jim jividen

Simulated 1971 NBA Finals

Friday, December 19, 2025

1970

Actual Result: The Milwaukee Bucks were an expansion team in '69, they drafted Lew Alcindor (who is just referred to as Kareem Abdul Jabbar in the simulation) and reached the East Finals last season. This year, they won the NBA Championship, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets. There's only been one Finals sweep so this date in the simulation.

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

East Semis: Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia 76ers (4-3)

New York Knicks d. Atlanta Hawks (4-3)

West Semis: LA Lakers d. Chicago Bulls (4-3)

Milwaukee Bucks d. San Francisco Warriors (4-1)

Simulation: The Lakers will get a chance to work their way back into the NBA Finals, attempting to win a 4th consecutive NBA Title, but they will need to beat the top team in the regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks, to do that. The Knicks have lost the last 2 NBA Finals and they are back in the East Semis, facing the Baltimore Bullets.

East Finals (April) New York Knicks (52-30) v. Baltimore Bullets (42-40)

West Finals (April) Milwaukee Bucks (66-16) v. Los Angeles Lakers (48-34)

East Finals Game 1 (NY) Knicks 132 Bullets 127

The Knicks open with a game 1 win. Willis Reed's injury may have cost the Knicks last year's Finals, he's back, 37 points, 18 rebounds. 33 for Walt Frazier. Double/double for Dave DeBusschere. Kevin Loughery scores 23 in the defeat. 22 for Earl Monroe. 27 rebounds for Wes Unseld.

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Knicks 123 Bullets 121 (OT)

The Knicks had a 17 point lead headed to the 4th quarter and saw the Bullets storm back. At 10 minutes, the lead was up to 19. At 8 minutes, it was 16. At 6, the lead was down to 9. Earl Monroe drilled an 11 footer at the 4 minute mark and the Knick lead was down to 4. It was still 4 with 2 to play. Over the next minute, the Bullets score 6 straight and when Monroe hits an 8 footer the Bullets have the lead. Bradley and Barnett get the next two buckets for the Knicks and Monroe is needed again to drill a 21 footer with seconds left to send the game to OT. With 3 minutes left in OT the Bullets were up by 4. At 40 seconds left, DeBusschere pulled up and hit from 17 to tie the score. The Bullets are empty on their trip and with 2 seconds to play Dick Barnett hit from 23 and the Knicks take game 2. No Knicks score 20, DeBusschere has 19 with 20 rebounds. Double/double from Frazier. 27 points/11 assists for Jack Marin. 22 pts, 13 rebounds for Wes Unseld. Double/double for John Tresvant.

East Finals Game 3 (Baltimore) Knicks 114 Bullets 103

The Knicks take a commanding lead. The Knicks have long been dependent on the starting five with a pretty short bench, but in the last two games they've had a ten man rotation. Again, no Knick scores 20. 19 and 16 for Willis Reed leads the way. Double/double for DeBusschere. Earl Monroe scores 26 in the loss. Double/double for Wes Unseld and John Tresvant.

East Finals Game 4 (Baltimore) Bullets 113 Knicks 108

The Bullets force a game 5 back at MSG. Earl Monroe takes control with 36. Jack Marin scores 28, Fred Carter 24, Wes Unseld had 23 rebounds. 23 points/10 assists for Clyde Frazier, he and Monroe going back and forth throughout the series. DeBusschere had 22 pts and 15 rebounds. Double/double for Reed.

East Finals Game 5 (NY) Knicks 122 Bullets 112

Red Holzman shortens up the bench and the Knicks win the East for the 3rd consecutive season. 25 and 14 for Dave DeBusschere, he's the series MVP. Triple Double for Clyde, 24 pts, 12 rebounds, 10 assists. 24-17 for Reed. Monroe scores 28 in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Milwaukee) Bucks 133 Lakers 104

The 3 time defending Champion Lakers are missing 2/3 of their big 3, Elgin Baylor's career essentially ended with last year's finals, and Jerry West is out with injury. Wilt's here, but the Lakers are no match for Milwaukee. Kareem Abdul Jabbar goes for 39 and 19, Jon McGlocklin scores 28, and Oscar Robertson, Finals MVP 8 seasons prior, scores 24. Happy Hairston and Gail Goodrich both score 20 in the loss, Wilt's held to 10 points, he does add 18 rebounds.

