Wrestling Day: Champion v. Champion: 1 - 1985

 

Here's the conceit.  Following the success of Wrestlemania, a global alliance of wrestling promotions is created to put on an annual end of year inter-promotional show.  The date selected is December 27, branded as Wrestling Day.  

The structure is an 8/10/12 match supercard which consists of belt holders from the calendar year.  3 titles are created/defended each year.  A primary title, the contenders for which are primary belt holders from the calendar year.  A secondary title, the contenders for which are secondary belt holders from the calendar year.  And tag titles, which have the same specs as above.  

Importantly, the expectation is the belt holders will defend their titles at following year's show (meaning, the only way to leave with a belt in 1985 is if you will also be able to return in 1986 as a belt holder in order to be eligible to wrestle).  

Note, I'm not going to do any sort of check to see if a wrestler who had a title in the calendar year had an issue at end of year that prevented them from wrestling.  If that's an element of magical realism which is a bridge too far, there we are.  

Card 

Title Matches

World Championship: Stan Hansen (AJPW) v. Ric Flair (NWA)

International Championship: Jumbo Tsuruta (AJPW) v. Dusty Rhodes (NWA)

Tag Team Championship: Road Warriors (AWA) v. Rock&Roll Express (NWA)

Primary Matches

Giant Baba (AJPW) v. Antonio Inoki (NJPW)

Rick Martel (AWA) v. Hulk Hogan (WWF)

Secondary Matches

Dynamite Kid (AJPW) v. Tully Blanchard (NWA)

Kuniaki Kobayashi (AJPW) v. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW)

Tiger Mask II (AJPW) v. Villano III (UWA) 

Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) v. Greg Valentine (WWF)

Magnum TA (NWA) v. Tito Santana (WWF)

Tag Matches:

Crush Gals (Nagayo/Asuka) (AJW) v. Glamor Girls (WWF)

Russian Team (Ivan/Nikita Koloff) (NWA) v. US Express (Windham/Rotundo) (WWF)

And the Results...

1. Crush Gals (Nagayo/Asuka) (AJW) d. Glamor Girls (WWF)

2. Tito Santana (WWF) d. Magnum TA (NWA)

3. Genichiro Tenryu (AJPW) d. Greg Valentine (WWF)

4. Russian Team (Ivan/Nikita Koloff) (NWA) v. US Express (Windham/Rotundo) (WWF)

5. Tiger Mask II (AJPW) d. Villano III (UWA) 

6. Kuniaki Kobayashi (AJPW) d. Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW)

7. Dynamite Kid (AJPW) draw Tully Blanchard (NWA)

8. Hulk Hogan (WWF) d. Rick Martel (AWA)

9. Antonio Inoki (NJPW) d. Giant Baba (AJPW)

10. TAG TEAM TITLES: ROCK & ROLL EXPRESS (NWA) d. ROAD WARRIORS (AWA)

11. INTERNATIONAL TITLES: JUMBO TSURUTA (AJPW) d. DUSTY RHODES (NWA)

12. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: STAN HANSEN (AJPW) d. RIC FLAIR (NWA)

Simulated 1979 NBA Finals

 1978

Actual Result, last year the Bullets beat the Sonics in the NBA Finals, this year they flip it, Seattle wins their only NBA Championship, beating the Bullets in 5.

MVP: Moses Malone

East Semis: Spurs d. Sixers 4-3

                    Bullets d. Hawks 4-3

West Semis: Suns d. Kings 4-1

                     Sonics d. Lakers 4-1

Simulation: There will not be a Sixers threepeat, they got bounced in the East Semis by the Spurs.  San Antonio makes their first conference final, taking on the Champs from 1975, the Washington Bullets.  The '76 Champs are also back, the Suns, and they'll face a Seattle team that lost in last year's West Finals.  

East Finals (May) Washington Bullets (54-28) v. San Antonio Spurs (48-34)

West Finals (May) Seattle SuperSonics (52-30) v. Phoenix Suns (50-32)

East Finals Game 1 (DC) Spurs 111 Bullets 106

The Spurs win game 1 on the road.  James Silas leads in scoring with 29. 28 points and 14 rebounds for Larry Kenon.  George Gervin scores 25. 26 for Bob Dandridge in the loss.  Double/double for Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld.  

