Simulated 1973 NBA Finals

 

1972

Actual Result: The Knicks win their second title in 4 years, defeating the Lakers in 5

MVP: Dave Cowens

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

                    Knicks d. Bullets (4-1)

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

                    Lakers d. Bulls (4-3)

Simulation - the Lakers are coming  off their 10th World Championship and are back in the final four, taking on the Warriors, who now play their games in Oakland.  In the East, of course, it's Knicks/Celtics. 

East Finals (April) Boston Celtics (68-14) v. New York Knicks (57-25)

West Finals (April) Los Angeles Lakers (60-22) v. Golden St Warriors (47-35)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Celtics 125 Knicks 96

A year ago the Celtics beat the Knicks in 7, coming back from a 3-0 deficit.  Boston thumps the Knicks to open this year's series.  Jo Jo White leads the Celtics with 29.  A triple double for John Havlicek, 25 pts, 11 assists, 10 rebounds.  Double/double for Dave Cowens and Paul Silas.  Dave DeBusschere double/double in the loss.  

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Celtics 99 Knicks 94

Boston takes game 2 and has control of the series at 2-0.  High scorer for the Celts is Havlicek with 18. Double/double for Cowens/Silas and Don Chaney.  31 pts and 10 rebounds for Walt Frazier in the loss.  DeBusschere double/double.

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Knicks 100 Celtics 94

The Knicks get back into the series with a road win.  19 pts and 10 assists for Frazier. Double/double for Willis Reed.  23 and 19 for Cowens. 21 for White, 21 boards for Silas. Double/double for Chaney.

East Finals Game 4 (NY) Knicks 111 Celtics 107

With Havlicek and Earl Monroe down with injuries, both clubs came in shorthanded and the Knicks even the series at 2.  Dean Meminger and Bill Bradley both score 22 in the win. Double/double for Frazier and DeBusschere.  Don Nelson scores 23 in the loss. 20 boards for Silas. Double/double for Cowens.

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Knicks 109 Celtics 88

The Knicks have won 3 straight and now head to MSG for game 6 with a chance to win the East. Walt Frazier scores 22 and Earl Monroe scores 20.  20 DeBusschere rebounds.  23 for Don Nelson in the loss. Jo Jo White scores 22. Silas double/double

East Finals Game 6 (NY) Celtics 122 Knicks 105

The Celtics tie it up and we will go back to Boston for Game 7.  Don Nelson stepped into the starting lineup during the series and has really been the Celtics best player, 25 pts and 14 boards.  21 for Jo Jo White. Double/double for Cowens and Silas.  Bill Bradley scores 20. DeBusschere double/double.  

East Finals Game 7 (Boston) Celtics 107 Knicks 88

Boston cruises in game 7 and goes back to the NBA Finals. 23 pts, 16 rebounds for Dave Cowens in the closeout and he is named series MVP.  25 rebounds for Paul Silas.  20 pts/10 rebounds for Walt Frazier as the Knicks lose again in 7.  

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 126 Warriors 111

The defending champs take game one; if seeding holds we will have Lakers/Celtics VII in the NBA Finals.  24 pts and a dozen assists for Jerry West. 22 each for Jim McMillan and Gail Goodrich. Wilt Chamberlain double/double.  Joe Ellis leads the Warriors with 20 in the loss.  Double/double for Nate Thurmond. 

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 118 Warriors 111

28 more for Jerry West. 21 for Jim McMillan.  24 Bill Bridges rebound. Double/double for Wilt. For the Warriors, Jeff Mullins scores 23. Nate Thurmond 22 and 13. Double/double for Clyde Lee.

West Finals Game 3 (GSt) Lakers 115 Warriors 107

The Lakers go up 3-0 and we are nearing another Celtics/Lakers Finals.  21 pts/10 assists for Jerry West as he efficiently controls this series.  21 boards for Wilt.  Double/double for Mel Counts.  25 for Rick Barry to lead the Warriors. 22 Nate Thurmond rebounds. 

West Finals Game 4 (GSt) Warriors 101 Lakers 96

The Warriors take a game and force a return to LA.  Rick Barry scores 24. Double/double for Thurmond and Lee.  West scores 24 for the Lakers.  Goodrich 21.  Double/double for Wilt and Counts.  

