Simulated 1984 NBA Finals

 1983

 Actual Result: The first Magic/Bird NBA Finals goes to Larry, Celtics had the best regular season and they beat the Lakers in 7.

 MVP: Larry Bird

East Semis: Celtics d. Knicks 4-3

                    Bucks d. Nets 4-2

West Semis: Lakers d. Mavs 4-1

                    Suns d. Jazz 4-2

Simulation: After a year away, the Celtics, who won three straight titles from '80-'82 are back in the East Finals, facing last year's East runners-up, Milwaukee.  Also returning to the conference finals are the Lakers, they haven't won the NBA Title since '73, the longest dry spell in franchise history, having lost in 7 games the last 2 seasons. New to the final four is Phoenix, the Suns won the NBA Title in '76 over the Celtics, 3 years later they dropped the West Finals to the eventual champion Sonics, the Lakers eliminated them in both '80 and '82.

East Finals (May) Boston Celtics (62-20) v. Milwaukee Bucks (50-32)

West Finals (May) Los Angeles Lakers (54-28) v. Phoenix Suns (41-41)

East Finals Game 1 (Bost) Bucks 126 Celtics 112

Milwaukee got swept out of last year's East Finals, but they come back prepared, taking game 1 in Boston Garden.  35 for Marques Johnson, 20 in 22 minutes for Junior Bridgeman.  Double/double for Bird in the upset loss.

East Finals Game 2 (Bost)  Celtics 101 Bucks 98

DJ broke a tie game with 90 seconds left with a foul line bankshot, Marques Johnson followed with a driving score, the Chief got 3 the hard way and when the Bucks came up empty, Bird gave Boston a 5 pt lead with 40 seconds left.  Moncrief got a quick bucket, Milwaukee decided not to foul, and Boston couldnt score, getting the Bucks a chance to tie with a late 3, but Moncrief missed.  Both Bird and Parish had 25 pts, 20 rebounds. 21 for Dennis Johnson. In the defeat, Bob Lanier went 20 and 10, 20 for Marques Johnson

East Finals Game 3 (Mil) Bucks 108 Celtics 100

The Bucks move within 2 games of their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years. Sidney Moncrief leads the way, 23 and 10. Bob Lanier double/double.  Bird triple double, 28 pts, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, the Chief went 23 and 17.  Double/double for Cedric Maxwell

East Finals Game 4 (Mil) Bucks 120 Celtics 104

Don Nelson's Milwaukee Bucks move a game from eliminating the Celtics and winning the Eastern Conference.  30 points/10 assists for Sidney Moncrief, 26 points/12 rebounds for Bob Lanier. Boston really shut down, Parish is high man with 19.

East Finals Game 5 (Bos) Celtics 106 Bucks 91

Boston doesnt allow the clinching game to come on their home floor.  25 and 14 for Larry Bird, 21 for Gerald Henderson, 19 points and 20 boards for the Chief.  Sidney Moncrief leads in scoring the for Bucks with 19.

East Finals Game 6 (Mil) Bucks 121 Celtics 118

Bucks led throughout the 4th until a Gerald Henderson scoop and score tied it with 3:30 to play, Moncrief and Bird traded long range triples, at 2:30 Henderson gave the Celtics their first lead of the second half with a floater from the lane.  A minute later, Junior Bridgeman tipped in a missed Marques Johnson jumper and again the score was tied, 90 seconds to play.  Parish and Marques Johnson exchanged buckets, at 45 seconds Marques hit 2 FT and the Bucks led by 2, Dunleavy steals a Henderson pass, Lanier lays it up and in, 31 seconds to play, the Bucks led by 4 - 31 seconds from the East Title.  Bird quickly scored to make it 2, the Celtics fouled Marques Johnson, who hit 1 of 2 - giving Boston a chance, down 3 with 19 seconds left - Bird got off a corner 3 -- but the ball rimmed out and the Milwaukee Bucks are the Eastern Conference Champions.  Sidney Moncrief is the series MVP, he goes for 31 and 14.  25 for Marques Johnson. On the losing side, Gerald Henderson scored 24. The Chief went 21 and 19, Bird scored 23. 

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 111 Suns 105

The Lakers have lost the last two NBA Finals in Game 7, they move a step closer to a return, Kareem goes 24 and 13, Magic is a rebound short of a triple double. Maurice Lucas and Larry Nance double/double in the defeat.

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Suns 128 Lakers 119

Are we headed to a Bucks/Suns Finals in 1984????  The Suns steal a game on the road and head to Phoenix tied at 1.  Walter Davis goes off for 38, 11 assists.  20 points, 11 boards for Larry Nance, and a double/double for Maurice Lucas.  Kareem goes 28 and 12 in the loss, double/double for Magic.

West Finals Game 3 (Phoenix) Lakers 115 Suns 112

Tied with a minute left, Kurt Rambis had a crashing dunk and a foul, hit the FT and that provided the final margin of victory for LA.  24 and 14 for the Captain, Larry Nance led everyone for the Suns, 29 pts, 20 rebounds.  24 for James Edwards, Another Lucas double/double.

West Finals Game 4 (Phoe) Lakers 124 Suns 120 (OT)

The Lakers take both games in Phoenix and move a game away from their third straight Western Conference title, James Worthy scores 31 off the bench, Magic has 25 points and 14 assists.  Walter Davis scores 30 in the loss.  22 for Kyle Macy, 23 and 17 for Maurice Lucas.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 130 Suns 98

As happened in 1949, '50, '53, '54, '55, '59, '62. '63. '65, '66, '68, '69, '70, '72. '73, '82, '83 - the Lakers are headed to the Finals.  Bob McAdoo scores 25 in 23 minutes to lead the way, double/double for Kareem, who is named West Finals MVP and will be facing his original Milwaukee Bucks team in the NBA Finals, and for Magic.  Lucas double/double in the loss.

NBA FINALS (June) LOS ANGELES LAKERS v. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

In 1971, a 23 year old Kareem Abdul Jabbar led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Title, the Bucks havent returned to the finals since and Kareem has yet to win a second championship.  The Captain, now 36, finished 4th in this year's MVP race. Next to Kareem on the front line is James Worthy, 22 years old in his second season and 25 year old Kurt Rambis.  32 year old Bob McAdoo plays heavy front line minutes, 30 year old Jamaal Wilkes started throughout the season, but now is at the back of the rotation.  Magic Johnson is 24, 3rd in the MVP, lead the league in assists per game. 27 year old Michael Cooper was 4th in the defensive player of the year and 22 year old Byron Scott is the third guard. It's been 11 years since the Lakers last title, the longest stretch in franchise history.  