East Finals Game 2 (DC) Bullets 126 Spurs 100

The Bullets tie the series on 28 from Kevin Grevey.  Triple double for Wes Unseld, 22 pts, 22 rebounds, 10 assists.  Larry Kenon goes 29-13 in the loss.  22 for Gervin.  

East Finals Game 3 (SA) Bullets 121 Spurs 90

The Bullets roll into San Antonio and roll through the Spurs.  Kevin Grevey again leads in scoring with 22. Double/double for Unseld and Hayes.  George Gervin scores 23 in the loss. Kenon double/double.

East Finals Game 4 (SA) Spurs 119 Bullets 110

The series is tied at 2.  James Silas paces the Spurs with 26.  20 and 14 for Larry Kenon.  20 for Ice Gervin.  Elvin Hayes goes 29 and 13 in the loss.  Wes Unseld double/double.  

East Finals Game 5 (DC) Bullets 129 Spurs 100

The Washington Bullets move a game from the NBA Finals.  Bob Dandridge scores 32 in the win.  Double/double for Hayes and Unseld.  23-10 for Gervin in the loss.  Double double for Kenon and Mike Green.  

East Finals Game 6 (SA) Bullets 109 Spurs 95

The Washington Bullets won the NBA Championship 4 years prior, they head back to end the decade.  23 points and 10 boards for Bob Dandridge.  21 for Grevey, it's Wes Unseld who is series MVP with a double/double.  22 for Gervin in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Seattle) Suns 114 Sonics 112

Down 4 with 45 seconds left, Gus Williams scored twice to tie it up for the Sonics, but with 2 seconds left, Alvan Adams scored in traffic to give Phoenix a game one road win.  Walter Davis ran all over Seattle with 36 points. Adams double/double.  Williams scores 25 for the Sonics.  Double/double for Jack Sikma, John Johnson, Lonnie Shelton.

West Finals Game 2 (Seattle) Suns 120 Sonics 119

Dennis Johnson hit from the top of the key with 9 seconds to go to give Seattle a 1 point lead, but Walter Davis dropped one from 27 as the clock hit :00 and the Suns take both games 1-2 in Seattle and head home.  25 and 13 for Alvan Adams, 25 for Paul Westphal, double/double for Truck Robinson. Gus Williams scores 23 in the loss.  20 for John Johnson. Shelton/Sikma double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (Phoenix) Sonics 117 Suns 93

The Sonics had to win on the road and they do.  22 and 15 for Jack Sikma. 21 for Dennis Johnson. Lonnie Shelton double/double.  Paul Westphal scores 28 in the loss.

West Finals Game 4 (Phoenix) Sonics 103 Suns 91

Alvan Adams was hurt early in game 3, misses game 4 entirely and the size disparity really shows up in favor of Seattle, who ties the series.  Lonnie Shelton scores 22, 18 points and 20 rebounds for Jack Sikma. Walter Davis double/double in the loss.

West Finals Game 5 (Seattle) Sonics 99 Suns 86

The first home victory of the series - the loss of Adams too much for the Suns to overcome.  Downtown Freddie Brown scores 21. Double/double for Sikma.  Truck Robinson double/double in the loss.

West Finals Game 6 (Phoenix) Sonics 135 Suns 125

Seattle wins 4 straight after dropping the first two and they win the West and head to their first NBA Finals to take on the Bullets.  Jack Sikma is the series MVP, he feasts without Adams on the other side, 38 points and 22 rebounds. 22 for Gus Williams, 21 for Lonnie Shelton, 20 for Dennis Johnson. 31 in the loss for both Westphal and Davis.

NBA FINALS (May/June) WASHINGTON BULLETS v. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

The Bullets won in '75, the decade is closing and they have a chance for another.  KC Jones was coaching the Bullets then - and then, it was the Chicago Bulls who the Bullets beat to win the title.  Their head coach was Dick Motta - who now is coaching these Bullets. Elvin Hayes was the Finals MVP in '75 and remains the team's best player, now 33, 3rd in the regular season MVP this year.  Bob Dandridge was in his second season in 1971 when, as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, he won the NBA Title.  He's now 31, on the front line with Hayes, 5th in the MVP race this year.  In the middle is Wes Unseld, 32, a Bullet lifer, post peak, in his 11th season, that Title team in '75 was his last All Star appearance.  In the backcourt is 27 year old Tom Henderson and 25 year old Kevin Grevey.  24 year old Larry Wright is the third guard, 24 year old Greg Ballard the first big off the bench.  