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 98 Warriors 93

Gentlemen's sweep, the Lakers march toward yet another NBA Finals with a chance to repeat by beating, once again, the Boston Celtics.  Jerry West scores 25 and picks up the series MVP. Mel Counts double/double.  Wilt almost gets a triple double and the part that's missing is the points, he scored 8.  Cazzie Russell scores 23 off the bench for the Warriors.

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

The Lakers have won 10...10!...World Championships, 5 of them coming against the Boston Celtics, who have only beaten the Lakers in the Finals once, 20 years ago. The Celtics have not won the NBA Title in 12 years, they have been the Washington Generals to the Lakers Harlem Globetrotters.  The Celtics won 68 games, they were the best team in the regular season.  4/5 of last year's starting 5 returns, Cowens, the league MVP, Havlicek, now 32, still 1st Team All NBA; the backcourt of White and Chaney - the newcomer is 29 year old Paul Silas, who came over from the Suns for Charlie Scott.  The defending champion Lakers also return 4 starters; Wilt is 36 years old and win or lose, this series will be the end of his career.  West is 34 and next year will be the last season in his career.  Goodrich and McMillan return on the wing; the addition is Bill Bridges, who was Paul Silas's teammate with the Hawks early in both of their careers. The Lakers got Bridges and a former Laker, Mel Counts, from the Sixers in an early season deal for Leroy Ellis and John Trapp.  

It's Lakers/Celtics VIII, the Lakers have won 6 straight.  

CELTICS

HC-Tom Heinsohn

C Dave Cowens (24) MVP, 2nd Team All NBA

F Paul Silas (29)

F John Havlicek (32) 5th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (26) All Star

G Don Chaney (26)

LAKERS

HC-Bill Sharman

C Wilt Chamberlain (36) 4th MVP

F Bill Bridges (33)

F Jim McMillan (24)

G Jerry West (34) 1st Team All NBA

G Gail Goodrich (29) All Star

NBA Finals Game One (Boston) Lakers 111 Celtics 93

The Lakers win game 1 in Boston.  Jim McMillan leads the Lakers with 21. McMillan's spent each of his first 3 seasons with the Lakers, but this is the last one, he'll be dealt to Buffalo for Elmore Smith.  Wilt pulls down 20 rebounds. Bill Bridges double/double.  John Havlicek scores 28 in the loss. Double/double for Dave Cowens and Paul Silas.  

NBA Finals Game Two (Boston) Celtics 113 Lakers 112

Down 1 with 2 seconds left Jo Jo White was fouled - he hit both shots to even the series.  White was an All Star seven straight seasons, this was the 4th. Havlicek again leads in scoring with 32.  21 for White. Double/double for Cowens.  Jerry West scores 29 in the loss. Double/double for Wilt and Bridges.  

NBA Finals Game Three (LA) Lakers 124 Celtics 118

The Lakers take game 3 at home.  Jim McMillan once again leads the way, scoring 34. Gail Goodrich scores 26, next year will be his first team All NBA season.  28 rebounds for Wilt.  It's Havlicek for Boston, with 28.  Double/double for Cowens and Silas.

NBA Finals Game Four (LA) Lakers 113 Celtics 99

LA is a game away from going back to back and winning a truly startling 11th championship.  Jim McMillan is a game away from a Finals MVP, scoring 29.  20 for West. Double/double for Wilt and Bridges.  Havlicek scores 27 for Boston.  21 for White. 21 boards for Cowens.  Double/double for Silas.

NBA Finals Game Five (Boston) Lakers 112 Celtics 103

The Lakers go back to back, beating the Celtics again, their 6th consecutive Finals win over the Celts, it is the Lakers 11th World Championship and the last game of the greatest basketball player of all time to this point, Wilt Chamberlain.  Gail Goodrich led the way in this one, 32 points. 22 for West - 21 for maybe the most unlikely Finals MVP ever, Jim McMillan.  Double/double for Wilt, he retires as the greatest winner in history, 8 Time NBA Champion, 4 Time Finals MVP.  Cowens scores 30 in the loss, the 7th Finals loss for the Celtics.  

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)

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)

Simulated 1972 NBA Finals

 1971

Actual Result: The Lakers win 69 games and beat the Knicks in the NBA Finals.