After the Bucks '71 Title, they were knocked out of the playoffs by the Lakers in '72, the Warriors in '73, the Bulls in '74 and then after the '75 season they traded Kareem to LA for a package that included Junior Bridgeman.  Don Nelson, the longtime Celtic, took over as HC during the '77 season, they switched conferences in '81, the Sixers knocked them out of the playoffs 3 straight years and here we are.  26 year old Sidney Moncrief was defensive player of the year, joining him in the backcourt is 29 year old Mike Dunleavy; Paul Pressey is a 25 year old third guard.  27 year old Marques Johnson averages 20 PPG, 35 year old center Bob Lanier was a 6 time All Star with Detroit and is in his final season; for most of the year 30 year old Junior Bridgeman came off the bench, he's starting now, Alton Lister and Paul Mokeski both draw substantial minutes from the bench.  

LAKERS

HC Pat Reilly

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (36) 4th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

PF Kurt Rambis (25)

SF James Worthy (22)

PG Magic Johnson (24) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

SG Michael Cooper (27) 4th Defensive Player of the Year

F Bob McAdoo (32)

G Byron Scott (22)

BUCKS

HC Don Nelson

C Bob Lanier (35)

PF Marques Johnson (27)

SF Junior Bridgeman (30)

PG Mike Dunleavy (29)

SG Sidney Moncrief (26)

F Alton Lister (25)

G Paul Pressey (25)

C Paul Mokeski (27)

NBA FINALS GAME 1  (LA) Bucks 121 Lakers 113

The Lakers have lost the last two NBA Finals and they open up here with a home court loss to the Bucks.  Sidney Moncrief is the best player on the floor, 33 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists. Double/double for Marques Johnson.  Kareem scores 27 in the loss. Double/double for Magic, Worthy, Michael Cooper.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (LA) Lakers 109 Bucks 104

LA scores just 13 4th quarter points but they hold onto a big lead to even the series.  James Worthy leads with 26. Double/double for Kareem and Magic.  Moncrief scores 28 in the loss, Bob Lanier double/double.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Mil) Bucks 112 Lakers 106

The Bucks take game 3 and move a game from the second NBA Title in franchise history. Marques Johnson scores 27 with 10 rebounds, Moncrief pumped in 26. Double/double for Lanier.  Kareem scores 24 in the loss, Magic triple double, the 9th of his Finals career.  

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Mil) Lakers 107 Bucks 77

An all time blowout levels the series at 2, Magic's 10th NBA Finals triple double, 28 pts, 18 assists, 12 rebounds.  Worthy adds 22, a Marques Johnson double/double is the best the Bucks could muster.

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (LA) Lakers 134 Bucks 107

The pivot of this series sure looks like game 4, Milwaukee up 2-1, at home, they get blown out by 40, now we go to LA and again, the Lakers lay it on the Bucks.  Kareem scores 24, Magic 22 with 18 assists. Marques Johnson leads the losing side with 23.

NBA FINALS GAME 6 (Mil) Bucks 129 Lakers 117

For the 3rd consecutive year the Los Angeles Lakers are headed to game 7 in the NBA Finals.  Junior Bridgeman comes up huge in a possible elimination game, 30 points. 29 for Marques Johnson - Mike Dunleavy scores 25 in 25 minutes in the biggest spot of his career. Bob Lanier scores 20.  21 apiece for Worthy and Michael Cooper in the loss. Double/double for Magic

For the fifth time in NBA history the finals have gone 7 games 3 straight years.  Lets go to LA for Game 7!

NBA FINALS GAME 7 (LA) Lakers 120 Bucks 100

The Lakers win the 12th NBA Title in franchise history.  With all the chips on the table - it was the Captain, 36 year old Kareem Abdul Jabbar, with 37 points to lead the way and claim Finals MVP.  Worthy scored 21, Cooper 20, and Magic double/doubled.  25 pts, 16 rebounds for Marques Johnson in the loss.  21 for Dunleavy. Kareem becomes both the youngest (tied, with Bird) and oldest Finals MVP in NBA history.  

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)

Simulated 1983 NBA Finals

 1982

Actual Result: Fo, Five, Fo, the Sixers win 65 in the regular season and steamroll their way to the NBA Title.

MVP: Moses Malone

East Semis: Bucks d. Celtics 4-0

                    Sixers d. Knicks 4-0

West Semis: Lakers d. Blazers 4-1

                     Spurs d. Nuggets 4-1

Simulation: There will not be the first ever team to win 4 consecutive NBA Titles, the Celtics are swept out of the playoffs in the East Semis by Milwaukee.  The Bucks won the NBA Title in '71 with Kareem and Oscar, the longtime Celtic Don Nelson took over as Head Coach in '77, they made the West Finals in '78, moved to the East in  '81, the Sixers have knocked them out of the postseason the past two years. The Sixers won back to back titles in '77 and '78, then lost the East Semis to Boston in '80, '81, '82 and are back again with a chance to go to the East Finals, this time with NBA MVP Moses Malone.  The West Finals are a rematch of last year, Lakers facing the Spurs. 

East Finals (May) Philadelphia 76ers (65-17) v. Milwaukee Bucks (51-31)

West Finals (May) Los Angeles Lakers (58-24) v. San Antonio Spurs (53-29)

East Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 104 Bucks 84

After 3 straight Eastern Conference Finals losses, the Sixers have the best record in the NBA and are firing on all cylinders, having swept the Knicks in the semis.  23 for Julius Erving, 22 for Bobby Jones, Moses Malone has 16 points and 26 rebounds, double/double for Mo Cheeks.  Huge game for Marques Johnson in the defeat, 35 pts, 11 rebounds.  

East Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 128 Bucks 105

Non competitive game 2, Moses was regular season MVP and stakes his claim on the postseason, 43 pts, 16 rebounds. 21 and 10 for the Doctor and a Bobby Jones double/double.  Once again, Marques Johnson leads the Bucks, 27 pts.  22 for Sidney Moncrief, 21 and 11 for Junior Bridgeman.  

East Finals Game 3 (Mil) Sixers 120 Bucks 105

Philly is 7-0 in the postseason after posting 65 wins in the regular season, 24 and 17 for Moses, 20 for Mo Cheeks and a Julius Erving double/double.  Moncrief with 23 in the loss, 20 for Marques Johnson.

East Finals Game 4 (Mil) Sixers 112 Bucks 90

Fo-Fo.  The Sixers sweep the Bucks and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since their back to back titles in '77 and '78.  Moses Malone is the East Finals MVP, he goes 24 and 12.  Double/double for Cheeks.  Marques Johnson is 22 and 10 in the loss.  Bob Lanier double/double.

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 104 Spurs 102

Lakers led by 10 with 4 minutes left but when Artis Gilmore hit from the lane with 90 seconds left the Spurs had cut it to 2.  At 9 seconds to go, George Gervin laced through the Laker defense to tie the score, but at the buzzer it was Jamaal Wilkes, top of the key, burying the game winning jumper.  Kareem went 20 and 12, Magic had 4 triple doubles in last year's NBA Finals and does it again here, 14 pts, 13 assists, 10 rebounds.  In the loss, Gervin had 29, double double for Gilmore, Mike Mitchell, Johnny Moore.  