Lenny Wilkens is the HC of the Sonics, competing in their first NBA Finals.  They had two All Stars this year, 23 year old center Jack Sikma, who was MVP of the West Finals, and 24 year old Dennis Johnson, first team All Defense, working as the off guard.  Next to DJ is 25 year old Gus Williams, 2nd in the Rookie of the Year race in '76 as a Warrior, signed with the Sonics as a free agent before last year.  Downtown Freddie Brown is a 30 yard old combo guard off the bench.  Joining Sikma in the front line is 23 year old Lonnie Shelton and 31 year old John Johnson.  Paul Silas is the first big off the bench, he's now 35, he played with Wilkens (and Bob Pettit!) with the St Louis Hawks, won a Championship with the '74 Celtics.  Next year is his final season.  

BULLETS

HC-Dick Motta

C Wes Unseld (32)

F Elvin Hayes (33) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

F Bob Dandridge (31) 5th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

G Tom Henderson (27)

G Kevin Grevey (25)

G Larry Wright (24)

F Greg Ballard (24)

SONICS

HC-Lenny Wilkens

C Jack Sikma (23) All Star

F Lonnie Shelton (23)

F John Johnson (31)

G Gus Williams (25)

G Dennis Johnson (24) All Star, First Team All Defense

F Paul Silas (35)

G Freddie Brown (30)

NBA Finals Game 1 (DC) Sonics 110 Bullets 104

The Sonics take game one on the road.  Jack Sikma keeps his conference finals dominance going, 30 pts and 14 rebounds. Gus Williams drops 25. Double/double for Dennis Johnson and Lonnie Shelton.  Bob Dandridge scored 27 in the loss.  21 for Kevin Grevey. Double/double for Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. Sikma is in year 2 of what will be a 14 season career.

NBA Finals Game 2 (DC) Bullets 105 Sonics 98

Washington ties the series.  Bob Dandridge dominates, throwing up a 42 point game. 20 for Kevin Grevey.  Elvin Hayes double/double.  Lonnie Shelton scores 21 in the loss.  20 and 10 for DJ. Sikma double/double.  Dandridge left the Bucks last season in free agency.  

NBA Finals Game 3 (Seattle) Sonics 117 Bullets 110

The first Finals game in Seattle goes to the home team. Dennis Johnson scores 29 to lead Seattle. 24 for Gus Williams. 22 for Lonnie Shelton. Double/double for Sikma and John Johnson.  Elvin Hayes scores 27 with 18 rebounds in the loss.  23 for Dandridge. 21 rebounds for Unseld. This is the third year of DJs career, his first of 4 straight All Star selections.  A year from now, he's headed to Phoenix for Paul Westphal.  

NBA Finals Game 4 (DC)  Bullets 121 Sonics 114

We got a good one, the Bullets square the series as we go back to DC for game 5.  Elvin Hayes again leads the Bullets, 24 pts and 17 rebounds.  25 and 16 for Sikma in the loss.  24 for Williams. This is Hayes 11th season, he's been an All Star in all 11 years, next year will be his final appearance.  

NBA Finals Game 5 (DC) Bullets 114 Sonics 112

Gus Williams hit from the corner to cut the Sonics deficit to 2 with 6 seconds left, but didn't get another chance and the Bullets move within a game of the 3rd NBA Title in franchise history.  29 for Bob Dandridge.  Hayes again goes 24 and 17, will he become the 4th man to win 2 Finals MVPs? DJ scores 27 in the loss.  23 for Williams.  Double/double for Sikma. 

NBA Finals Game 6 (Seattle) Sonics 123 Bullets 113

Great conclusion to the decade, we're going to game 7.  Gus Williams takes over with a 33 point game.  20 for DJ.  24 rebounds for Sikma.  Hayes gives all he can in the loss, 24-10.  Unseld double/double.

