROCKETS

HC-Rudy Tomjanovich

C-Hakeem Olajuwon (31) MVP

PF-Otis Thorpe (31)

SF-Robert Horry (33)

PG-Kenny Smith (28)

SG-Vernon Maxwell (28)

C-Earl Cureton (36)

F-Mario Elie (30)

G-Sam Cassell (24)

PACERS

HC-Larry Brown

C-Rik Smits (27)

PF-Dale Davis (24)

SF-Derrick McKey (27)

PG-Haywoode Workman (28)

SG-Reggie Miller (28)

F-Antonio Davis (25)

G-Vern Fleming (31)

G-Byron Scott (32)

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Hou) Pacers 102 Rockets 87

The Pacers won just 47 regular season games, but are 3 wins from the NBA Championship. 17 for Derrick McKey, double/double for Reggie Miller, Dale Davis, Antonio Davis and Rik Smits. 18 for Hakeem in the loss, Otis Thorpe double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Hou) Rockets 89 Pacers 84

The series is all tied up, headed to Indiana. 21 and 15 for Otis Thorpe, 21 and 12 for Olajuwon. 19 for Dale Davis in the defeat.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Ind) Pacers 107 Rockets 84

The Pacers roll in the first Indiana home NBA Finals game ever. 21 for Reggie Miller in the win. Dale Davis, Rik Smits, Haywoode Workman double/double. 23 and 10 for the Dream in the loss.

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Ind) Pacers 101 Rockets 100

Robert Horry hit a turnaround with under a minute to play to bring the Rockets within 1, but missed a free throw with 10 seconds left that would have tied the score and the Pacers take a 3-1 series lead. Reggie Miller scores 23, Dale Davis double/double. Olajuwon did all he could, 43 and 11. Otis Thorpe double/double

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Ind) Pacers 112 Rockets 101

The Indiana Pacers are NBA Champions. 24 points and 10 rebounds for Rik Smits to close it out, Haywoode Workman double/double, 15 for Finals MVP Reggie Miller. Otis Thorpe scores 22, double/double for Olajuwon

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)

1990 Chicago Bulls d. Phoenix Suns (4-3) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 26)

1991 Chicago Bulls d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 27)

1992 Cleveland Cavaliers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2) MVP Mark Price (PG, 27)

1993 Seattle Super Sonics d. Chicago Bulls (4-2) MVP Shawn Kemp (PF, 23)

1994 Indiana Pacers d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Reggie Miller (SG, 28)

Simulated 1993 NBA Finals

Saturday, May 30, 2026

1992

Actual Result: A third straight NBA Title for the Bulls, they beat the Suns.

MVP: Charles Barkley

East Semis: Bulls d. Cavs (4-0)

Knicks d. Hornets (4-1)

West Semis: Suns d. Spurs (4-2)

Sonics d. Rockets (4-3)

Simulation: The East has won 4 straight NBA Titles, Boston (3) Detroit, Chicago (2) Cleveland. The Cavs will not repeat, getting swept out of the East Semis by a vengeful Bulls. The Knicks return to the East Finals, from '69-74 the Knicks made the conference Finals every year - it's two decades later and they are back for the first time, looking for their first ever NBA Title. The Suns lost the NBA Finals in 1990, they're back in the West Finals, facing the Sonics, who won the whole thing back in '79.

East Finals (May) New York Knicks (60-22) v. Chicago Bulls (57-25)

West Finals (May) Phoenix Suns (62-20) v. Seattle SuperSonics (55-27)

East Finals Game 1 (NY) Knicks 106 Bulls 95

The Knicks havent been to the NBA Finals in two decades, they take game 1 here. Patrick Ewing scores 29 with 17 rebounds. Anthony Mason double/double. Michael Jordan scores 29 in the loss.

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Bulls 107 Knicks 90

The Bulls had lost 5 straight games in the conference finals, but they even the series here. Michael Jordan scores 31. 24 for Ewing in the loss.

East Finals Game 3 (Chi) Bulls 113 Knicks 100

The Bulls take the series lead. 25 for Jordan, 23 points and 10 assists for Scottie Pippen. Horace Grant double/double. Double/double for Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley for the Knicks

East Finals Game 4 (Chi) Bulls 93 Knicks 79

The Bulls hold the Knicks under 80 and are up 3-1. 30 for Jordan, 25 for Pippen and another Grant double/double. Ewing and Mason double/double in the defeat.

East Finals Game 5 (NY) Knicks 101 Bulls 95

The Knicks hold on, we go back to Chicago for game 6, Bulls up 3-2. John Starks scores 26, double/double for Anthony Mason. 34 for MJ. Horace Grant double/double.

East Finals Game 6 (Chi) Bulls 105 Knicks 81

After a year away, the Chicago Bulls take their 3rd Eastern conference title in 4 years and return to the NBA finals. 24 for Jordan, he's the series MVP, 20 pts and 17 boards for Pippen. Starks scores 21 in the defeat, Ewing and Charles Smith double/double.

West Finals Game 1 (Pho) Sonics 97 Suns 89

The Sonics take game 1 on the road. Shawn Kemp leads the way 25, points, 12 rebounds. Charles Barkley double/double in the loss.