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 117 Spurs 108

LA takes the first two at home, the Sixers and Lakers met in the Finals in '65, Philly winning in 7 - in the 50s, the Minneapolis Lakers faced off 3 times against the Syracuse Nationals, the Lakers winning twice.  LA is 2 away from claiming the West title and facing Philly in the Finals. Kareem has 25, Wilkes 22, how about another Magic triple double, 18 pts, 17 boards, 13 assists.  Double/double for Kurt Rambis.  Huge game for Gilmore in the defeat, 26 points, 26 rebounds. Mike Mitchell had 24, double/double for Gene Banks and Johnny Moore

West Finals Game 3 (SA) Lakers 121 Spurs 114

The Lakers are a game from returning to the NBA Finals for the 17th time.  This was Norm Nixon's game, 31 points to lead all scorers.  20 for Kareem and yes, another Magic Johnson triple double, 20 pts, 15 rebounds, 11 assists. Bob McAdoo double/double.  Gene Banks went for 25 in the defeat.  21 for Gervin.  Double/double for Gilmore.  

West Finals Game 4 (SA) Lakers 117 Spurs 108

Both conference finals are 4 game sweeps leading to the two top teams in basketball meeting in the 1983 NBA Finals.  31 for Jamaal Wilkes to lead the scoring. 20 and 12 for Kareem, 24 for McAdoo, 20 rebounds for Rambis and a double/double for Magic, the series MVP.  Mike Mitchell scored 28 and Johnny Moore double/double in the loss.

NBA FINALS (May) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS v. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Laker Finals History

1949 d Capitols 4-2

1950 d Nationals 4-2

1953 L Celtics 4-3

1954 d Nationals 4-2

1955 d Celtics 4-3

1959 L Nationals 4-1

1962 d. Celtics 4-2

1963 L Royals 4-1

1965 L Sixers 4-3

1966 d Celtics 4-3

1968 d Celtics 4-2

1969 d Knicks 4-1

1970 d. Knicks 4-3

1972 d Celtics 4-3

1973 d Celtics 4-1

1982 L Celtics 4-3

Wins: 11 Losses 5

This Laker team is the same one that lost in last year's Finals, Kareem is now 35, 2nd team All NBA, 29 year old Jamaal Wilkes joins him on the front line, he made the All Star team, 24 year old Kurt Rambis gets the start at the other forward, really splitting time with 31 year old veteran Bob McAdoo.  James Worthy finished 3rd in the rookie of the year race but is out with injury, leaving the Lakers with essentially a 7 man rotation.  Magic and 27 year old Norm Nixon is the backcourt, 23 year old Magic was 3rd in the MVP award; 26 year old Michael Cooper finished third in Defensive Player of the Year.  Longtime Sixer Steve Mix is on the roster, but not the rotation.

Sixers Finals History

1950 L Lakers

1952 L Royals

1954 L Lakers

1959 d. Lakers

1965 d. Lakers

1967 d. Warriors

1977 d. Blazers

1978 d. Nuggets

Wins 5 Losses 3

Julius Erving was the Finals MVP in '77 and is looking for his 3rd NBA Championship here. The Doctor is 32, finished 5th in the MVP this year.  He is joined this year by 27 year old Moses Malone, regular season MVP, East Finals MVP. 26 year old Marc Iavaroni joins them on the front line, splitting time with the veteran Bobby Jones (do these teams seem like mirror images?) 6th man of the year. Clem Johnson also sees frontline minutes.  26 year old Mo Cheeks was first team all defense, his backcourt mate Andrew Toney made the All Star team. Clint Richardson is the third guard. 

SIXERS

HC Billy Cunningham

C Moses Malone (27) MVP, 1st Team All NBA

PF Marc Iavaroni (26) 

SF Julius Erving (32) 5th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

PG Maurice Cheeks (26) 3rd Defensive Player of the Year, All Star

SG Andrew Toney (25) All Star

F Bobby Jones (31) 6th Man of the Year, 3rd Defensive Player of the Year

LAKERS

HC Pat Riley

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (35) 2nd Team All NBA

PF Kurt Rambis (24)

SF Jamaal Wilkes (29) All Star

PG Norm Nixon (27) 

SG Magic Johnson (23) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Michael Cooper (26) 3rd Defensive Player of the Year

F Bob McAdoo (31)

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Philly) Sixers 115 Lakers 99

The Sixers havent lost an NBA Finals series since moving to Philly and they open with a win here.  Julius Erving owns this one, 31 pts and a dozen rebounds. 25 pts, 21 rebounds for Moses Malone.  Kareem scores 23 in the loss, double/double for Magic Johnson

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Philly) Sixers 124 Lakers 121 (OT)

Free throws by Erving gave the Sixers a 9 point lead with 5 left in regulation, three minutes later, Nixon scored in traffic to cut it to 1.  With a minute left, Magic hit from 17, Lakers led by a point.  Erving and Toney each hit FT giving the Lakers the ball, down 3, with 15 seconds left.  Jamaal Wilkes hit a buzzer beater to win game 1 of the West Finals - he triples at the buzzer to send the game to OT.  OT played out similarly, the Sixers hitting end of game FT, the Lakers having one last chance hit a game tying 3 - but Magic missed and we head to LA, Sixers having won all 10 of their playoff games. Moses scores 30 and has 18 rebounds; the Doctor has 27 and 15, 20 with 10 assists for Mo Cheeks and Andrew Toney was a rebound away from a triple double.  Speaking of triple doubles, Magic has his 5th NBA Finals triple double of his career, 24 pts, 16 boards, 14 assists.  21 pts, 11 assists for Norm Nixon.  23 and 14 for the Captain.  

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (LA) Sixers 125 Lakers 115

Fo-Fo...the Sixers are staking their claim as the greatest of all time, one game from sweeping their way to the 6th NBA Title in franchise history.  Julius Erving at 32 years old has been the best player of the series, its really the crowning moment of his career, 37 points, 12 rebounds.  Moses has been a force, 24 points, 23 boards. Andrew Toney scores 26, Mo Cheeks double/double.  Kareem goes for 28 and 11 in the loss, 23 and 10 for Magic.  

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (LA) Lakers 112 Sixers 105

Nope.  The Lakers wont allow the sweep, Jamaal Wilkes takes 30 shots, scoring 38 points and LA forces game 5.  24 for Kareem and Magic's 6th all time Finals triple double.  Moses drops 40 with 29 rebounds, he is an unstoppable force.  22 for Toney, 20 for Erving.

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Philly) Lakers 113 Sixers 103

The Lakers have made this interesting, they win game 5, they now trail 3-2 and we will go back to LA for Game 6.  Magic leads the winners with 29 points and 12 rebounds, 24 and 10 for Kareem, in the defeat, Moses scores 23 with 29 boards.  Toney and Cheeks both go for 21, Michael Cooper moved to the starting lineup in game 4, slowing Erving's production.  