Here we go, the two greatest words in sports.  Game Seven.

NBA Finals Game 7 (DC) Sonics 109 Bullets 100

The Seattle SuperSonics take game 7 on the road and are the Champions of the World.  Dennis Johnson is the Finals MVP, he scores 24 to pace the Sonics.  20 and 12 for Lonnie Shelton, 20 for Gus Williams. Double/double for Sikma.  33 for Dandridge 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)

Simulated 1978 NBA Finals

1977 

Actual Result: The first title for DC, the Washington Bullets beating the Sonics in 7.

MVP: Bill Walton

East Semis: Sixers d. Knicks (4-0)

                    Bullets d. Spurs (4-2)

West Semis: Nuggets d. Bucks (4-3)

                    Sonics d. Bullets (4-3)

Simulation: The defending champion Sixers are still alive and they face the '75 Champs, the Bullets in the East Final.  Two new teams in the West Semis the expansion Sonics and from the ABA, the Nuggets. 

East Finals (April/May) Philadelphia 76ers (55-27) v. Washington Bullets (44-38)

West Finals (May)          Denver Nuggets (48-34) v. Seattle SuperSonics (47-35)

East Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 129 Bullets 121

The Sixers look to defend their titles and take game 1.  Julius Erving was Finals MVP last year and scores 28 with 11 rebounds in game 1.  George McGinnis scores 26 with a dozen rebounds. Caldwell Jones double/double.  Bob Dandridge scores 27 in the loss.  25 for Kevin Grevey.  24 pts and 17 rebounds for Elvin Hayes.  

East Finals Game 2 (Philly) Bullets 116 Sixers 105

The Bullets even the series, taking a game in Philly despite Wes Unseld being down with injury. Bob Dandridge goes for 30 in the win. Double/double for Mitch Kupchak and Elvin Hayes.  Doug Collins scores 22 in the defeat.  20 for Erving.

East Finals Game 3 (DC) Sixers 120 Bullets 118

Kevin Grevey missed a 14 footer with 5 seconds left that would have sent the game to OT and the Sixers take game 3.  World B Free scores 24 off the bench to lead the Sixers.  21 for Collins.  Caldwell Jones double/double.  28 for Dandridge in the loss. 20 each for Grevey and Hayes.  Charles Johnson double/double.  

East Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 114 Sixers 112

Very similar to game 3, this time it's tied, seconds left, Kevin Grevey again with a jumper - this time, he hits it and the Bullets even the series at 2.  Starting in place of Wes Unseld, Mitch Kupchak scored 25 with 14 rebounds.  21 for Grevey, double/double for Hayes.  24 for Erving in the defeat.  20 and 13 for McGinnis.  Caldwell Jones has 21 rebounds.  Henry Bibby double/double.

East Finals Game 5 (Philly) Sixers 116 Bullets 105

The Sixers win pivotal game 5 and go up 3-2.  Erving goes 26 and 10.  Collins scores 21.  Double/double for McGinnis and Jones.  Elvin Hayes double/double in the loss.

East Finals Game 6 (DC) Sixers 105 Bullets 99

For the first time in franchise history the Sixers win back to back East Titles and head to the NBA Finals with a chance to defend their championship.  Doug Collins is the series MVP, he scores 25. Double/double for McGinnis and Jones. 22 for Dandridge in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Denver) Sonics 114 Nuggets 91

First conference finals game for either franchise, the Sonics blow the Nuggets out on their own floor.  Gus Williams scores 22. Double/double for Jack Sikma and Marvin Webster.  David Thompson drops 22 in the loss.  Dan Issel double/double.

West Finals Game 2 (Denver) Nuggets 109 Sonics 102

The Nuggets split games 1 and 2 and head to Seattle.  Big, big game for Dan Issel, 33 and 17.  David Thompson scores 28. Anthony Roberts and Darnell Hillman double/double.  Jack Sikma goes 21 and 16 in the loss.  Marvin Webster double/double.  

