1970 NBA Finals

The 1970 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series of the 1970 NBA playoffs, which concluded the 1969–70 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. The Eastern Division champion New York Knicks defeated the Western Division champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games for their first NBA title.

Source: Wikipedia

Article

1970 NBA Finals

The Knicks appeared to have a see-saw Game 3 won when Dave DeBusschere made a shot with three seconds left to give New York a 102–100 edge and the Lakers were stuck with no time outs. L.A. inbounded to Mr. Clutch, Jerry West, who launched and made a miracle shot from beyond midcourt. It counted only for two points, as only the ABA had a three-point shot at the time, so the game went to overtime, and the Knicks were able to win, 111–108.

The final game of the series was named by ESPN in 2010 as the greatest Game 7 in finals history, featuring a return from injury for Willis Reed. Reed's most famous performance took place on May 8, 1970, in Game 7 played at Madison Square Garden. Due to a severe thigh injury suffered in Game 5, a torn muscle that kept him out of Game 6, he was considered unlikely to play in Game 7. Yet Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warmups, prompting widespread applause. Starting the game, he scored the Knicks' first two field goals on his first two shot attempts, his only points of the game. He then played defense on Wilt Chamberlain, limiting him to two shots made in nine attempts. When Reed left for good with 3:05 left in the first half, the Knicks led 61–37. Walt "Clyde" Frazier took it from there, finishing with 36 points and 19 assists as the Knicks won the championship, 113–99. Following the game in the winner's locker room, a moved Howard Cosell told Reed on national television, "You exemplify the very best that the human spirit can offer." ESPN's SportsCentury Top 10 Games of the 20th Century ranked Game 7 the 9th Greatest Game in 1999.

Background

New York Knicks

<table><thead><tr><th>Players</th><th>Coaches</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Head coach Legend</td></tr><tr><td>Pos.</td><td>No.</td><td>Player</td><td>Height</td><td>Weight</td><td>DOB</td><td>From</td></tr><tr><td>SG</td><td>12</td><td>Dick Barnett</td><td>6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)</td><td>190 lb (86 kg)</td><td>1936–10–02</td><td>Tennessee State</td></tr><tr><td>C</td><td>17</td><td>Nate Bowman</td><td>6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)</td><td>230 lb (104 kg)</td><td>1945–03–19</td><td>Wichita State</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>24</td><td>Bill Bradley</td><td>6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)</td><td>205 lb (93 kg)</td><td>1943–07–28</td><td>Princeton</td></tr><tr><td>PF</td><td>22</td><td>Dave DeBusschere</td><td>6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)</td><td>220 lb (100 kg)</td><td>1940–10–16</td><td>Detroit Mercy</td></tr><tr><td>PG</td><td>10</td><td>Walt Frazier</td><td>6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)</td><td>200 lb (91 kg)</td><td>1945–03–29</td><td>Southern Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>PF</td><td>20</td><td>Bill Jr. Hosket</td><td>6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)</td><td>225 lb (102 kg)</td><td>1946–12–20</td><td>Ohio State</td></tr><tr><td>PF</td><td>18</td><td>Phil Jackson (IN)</td><td>6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)</td><td>220 lb (100 kg)</td><td>1945-09-17</td><td>North Dakota</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>5</td><td>Don May</td><td>6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)</td><td>200 lb (91 kg)</td><td>1946–01–03</td><td>Dayton</td></tr><tr><td>C</td><td>19</td><td>Willis Reed</td><td>6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)</td><td>235 lb (107 kg)</td><td>1942–06–25</td><td>Grambling State</td></tr><tr><td>SG</td><td>6</td><td>Mike Riordan</td><td>6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)</td><td>200 lb (91 kg)</td><td>1945–07–09</td><td>Providence</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>33</td><td>Cazzie Russell</td><td>6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)</td><td>218 lb (99 kg)</td><td>1944–06–07</td><td>Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>9</td><td>Dave Stallworth</td><td>6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)</td><td>200 lb (91 kg)</td><td>1941–12–20</td><td>Wichita State</td></tr><tr><td>SG</td><td>16</td><td>John Warren</td><td>6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)</td><td>180 lb (82 kg)</td><td>1947–07–07</td><td>St. John's</td></tr></tbody></table>