NBA FINALS GAME 6 (LA) Lakers 124 Sixers 97

The pride of the Lakers really shows up here, they blow Philly out - tying the series at 3, a hugely unexpected turn of events - we will go back to Philadelphia to the Spectrum for an incredibly anxious crowd and game 7.  Magic's 7th career Finals triple double is his most impressive, 36 points, 10 boards, 10 assists.  24 and 14 for Kareem, 23 for Wilkes.  Bob McAdoo missed the prior two games, he comes back with 20 and 12 in 26 minutes.  Moses has 26 and 16 in the loss. 22 for Erving, double/double for Cheeks and Bobby Jones.  

The Lakers lost in 7 last year - the two greatest words in all of sport -  GAME SEVEN.

NBA FINALS GAME 7 (Philly) Sixers 126 Lakers 124

An all time legendary game.  The Lakers led by 5 entering the 4th quarter, Magic hit a fallaway jumper a minute in to make it 7, Toney scores two straight buckets to make it 3, McAdoo comes back with a 15 footer and the Lakers again lead by 5, 10 to play.  A total of 11 points in the next minute of play, 5 of them from Mo Cheeks, his 3 pointer cuts the deficit to 2.  The Doctor then scores the next 3 buckets, ending with a thunderous dunk, and with 7 to play Philly is up 4.  Two minutes later, Erving's added 2 more buckets, Moses also scores, it's a huge Philly run and they lead by 10 with 5 to play.  That ten point lead holds until a Kareem dunk at 3:45. At 2:30, Wilkes has hit 2 FT, Kareem sky hook, that Sixer lead was 4.  90 seconds later comes the next basket - a Rambis dunk, Sixers now by 2, one minute to play.  Moses and Kareem trade baskets, the Lakers foul Toney with 15 seconds left, he hits one, giving LA a chance, down 3.  The Sixers foul Magic, not letting LA get up the game tying shot - he hits both.  Toney is fouled again with 7 seconds left, and again, hits 1.  Lakers stop the clock - it's Wilkes who takes the final shot - a potentially game winning 3 - it clanks off the back rim and the Sixers hold on for the 6th NBA Championship in franchise history.  Andrew Toney is the leading scorer, 30 points.  25 points and 11 assists for Erving - for the first time in NBA history there is a tie for Finals MVP, Erving and Moses, who had 24 points and 23 rebounds.  Bobby Jones went 20 and 10 off the bench.  28 and 11 for Kareem in the devastating loss, 23 for Michael Cooper, 22 for McAdoo, and Magic does get his 8th career Finals Triple Double.

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. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP; Moses Malone C, 27/Julius Erving SF 32)

Simulated 1982 NBA Finals

 1981

Actual result: the Lakers win their second title in three years, beating the Sixers; Magic and Bird trade off titles in their three NBA seasons.

MVP: Moses Malone

East Semis: Celtics d. Bullets 4-1

                    Sixers d. Bucks 4-2

West Semis: Lakers d. Suns 4-0

                     Spurs d. Sonics 4-1

Simulation: The Celtics have won back to back titles, the "real" NBA Title has been in the East Finals the last two years, Boston beating Philly both times - and sure enough, round 3 between the teams with the two best records is coming up in this year's Eastern Conference Finals.  After a year away, the Lakers are back in the West Finals, they'll take on Ice Gervin's Spurs.  They started in the ABA in Dallas in '68, moving to San Antonio in '74, joined the NBA in '77 (losing to the Celtics in the East playoffs).  The Spurs have made the playoffs in every season since the move to the NBA and here they are in the West Finals.

East Finals (May) Boston Celtics (63-19) v. Philadelphia 76ers (58-24)

West Finals (May) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) v. San Antonio Spurs (48-34)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 116 Sixers 99

The Celtics attempt to take out the Sixers in the East Finals for the 3rd straight year opens with an easy home win.  28 points and 13 rebounds for Larry Bird, back to back MVP of those East Finals. Double digit scoring for 7 Celtics.  The Sixers leading scorer was Bobby Jones, with 17 off the bench. Julius Erving held to 13 points on 6 of 17 from the floor. 

East Finals Game 2 (Boston) Celtics 118 Sixers 100

Boston cruises in game 2 and the series heads to Philly with the Sixers down 2-0.  The Chief leads the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds.  Bird has his first conference finals triple double, 12 pts, 16 rebounds, 10 assists. 22 points for Tiny Archibald.  25 pts, 11 rebounds for the Doctor in the defeat.

East Finals Game 3 (Philly) Sixers 115 Celtics 111

Philly holds on at home to take their first game.  The Doctor scores 31, the Sixers trailed by as many as 11 in the 4th, not taking their first lead until 2 minutes to play, Caldwell Jones blocks Bird with 12 seconds left on an attempted game tying shot.  Jones double/double.  Cedric Maxwell scores 23 in the loss, 20 pts/15 rebounds for Bird.

East Finals Game 4 (Philly) Sixers 118 Celtics 89

Tiny Archibald is out with injury and it may have tipped this series; the Sixers blow the Celtics out, evening the series at 2.  Darryl Dawkins comes off the bench and scores 23 with 12 rebounds in 26 minutes.  10 of 13 from the floor.  22 and 13 for Erving, Andrey Toney scores 21. 20 and 10 for Bird in the loss. Double/double for Parish.  

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Sixers 135 Celtics 126

The difference between the teams is slight, Boston won games 1 and 2, lost Archibald to injury very early in game 3 and Philly has controlled ever since, winning game 5 on the road. Erving scores 24, 23 for Toney.  31 points and 14 rebounds for Bird in the losing effort, 22 for Gerald Henderson, filling in for Archibald.

East Finals Game 6 (Philly) Celtics 115 Sixers 97

For the second straight year, the Eastern Finals will go 7 games.  Robert Parish scores 24, 12 rebounds to pace the Celts to the road win.  Danny Ainge comes off the bench for 21, double/double for Bird. The Doctor goes for 30 in the loss.

One more time, the two greatest words in all of sports - Game Seven.

East Finals Game 7 (Boston) Celtics 122 Sixers 112

For the third consecutive year the Celtics take out the Sixers in the East Finals and they will head back to the NBA Finals with an opportunity for the threepeat.  Robert Parish scored 42 in game 4 of last year's NBA Finals and he continued that domination in this year's playoffs, he's the East Finals MVP, 28 pts, 19 rebounds.  23 for Danny Ainge, double/double for Bird and Kevin McHale.  32 for Julius Erving and once again, the Sixers fall just short; fair to say they have been the second best team in the league each of the past 3 years.  

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 141 Spurs 105

I'm not going to say this series is over, it's one game, despite it being a 36 point margin, however, hard not to look forward to Lakers/Celtics, Magic/Bird, it would, as Gorilla Monsoon said, be a happening.  Kareem scores 27, 14 rebounds to lead the way. 26 for Jamaal Wilkes, 24 for Michael Cooper off the bench.  22 points and 12 assists for Norm Nixon and a double/double for Magic.  Ice Gervin scored 23, Mike Mitchell 22 in the loss

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 125 Spurs 94

Never in doubt, the Lakers overwhelm San Antonio.  23 points and 16 rebounds for Magic, 20 for Kareem and a double/double for Norm Nixon.  29 for George Gervin in the defeat.