West Finals Game 2 (Milwaukee) Bucks 117 Lakers 89

The Lakers are getting overwhelmed, three straight titles, 4 in 5 years, but this appears to be done. Kareem goes 28 and 13, 26-15 for Greg Smith. Double/double for Wilt and Happy Hairston.

West Finals Game 3 (LA) Bucks 116 Lakers 110

The Bucks take game 3 and are a game from their first ever NBA Finals, awaiting is the New York Knicks, who have lost the past two Finals. Kareem goes 25-14, 23 points and 13 assists for Oscar Robertson; 20 and 10 for Bobby Dandridge. Jon McGlocklin scores 20. Goodrich scores 24, 22 and 19 for Wilt. Double/double for Hairston.

West Finals Game 4 (LA) Bucks 124 Lakers 110

The Lakers dynasty ends with a sweep at the hands of Kareem and the Bucks. 35 points and 17 rebounds for Abdul-Jabbar, he's the series MVP and this is the first time we have seen Wilt clearly outplayed in a playoff series. McGlocklin scores 24. Pat Riley led the Lakers in scoring with 18 in a game that was not ever competitive.

NBA FINALS (April) MILWAUKEE BUCKS v. NEW YORK KNICKS

Two franchises that have never won the NBA Championship; the Bucks are new, an NBA team just a few seasons - the Knicks reached the NBA Finals 20 years prior. Kareem will be returning home, to New York, where he played high school ball at Power Memorial; no team has ever lost 3 straight NBA Championships, will the Knicks be the first?

BUCKS

HC-Larry Costello

C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (23) MVP, 1st Team All NBA

F Greg Smith (24)

F Bob Dandridge (23)

G Oscar Robertson (32) 5th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

G Jon McGlocklin (27)

KNICKS

HC-Red Holzman

C Willis Reed (28) 4th MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

F Dave DeBusschere (30) All Star

F Bill Bradley (27)

G Walt Frazier (25) 2nd Team All NBA

G Dick Barnett (34)

NBA Finals Game 1 (Milwaukee) Bucks 114 Knicks 103

The first NBA Finals game played in Milwaukee goes to the Bucks. Kareem scores 26 with 20 rebounds, he's still known as Lew Alcindor at this time, the name change becomes later this year, he's in his second of 20 NBA seasons. Kareem led UCLA to the National Championship 3 straight years, was Rookie of the Year and this year won the MVP. 24 for Bob Dandridge, 20 for Jon McGlocklin. Willis Reed was 23-21 in the defeat.

NBA Finals Game 2 (NY) Knicks 127 Bucks 117 (OT)

The Knicks win game 2 at MSG to even the series. Bucks led by 8 entering the 4th, it took just 3 minutes for the Knicks to tie it up. The Bucks went up 4, the Knicks tied it up. The Bucks went up 4, the Knicks tied it up. It was Bucks by 6 with 5 minutes left. With 90 seconds left a Dick Barnett dunk tied the score. Jon McGlocklin scored the next 4, with 45 seconds left, Bucks by 4. Willis Reed turnaround - quick foul on Oscar and he hit both, Bucks up 4 with 27 seconds to play. Long Barnett jumper cuts it to two - Knicks foul Dandridge and he misses both - allowing Bill Bradley to hit a 40 footer at the buzzer and send it to OT where the Knicks won by 10. 27-24 for Willis Reed. 24-14 for Dave DeBusschere. 22 for Clyde, 21 for Barnett. Oscar leads the way in the loss, 29 pts, 11 assists. 26 and 18 for Kareem. Double/double for Dandridge.

NBA Finals Game 3 (Milwaukee) Knicks 128 Bucks 116

The Knicks win game 3 on the road to take the series lead. Bill Bradley scores 28, Bradley skipped the first two seasons of his NBA career with a Rhodes Scholarship, because the world yesterday was not the world today. He is halfway through 10 seasons on the floor, all as a Knick. He's headed to the US Senate. 25 and 17 for Reed. 20-23 for DeBusschere. Kareem goes 35 and 10 in the loss. Greg Smith double/double.