West Finals Game 3 (Seattle) Sonics 128 Nuggets 107

Seattle rolls in game 3.  Downtown Freddie Brown scores 25 off the bench. 23 and 13 for Sikma. Dennis Johnson double/double. 23 rebounds for Webster. David Thompson rips 33 for Denver. 

West Finals Game 4 (Seattle) Nuggets 135 Sonics 128 (OT)

A Marvin Webster drive to the bucket tied the score late in regulation for the Sonics, but they fall in OT to Denver and the series is tied at 2.  Dan Issel is the man today, 42 points and 13 rebounds. David Thompson scores 28. Bobby Wilkerson triple doubles, 10-10-10.  Double/double for Bobby Jones.  John Johnson scores 29 for the Sonics.  26 for Gus Williams. Dennis Johnson scores 21. Double/double for Sikma and Webster.

West Finals Game 5 (Denver) Nuggets 117 Sonics 110

The Denver Nuggets move one game from the NBA Finals.  David Thompson scores 36, Dan Issel 34 with 14 boards.  Bobby Wilkerson double/double.  26 and 15 for Marvin Webster in the loss.  Gus Williams scores 26. 

West Finals Game 6 (Seattle) Sonics 121 Nuggets 93

The Sonics bust out, and we will go back to Denver for Game Seven.  Dennis Johnson leads the way with 27. 20 for Freddie Brown.  22 and 11 for Dan Issel in the loss.  

West Finals Game 7 (Denver) Nuggets 112 Sonics 103

Two years ago the Denver Nuggets were in the ABA and now they are headed to the NBA Finals to face the Sixers.  David Thompson is the series MVP, he and Bobby Jones both score 24. 21 for Issel. Freddie Brown scores 25 in the loss.  

NBA FINALS (May/June) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS v. DENVER NUGGETS

The Royals/Lakers/Celtics/Lakers/Lakers have all repeated as NBA Champions, the Sixers look to join that list.  Billy Cunningham was part of the '67 Sixers champions and early in the season he became the head coach.  The defending champs bring back the same group, Doc is 27, first team All NBA, McGinnis is 27, averaged over 20 PPG (more about him later) and Caldwell Jones/Daryl Dawkins split time in the middle; Dawkins is still only 21 and has an NBA Title in the bank.  26 year old Doug Collins, East Finals MVP and Henry Bibby remain the starting backcourt.  Steve Mix and World Free coming off the bench.  

The Nuggets are coached by Larry Brown, 20 years before he became the head man with the Sixers. 23 year old David Thompson was West Finals MVP and finished 3rd in the regular season MVP vote.  22 year old Anthony Roberts joins him in the backcourt, with 28 year old Ralph Simpson as the third guard.  In the front court is Dan Issel, 29 years old, 6 time ABA All Star. 23 year old Bob Wilkerson is on the front line with him, as is 26 year old Bobby Jones, 1st Team All Defense.  After the season, Jones and Simpson are dealt to the Sixers for George McGinnis.  

76ERS

HC-Billy Cunningham

C Caldwell Jones (27)

F George McGinnis (27)

F Julius Erving (27) 1st Team All NBA

G Henry Bibby (28)

G Doug Collins (26) All Star

G World Free (24) 

F Steve Mix (30)

C Darryl Dawkins (21)

NUGGETS

HC-Larry Brown

C Dan Issel (29)

F Bobby Jones (26) All Star, 1st Team All Defense

F Bob Wilkerson (23)

G David Thompson (23) 3rd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Anthony Roberts (22)

F Darnell Hillman (28)

G Ralph Simpson (28)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 139 Nuggets 135

Maybe the highest scoring non OT game in Finals history; Doc leads the Sixers with 28.  25 points and 14 rebounds for George McGinnis.  Doug Collins scores 25.  Double/double for Caldwell Jones. Dan Issel goes 27 and 11 in the loss. 21 for Bobby Jones. David Thompson with 20 points.  Julius Erving was an All Star in every one of his 16 seasons.  

NBA Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 118 Nuggets 105

Philly takes both games 1-2 at home.  George McGinnis is the big man in this one, 26 points and 22 rebounds. Doug Collins adds 21. 26 for David Thompson in the loss.  McGinnis will be an All Star next year for the Nuggets and be dealt away to the Pacers the following season for Alex English.  