West Finals Game 2 (Pho) Suns 115 Sonics 111

The Suns even the series before heading to Seattle. Huge Barkley game, 33 pts, 11 rebounds. 23 points for Dan Majerle, 20 for Tom Chambers. Ricky Pierce had 24 in the defeat, double/double for Michael Cage.

West Finals Game 3 (Sea) Sonics 129 Suns 113

The Sonics go up 2-1. Ricky Pierce bombs away for 34. 21 and 17 for Shawn Kemp. Sam Perkins scores 16. 24 and 13 for Barkley in the loss.

West Finals Game 4 (Sea) Suns 117 Sonics 100

All tied up and headed back to Phoenix for game 5. It's Barkley taking over, 27 points, 20 rebounds. Shawn Kemp double/double.

West Finals Game 5 (Pho) Sonics 116 Suns 99

The Sonics roll in game 5 and will be going home, up 3-2, with a chance to head to the NBA Finals. Ricky Pierce again leads with 24. Michael Cage double/double. Dan Majerle drops 34 in the loss. 21 and 13 for Barkley.

West Finals Game 6 (Sea) Sonics 113 Suns 83

For the first time in 13 years, the Seattle SuperSonics have won the Western Conference, they will face the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals 20 for Derrick McKey, leading the Sonics. Shawn Kemp double/double. Just 14 for Pierce, but he is the series MVP. Double/double for Barkley in the loss.

NBA FINALS (June) CHICAGO BULLS v. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

The Bulls won back to back titles in '90 and '91, lost in the East Finals last year and are back, looking for their 3rd title in 4 years. 29 year old Michael Jordan was 3rd in the MVP race this year, 25 year old BJ Armstrong is the point guard. 32 year old John Paxson is the third guard. 27 year old Scottie Pippen was 3rd team All NBA this year, next to him is 27 year old Horace Grant, who was second team all defense, 35 year old Bill Cartwright is in the middle. Scott Williams and Stacey King get frontline bench minutes.

The Sonics were last in the Western Finals in '87, losing to the Lakers, 6 years later they win the West for the first time since 1980. The only All Star is 23 year old Shawn Kemp, joining him on the front line is 31 year old Sam Perkins, who arrived from the Lakers at midseason, and 26 year old Derrick McKey. 31 year old Michael Cage and 33 year old Eddie Johnson get bench minutes. 33 year old Ricky Pierce was West Finals MVP, the point guard is 24 year old Gary Payton. 28 year old Nate McMillan is the 3rd guard.

BULLS

HC-Phil Jackson

C-Bill Cartwright (35)

PF-Horace Grant (27) 2nd Team All Defense

SF-Scottie Pippen (27) 3rd Team All NBA

PG-BJ Armstrong (25)

SG- Michael Jordan (29) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

C-Stacey King (26)

F-Scott Williams (24)

G John Paxson (32)

SONICS

HC-George Karl

C Sam Perkins (31)

PF Shawn Kemp (23) All Star

SF Derrick McKey (26)

PG Gary Payton (24)

SG Ricky Pierce (33)

C Michael Cage (31)

F Eddie Johnson (33)

G Nate McMillan (28)

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Chi) Sonics 126 Bulls 92

The Sonics throttle the Bulls on the road in game 1. Ricky Pierce is having a hell of a postseason, 29 points. 22 points and 11 assists for Gary Payton. 20 points and 17 rebounds for Shawn Kemp. Jordan has 22 in the loss.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Chi) Sonics 103 Bulls 88

The Sonics are rolling, they take both in Chicago and the next 3 games will be in Seattle. 23 for Gary Payton, 10 points and 22 rebounds for Kemp. Sam Perkins double/double. 22 and 10 for Pippen in the loss, Jordan scores 21.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Sea) Bulls 108 Sonics 101

The road teams have won all 3 games. 35 for Jordan to lead the Bulls to the win. 22 and 10 for Pippen, double/double for Horace Grant and Scott Williams. 20 points and 18 rebounds for Kemp in the loss.

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Sea) Bulls 106 Sonics 96

The Bulls level the series, road teams winning all 4 games. Scottie Pippen has the best playoff game of his career, 31 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists. Jordan adds 31 of his own. 23 points and 11 rebounds for Sam Perkins in the loss. Kemp double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Sea) Sonics 99 Bulls 90

The Sonics take game 5, we will go back to Chicago for game 6, Seattle needs to win 1 to become NBA Champions. 27 points and 15 rebounds for Shawn Kemp, he is cleaning the glass. 25 for Jordan in the loss, Pippen scores 20.

NBA FINALS GAME 6 (Chi) Sonics 110 Bulls 96

Eddie Johnson scores the last 8 points for the Sonics and they win the NBA Championship. A great series for Sam Perkins, 29 points, 11 rebounds. Johnson scores 25 off the bench. Double/double for Shawn Kemp, the Finals MVP. 28 for Jordan in the loss, a second triple/double for Pippen, double/double for Grant and Williams. Kemp ties Bird and Kareem as the youngest Finals MVP in history.