NBA Finals Game 4 (NY) Bucks 110 Knicks 106

Tied with 3 to play, a Kareem finger roll gave the Bucks a lead they'd never relinquish and this series is all tied up heading back to Milwaukee for game 5. Greg Smith leads the way for the Bucks, 22 pts, 13 rebounds. Smith's in his 3rd season, he'll be dealt away at midseason next year to the Rockets. 20 and 17 for Kareem, double/double for Oscar. Barnett scores 26 in the loss, 21 for Bradley, double/double for Reed and DeBusschere.

NBA Finals Game 5 (Milwaukee) Bucks 142 Knicks 131 (OT)

The Milwaukee Bucks move one win from the NBA Championship. Bucks led by 9 entering the 4th. It grew as high as 10 but with 8 to play it was down to 3. A 3 pt play for Frazier at the 5 minute mark tied the score. That remained the score with 90 seconds left in regulation. Barnett hit from the top of the key with 30 seconds left to give the Knicks their first lead of the quarter, a Kareem sky hook with 12 seconds left sent the game into OT when Dandridge redeemed those missed FT from the Bucks OT loss in game 2 with a block of DeBusschere at the buzzer. The Bucks rolled in OT and the series will head back to MSG. Bob Dandridge led for the Bucks, 31 points, 14 rebounds. 30 and 13 for Kareem. 26 points and 10 assists for Oscar. Jon McGlocklin scores 20. Double/double for Greg Smith. Bill Bradley scored 25 in the loss. 24 for DeBusschere. 22 and 29 for Reed. 21 for Frazier and 20 for Barnett.

NBA Finals Game 6 (NY) Knicks 125 Bucks 114

We will go back to Milwaukee for Game 7. The Knicks lost to the Lakers in 7 games in last year's Finals and they will see a game 7 again. Willis Reed is the game 6 hero with 31 pts and 16 boards. 22 for Barnett. 20 and 18 for DeBusschere. Kareem had 32 and 18 in the defeat. Double/double for Dandridge.

Lets go to Milwaukee. Bucks/Knicks. Game Seven.

NBA Finals Game 7 (Milwaukee) Bucks 117 Knicks 113

Tied going to the 4th quarter. 9 lead changes in the first 2 minutes. The Knicks held a lead that went as high as 4 points until the Bucks went up 1 at the 6 minute mark and they didn't relinquish the rest of the way, the Knicks got as close as 2 with 9 seconds left but couldnt get over that hump. 39 points and 29 rebounds for Kareem, he is the Finals MVP, the youngest in history. Oscar wins his second title, scoring 20 in game 7. Double/double for Dandridge. Willis Reed scores 38 with 15 boards 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 (Celtics)

G Bill Sharman (Celtics)

2nd Team

C Bill Russell (Celtics)

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)

Simulated 1970 NBA Finals

Thursday, December 18, 2025

1969

Actual Result: The Knicks win the NBA Championship, beating the Lakers in 7.

MVP: Willis Reed

East Semis: Milwaukee Bucks d. Philadelphia 76ers (4-1)

New York Knicks d. Baltimore Bullets (4-3)

West Semis: Atlanta Hawks d. Chicago Bulls (4-1)

Los Angeles Lakers d. Phoenix Suns (4-3)

Simulation: The Lakers won 4 titles in the 40s and 50s, moved to LA and won 4 more in the 60s, they are the unquestioned most dominant franchise in NBA history. They enter the 70s as back to back champions looking to become the first ever team to win 3 straight. They'll face the Hawks in a rematch of last year's West Finals - and in the East it is Sixers v. Knicks as the Celtics did not make the postseason.

East Finals (April) New York Knicks (60-22) v. Milwaukee Bucks (56-26)

West Finals (April) Atlanta Hawks (48-34) v. Los Angeles Lakers (46-36)

East Finals Game 1 (New York) Knicks 143 Bucks 116

The Knicks look to return to the NBA Finals and roll through the Bucks in game 1. 29 for Bill Bradley to lead the way. 26 for Walt Frazier. 20 pts and 15 assists from Dave DeBusschere. A double/double for Willis Reed. Milwaukee's rookie center is Kareem Abdul Jabbar and he scores 27.

East Finals Game 2 (New York) Knicks 117 Bucks 106

Big effort for Willis Reed, 33 pts, 14 boards. DeBusschere double/double. 20-17 for Kareem in the loss, 20-18 for Greg Smith.