NBA Finals Game 3 (Denver) Nuggets 121 Sixers 118

David Thompson needed to hit a foul shot with 6 seconds left to seal it for Denver, he did, the Nuggets winning at home.  37 points and 10 rebounds for Thompson in a statement performance. 23 and 14 for Dan Issel. The Doctor scores 28 in the defeat. Collins and Bibby each added 20. Thompson came with the Nuggets from the ABA, Rookie of the Year in the ABAs final season, 1976. 

NBA Finals Game 4 (Denver) Nuggets 127 Sixers 121

And the series is tied.  David Thompson and Dan Issel have carried the Nuggets throughout the playoffs and continue here.  35 for Thompson, 34 and 15 for Issel. Bobby Jones double/double.  31 and 13 for McGinnis in the loss. 30 and 16 for Doc.  27 for Collins.  Issel spent the first 5 years of his career in Louisville, playing for the Kentucky Colonels, was with Denver in their final ABA season and is now here.  These Nuggets are really as close as you could get to an ABA team playing in the NBA Finals.  

NBA Finals Game 5 (Philly) Sixers 113 Nuggets 110

Steve Mix hit a corner jumper with 10 seconds left to extend the Sixers lead to 3 and give them the game 5 win.  Home teams winning every game. George McGinnis takes control, 26 pts. 23 for Erving. 20 for Collins, double/double for Caldwell Jones.  Dan Issel has a big day in the loss, 30 and 16. Bobby Jones scores 20.  Doug Collins averaged over 32 a game his junior year at Illinois St.

NBA Finals Game 6 (Denver) Sixers 121 Nuggets 115

The Philadelphia 76ers are back to back NBA Champions. Doug Collins follows up his East Finals MVP with an NBA Finals MVP coming off of a 33 pt close out performance.  20 and 15 for McGinnis, 20 and 10 for Erving.  Great series for Davis Thompson, he scores 32 in the loss.

NBA Finals History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1950s Playoffs All NBA 

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

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

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

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

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

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

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

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

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

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

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) 

Simulated 1977 NBA Finals

1976

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

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

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

                    Sixers d. Celtics (4-3)

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

                    Blazers d. Nuggets (4-2)

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

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

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

East Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 121 Rockets 100

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

East Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 108 Rockets 104

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

East Finals Game 3 (Houston) Sixers 124 Rockets 115

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

East Finals Game 4 (Houston) Sixers 118 Rockets 91

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

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Blazers 120 Lakers 114

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

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 120 Blazers 114

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

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

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

West Finals Game 4 (Portland) Lakers 118 Blazers 99

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

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Blazers 101 Lakers 98

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

West Finals Game 6 (Portland) Blazers 118 Lakers 97

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

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

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

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

76ERS

HC-Gene Shue

C Caldwell Jones (26)

F George McGinnis (26) 2nd Team All NBA

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

G Henry Bibby (27)

G Doug Collins (25) All Star

F Steve Mix (29)

G World B Free (23)

C Darryl Dawkins (20)

TRAIL BLAZERS

HC-Jack Ramsey

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

F Maurice Lucas (24) All Star

F Bob Gross (23)

G Lionel Hollins (23)

G Johnny Davis (21)

G Dave Twardzik (26)

G Larry Steele (27)

G Herm Gilliam (30)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Philly) Sixers 113 Blazers 99

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

NBA Finals Game 2 (Philly) Sixers 123 Blazers 111

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

NBA Finals Game 3 (Portland) Blazers 109 Sixers 106

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

NBA Finals Game 4 (Portland) Blazers 117 Sixers 107

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

NBA Finals Game 5 (Philly) Sixers 101 Blazers 90

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

NBA Finals Game 6 (Portland) Blazers 125 Sixers 101

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

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

NBA Finals Game 7 (Philly) Sixers 109 Blazers 103

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

NBA Finals History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1950s Playoffs All NBA 

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

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

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

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

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simulated 1976 NBA Finals

1975 

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

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

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

                    Cavs d. Bullets (4-3)

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

                     Suns d. Sonics (4-2)

