NBA: The Modern Game Era

Dubb · Nov 6, 2022

Rockets in 5
Lakers in 6
Celtics in 7
76ers in 6

RDT · Nov 15, 2022

(All Box Scores to be added after the end of the season)

Game 1 - #4 Denver Nuggets at #1 Houston Rockets

The defending Western Conference Champion Nuggets put up a good fight, but three-time reigning MVP Moses Malone was absolutely destructive as the Rockets pulled away in the 2nd half to win Game 1 132-107. Moses put up 47 and 17. The Rockets won the 2nd half 71-47.

ROCKETS 132, Nuggets 107 (Rockets lead 1-0)

Nuggets Stats
David Thompson: 29 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 7 TO
George Johnson: 19 PTS, 8/9 FG

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 47 PTS, 17 REB, 18/26 FG
Kevin Grevey: 19 PTS, 6/9 FG

***

Game 1 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers

The Spurs brought a lead into the 4th as Ice was cooking, but of course, these two went down to the wire. With 2:37 left, the Spurs led 115-110…but wouldn’t score another point. Magic would find Kareem to make it 115-112, then Magic would knock down a three with 1:09 left to tie it at 1:15. Gervin, who had dominated the entire game (44 points), was nowhere to be seen.

With 27 seconds left, Magic would find rookie Rick Mahorn, who fed Michael Cooper. Cooper would miss his jumper, but get a tip in that would give the Lakers the lead. Amazingly, Gervin wouldn’t even touch the ball on the final play, and John Lucas would miss a potential game-tying shot, denying the Spurs a chance to steal homecourt advantage. Kareem had 35, showing he’s still a dominant scoring force.

LAKERS 117, Spurs 115 (Lakers lead 1-0)

Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 44 PTS, 14/26 FG, 16/22 FT, 6 REB
Campy Russell: 21 PTS, 11 REB
James Silas: 18 PTS, 8 REB, 9 AST, 3 STL

Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 35 PTS, 8 REB, 15/20 FG
Magic Johnson: 17 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST, Game-Tying Three Pointer
Michael Cooper: 14 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 7/11 FG, Game Winner

***

Game 1 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 New York Knicks

So much for homecourt. The visiting Celtics stormed into Madison Square Garden, took a 27-17 1st quarter advantage and never looked back. Larry Bird was unstoppable with an all-around 26-7-7 while Micheal Ray was merely okay. Okay won’t get it done against Boston.

Celtics 113, KNICKS 96 (Celtics lead 1-0)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 7/13 FG
Gus Williams: 19 PTS, 5 REB
Caldwell Jones: 16 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK

Knicks Stats
Ray Williams: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 6/18 FG
Micheal Ray Richardson: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST, 5/7 FG
Bill Cartwright: 16 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK

***

Game 1 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #2 Indiana Pacers

Most had predicted that the defending NBA Champions would roll over Indiana for a match-up against Boston or New York, but Alex English had something to say about that. English dropped 44 as the Pacers proved they are a worthy #2 seed with a come from behind victory over the Sixers in Game 1. The Sixers brought a small lead coming into the 4th but the final frame was all Pacers. Sixers get another chance to steal homecourt in Game 2.

PACERS 131, 76ers 123 (Pacers lead 1-0)

76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 36 PTS, 17 REB, 14/20 FG, 2 BLK
Julius Erving: 26 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 9/18 FG
Doug Collins: 31 PTS, 8/19 FG, 15/17 FT
Maurice Cheeks: 12 PTS, 11 AST

Pacers Stats
Alex English: 44 PTS, 10 REB, 15/28 FG, 14/15 FT
Johnny Davis: 26 PTS, 8 AST

***

Game 2 - #4 Denver Nuggets at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 1-0)

Another easy win for Houston. The Nuggets just had nothing going, with David Thompson scoring 18 points on 20 shots. Moses put up a big 26-16 on just 12 FGA. More bad news for Denver: Thompson injured his foot (looks broken), ending his playoffs and likely ending any remaining hopes of a return to the NBA Finals. The Rockets had seven players in double digits.

ROCKETS 114, Nuggets 83 (Rockets lead 2-0)

Nuggets Stats
David Thompson: 18 PTS, 7/20 FG
George McGinnis: 12 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 26 PTS, 16 REB, 2 BLK, 9/12 FG
Dennis Johnson: 17 PTS, 4/6 FG, 9/12 FT

***

Game 2 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 1-0)

The Lakers came out in full force in Game 2, never trailing and blowing the Spurs out. Magic Johnson took only five field goal attempts and put together a triple-double. Kareem scored 24 on 14 shots. Iceman was good, but not great. Only he and James Silas scored in double digits for the Spurs. A huge key to the game was that the Lakers hit 57.5% of their field goals, while the Spurs only hit 41.5%.

LAKERS 115, Spurs 97 (Lakers lead 2-0)

Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 25 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL
James Silas: 21 PTS, 8/16 FG, 5/6 FT

Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 10/14 FG
Magic Johnson: 16 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 4/5 FG, 8/8 FT
Michael Cooper: 19 PTS, 8/11 FG

***

Game 2 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 New York Knicks (Celtics lead 1-0)

Game two went down to the wire, with the Celtics squeezing the Knicks to take both games in New York, and the Knicks hanging on in what already feels like a must-win.