East Finals Game 3 (Milwaukee) Knicks 123 Bucks 101

The Knicks are a game away from heading right back to the NBA Finals. 22 points and 11 rebounds for Frazier, an assist away from a triple double. 20 pts and 18 rebounds for Reed. Bill Bradley scored 21. Double/double for Kareem and Jon McGlocklin.

East Finals Game 4 (Milwaukee) Bucks 125 Knicks 102

No sweep in this series, Milwaukee forces game 5. Kareem has the big game, 39 points, 22 boards. Greg Smith double/double. Double/double for DeBusschere in the loss.

East Finals Game 5 (New York) Knicks 116 Bucks 88

Easy game 5 - the Knicks win the East and go back to the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons. 20 and 10 for Willis Reed, he's the series MVP. Bill Bradley scores 20. Double/double for Dave DeBusschere and Nate Bowman. Double/double for Kareem in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (Atlanta) Lakers 126 Hawks 120

The only team to play in 3 consecutive Finals is the Celtics ('60-'62) and no team has ever had a chance to threepeat, the back to back champion Lakers are a game from heading back to the Finals. Wilt Chamberlain blows through the Hawks, 48 pts, 23 boards. 22 and 11 for Elgin Baylor. 22 and 10 assists for Jerry West. Lou Hudson had a great West Finals against the Lakers last year, he opens with 31 in a loss. 21 pts and 10 assists for former Laker Walt Hazzard. 22 for Joe Caldwell. 25 rebounds for Walt Bellamy. Double/double for Bill Bridges.

West Finals Game 2 (Atlanta) Hawks 127 Lakers 117

The Hawks even the series. 37 more for Lou Hudson, Joe Caldwell scores 23. Double/double for Bellamy, Bridges, Hazzard. Wilt goes 32-22 in the loss. 25 for West. Baylor double/double.

West Finals Game 3 (LA) Hawks 120 Lakers 109

The Hawks take game 3 in LA and now lead 2-1. 32 more for Lou Hudson, is Lou Hudson about to lead the Atlanta Hawks to the 1970 NBA Finals? Butch Beard gets a start and scores 25. 23 rebounds for Walt Bellamy, a double/double for Joe Caldwell. Jerry West scores 26 in the loss. 21 and 10 for Wilt. Double/double for Baylor.

West Finals Game 4 (LA) Lakers 108 Hawks 99

The Lakers even the series as we head back to Atlanta for game 5. Wilt goes 28 and 12. Happy Hairston gets a start and he double/doubles. Joe Caldwell scores 22. Double/double for Walt Bellamy.

West Finals Game 5 (Atlanta) Lakers 125 Hawks 118 (OT)

Down 4 with 90 seconds left in regulation the Hawks were unable to score and Jerry West hit two long jumpers to force OT, the Lakers pull away and now we go back to LA, the Lakers one game from their third straight West Title. The big 3 won this for the Lakers: 37 pts and 10 assists for West. Wilt has a triple double, 25 pts, 21 boards, 10 blocks. Baylor has a triple double. 27 pts, 18 boards, 15 assists. Double/double for Hairston. 35 for Lou Hudson in the loss, 20 and 25 for Bill Bridges. 23 for Caldwell - the Hawks had their own triple double, 15 pts, 18 boards, 10 assists.

West Finals Game 6 (LA) Lakers 128 Hawks 109

The Lakers win the West and head to the NBA Finals with the first opportunity any team has ever had to threepeat, to do that, they will need to again beat the New York Knicks. Wilt is the series MVP, 34 pts, 21 boards. West scores 32. Baylor scores 20, all 3 men were on the All-Decade playoff team for the 60s, all start the 70s with a big playoff run. Another double/double for Hairston who has been a big success since moving into the lineup during the series. Bridges goes 21-10 in the loss.

NBA FINALS (April/May) NEW YORK KNICKS v. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

8 Championships for the Lakers, none for the Knicks. This is the Lakers 13th Finals appearance, it is the third for the Knicks. Can the Lakers invent the threepeat?