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

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

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

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 103 Cavs 90

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

East Finals Game 2 (Boston) Celtics 91 Cavaliers 74

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

East Finals Game 3 (Cleveland) Cavs 114 Celtics 96

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

East Finals Game 4 (Cleveland) Cavs 102 Celtics 90

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

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 119 Cavs 91

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

East Finals Game 6 (Cleveland) Celtics 106 Cavs 96

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

West Finals Game 1 (GSt) Suns 106 Warriors 98

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

West Finals Game 2 (GSt) Warriors 111 Suns 99

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

West Finals Game 3 (Phoenix) Warriors 120 Suns 112

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

West Finals Game 4 (Phoenix) Suns 114 Warriors 104

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

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

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

West Finals Game 6 (Phoenix) Warriors 97 Suns 92

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

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

West Finals Game 7 (GSt) Suns 109 Warriors 100

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

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

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

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

CELTICS

HC-Tom Heinsohn

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

F Paul Silas (32) 1st Team All Defense

F John Havlicek (35) 2nd Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (29) All Star

G Charlie Scott (27)

F Don Nelson (35)

F Steve Kuberski (28)

SUNS

HC-John MacLeod

C Alvan Adams (21) Rookie of the Year

F Gar Heard (27)

F Curtis Perry (27)

G Paul Westphal (25)

G Ricky Sobers (23)

G Dick Van Arsdale (32)

F Keith Erickson (31)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 125 Suns 111

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

NBA Finals Game 2 (Boston) Suns 102 Celtics 93

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

NBA Finals Gams 3 (Phoenix) Suns 123 Celtics 103

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

NBA Finals Game 4 (Phoenix) Suns 98 Celtics 89

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

NBA Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 115 Suns 105

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

NBA Finals Game 6 (Phoenix) Suns 113 Celtics 104

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

NBA Finals History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1950s Playoffs All NBA 

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

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

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

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

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simulated 1975 NBA Finals

1974 

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

MVP: Bob McAdoo

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

                    Bullets d. Braves (4-3)

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

                    Warriors d. Sonics (4-2)

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

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

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

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 109 Bullets 97

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

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

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

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Celtics 111 Bullets 109

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

East Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 107 Celtics 94

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

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Bullets 112 Celtics 98

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

East Finals Game 6 (DC) Bullets 114 Celtics 107

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

West Finals Game 1 (GSt) Warriors 121 Bulls 111

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

West Finals Game 2 (Chicago) Bulls 128 Warriors 98

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

West Finals Game 3 (Chicago) Bulls 105 Warriors 100

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

West Finals Game 4 (GSt) Bulls 107 Warriors 98

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

West Finals Game 5 (GSt) Bulls 121 Warriors 111

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

NBA FINALS (May) WASHINGTON BULLETS v. CHICAGO BULLS

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

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

BULLETS

HC-KC Jones

C Wes Unseld (28) All Star

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

F Nick Weatherspoon (24)

G Kevin Porter (24)

G Phil Chenier (24) 2nd Team All NBA

F Mike Riordan (29)

BULLS

HC-Dick Motta

C Tom Boerwinkle (29)

F Bob Love (32) 

F Chet Walker (34)

G Norm Van Lier (27) 

G Jerry Sloan (32) 1st Team All Defense

C Nate Thurmond (33)

NBA Finals Game 1 (DC) Bullets 98 Bulls 88

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

NBA Finals Game 2 (Chicago) Bullets 104 Bulls 95

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

NBA Finals Game 3 (Chicago) Bullets 95 Bulls 81

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

NBA Finals Game 4 (DC) Bullets 114 Bulls 102

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

NBA Finals History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1950s Playoffs All NBA 

1st Team

C George Mikan (Lakers)

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

F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)

G Bob Cousy (Lakers)

G Bill Sharman (Lakers)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Lakers)

F Neil Johnston (Warriors)

F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)

G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)

G Paul Seymour (Nationals)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1960s Playoffs All NBA

1st Team

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

F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)

F John Havlicek (Celtics)

G Jerry West (Lakers)

G Sam Jones (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

F Bob Pettit (Hawks)

F Chet Walker (Sixers)

G Oscar Robertson (Royals)

G Hal Greer (Sixers)

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

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

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

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

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

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