West Finals Game 3 (SA) Lakers 127 Spurs 105

Get ready to rev up the bus - we're about to see the 8th NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Lakers.  Not yet though, LA still has 1 win to go, Bob McAdoo is the Lakers leading scorer with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Both Magic and Kareem double/double.  27 for Gervin and a double/double for Dave Corzine in the defeat.

West Finals Game 4 (SA) Lakers 106 Spurs 103

The 11x champion Lakers return to the Finals for the first time in 9 years.  Kareem Abdul Jabbar scores 30 in this closeout game and is named West Finals MVP. Double/double for both Nixon and Magic.  22 points and 20 rebounds for Mike Mitchell, 20 and 12 for Mark Olberding.  

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

The Lakers are the most storied franchise in NBA history, sporting 11 titles; they've faced the Celtics in 7 NBA Finals and have won the last 6.

1953: Celtics 4-3

1955: Lakers 4-3

1962: Lakers 4-2

1966: Lakers 4-3

1968: Lakers 4-2

1972: Lakers 4-3

1973: Lakers 4-1

The rivalry renews; this time Boston comes in riding back to back championships, looking to become the only franchise, other than the Lakers, to win 3 straight.  They do so with 2 time Finals MVP Larry Bird; in 1979, he and Magic Johnson met in what will almost certainly forever be the highest rated NCAA Finals game of all time.  Magic won that game - and once again they are on opposite sides of the floor.  

It's Celtics v. Lakers, it could hardly be a bigger, most eagerly anticipated series.

Boston is largely the same group that has won the past two years, Parish (4th in MVP) Bird (2nd in MVP) Maxwell on the front line, McHale now getting nearly as much run as Cornbread.  Archibald/ML Carr is the backcourt; Tiny (once again, an All Star) suffered a dislocated shoulder in the East Finals, we will go, but in partial minutes, in this series.  Gerald Henderson absorbs most of Tiny's minutes; Danny Ainge/Rick Robey/Chris Ford round out the rotation.

Pat Riley took over the head job in LA early this season; in the middle is the captain, Kareem is 34, finals MVP with the Bucks in '71, he's been a Laker since '76 and is making his first Finals appearance in 11 years.  Joining him on the front line are 28 year old Jamaal Wilkes and 23 year old Kurt Rambis; Wilkes was Rookie of the Year with the Warriors in '75 and has been a Laker since '78. The PF during most of the regular season was Mitch Kupchak, but he's lost with injury in the playoffs, the rookie Rambis draws the starting assignment but the lions share of those minutes go to 30 year old Bob McAdoo, who is with his 6th NBA team including a short 1979 run with the Celtics.  McAdoo was NBA MVP in '75 as a Buffalo Brave.  The backcourt is 26 year old Norm Nixon and 22 year old Magic Johnson; both All Stars this year.  Short bench for the Lakers, 25 year old Michael Cooper absorbs a lot of minutes and essentially thats the end of the playoff rotation.  

CELTICS

HC Bill Fitch 

C Robert Parish (28)-4th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

PF Larry Bird (25)-2nd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

SF Cedric Maxwell (26) 

PG Tiny Archibald (33)-All Star

SG ML Carr (31)

LAKERS

HC Pat Riley

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (34) All Star

PF Kurt Rambis (23)

SF Jamaal Wilkes (28)

PG Norm Nixon (26) All Star

SG Magic Johnson (22) 2nd Team All NBA

SG Michael Cooper (25) 1st Team All Defense

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Boston) Celtics 120 Lakers 118

Game 1 lives up to expectations.  With 3 left Robert Parish gave the Celtics a 6 point lead with a dunk - Kareem then scored 3 straight buckets to the score with 90 seconds left. A Norm Nixon foul line jumper with 70 seconds left gave the Lakers their first lead of the qtr. Danny Ainge hit two FT to tie the score, the Lakers came up empty on their final trip, missing 3 shots on goal - the Celtics had the final possession, Bird misses from deep - but it's the Chief with the putback at the buzzer to give the Celtics the win.  36 points, 11 rebounds for Parish, 32 points, 18 rebounds for Bird.  Double/double for Maxwell.  Magic's first NBA Finals game is a triple double, 28 pts, 19 rebounds, 10 assists. Nixon scores 22, Silk Wilkes and Kareem both go for 21.  

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Boston) Celtics 123 Lakers 93

The Celtics win by 30 and are 2 games away from the threepeat.  29 points and 11 rebounds for Larry Bird to lead the Celts. 20 and 15 for Parish.  Kareem is 21 and 10 in the loss, double/double for Nixon.  

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (LA) Lakers 123 Celtics 105

The Lakers take game 3 at home; Norm Nixon scores 31 to pace LA.  21 apiece for Wilkes and Kareem and a double/double for Magic,  26 and 16 for the Chief in the loss, Bird scores 22.  

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (LA) Celtics 135 Lakers 107

The Celtics whip the Lakers in game 4 and they will head back to Boston with a 3 games to 1 lead. Larry Bird has a triple double of his own, 35 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists. Robert Parish is at the top of his game, 31 points, 20 rebounds.  Kareem goes for 26 and 12. 24 points/16 assists for Magic. 

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Boston) Lakers 124 Celtics 114

A win here might have bee one of the biggest of Red Auerbach's life, to close out the Lakers at home, winning their 3rd straight title - the Celtics first Finals win over the Lakers since '53...but it didnt happen, the Lakers win game 5 and we head back to LA.  Kareem scores 27, going 10 for 14 from the field.  24 and 11 for Jamaal Wilkes and Magic has his second triple double of the series, 20 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists.  Bob McAdoo scores 21 off the bench.  The best player in the series has been Robert Parish, 31 points, 11 rebounds.  23 and 11 for Bird

NBA FINALS GAME 6 (LA) Lakers 125 Celtics 122 (OT)

Why not?  Lets go 7 games.  Neither team led by more than 3 in the 4th quarter, it took a Bird game tying triple with under ten seconds left in regulation to force OT.  Boston scored the first 5 in OT, with 2 left the Lakers has taken the lead on a Wilkes 16 footer.  Boston doesnt score in the final 3 minutes, Bird missing 2 potentially game tying triples and the Lakers had forced game 7.  Jamaal Wilkes led the Lakers with 27.  Magic Johnson had his third triple double of the series, 26 pts, 16 rebounds, 13 assists.  Kareem also scored 26.  Gerald Henderson led the Celtics in scoring with 22, Bird went 20 and 10 and Parish double/doubled.

For the 5th Time in NBA History - a Lakers/Celtics Finals is going to game 7.  Lets go to the Boston Garden.