Dave Cowens fouls Bill Cartwright with 3:06 to go, and Cartwright hits them both. It’s 97-95 Celtics with 3 minutes to go. Larry Bird with another playoff masterpiece, hits a jumper from the left baseline to make it 99-95. The Celtics send New York back to the line again as Ray Williams is hacked by Ricky Sobers on the way to the basket. Williams hits both free throws, and it’s 99-97. Bird misses on the other side, and the Knicks have a chance to tie or even take the lead. With Madison Square Garden rumbling, Micheal Ray Richardson brings the ball down the court with just 2:10 left.

Richardson and Cartwright play a two-man game, and Richardson breaks free and hits a shot from the free throw line to tie things up. The Knicks decide to press and Ray Williams steals a Cedric Maxwell pass, but Marvin Webster travels, giving Boston the ball back. Michael Wiley fouls out, sending Maxwell to the line. He hits both and it’s 101-99 with a minute left. Gus Williams finds a steal, but Maxwell turns over the ball as Williams gets a steal of his own, and Micheal Ray tips in his own miss to tie things at 101!

Larry Bird breaks free from his defender on the inbound and gets a lay-up, leaving three seconds left! Those were points 45 and 46 for Bird. Madison Square Garden is in disbelief and Bird may have his second game winner of these playoffs. Ray Williams gets the in-bound and shoots a twisting three….and IT’S GOOD! The Knicks win 104-103 as Madison Square Garden loses its mind! Bird can’t believe it as the Knicks tie the series.

KNICKS 104, Celtics 103 (Series Tied 1-1)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 46 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 18/24 FG, 7/7 FT, 3/3 3P
Ricky Sobers: 13 PTS, 4 REB
Cedric Maxwell: 12 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 5/6 FG

Knicks Stats
Micheal Ray Richardson: 25 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 11/21 FG
Ray Williams: 11 PTS, 4/8, 1/1 3P, Game Winning Three-Pointer

***

Game 2 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #2 Indiana Pacers (Pacers lead 1-0)

Another Eastern Conference battle that went to the wire…

The Pacers led 103-97 when the Sixers’ Jo Jo White stole a pass from Brad Davis. Robert Parish couldn’t het his shot to go, but he grabbed his own rebound, leading to a thunderous Dr. J jam on Billy Knight! Knight gets called for the foul and Dr. J completes the three-point play as Market Square Arena just gets quiet... Johnny Davis hits a shot on the other end to keep Indiana up by 4. Bobby Jones finds a basket for Philly and it’s 104-102 with two minutes left.

Alex English misses a contested lay-up, but Indiana keeps the ball and Davis hits another shot. Davis gets too aggressive on the other side of the ball though and fouls Mo Cheeks. Cheeks hits both free throws, and it’s 106-104 with a minute left. English attacks again, but Robert Parish blocks it and the Sixers have all the momentum. Dr. J attacks the basket again and ties the game at 106 with 32 seconds left! Indiana maximizes their next possession, but English misses a jumper and the Sixers have 6 seconds to steal a game in Indiana. Dr. J takes a three out of the timeout…but it airballs and we head to overtime.

Overtime starts slow. Davis his a shot and Parish hits a close shot, making it 108-108 with 3:45 left. A Brad Davis steal and breakway dunk gets Indianapolis excited, but Dr. J completes a three-point play and Philly takes the lead 111-110! But then Indiana slowly takes control. Edwards hits a shot, then English hits a couple of free throws. Philly gets one Mo Cheeks free throw, then English hits a lay-up. Suddenly Indiana is up 116-112 with just 2 minutes left.

Sixers don’t give up, finding Parish for a bank shot, but Brad Davis responds with a basket. Davis hits two more free throws and suddenly the game is getting away from the Sixers. Philly can never get back in it, and the Pacers ultimately win by eight. The defending NBA Champions find themselves in an 0-2 hole. Additionally, they’ve lost Doug Collins with a concussion.

PACERS 126, 76ers 118 (OT) (Pacers lead 2-0)

76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 24 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Julius Erving: 42 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 16/24 FG, 9/10 FT
Maurice Cheeks: 15 PTS, 10 AST

Pacers Stats
Alex English: 30 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK, 10/20 FG, 10/12 FT
Johnny Davis: 26 PTS, 6 AT, 11/18 FG
Billy Knight: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST

***

Game 3 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Denver Nuggets (Rockets lead 2-0)

The Thompson-less Nuggets gave it a fight in Denver, but Moses dominated for the third straight game. Moses had a 30-19 and completely overwhelmed the Nuggets. Calvin Murphy dropped 27 against his former team, but it wasn’t enough. It’ll take a miracle for the Nuggets to avoid getting swept. The Rockets again showed an excellent knack moving the ball around, as all eight of their players except for one scored double-digits.

