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)
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