NBA FINALS GAME 7 (Boston) Celtics 125 Lakers 114

The Boston Celtics threepeat, beating the Lakers in the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly 3 decades, its Boston's 8th NBA Championship, second only to the Lakers 11.  Larry Bird triple doubles in the closeout, 21 points, 16 assists, 13 rebounds, he wins the Finals MVP for an unprecedented 3rd straight year.  Tiny Archibald, playing through his dislocated shoulder, scores 20 in 28 minutes, going 8 of 11 from the floor in an all time gut check game. In the loss, Magic triple doubled for the 4th time in the series (Bird had 3, the two headliners did not disappoint; this was every drop the series the NBA wanted/needed at this point in its history, really ushering the league into the modern TV era) 21 pts, 16 rebounds, 15 assists. 26 for Kareem.  Larry Bird has won the NBA Finals MVP in the first 3 seasons of his career.  Welcome to the 1980s. 

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)

Simulated 1981 NBA Finals

 1980

Actual Result: This is the year Bird's Celtics win their first NBA Title, beating the Rockets in 6.

MVP: Julius Erving

East Semis: Celtics d. Bulls 4-0

                    Sixers d. Bucks 4-3

West Semis: Rockets d. Spurs 4-3

                     Kings d. Suns 4-3

                    

Simulation: Boston's back, a year after beating the Sixers in the East Finals on their way to the 6th NBA Title in franchise history, they are tied with Philly for the best record in the league and the two will once again square off in the East Finals.  The West Finals look different, The Rockets swapped conferences, went 40-42, knocked off the Lakers/Spurs in the first two rounds to reach the conference finals for the first time.  The Rockets were a San Diego expansion team in '68, they moved to Houston in '72, they won their first playoff series in '75 (Knicks), won the Central division in '77, got swept by the Celtics in last years East Semis, and now in the West, will face the Kansas City Kings for the right to go to the NBA Championship.  The Rochester Royals won back to back titles in '51 and '52, in '58 they moved to Cincinnati and 5 years later Oscar Robertson led them to the franchises 3rd NBA Title.  A decade later, they moved to Kansas City, coached by Bob Cousy. The Kansas City Kings made the playoffs in '75, won the Midwest Division in '79, and lost in the first round to Phoenix last year.  This year, they knocked off the Blazers and Suns and find themselves 4 wins away from the NBA Finals.

East Finals: (Apr) Boston Celtics (62-20) v. Philadelphia 76ers (62-20)

West Finals (Apr) Houston Rockets (40-42) v. Kansas City Kings (40-42)

East Finals Gm 1 (Boston) Celtics 116 Sixers 111

These two teams have won 3 of the past 4 NBA Championships and the Celtics take game 1 in '81. Larry Bird was last years Finals MVP and he leads the way with 24 pts and 15 rebounds.  The big change from last season is that Dave Cowens has been replaced with Robert Parish; the Chief scored 23 with 15 boards.  The Boston Stranger, Andrew Toney, came off the bench and scored 25. Double/doubles for Darryl Dawkins and Bobby Jones. 

East Finals Gm 2 (Boston) Sixers 125 Celtics 110

The Sixers will head home having squared the series at 1.  Bobby Jones scores 23 bench points in 26 minutes, adding 14 rebounds to pace the Sixers.  Kevin McHale led the way with 20 off the Boston bench.  Double/double for Larry Bird.  

East Finals Gm 3 (Philly) Sixers 107 Celtics 96

The Sixers take a 2-1 lead.  29 points/13 rebounds for the Doctor.  22 for Caldwell Jones. 27 and 15 for Bird, Double/double for Tiny Archibald and Rick Robey.  

East Finals Gm 4 (Philly) Celtics 110 Sixers 105 (OT)

All tied at 2, we go to the Boston Garden for Game 5. The Sixers led by as many a 14 in the 4th, with 90 seconds left, Boston took their first lead on a short Maxwell jumper. The Celtics hit all their FT in the final minute, leading by 3 when Lionel Hollins hit a 40 footer to send the game into OT, probably the most significant 3 pointer ever made to that date.  The Celtics led through the entirety of the extra period to even the series at 2 games apiece.  24 points for the Chief led the way. 21 and 17 for Bird, double/double for Maxwell.  Erving went 26/15 in the loss, double/double for Caldwell Jones

East Finals Gm 5 (Boston) Sixers 114 Celtics 98

Philly takes pivotal game 5 and will head home, one win from sending the defending champs home and returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since their back to back title wins of '77-'78. 23 for both Julius Erving and Bobby Jones.  Bird with 20 in the defeat.  

East Finals Game 6 (Philly) Celtics 113 Sixers 109 (OT)

The Celtics take their second OT game on the road in the series and force game 7.  The Sixers led by as many as ten in the 4th, Boston not tying the score until a Bird foul line jumper with 9 seconds left in regulation.  Rick Robey, in for a fouled out Parish, blocks Erving's shot as regulation ends.  Erving's the only Sixer who scores in OT, but when Chris Ford hits a triple with a minute to play, it puts Boston up for good.  23 and 16 for Bird, he plays 50 minutes.  Parish double/double and Robey scored 19 off the bench.  30 for Erving in the loss.

The two greatest words in all of sports.  Game.  Seven.

East Finals Game 7 (Boston) Celtics 100 Sixers 82

The Boston defense cranks it up, holding Philly to 82 and its the Celtics who will return to the NBA Finals.  20 pts for the Chief, a double/double for Bird, who once again is the East Finals MVP.  Just 16 for Erving in leading the Sixers in scoring.

West Finals Game 1 (KC) Rockets 104 Kings 87

 28 points and 19 rebounds for Moses Malone. 20 and 12 for Robert Reid.  The real world result was a Celtics/Rockets series and Houston is 3 games from making that happen.  17 from Scott Wedman leads the way for the Kings.

West Finals Game 2 (KC) Kings 113 Rockets 107

Dont write the Kings epitaph quite yet, they even the series at 1.  28 points and 10 assists for Phil Ford; 22 for Wedman, 21 points and 13 boards for Reggie King.  Moses isnt going to be stopped in this series, 29 points, 19 rebounds.  

West Finals Game 3 (Hou) Rockets 109 Kings 100 (OT)

Moses scores 11 in OT and the Rockets go up 2-1.  It's the top playoff performance of the 80s so far, 43 points, 24 rebounds.  Double/double for Billy Paultz and Robert Reid.  23 and 17 for Sam Lacey in the loss.  Reggie King double/double.  

West Finals Game 4 (Hou) Kings 109 Rockets 99

Kansas City has made this a real series, taking game 4 in Houston, we will head back to Kansas City for game 5.  Otis Birdsong is playing just a little bit in the series, just 18 minutes in this one, but he scored 20 to lead the way for the Kings. Double/double for Ernie Grunfeld and Sam Lacey.  Moses again did Moses things, 31 and 17 in the loss.  