Rockets 119, NUGGETS 109 (Rockets lead 3-0)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 30 PTS, 19 REB, 10/19 FG
Dennis Johnson: 22 PTS, 7 AST, 8/16 FG

Nuggets Stats
Calvin Murphy: 27 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST
Dan Issel: 11 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST

***

Game 3 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #3 San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 2-0)

Now at home, the Spurs fought tooth and nail to avoid going down 3-0. The Spurs brought an eight-point lead into the 4th, but the Lakers fought back…it’s 93-92 Spurs with three minutes to go. Spencer Haywood scored to give the Lakers the lead!

Ice finds Larry Kenon and the Spurs go back up by one, 95-94. Jamaal Wilkes gets fouled heading to the basket, and makes a free throw to tie things up at 95. The Lakers wouldn’t score again as the Spurs really clamped the defense. John Lucas hit a jumper with 100 seconds left, and James Silas put it away for good.

SPURS 99, Lakers 95 (Lakers lead 2-1)

Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 18 PTS, 9 REB
Jamaal Wilkes: 20 PTS, 4 REB, 7/16 FG
Magic Johnson: 12 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 4/7 FG

Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 31 PTS, 13 REB, 13/27 FG
Campy Russell: 22 PTS, 10 REB
Larry Kenon: 20 PTS, 11 REB
James Silas: 13 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST

***

Game 3 - #1 New York Knicks at #4 Boston Celtics (Series Tied 1-1)

Larry Bird was brilliant again as he led the Celtics to a 2-1 series lead at the Boston Garden. Bird was all over the place again, with 26 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Micheal Ray Richardson was a no show for New York with 10 points. Ray Williams did what he could, but unless Micheal Ray or Bill Cartwright go off, it’ll be hard to get back in this series.

CELTICS 120, Knicks 98 (Celtics lead 2-1)

Knicks Stats
Ray Williams: 24 PTS, 5 AST, 7/11 FG, 10/11 FT
Toby Knight: 20 PTS, 7/13 FG

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 26 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST, 4 STL, 8/15 FG, 10/11 FT
Gus Williams: 22 PTS, 10/16 FG

***

Game 3 - #2 Indiana Pacers at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (Pacers lead 2-0)

Now in Philly, Dr. J and the Sixers got back into series with a wire-to-wire victory over Indiana. Dr. J scored 35 and grabbed every rebound out there. Alex English wasn’t as good this time around, and Philly won 102-84.

76ERS 102, Pacers 84 (Pacers lead 2-1)

Pacers Stats
Alex English: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 9/18 FG
Johnny Davis: 18 PTS, 5 AST

76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 35 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 5 STL, 11/18 FG, 13/13 FT
Maurice Cheeks: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 3 STL, 9/18 FG

***

Game 4 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Denver Nuggets (Rockets lead 3-0)

Despite missing Skywalker, the Nuggets put up a fight to the very end.

Houston led 93-91 with two minutes left. Gary Garland hits a three, giving Denver the lead. Despite being down 3-0, the Denver crowd still believes in their Nuggets and they go nuts. George McInnis makes it a three-point game with a shot from the baseline, and it’s 96-93. With a minute left Rudy T scores, bringing it within one. Garland gets to the line on the next possession and Houston can’t score again, allowing Denver survives.

NUGGETS 98, Rockets 95 (Rockets lead 3-1)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 26 PTS, 16 REB, 2 BLK
Rudy Tomjanovich: 22 PTS, 4 REB, 11/15 FG

Nuggets Stats
Dan Issel: 24 PTS, 9 REB
Calvin Murphy: 18 PTS

***

Game 4 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #3 San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 2-1)

Instead of Magic, perhaps you should call him perfect. Magic went 9/9 from the field, hitting his only three and hitting all six free throws, capping off a beautiful 25-13-7 and giving the Lakers a 3-1 series lead. Iceman was stuck in foul trouble against Michael Cooper and Jamaal Wilkes, and the Lakers cruised to an easy nineteen point victory.

Lakers 115, SPURS 96 (Lakers lead 3-1)

Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 20 PTS, 9 REB, 4 BLK
Magic Johnson: 25 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST, 9/9 FG, 1/1 3P, 6/6 FT
Michael Cooper: 19 PTS, 7 AST
Jamaal Wilkes: 18 PTS, 8/14 FG

Spurs Stats
Campy Russell: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST
George Gervin: 15 PTS, 7/12 FG, 24 MIN, 5 Fouls

***

Game 4 - #1 New York Knicks at #4 Boston Celtics (Celtics lead 2-1)

It’s Larry Bird’s world and the Knicks are living in it. Bird had help this time, as he, Ricky Sobers and Gus Williams all went for at least 29 points. The Knicks surprised everyone taking the #1 seed in the East, but Bird and the Celtics now have them one game from elimination.

CELTICS 125, Knicks 105 (Celtics lead 3-1)

Knicks Stats
Bill Cartwright: 20 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 8/13 FG
Micheal Ray Richardson: 16 PTS, 11 AST

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 9/12 FG
Ricky Sobers: 29 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 12/18 FG
Gus Williams: 29 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL, 10/16 FG, 9/12 FT

***

Game 4 - #2 Indiana Pacers at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (Pacers lead 2-1)

The Sixers took a commanding lead early and the Pacers never for back in it. Robert Parish, who struggled in Game 3 while Dr. J took over, dominated Game 4. Parish had 37 with 14 boards with 3 steals and 3 blocks. Alex English scored 27, but it wasn’t enough. It’s a three-game series now as we head back to Indiana.