Los Angeles Lakers

<table><thead><tr><th>Players</th><th>Coaches</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Head coach Legend</td></tr><tr><td>Pos.</td><td>No.</td><td>Player</td><td>Height</td><td>Weight</td><td>DOB</td><td>From</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>22</td><td>Elgin Baylor</td><td>6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)</td><td>225 lb (102 kg)</td><td>1934-09-16</td><td>Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>C</td><td>13</td><td>Wilt Chamberlain</td><td>7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)</td><td>275 lb (125 kg)</td><td>1936-08-21</td><td>Kansas</td></tr><tr><td>C</td><td>31</td><td>Mel Counts</td><td>7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)</td><td>230 lb (104 kg)</td><td>1941-10-16</td><td>Oregon State</td></tr><tr><td>PG</td><td>21</td><td>Johnny Egan</td><td>5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)</td><td>180 lb (82 kg)</td><td>1939-01-31</td><td>Providence</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>24</td><td>Keith Erickson</td><td>6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)</td><td>195 lb (88 kg)</td><td>1944-04-19</td><td>UCLA</td></tr><tr><td>SG</td><td>20</td><td>Dick Garrett</td><td>6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)</td><td>185 lb (84 kg)</td><td>1947-01-31</td><td>Southern Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>PF</td><td>52</td><td>Happy Hairston</td><td>6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)</td><td>225 lb (102 kg)</td><td>1942-05-31</td><td>NYU</td></tr><tr><td>PF</td><td>30</td><td>Bill Hewitt</td><td>6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)</td><td>210 lb (95 kg)</td><td>1944-08-08</td><td>USC</td></tr><tr><td>SF</td><td>33</td><td>Mike Lynn</td><td>6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)</td><td>215 lb (98 kg)</td><td>1945-11-25</td><td>UCLA</td></tr><tr><td>SG</td><td>15</td><td>Willie McCarter</td><td>6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)</td><td>175 lb (79 kg)</td><td>1946-07-26</td><td>Drake</td></tr><tr><td>C</td><td>35</td><td>Rick Roberson</td><td>6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)</td><td>231 lb (105 kg)</td><td>1947-07-07</td><td>Cincinnati</td></tr><tr><td>PF</td><td>14</td><td>John Tresvant</td><td>6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)</td><td>215 lb (98 kg)</td><td>1939-11-06</td><td>Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>PG</td><td>44</td><td>Jerry West</td><td>6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)</td><td>175 lb (79 kg)</td><td>1938-05-28</td><td>West Virginia</td></tr></tbody></table>

Series summary

1970 NBA Finals

<table><thead><tr><th>Game</th><th>Date</th><th>Road team</th><th>Result</th><th>Home team</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Game 1</td><td>April 24</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>112–124 (0–1)</td><td>New York Knicks</td></tr><tr><td>Game 2</td><td>April 27</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>105–103 (1–1)</td><td>New York Knicks</td></tr><tr><td>Game 3</td><td>April 29</td><td>New York Knicks</td><td>112–108 (OT) (2–1)</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td></tr><tr><td>Game 4</td><td>May 1</td><td>New York Knicks</td><td>115–121 (OT) (2–2)</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td></tr><tr><td>Game 5</td><td>May 4</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>100–107 (2–3)</td><td>New York Knicks</td></tr><tr><td>Game 6</td><td>May 6</td><td>New York Knicks</td><td>113–135 (3–3)</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td></tr><tr><td>Game 7</td><td>May 8</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>99–113 (3–4)</td><td>New York Knicks</td></tr></tbody></table>

Game summaries

Game 3

• Jerry West hit a desperation buzzer-beating 60-foot shot to tie it at 102 and force OT. If a three-point line had existed at the time, it would've won the game for the Lakers and potentially the Finals, likely going to down as the greatest shot in NBA history.

Game 7

During the pre-game segment with Chris Schenkel, Jack Twyman noticed Knicks' injured center Willis Reed (whose status for the clincher had been doubtful) advancing from the tunnel toward the court. Twyman then exclaimed: "I think we see Willis coming out!" The sight of Reed marching toward the basketball floor helped inspire the Knicks to a 113–99 victory – one that gave New York its first NBA league title.

Walt "Clyde" Frazier went on to post one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history, tallying 36 points, seven rebounds, 19 assists, and six steals in leading New York to victory in what is referred to by ESPN as one of the best game sevens ever played.

Television

1970 NBA Finals

The 1970 NBA Finals were the first to be nationally televised in full, with ABC providing the coverage. Chris Schenkel was the play-by-play man, with Jack Twyman serving as the color analyst. Howard Cosell provided interviews from the Knicks' locker room following Game 7 and was famously doused with champagne.

However, the Knicks' victory in Game 7 was not seen live on broadcast TV in New York; ABC's coverage was blacked out on WABC-TV, causing a raft of angry fans to deluge the WABC switchboard. Schenkel made an announcement during the broadcast that the game would be aired in New York at 11:30 p.m. that night. The game was shown live on the premium-channel MSG Network in New York City, which was then only available in about 25,000 cable households in Manhattan.

Since the 1970 finals, every NBA Finals game has been carried across the United States, though local blackouts would take some time to subside.