MVP: Kareem Abdul Jabbar

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

                    Knicks d. Bullets (4-2)

West Semis: Lakers d. Bulls (4-0)

                     Bucks d. Warriors (4-1)

Simulation: The Bucks swept the 3 time defending champion Lakers in last year's West Finals before beating the Knicks in 7 to win the Championship. Its Bucks/Lakers again in this year's West Finals, Wilt v. Kareem and Oscar v. West.  The Knicks have had their hearts broken in 3 straight seasons, the only team in NBA history to lose 3 consecutive NBA Finals, the last two in 7 games.  They are still alive and facing the Celtics, who are now without Bill Russell.  

East Finals (April) Boston Celtics (56-26) v. New York Knicks (48-34)

West Finals (April) Los Angeles Lakers (69-13) v. Milwaukee Bucks (63-19)

East Finals Game 1 (Boston) Knicks 124 Celtics 103

It's not Bill Russell v. Willis Reed, it's Dave Cowens v. Jerry Lucas with Russell retired and Reed out with injury.  Game one goes to Walt Frazier, 27 pts. Double/double for Dave DeBusschere. 22 for John Havlicek. Double/double for Cowens.

East Finals Game 2 (NY) Knicks 102 Celtics 98

The Celts never led in the 4th quarter, the Knicks are two games away from reaching the NBA Finals for the 4th consecutive season.  23 pts and 23 rebounds for Jerry Lucas and another double/double for DeBusschere.  Havlicek again leads the Celtics with 28. 21-15 for Cowens. 

East Finals Game 3 (Boston) Knicks 128 Celtics 126 (OT)

Knicks had an 11 point lead with 5 minutes left in regulation, but the Celtics were down 1 when Don Nelson was fouled with 2 seconds left, he hit just one of the FT to send the game into OT.  The Celtics were again down in OT when Cowens was fouled with 15 seconds left, he hit both shots to tie the score - and at the buzzer it was Bill Bradley calmly stroking from deep to take game 3 for the Knicks.  It's now 3-0 and New York has 4 chances to win their 4th straight East title.  Bradley scored 31.  29 for Earl Monroe.  22 and 18 for Lucas, 22 and 17 for DeBusschere. Jo Jo White goes 29 and 10 in the loss. 25-11 for Havlicek. 23-13 for Cowens.  22-11 for Nelson.  

East Finals Game 4 (NY) Celtics 118 Knicks 116

The Celtics were up 7 with 4 to play, but needed a Jo Jo White 14 footer with 8 seconds left to give them a win and keep the series alive.  25 for Don Nelson to lead the way for Boston, Havlicek scored 20. Double/double for White and Cowens.  Lucas scores 26 in the loss. 23-14 for DeBusschere. 21 for Frazier. Phil Jackson double double off the bench.  

East Finals Game 5 (Boston) Celtics 114 Knicks 104

Boston takes game 5 and back we head to MSG, the Knicks lead now 3 games to 2.  Jo Jo White scores 28 to lead the Celts in scoring. 21 for Havlicek and a double/double for Cowens.  Lucas goes 24 and 17 in the loss.  22-15 for Frazier. 

East Finals Game 6 (NY) Celtics 120 Knicks 113

The Celtics trailed 3 games to 0 - but now will head back to Boston for Game 7.  Huge for Havlicek, 39 pts and 11 rebounds. 23 and 14 for Cowens.  20 and 19 for Nelson.  Walt Frazier triple doubles in the loss, 31-10-10.  Monroe scores 21. 24 rebound game for Lucas.

One to go - will the Knicks win their 4th straight East title or will the Celtics return to their first NBA Finals since '68?  

East Finals Game 7 (Boston) Celtics 122 Knicks 115

Boston does it, coming all the way back from the 3-0 deficit to pull the reverse sweep, winning the East and returning to the NBA Finals.  30 pts and 10 assists for Havlicek, he's the series MVP. Don Nelson scores 33 with 13 rebounds, just an enormous game 7 for Nellie.  Cowens goes 20 and 20.  33-12 for Clyde in the loss.

West Finals Game 1 (LA) Lakers 109 Bucks 96

A year ago it looked like the Laker dynasty was done when the Bucks swept them in 4 games in the West Finals and went onto win the NBA Championship - but the Lakers are back and they win game one.  Gail Goodrich is the Lakers leading scorer with 21. 22 boards for Wilt and a double/double for Happy Hairston.  Kareem was the regular season MVP again and he has a huge day, 34-14.  

West Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 118 Bucks 105

The Lakers take both games at home.  27 pts, a dozen assists for Jerry West. Double/double for Wilt and Hairston. Kareem again is a monster in the loss, 37 pts, 24 rebounds.  

West Finals Game 3 (Milwaukee) Bucks 122 Lakers 113

The Bucks take the first game on their home floor.  Kareem has been the best player in the series, 40 pts and 17 boards.  24 and 12 for Bob Dandridge, Wilt had 23-26 in the defeat.  27 pts and 18 assists for West.  

West Finals Game 4 (Milwaukee) Lakers 126 Bucks 112

The Lakers go up 3-1 and are now 1 game away from facing the Celtics in the NBA Finals one more time.  Gail Goodrich leads the Lakers with 32.  27 for Jim McMillan. 22 rebounds for Happy Hairston as its the non legends leading the way for LA.  Double/double for the legends, both Wilt and West.  27-13 for Kareem in the loss.  24 for Lucius Allen.  Double/double for Dandridge and Curtis Perry.

West Finals Game 5 (LA) Lakers 115 Bucks 113

For the 6th time in history, we will have a Lakers/Celtics NBA Finals. The Bucks were down 4 with 40 seconds left - Kareem hit a sky hook and then blocked a shot on the other end leading to an Oscar fast break layup.  But at the buzzer - it was West, from near halfcourt, to end the series and send the Lakers to their 14th Finals.  26 points, 12 assists for West, 24 pts and 17 boards for Wilt.  24 for Goodrich, Double/double for Hairston.  Despite the loss, Kareem is series MVP, 35-22 in this one.

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

1953: Celtics d. Lakers (4-3)

1955: Lakers d. Celtics (4-3)

1962 Lakers d. Celtics (4-2)

1966 Lakers d. Celtics (4-3)

1968 Lakers d. Celtics (4-2)

The Minneapolis Lakers split two Finals in the 50s with the Celtics - but once they moved to Los Angeles they won 3 straight without a loss.  The Lakers are the dominant franchise in NBA history, 9 Championships including the only 3-peat in history.  The Celtics have 4, but its been a decade since their last win.  The Lakers head coach is now a Celtics Hall of Famer, Bill Sharman, who was on the 1st Team All Playoffs for the decade of the 50s.  Elgin Baylor is gone, but the other two future inner circle Hall of Famers, Wilt and West, remain.  Wilt's 35, in his second to last NBA season.  West is 33 with two years still to play.  Red Auerbach is strictly in the front office and Bill Russell is gone entirely for the Celtics, their head coach is another Celtics Hall of Famer, Tom Heinsohn. Their leader is now John Havlicek, 31, in the middle of his Hall of Fame Boston career, he's joined by Dave Cowens, just 23 and early into his Hall of Fame career.  

It's Lakers/Celtics VI.  The 1972 NBA Championship.

LAKERS

HC-Bill Sharman

C Wilt Chamberlain (35) 3rd MVP, 2nd All NBA

F Happy Hairston (29) 

F Jim McMillan (23)

G Jerry West (33) 2nd MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Gail Goodrich (28) All Star

CELTICS 

HC-Tom Heinsohn

C Dave Cowens (23) All Star

F Don Nelson (31)

F John Havlicek (31) 4th MVP, 1st Team All NBA

G Jo Jo White (25) All Star

G Don Chaney (25)

NBA Finals Game 1 (LA) Celtics 103 Lakers 94

Boston takes game 1 on the road. 22 for John Havlicek, this year was Havlicek's career best MVP finish (4th). 20 points and 17 rebounds for Dave Cowens. Jerry West led the Lakers with 21, double/double for Wilt Chamberlain and Jim McMillan.

NBA Finals Game 2 (LA) Lakers 126 Celtics 117

The Lakers even the series and we head to Boston for Games 3-4.  Gail Goodrich leads with 28. This is Goodrich's second Lakers run; he spent the first 3 years of his career in LA, was taken by the Suns in the '68 expansion draft, and came back to LA before the '70-71 season in a deal for Mel Counts. 23 points and 16 assists for West. 21 boards for Wilt. Happy Hairston double/double. Monster game for Havlicek, 39 pts, 10 boards, 12 assists.  Double/double for Cowens.  