76ERS 111, Pacers 101 (Series tied 2-2)

Pacers Stats
Alex English: 27 PTS, 8 REB, 12/21 FG
Billy Knight: 20 PTS, 10 REB, 4 STL
Johnny Davis: 15 PTS, 12 AST
James Edwards: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 2 BLK, 6/9 FG

76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 37 PTS, 14 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK
Julius Erving: 28 PTS, 7 REB,7 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK, 9/12 FG

***

Game 5 - #4 Denver Nuggets at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 3-1)

Led by Calvin Murphy, the Nuggets put up another good fight, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Rockets. Moses, Dennis Johnson and Allen Leavell scored at least 20 points. The Rockets pulled away in the 4th and will face the winner of the Lakers-Spurs series.

ROCKETS 106, Nuggets 97 (Rockets win 4-1)

Nuggets Stats
Calvin Murphy: 26 PTS, 12/24 FG
Dan Issel: 18 PTS, 7 REB, 8/15 FG

Rockets Stats
Allen Leavell: 25 PTS, 7/10 FG, 10/11 FT
Dennis Johnson: 20 PTS, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 8/13 FG, 4/4 FT
Moses Malone: 20 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL

***

Game 5 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers lead 3-1)

The Iceman came to play.

George Gervin could not be stopped, dropping 54 points as he and the Spurs held off elimination in Los Angeles. Jamaal Wilkes and Magic did what they could, but when Ice is on, Ice is on. The Spurs have a chance to force Game 7 in San Antonio.

Spurs 128, LAKERS 113 (Lakers lead 3-2)

Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 54 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 19/26 FG
Larry Kenon: 23 PTS, 8 REB, 2 STL
James Silas: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 7/14 FG

Lakers Stats
Jamaal Wilkes: 30 PTS, 6 REB, 13/23 FG
Magic Johnson: 24 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST

***

Game 5 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 New York Knicks (Celtics lead 3-1)

The Knicks came out firing at MSG, but after a strong first quarter (leading 29-15), Bird continued with his fantastic play and the Celtics ran over the Knicks the rest of the way, deflating the New York City fans. Bird hit 4 threes, scoring 30 and locking in a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Questions around Micheal Ray will dominate the off-season, as he failed to take over, and struggled to stay on the court (he fouled out after 25 minutes). The dream season for New York is over.

Celtics 124, KNICKS 118 (Celtics win 4-1)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 30 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 4/8 3P
Gus Williams: 23 PTS, 5 AST
Cedric Maxwell: 20 PTS, 8 REB, 5/8 FG, 10/11 FT

Knicks Stats
Bill Cartwright: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 8/13 FG, 12/14 FT
Micheal Ray Richardson: 16 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 25 MINS, 6 FOULS

***

Game 5 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #2 Indiana Pacers (Series tied 2-2)

The Sixers scored a huge victory in Game 5 in Indiana, this time by playing lockdown defense. After a strong first quarter for Indiana, they were up 27-23, but they would only score 50 the rest of the way. Bobby Jones scored 25 and had 10 boards, while also slowing Alex English down to just 18 points on 6/20 FG. Julius Erving and Robert Parish added 21 apiece. The Pacers shot 32.9% FG, shooting 25 for 76. The Pacers have put on a great fight, but a 2-0 lead has slipped away and Philly has a chance to win the series at home.

76ers 95, PACERS 77 (76ers lead 3-2)

76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK, 10/15 FG
Bobby Jones: 25 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL
Julius Erving: 21 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 6/9 FG

Pacers Stats
James Edwards: 20 PTS, 7 REB
Alex English: 18 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK, 6/20 FG

***

Game 6 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #3 San Antonio Spurs (Lakers lead 3-2)

This time the Spurs won a different way, forcing 26 Laker turnovers, resulting in 14 more field goal attempts, 26 more free throws attempts…and 17 more points. Ice led the way with 31, overcoming a massive triple-double from Magic, a 21-13-16. The Lakers now face a second straight season of disappointment if they can’t get by Gervin and the Spurs in Game 7…and no one in LA can be happy considering they were up 3-1.

SPURS 115, Lakers 98 (Series tied 3-3)

Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 16 AST
Jamaal Wilkes: 24 PTS, 4 REB, 10/15 FG

Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
John Lucas: 19 PTS, 10 AST
Campy Russell: 18 PTS

***

Game 6 - #2 Indiana Pacers at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (76ers lead 3-2)

The Pacers looked to be just as every bit as good as the Sixers, even better, early on. But the defending Eastern Conference Champions figured things out. The Sixers took a 26-1 1st quarter lead and never looked back. The Pacers never gave up, but they couldn’t get back in the game despite Alex English’s 36. Robert Parish was dominant again with 39 points and 8 boards. Dr. J added 30. It’s Dr. J and Parish against Bird in the Eastern Conference Finals.