KNICKS

HC-Red Holzman

C Willis Reed (27) MVP, 1st Team All NBA

PF Dave DeBusschere (29) All Star

SF Bill Bradley (26)

PG Walt Frazier (24) 4th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

SG Dick Barnett (33)

LAKERS

HC-Joe Mullaney

C Wilt Chamberlain (33)

PF Happy Hairston (27)

SF Elgin Baylor (35) All Star

PG Jerry West (31) 2nd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

SG Dick Garrett (23)

NBA Finals Game 1 (NY) Knicks 127 Lakers 114

The Knicks are looking to avenge their lost last year to LA and win their first ever NBA Championship. They're off to a good start. 25 points and 10 rebounds for Willis Reed. The Lakers dealt Dick Barnett to the Knicks for Bob Boozer in '65, now he's in the Knicks backcourt and he scores 22. Double/double for Dave DeBusschere and Walt Frazier. Jerry West scores 28 in the loss. Double/double for Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain

NBA Finals Game 2 (NY) Knicks 130 Lakers 126

The Lakers trailed by as many as a dozen in the 4th quarter, but with a minute left Wilt was fouled on a dunk, cutting the deficit to 1 -- he missed the FT and the Lakers couldn't get any closer, losing by 4. All 5 Knicks starters score 20+. 26 with 13 rebounds for DeBusschere, 24 for Barnett, 22 for Frazier, 21 for Bill Bradley and 20 points/18 rebounds for Willis Reed. Wilt goes 33-16 in the defeat. 26 pts, 13 assists for West. 29 for Baylor.

NBA Finals Game 3 (LA) Lakers 126 Knicks 124

Bill Bradley hit a 16 footer with 12 seconds left to tie the game at 124, the Knicks fouled Wilt - he hit both FT and the Lakers had their first win in the series. 35 points and 21 rebounds for Chamberlain. Wilt's 33 and will play just 3 more seasons. Another big game for West, 38 pts, 11 assists. Double/double for Baylor. 28-19 for Reed in the loss. 26-20 for DeBusschere. Bradley scored 23. Double/double for Clyde.

NBA Finals Game 4 (LA) Lakers 120 Knicks 112

Huge game for the Dipper, 35 pts, 25 boards and the Lakers take both on their home floor. 33 for West. Double/double for Baylor. Reed goes 37-18 in the defeat. Double/double for DeBusschere.

NBA Finals Game 5 (NY) Knicks 126 Lakers 119

With just 13 minutes from Willis Reed the Knicks take game 5 and are 1 game away from their first NBA Championship. Dick Barnett again leads the Knicks in scoring with 32 points. 29 and 11 for Walt Frazier. 21 rebounds for Debusschere. 27 points and 10 assists for Jerry West, 28 for Baylor, 22-20 for Wilt.

NBA Finals Game 6 (LA) Lakers 130 Knicks 114

No Willie Reed and the Knicks get blown out meaning we get a game 7. Wilt with the huge triple double. 27 pts, 16 boards, and a Finals record 13 blocks. West leads in scoring with 32. 20 and 11 for Baylor. Double/double for Keith Erickson. Cazzie Russell leads the Knicks with 20 pts. Double/double for DeBusschere.

The two greatest words in sports - Game Seven, we head to Madison Square Garden.

NBA Finals Game 7 (NY) Lakers 121 Knicks 118

Knicks by 12 as the 4th quarter started. The lead was still 10 with 10 minutes left. Down to 7 with 8 to play. Elgin Baylor hit a runner in the lane with just under 6 left to cut the deficit to 3. At 4:30, West hit a pull up from 25 and the Lakers had their first lead of the quarter. with 2 left, back to back Wilt dunks gave the Lakers a 4 point lead. Bradley scored twice from the wing, surrounding a Wilt FT and the Lakers led by a point with a minute left. Wilt finger roll, Lakers by 3. Frazier went bank, Lakers by 1 with 30 seconds to play. Wilt missed from the paint - but Dick Garrett - Dick Garrett - in his only season with the Lakers - was there with the follow, LA led by 3 with 12 seconds to go. Bradley scored, West hit foul shots and it was done. A Game 7 Triple double for Wilt, who wins his 4th NBA Finals MVP, 37 pts, 33 rebounds, 10 blocks. West scores 22. 26 for Barnett in the loss.

The Los Angeles Lakers win their 3rd straight NBA Championship, the 9th in franchise history.