NBA Finals Game 3 (Boston) Lakers 127 Celtics 89

The Lakers hand the Celtics their worst ever home playoff loss.  28 for Jerry West; this season was West's 4th second place MVP finish. Goodrich scores 27. 24 more boards for Wilt. Double double for Hairston and Jim McMillan.  20 pts for Don Nelson to lead Boston. Double/double for Cowens.  

NBA Finals Game 4 (Boston) Lakers 140 Celtics 115 

Los Angeles overwhelms the Celtics, it's 3-1, the Lakers 1 game away from their 10th championship.  Gail Goodrich leads the way with 36 points - he has been the best player in this series.  26 and 16 for Wilt.  26 for West. 20 for McMillan and a double/double for Hairston.  26-13 for Cowens in the loss.  25 for Jo Jo White. 

NBA Finals Game 5 (LA) Celtics 124 Lakers 113

Boston cuts the deficit to 3-2. 24 for Havlicek and Don Nelson.  After 2 seasons as a Laker, Don Nelson signed off the street with Boston for the '65-66 season and will remain with them until the retiring in '76.  23 points and 24 boards for Cowens. Jerry West scores 34 in the loss.  21 boards for Wilt.  Double/double for Hairston.

NBA Finals Game 6 (Boston) Celtics 125 Lakers 119

In the East Finals, the Celtics came back from a 3-0 deficit -- here, they trailed 3-1, but win games 5 and 6 and we will head to LA for Game 7.  It's Jo Jo White who leads the way with 29 points. 28 for Havlicek, 23 for Nelson and a double/double for Cowens.  26 for both Goodrich and McMillan in the loss.  25 pts and 11 assists for West.  Double/double for Wilt and Hairston.  

For the 4th time, a Laker/Celtics NBA Finals goes to Game Seven.  Lets go to LA.

NBA Finals Game 7 (LA) Lakers 128 Celtics 101

The Lakers are 10 Time World Champions.  Jerry West goes for 24 with 12 assists and wins his second Finals MVP.  Goodrich scores 24. 22 with 15 rebounds for Wilt. 20 and 12 for McMillan. Double/double for Hairston.  Great series for Havlicek, he scores 39 in the loss.

Check out all the Finals MVPs from '64 forward.  The last 9 seasons:

Wilt

Wilt

Elgin

Wilt

Elgin

West

Wilt

Kareem

West

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)

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

Simulated 1971 NBA Finals

 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

 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.

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)

2025 Athlete of the Year

 December

Shohei Ohtani.  Runners-up: Shai Gilgeous Alexander, A'ja Wilson

All 3 had dominant regular seasons concluding with a championship; Ohtani becomes the first baseball player to win this award in 11 years.  

Here were all the monthly winners in 2025:

January-Patrick Mahomes

February-Jalen Hurts

March-Alysa Liu

April-Alex Ovechkin

May-Aaron Judge

June-Shai Gilgeous Alexander

July-Scottie Scheffler

August-A'ja Wilson

September-Cal Raleigh

October-Shohei Ohtani

November-Myles Garrett

December - Fernando Mendoza

And here are all the winners of this award from 1990 forward.  

1990: Joe Montana  

1991: Michael Jordan

1992: Mario Lemieux

1993: Michael Jordan

1994: George Foreman  

1995: Hakeem Olajuwon

1996: Michael Jordan

1997: Tiger Woods

1998: Mark McGwire

1999: Tiger Woods   

2000: Tiger Woods

2001: Barry Bonds

2002: Barry Bonds

2003: Lance Armstrong

2004: Peyton Manning   

2005: Reggie Bush

2006: Roger Federer

2007: Tom Brady

2008: Usain Bolt

2009: Manny Pacquiao  

2010: Maya Moore

2011: Aaron Rodgers

2012: LeBron James

2013: LeBron James

2014: Madison Bumgarner  

2015: Serena Williams  

2016: Michael Phelps 

2017: Tom Brady  

2018: Breanna Stewart 

2019: Megan Rapinoe  

2020: Patrick Mahomes

2021: Giannis Antetokounmpo

2022: Lionel Messi/Steph Curry 

2023: Nikola Jokic

2024: Simone Biles

2025: Shohei Ohtani