76ERS 127, Pacers 110 (76ers win 4-2)

Pacers Stats
Alex English: 36 PTS, 12 REB
James Edwards: 24 PTS, 4 REB, 10/15 FG
Billy Knight: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
Brad Davis: 14 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST

76ers Stats
Robert Parish: 39 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 2 ST, 4 BLK, 15/22 FG
Julius Erving: 20 PTS, 9 AST, 11/14 FG
Maurice Cheeks: 16 PTS, 11 AST

***

Game 7 - #3 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Series tied 3-3)

The Spurs threw what they could at the Lakers, but a 75 point first half (49 points in the second quarter) with Magic directing the way proved to be too much. Ice had 28, but Kareem had 23 and Magic had another triple-double. The Lakers avoided a total collapse, and now take on MVP Moses Malone and the Rockets. The Spurs go back to the drawing board, coming so close.

LAKERS 113, Spurs 96 (Lakers wins 4-3)

Spurs Stats
George Gervin: 28 PTS, 5 REB, 8/17 FG, 11/12 FT

Lakers Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 11/20 FG
Magic Johnson: 11 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Playoff Preview
Western Conference Finals

Best of Seven
#2 Los Angeles Lakers (60-22) vs. #1 Houston Rockets (63-19)

11/27/80 – ROCKETS 102, Lakers 98
1/19/81 – Rockets 116, LAKERS 100
3/22/81 – LAKERS 93, Rockets 90
4/6/81 – Rockets 97, LAKERS 92
4/16/81 – Lakers 95, ROCKETS 92

Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 60-22
PPG: 109 (4th)
oPPG: 98.1 (5th)
Offensive Eff: 108.5 (5th)
Defensive Eff: 97.9 (2nd)
eFG: 50.7% (3rd)
Reb%: 53% (2nd)

Starters/Key Players
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 24.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.4 BPG
Rick Mahorn: 5.6 PPG, 5 RPG
Jamaal Wilkes: 20 PPG, 5 RPG
Michael Cooper: 12.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, Def 2nd Team
Magic Johnson: 23.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 10.4 APG, 2.4 SPG, Def 1st Team, NBA 1st Team

Key Injuries
None

Houston Rockets
Record: 63-19
PPG: 105.7 (9th)
oPPG: 93.5 (1st)
Offensive Eff: 111.1 (1st)
Defensive Eff: 98.2 (3rd)
eFG: 49.7% (7th)
Reb%: 53.2% (1st)

Starters/Key Players
Moses Malone: 29.7 PPG, 15.4 RPG, MVP
Dennis Johnson: 19.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.4 SPG
Kevin Grevey: 12.6 PPG, 3 REB, 2.6 APG
Allen Leavell: 10.7 PPG, 5.9 APG, 2.1 SPG
Rudy Tomjanovich: 7.5 PPG, 5 RPG
Robert Reid (6th): 9 PPG, 4.3 RPG

Key Injuries
None

Eastern Conference Finals

Best of Seven
#4 Boston Celtics (57-25) vs. #3 Philadelphia 76ers (60-22)

11/4/80 – 76ers 94, CELTICS 82
11/7/80 – 76ers 118, CELTICS 110
12/15/80 – Celtics 122, 76ERS 113
12/22/80 – Celtics 108, 76ERS 107
2/20/81 – Celtics 104, 76ERS 95
4/23/81 – 76ers 112, CELTICS 98

Boston Celtics
Record: 57-25
PPG: 108.7 (6th)
oPPG: 100.2 (9th)
Offensive Eff: 108.2 (6th)
Defensive Eff: 99.5 (4th)
eFG: 50.7% (2nd)
Reb%: 51.7% (5th)

Starters/Key Players
Larry Bird – 26.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 53.4% FG, 90.9% FT, 44.1% 3P
Gus Williams – 18.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG
Dave Cowens – 8.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG
Cedric Maxwell – 9.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG
Ricky Sobers – 12.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.3 SPG
Tiny Archibald – 7.9 PPG, 3.4 APG

Key Injuries
None

Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 60-22
PPG: 108.7 (5th)
oPPG: 98.9 (6th)
Offensive Eff: 107.2 (7th)
Defensive Eff: 97.6 (1st)
eFG: 50.4% (6th)
Reb%: 51.1% (9th)

Starters/Key Players

Robert Parish – 23.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.9 BPG, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA 2nd Team
Bobby Jones – 12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, All-Defense 2nd Team
Julius Erving – 26.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.2 BPG, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Defense 1st Team
Maurice Cheeks – 14.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 7.7 APG, All-Defense 2nd Team

Key Injuries
Doug Collins is out the rest of the playoffs with a severe concussion

***

Prediction Contest – ONLY PREDICT THE CONFERENCE FINALS

1st Round – Picking the Winning Team is worth 10 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 2 Points

Results

Grim is the only predictor so far. Fortunately, he nailed all four picks team wise, scoring 40, but didn’t pay attention that the series were only best of three, so he missed all the game amounts. Still, a 40 point cushion over anyone who may predict later this playoffs.