West Finals Game 5 (KC) Kings 118 Rockets 109 (OT)

The Kansas City Kings are a game away from a very unlikely Western Conference Title.  The Rockets are held to just 2 points in OT.  22 for Reggie King, 21 and 12 assists for Phil Ford, double/double for Sam Lacey.  Moses does score 43 with 19 boards, but has 13 turnovers.  Robert Reid and Tom Henderson double/double.

West Finals Game 6 (Hou) Kings 111 Rockets 101

The Kings!  The Kansas City Kings were NBA Champions as the Cincinnati Royals in 1963 - and here we are, nearly 2 decades later - they head back to the NBA Finals to face the Boston Celtics.  22 for Scott Wedman, 20 off the bench for Otis Birdsong, double/doubles for Reggie King and for Phil Ford.  Moses is the obvious MVP even with the loss, 30 pts and 25 rebounds in this one.  22 for Calvin Murphy.  

NBA FINALS (May) BOSTON CELTICS v. KANSAS CITY KINGS

On paper, one of the biggest mismatches in finals history, the Celtics having a 22 game regular season advantage on the Kings.  The defending champion Celtics come in searching for their 7th NBA title, and go back to back for the first time since the late 50s.  Boston won the Atlantic, swept the Bulls in the East semi and then beat the Sixers in the 7 game series played above.  24 year old Larry Bird was last year's Finals MVP and was second in the MVP race this year, leading the league in defensive win shares.  Cedric Maxwell is now 25, and joining them on the front line this year is 27 year old Robert Parish, in his first Boston season after 4 with Golden St. 23 year old rookie Kevin McHale comes off the bench, he was 4th in the Rookie of the Year race.  The backcourt from last year's title team remains, 32 year old Tiny Archibald, who was second team All NBA, and 32 year old Chris Ford.  ML Carr, Rick Robey, Gerald Henderson round out the rotation.

Kansas City head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons is in his 4th head coaching job since 1971, the Kings are led by 2nd Team All NBA Otis Birdsong, a 25 year old guard - Birdsong's minutes were limited in the West Finals, but he is a full go in this series.  24 year old Phil Ford is next to him in the backcourt, he was MVP of the West Finals.  On the front line, 32 year old Sam Lacey, 23 year old Reggie King, and 28 year old Scott Wedman, 2 years from now, Wedman will head to Boston where he finishes his career. 34 year old Jo Jo White came to the Kings for 13 games this season to retire (he went to Kansas) but not playing in this series.

CELTICS

HC Bill Fitch

C Robert Parish (27)-All Star

PF Larry Bird (24)-2nd MVP, 1stTeam All NBA

SF Cedric Maxwell (25) 

PG Tiny Archibald (32)- 2nd Team All NBA

SG Chris Ford (32)

PF Kevin McHale (23) 4th ROY

KINGS

HC Cottom Fitzsimmons

C Sam Lacey (32)

PF Reggie King (23)

SF Scott Wedman (28)

PG Phil Ford (24)

SG Otis Birdsong (25) - 2nd team All NBA

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Boston) Celtics 107 Kings 105

8 minutes left, the Kings led by 12 - 8 minutes from stealing game 1 in the Boston Garden and shocking the sports world.  Bird with 3 the hard way at 7:30; McHale from the post at 7.  Parish hits 2 FT at 6:15, that's 7 straight to cut it to 5, 6 minutes left.  A minute later, the deficit is 2.  With 4 left, Bird's hit twice and the Celtics take the lead.  2 minutes left - Celtics by 1 after a Sam Lacey 6 footer.  Parish misses the other way - Lacey responds with a dunk and the Kings lead by a point.  Parish and Birdsong exchange baskets, Kings by 1, Celtics ball, under a minute to play. Bird hits a 16 footer with 30 seconds left.  Celtics by 1.  Birdsong misses with 12 seconds left, Chris Ford gets the ball, is fouled, hits 1 to give the Celtics a 2 point lead, the Kings get the ball to Lacey in the paint, McHale blocks his shot and the Celtics survive.  29 point/12 rebounds for Parish. 28 and 13 for Bird.  Birdsong scores 20 in the loss; double/double for Lacey and Reggie King.

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Boston) Celtics 106 Kings 101

The Kings again keep this one close, but the Celts take both at home.  20 points, 16 rebounds for Larry Bird. Scott Wedman scored 22 in the loss, Otis Birdsong had 20, Double/double for Phil Ford and Reggie King.  

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (KC)  Celtics 111 Kings 97

Boston goes up 3-0, moving within a game of their 7th NBA Title. Rick Robey scores 15 off the bench to lead the way; 7 in double figures for the Celtics in their balanced attack.  Double/double for Bird.  24 for Phil Ford, 20 more for Birdsong, and a double/double for Reggie King in the loss.  

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (KC) Celtics 127 Kings 123

The Boston Celtics go back to back, a year after beating the Sonics in 5 games they sweep the Kings, it's the 7th NBA Championship in franchise history, second only to the Lakers 11.  Game 4 belonged to the Chief, 42 points and 14 rebounds in the closeout.  Larry Bird goes 22 and 12 and once again is the Finals MVP, only Wilt previously was named back to back Finals MVP.  20 and 10 for Cornbread Maxwell.  28/12 for Reggie King in the loss, 24 for Birdsong, 21 for Wedman.

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)

Simulated 1980 NBA Finals

 1979

 

Actual Result: Magic, Kareem and the Lakers usher the sport into the 1980s by beating the Sixers in 6. 

MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar

East Semis: Celtics d. Rockets 4-0

                    Sixers d. Hawks 4-1

West Semis: Lakers d. Suns 4-1

                     Sonics d. Bucks 4-3

Simulation: The defending champion Sonics reach the West Finals, they face the dominant team in NBA history, the 11x champion Lakers. The Celtics have won 5 titles, they are in the East Finals, facing the Sixers who went back to back in '77-78.

East Finals (April): Boston Celtics (61-21) v. Philadelphia 76ers (59-23)

West Finals (April): Los Angeles Lakers (60-22) v. Seattle SuperSonics (56-26)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 114 Sixers 106

Larry Bird's first conference final game couldn't have gone much better, 44 pts/21 rebounds; he was a perfect 15/15 from the stripe.  Double/double for Dave Cowens.  28 pts/12 rebounds for the Doctor in the loss.  

East Finals Game 2 (Boston) Celtics 107 Sixers 98

The Celtics take the first two at home. Bird follows up his huge game one with 35 pts/13 rebounds on 15-21 from the floor.  Cowens was an assist from a triple double and Cedric Maxwell chipped in a double/double.  Mo Cheeks paced the losing Sixers with 23. Lionel Hollins had 20.

East Finals Game 3 (Philly) Celtics 110 Sixers 106

Boston moves within a game of its first NBA Finals since winning it all in '74. 34 pts/22 rebounds for a dominant Larry Bird. Julius Erving scores 30, Caldwell Jones double/double and the Sixers are really up against it now.

