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)
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