Semi-Finals – Picking the Winning Team is worth 25 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 5 Points

Results

We have some contenders! Joey Bananas hit Rockets and Lakers, nailing the exact amount of games for the Lakers, putting Joey on the board with 55 points. Dubb came in with his own predictions, hitting all four teams and getting the exact games for the Sixers, scoring 105. Right now the 1981 Playoff Predictions Standings look like this:

@Dubble J : 105
@Joey Bananas : 55
@ThanksGriming : 40

Conference Finals – Picking the Winning is worth 50 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 10 Points

NBA Finals – Picking the Winning Team is Worth 100 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 20 Points

Guessing the Finals MVP: Worth 20 Points

Winning the Competition Each Year: Worth +10%

I will eventually find use for prediction points, as you will keep them over the years. Predictions accepted until Semi Results are posted.

Stats Site

Joey Bananas · Nov 15, 2022

Lakers in 7
76ers in 5

Dubb · Nov 17, 2022

Lakers in 6
Celtics in 7

Grimoire Lenin · Nov 17, 2022

Lakers in 7
Celtics in 7

the autumn wind · Nov 18, 2022

Looks like you and me are the only regular BTB posters in here.

RDT · Nov 23, 2022

CONFERENCE FINALS

Game 1 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #1 Houston Rockets

The Magic Man and Kareem shocked the #1 seeded Rockets in Game 1. Moses Malone, the reigning MVP of the league, struggled to hold onto the ball (7 TOs) as Magic (6 steals) doubled teamed him at every chance. Moses would score 16 against Kareem’s 20, but Magic owned the game with a 26-4-10-6 (Allen Leavell had no chance and DJ was focused on Jamaal Wilkes). Was this just a hiccup for Moses? And can the Rockets overcome the Leavell-Magic match-up? Lakers now own homecourt advantage.

Lakers 110, ROCKETS 93 (Lakers lead 1-0)

Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 26 PTS, 4 REB, 10 AST, 6 STL, 10/15 FG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 20 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 16 PTS, 12 REB, 6 BLK, 7 TO
Dennis Johnson: 20 PTS, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 7/13 FG

***

Game 1 - #4 Boston Celtics at #3 Philadelphia 76ers

Larry Bird continued his all-around brilliance in these playoffs as the Celtics took Game 1 in Philly. Bird had a masterful 21-8-5 with 8 steals as Dr. J, struggled to hold-onto the basketball. While Erving and Robert Parish had big games (Erving: 34 PTS, Parish, 22-17), all Celtic starters ended up in double-digits. Boston dominated the third quarter and had the game well in-hand by the 4th.

Celtics 113, 76ERS 96 (Celtics lead 1-0)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 21 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 8 STL, 2 BLK, 9/16 FG
Gus Williams: 22 PTS, 7 AST, 5 STL

76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 34 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST, 5 TO, 14/21 FG
Robert Parush: 22 PTS, 17 REB, 7 BLK

***

Game 2 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #1 Houston Rockets (Lakers lead 1-0)

The Lakers did almost everything right for the second straight game, only the Rockets stormed back with a big fourth quarter (31-18) to win and tie the series. Moses was a bit more dominant this time around, scoring 30 on 11/19 with 8/8 from the line. Kareem managed 26, but his shooting was subpar (8/18) and he only managed to grab 2 rebounds. Magic did everything he could with a near triple-double, but Allen Leavell was okay himself scoring 17 with 7 assists. Even the defensive pieces, DJ (24 PTS) and Michael Cooper (22 PTS) went at it. The Rockets manage to avoid going into an 0-2 hole heading to LA.

ROCKETS 116, Lakers 107 (Series tied 1-1)

Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 24 PTS, 9 AST, 10 REB, 6/11 FG
Michael Cooper: 22 PTS, 10/14 FG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 26 PTS

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 30 PTS, 16 REB, 2 BLK, 11/19 FG, 8/8 FT
Dennis Johnson: 24 PTS, 4/11 FG, 16/18 FT
Allen Leavell: 17 PTS, 7 AST, 5/9 FG

***

Game 2 - #4 Boston Celtics at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (Celtics lead 1-0)

The Celtics offset a good start from the Sixers with a stronger second quarter…but then were demolished 67-47 in the second half as Dr. J and Robert Parish woke up. There wasn’t much Boston was able to do in this one other than take their 1-1 tie to Boston.

76ERS 112, Celtics 93 (Series tied 1-1)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 18 PTS, 11 REB
Gus Williams: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST

76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 6/12 FG, 15/16 FT
Robert Parish: 26 PTS, 17 REB

***

Game 3 - #1 Houston Rockets at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Series tied 1-1)

The Lakers brought an 8 point lead into the fourth quarter, but with three minutes left it’s all gone and the game was tied at 109 with Houston’s Dennis Johnson at the line.

DJ hits both free throws to give Houston their first lead in the game. Kareem gets to the line himself after drawing a foul on Robert Reid, and he hits both to tie things up. Moses tried to get a shot up but LA is all over him, but he finds DJ, who in turn finds Reid. Reid dumps it off to Kevin Grevey and Grevey puts Houston back up 113-111. Kareem’s hook comes up a bit short but Magic gets a tip…that just rims out! Moses again can’t get a shot up but finds an open Allen Leavell…Leavell is going to be open a lot everytime Magic comes to double-team Moses. Leavell hits and the LA crowd starts to worry as it’s a 115-111 Rocket lead with 2 minutes left.