East Finals Game 4 (Philly) Sixers 123 Celtics 113

We wont see a sweep, the Sixers send the series back to Boston.  Erving leads the way for Philly with 26. Mo Cheeks scores 22 and Daryl Dawkins double/double.  24/11 for Bird and a Cowens double/double for the Celts.  

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 107 Sixers 106

Julius Erving misses a 23 footer at the buzzer and the Boston Celtics return to the NBA Finals.  Cedric Maxwell leads the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds.  Larry Bird is the conference finals MVP, he, Cowens, and Tiny Archibald all double/double. In the defeat, Dawkins goes 24 and 10. 20 pts for Erving.  

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 119 Sonics 110

We are 3 games from Magic and Bird facing off as rookies for the NBA Championship.  Magic scored 22 to beat the defending champs in game 1; 9 years prior a 23 year old Kareem was Finals MVP for the Bucks, he had 20 pts and 12 boards.  Double/double for Jack Sikma and Lonnie Shelton.

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Sonics 124 Lakers 106

Hold off on that Lakers/Celtics Finals, the Sonics split the first two in LA and now head home.  Gus Williams went to USC; he shows off for his old home crows with 30 points.  Downtown Freddie Brown scores 22 off the bench.  31 and 11 for Kareem, Spencer Haywood double/double.  

West Finals Game 3 (Seattle) Sonics 115 Lakers 108

The defending champs take the 2-1 lead.  Gus Williams again leads the Sonics with 28.  20 for John Johnson and a double/double for Jack Sikma.  26 for Kareem in the loss, 20 pts and 12 boards for Magic, 24 for Jamaal Wilkes.  

West Finals Game 4 (Seattle) Sonics 114 Lakers 110

Magic scored 5 points in the final 15 seconds but the Lakers fall short and now head home trailing 3-1.  23 for last years Finals MVP Dennis Johnson; 21 for Williams, a double/double for Jack Sikma and Lonnie Shelton.  Huge game 4 for Kareem in the loss, 31 pts/17 rebounds. 21 and 12 for Magic.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Sonics 119 Lakers 98

Seattle repeats as West Champs and will head to the 1980 NBA Finals to face the Boston Celtics.  Gus Williams is West Finals MVP, scoring 22. Double/doubles for DJ and Lonnie Shelton.  32 and 10 for Kareem in the loss.

NBA FINALS (May) BOSTON CELTICS v. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

Both real world conference final results are flipped here, allowing the defending Champion Sonics a chance to go back to back, as the Sixers did the two seasons prior.  Lenny Wilkens remains the HC, he'll be in Seattle until the middle of the decade. The full starting five and critical backups also all return, this is the same group who beat the Bullets in 7 games last season.  25 year old guard Dennis Johnson won the 1979 Finals MVP and continued that play into the '80 regular season, finishing 5th in the MVP race.  He'll be dealt to Phoenix in a big time deal this offseason. Next to him in the backcourt is 26 year old Gus Williams, who was just named West Finals MVP in the 5 game win over the Lakers; like DJ, he was second team all NBA this year.  Williams sits out all next year with a contract dispute; so this is the final series these two play together. 24 year old center Jack Sikma was an All Star this year; 32 year old John Johnson and 24 year old Lonnie Shelton round out the front court.  31 year old Downtown Freddie Brown comes off the bench; the Sonics took him 6th overall in '71 (the best player from that draft was Artis Gilmore, picked 117th). 36 year old Paul Silas is in his final NBA season, he played with the Celtics the last time they won the NBA Finals.

Celtics NBA Finals History:

1953: NBA Champs (Lakers)

1955: Lost Finals (Lakers)

1957: NBA Champs (Hawks)

1958: NBA Champs (Hawks)

1960: Lost Finals (Hawks)

1961: NBA Champs (Hawks)

1962: Lost Finals (Lakers)

1966: Lost Finals (Lakers)

1968: Lost Finals (Lakers)

1972: Lost Finals (Lakers)

1973: Lost Finals (Lakers)

1974 NBA Champs (Bulls)

1976: Lost Finals (Suns)

The Celtics were the best team in basketball in the regular season, this is Bill Fitch's first season as the Celtics HC, he had the same position with the Cavs throughout the 70s.  23 year old Larry Bird was Rookie of the Year, he's on the same frontline as Dave Cowens, now 31, part of that last Celtics championship team in '74. 24 year old Cedric Maxwell fills out the frontcourt, he led the league in FG%.  Bird was 4th in the MVP race, tied for 5th (with future Celtic Dennis Johnson) is 31 year old Tiny Archibald. 31 year old Chris Ford rounds out the starting lineup, seeing time off the bench is 32 year old Pistol Pete Maravich, in his final season.  

CELTICS

HC-Bill Fitch

C Dave Cowens (31)- All Star

F Larry Bird (23)- Rookie of the Year, 4th MVP, All NBA, All Star

F Cedric Maxwell (24) 

G Tiny Archibald (31) - 5th MVP, All Star

G Chris Ford (31)

SONICS

HC-Lenny Wilkens

C Jack Sikma (24) All Star

F Lonnie Shelton (24)

F John Johnson (32)

G Gus Williams (26) 2nd Team All NBA

G Dennis Johnson (25) 5th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA, All Star, All Defense

NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Boston) Celtics 123 Sonics 113

Larry Bird was Rookie of the Year, East Finals MVP, and he scores 32 with 15 boards in game 1 of the 1980 NBA Finals.  21 for Cornbread Maxwell, Dave Cowens was an assist away from a triple/double.  Gus Williams pumped in 32 in the loss, 22 for Dennis Johnson and a double/double for Jack Sikma

NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Boston) Celtics 103 Sonics 87

Boston blows Seattle out, taking the first two at home as the series heads west.  23 and 19 for Bird and another double/double for Cowens.  22 for Williams, the Sonics held to 36% from the floor.

NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Seattle) Celtics 116 Sonics 108

Welcome to the 1980s, Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics are a game from becoming NBA Champions.  24 and 10 for Maxwell to lead Boston, Bird double/double.  26 for DJ, 20 for Williams in the defeat. 

NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Seattle) Sonics 125 Celtics 100

The defending champs do not get swept, Gus Williams lights it up with 34, Jack Sikma goes 24 and 12.  19 apiece for Bird and Tiny Archibald.

NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Boston) Celtics 111 Sonics 106

The Boston Celtics win their 6th NBA Championship.  Red lights the cigar again.  23 for Cedric Maxwell.  Larry Bird is the Finals MVP, he and Tiny Archibald double/double.  Gus Williams caps off a tremendous postseason with 30 in the loss.  

NBA Finals History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1950s Playoffs All NBA 

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

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

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

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

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1970s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

C Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

F Julius Erving (Sixers)

G Jerry West (Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade

G Jo Jo White (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Dave Cowens (Celtics)

F Elvin Hayes (Bullets)

F Bob Dandridge (Bullets)

G Doug Collins (Sixers)

G Walt Frazier (Knicks)

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