Player statistics

1970 NBA Finals

<table><thead><tr><th> GP</th><th>Games played</th><th> GS </th><th>Games started</th><th> MPG </th><th>Minutes per game</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> FG% </td><td>Field-goal percentage</td><td> 3P% </td><td>3-point field-goal percentage</td><td> FT% </td><td>Free-throw percentage</td></tr><tr><td> RPG </td><td>Rebounds per game</td><td> APG </td><td>Assists per game</td><td> SPG </td><td>Steals per game</td></tr><tr><td> BPG </td><td>Blocks per game</td><td> PPG </td><td>Points per game</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>GP</th><th>GS</th><th>MPG</th><th>FG%</th><th>3P%</th><th>FT%</th><th>RPG</th><th>APG</th><th>SPG</th><th>BPG</th><th>PPG</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Willis Reed</td><td>6</td><td></td><td>37.7</td><td>.484</td><td></td><td>.588</td><td>10.5</td><td>2.8</td><td></td><td></td><td>23.0</td></tr><tr><td>Dave DeBusschere</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>38.1</td><td>.455</td><td></td><td>.722</td><td>12.6</td><td>2.6</td><td></td><td></td><td>19.0</td></tr><tr><td>Dick Barnett</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>40.6</td><td>.448</td><td></td><td>.897</td><td>2.3</td><td>4.3</td><td></td><td></td><td>18.6</td></tr><tr><td>Walt Frazier</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>43.1</td><td>.541</td><td></td><td>.775</td><td>7.7</td><td>10.4</td><td></td><td></td><td>17.6</td></tr><tr><td>Bill Bradley</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>35.6</td><td>.388</td><td></td><td>.750</td><td>4.0</td><td>2.7</td><td></td><td></td><td>12.1</td></tr><tr><td>Cazzie Russell</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>18.6</td><td>.492</td><td></td><td>1.000</td><td>3.6</td><td>1.4</td><td></td><td></td><td>9.3</td></tr><tr><td>Dave Stallworth</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>14.0</td><td>.447</td><td></td><td>1.000</td><td>4.7</td><td>1.6</td><td></td><td></td><td>7.0</td></tr><tr><td>Mike Riordan</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>13.0</td><td>.387</td><td></td><td>.857</td><td>1.9</td><td>1.4</td><td></td><td></td><td>4.3</td></tr><tr><td>Nate Bowman</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>9.7</td><td>.481</td><td></td><td>.600</td><td>3.0</td><td>0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td>4.1</td></tr><tr><td>Bill Hosket</td><td>2</td><td></td><td>4.5</td><td>.250</td><td></td><td></td><td>0.5</td><td>0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td>1.0</td></tr><tr><td>John Warren</td><td>4</td><td></td><td>1.5</td><td>1.000</td><td></td><td></td><td>0.0</td><td>0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td>0.5</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>GP</th><th>GS</th><th>MPG</th><th>FG%</th><th>3P%</th><th>FT%</th><th>RPG</th><th>APG</th><th>SPG</th><th>BPG</th><th>PPG</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Jerry West</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>47.9</td><td>.450</td><td></td><td>.833</td><td>3.4</td><td>7.7</td><td></td><td></td><td>31.3</td></tr><tr><td>Wilt Chamberlain</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>47.6</td><td>.625</td><td></td><td>.343</td><td>24.1</td><td>4.0</td><td></td><td></td><td>23.3</td></tr><tr><td>Elgin Baylor</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>40.0</td><td>.486</td><td></td><td>.778</td><td>11.3</td><td>4.7</td><td></td><td></td><td>17.9</td></tr><tr><td>Dick Garrett</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>36.7</td><td>.474</td><td></td><td>.944</td><td>3.0</td><td>2.1</td><td></td><td></td><td>13.0</td></tr><tr><td>Keith Erickson</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>38.7</td><td>.479</td><td></td><td>.722</td><td>4.4</td><td>4.7</td><td></td><td></td><td>11.6</td></tr><tr><td>Happy Hairston</td><td>6</td><td></td><td>17.5</td><td>.471</td><td></td><td>.636</td><td>4.3</td><td>1.5</td><td></td><td></td><td>6.5</td></tr><tr><td>Johnny Egan</td><td>7</td><td></td><td>10.3</td><td>.526</td><td></td><td>1.000</td><td>0.1</td><td>0.9</td><td></td><td></td><td>3.6</td></tr><tr><td>John Tresvant</td><td>4</td><td></td><td>9.3</td><td>.333</td><td></td><td>.800</td><td>2.8</td><td>1.3</td><td></td><td></td><td>4.5</td></tr><tr><td>Mel Counts</td><td>3</td><td></td><td>9.0</td><td>.357</td><td></td><td>.667</td><td>2.7</td><td>0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td>4.0</td></tr><tr><td>Rick Roberson</td><td>3</td><td></td><td>3.3</td><td>.500</td><td></td><td>.500</td><td>1.3</td><td>0.0</td><td></td><td></td><td>2.3</td></tr><tr><td>Mike Lynn</td><td>1</td><td></td><td>1.0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>0.0</td><td>0.0</td><td></td><td></td><td>0.0</td></tr><tr><td>Willie McCarter</td><td>1</td><td></td><td>2.0</td><td>.000</td><td></td><td></td><td>1.0</td><td>1.0</td><td></td><td></td><td>0.0</td></tr></tbody></table>