Magic looks to be in takeover mode now. Magic, who’s been dishing all game, takes it to the basket himself and even DJ can stop him as Magic draws a foul. Magic only makes one of two though. DJ misses on the other end though. Magic finds Michael Cooper, but Cooper misses. Magic grabs another offensive rebound and finds Cooper again on the wing. This time it’s good and the Lakers are only down one, but only 41 seconds remain. Moses continues to have the offense run through him, but often finds himself passing out. DJ hits his shot though, and it’s 117-114 Rockets with just 18 seconds left! Rockets throw a full-court press at the Lakers. Cooper and Magic get through it though. Magic eventually finds Cooper behind the three-point line on the wing…and he ties it with 5 seconds left! DJ ends up with the ball with a chance to win it for Houston as he drives in for a lay-up…but he’s blocked by Kareem! Welcome to overtime.

Both teams start off slow in OT until Jamaal Wilkes breaks free for a lay-up to put the Lakers back up. Rudy T gets his own lay-up to tie things. DJ and Grevey miss an opportunity to re-take the lead a couple of possessions later as both teams seem exhausted. Rookie Rick Mahorn gets to the line with 2:24 left and puts the Lakers up 121-119. DJ later has Cooper trapped in the corner but he’s called for a foul, leading to him fouling out (something DJ is not happy about). The Lakers fail to extend the advantage and keep Houston alive though as Cooper misses a three. It’s 121-119 Lakers with just 1:21 left. Allen Leavell completely loses it, but Moses swipes the ball away from Kareem and runs coast to coast for a slam to tie things up! That one deflated the crowd for sure. Kevin Grevey blocks Michael Cooper and with 31 seconds left the Rockets have a chance to re-take control, but Moses can’t hit an inside shot. Magic takes a three with just 4 seconds left to win…but it misses…we head to a second overtime.

Mahorn is the first to score for the Lakers in OT #2, which leads to LA and Houston trading baskets. Kevin Grevey scores with 3:30 left to make it 127-125 Rockets and Jamaal Wilkes loses the ball on the other end. Rick Barry scores to give Houston a 4 point lead. It would take another minute and a half before Wilkes would hit a couple of free throws to bring it within two, but then the Rockets would go on a tear, scoring 13 points in the final minute and a half as the Lakers fell apart. The stamina game caught up to LA as the Rockets take back home court advantage in a double overtime thriller!

Rockets 142, LAKERS 133 (2OT) (Rockets lead 2-1)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 52 MIN, 38 PTS, 17 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 17/25 FG
Allen Leavell: 24 PTS, 12 AST
Kevin Grevey: 51 MIN, 22 PTS, 9 REB

Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 50 MIN, 20 PTS, 10 REB, 15 AST
Jamaal Wilkes: 56 MIN, 37 PTS, 5 REB
Michael Cooper: 50 MIN 27 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST

***

Game 3 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #4 Boston Celtics (Series tied 1-1)

This one was a battle the whole way as Philly led 105-103 with 3:11 to go. Ricky Sobers quickly tied things up at 105, and Dave Cowens stole the ball to give Boston a chance to regain the lead. Gus Williams misses a three, but the scramble for the rebound leads to a Sobers tip that gives Boston the lead back. Dr J took over on the other end to tie things at 107, but Cedric Maxwell kept on the pressure with his own inside shot to give Boston back the advantage.

Dr. J hit another jumper, tying things at 109 with just 1:41 left. Gus Williams scores though as Philly can’t seem to get back over that hump. They keep fighting though as Cowens fouls Robert Parish, and two good free throws tie things at 111 with just a minute left. Cedric Maxwell is fouled on a dunk attempt after Bird finds him, and he gets one of two to give Boston a 112-111 lead with just 39 seconds left. Dr. J looks to take the lead, but good Celtic defense leads to him throwing the ball away! Sixers foul Gus Williams on the other end and Gus makes it 114-111 leaving 17 seconds left. Dr. J gets a good look at a three, but it misses as the Celtics go up 2-1.

CELTICS 114, 76ers 111 (Celtics lead 2-1)

76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 28 PTS, 8 AST, 12/21 FG
Robert Parish: 35 PTS, 9 REB, 13/19 FG
Maurice Cheeks: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 10 AST, 6/10 FG

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 30 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 11/21 FG
Gus Williams: 20 PTS, 8/14 FG
Dave Cowens: 24 PTS, 9 REB, 10/14 FG

***

Game 4 - #1 Houston Rockets at #2 Los Angeles Lakers (Rockets lead 2-1)

Things looked headed to a 2-2 tie heading back to Houston…before the Rockets exploded in the 4th quarter with 36 points, leaving the Lakers one game away from elimination. Moses Malone could not be stopped in this one, scoring 37 and grabbing 17 boards and the Lakers just didn’t have enough to keep up with him. Magic was brilliant again, but he’ll need some help, especially from Kareem (13-12) if the Lakers want to avoid a second straight disappointing ending to the season.

Rockets 104, LAKERS 97 (Rockets lead 3-1)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 37 PTS, 17 REB, 4 BLK, 16/24 FG
Allen Leavell: 15 PTS, 11 AST

Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 11 AST
Jamaal Wilkes: 20 PTS
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 13 PTS, 12 REB, 2 BLK

***

Game 4 - #3 Philadelphia 76ers at #4 Boston Celtics (Celtics lead 2-1)

Another strong effort from the Celtic starters led by yet another Larry Bird brilliancy has put the defending NBA Champs on the brink of elimination. Bird completely controlled the game with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 steals, finding ways to pickpocket and steal passes from the likes of Dr. J (6 TOs) and Mo Cheeks (5 TOs). Erving did have 34, but it wasn’t enough. The Sixers do go back home in hopes to forcing a Game 6.

CELTICS 105, 76ers 98 (Celtics lead 3-1)

76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 34 PTS, 5 REB, 11/18 FG
Robert Parish: 16 PTS, 9 REB
Maurice Cheeks: 10 PTS, 11 AST, 4 STL

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 22 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 8 STL, 8/14 FG
Dave Cowens: 19 PTS, 9 REB

***

Game 5 - #2 Los Angeles Lakers at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 3-1)

It was over just as it started. The Rockets came firing out with a 42 point first quarter and never looked back. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar looked old and useless out there as Moses Malone grabbed every rebound out there. The Rockets as a whole were unstoppable with seven of them scoring in double-digits (Malone, Rudy T, DJ, Grevey, Barry, Drew and Reid). Magic led the Lakers with 24, but despite back to back 60 win seasons there’s no Finals appearance for LA and one has to wonder what changes that will lead to in the off-season. The Rockets will face one of the two teams they faced last season in the East, Boston (who they defeated in the Semis) or the Sixers (who beat them in the ECF in route to a title).

ROCKETS 115, Lakers 87 (Rockets win 4-1)

Lakers Stats
Magic Johnson: 24 PTS, 4 AST, 8/14 FG
Jamaal Wilkes: 18 PTS
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 14 PTS, 8 REB

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 21 PTS, 16 REB, 5 AST, 9/13 FG
Rudy Tomjanovich: 17 PTS, 7 REB
Rick Barry: 17 PTS, 7/12 FG

***

Game 5 - #4 Boston Celtics at #3 Philadelphia 76ers (Celtics lead 3-1)

The Celtics just couldn’t stop scoring, hitting the 30 point mark in each quarter and defeating Philly for the second time on the road to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in five years (1976). Bird grabbed 12 boards but really it was a true team effort. Boston had all their starters in double figures and three players with 9 points each off the bench. Boston managed to score 131 points on 99 shots (shooting 53.5%). Dr. J and Chief did what they could, but they couldn’t overcome Boston here as the defending NBA Champs return to the drawing board.

Celtics 131, 76ERS 119 (Celtics win 4-1)

Celtics Stats
Ricky Sobers: 24 PTS, 4 AST, 9/15 FG
Cedric Maxwell: 23 PTS, 8 REB, 7/13 FG
Dave Cowens: 14 PTS, 7/7 FG
Larry Bird: 14 PTS, 12 REB

76ers Stats
Julius Erving: 29 PTS, 9 AST, 5 STL, 9/14 FG
Robert Parish: 31 PTS, 15 REB, 4 AST

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

NBA FINALS Preview

Best of Seven
#4 Boston Celtics (57-25) vs. #1 Houston Rockets (63-19)

1/18/81 – ROCKETS 113, Celtics 86
3/25/81 – Rockets 114, CELTICS 97

Boston Celtics
Record: 57-25
PPG: 108.7 (6th)
oPPG: 100.2 (9th)
Offensive Eff: 108.2 (6th)
Defensive Eff: 99.5 (4th)
eFG: 50.7% (2nd)
Reb%: 51.7% (5th)

Starters/Key Players
Larry Bird – 26.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 53.4% FG, 90.9% FT, 44.1% 3P
Gus Williams – 18.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG
Dave Cowens – 8.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG
Cedric Maxwell – 9.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG
Ricky Sobers – 12.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.3 SPG
Tiny Archibald – 7.9 PPG, 3.4 APG

Key Injuries
None

Houston Rockets
Record: 63-19
PPG: 105.7 (9th)

oPPG: 93.5 (1st)
Offensive Eff: 111.1 (1st)
Defensive Eff: 98.2 (3rd)
eFG: 49.7% (7th)
Reb%: 53.2% (1st)

Starters/Key Players
Moses Malone: 29.7 PPG, 15.4 RPG, MVP
Dennis Johnson: 19.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.4 SPG
Kevin Grevey: 12.6 PPG, 3 REB, 2.6 APG
Allen Leavell: 10.7 PPG, 5.9 APG, 2.1 SPG
Rudy Tomjanovich: 7.5 PPG, 5 RPG
Robert Reid (6th): 9 PPG, 4.3 RPG

Key Injuries
None

***

Prediction Contest – ONLY PREDICT NBA FINALS and FINALS MVP (you can PM me predictions as opposed to posting them)

1st Round – Picking the Winning Team is worth 10 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 2 Points

Results

Grim is the only predictor so far. Fortunately, he nailed all four picks team wise, scoring 40, but didn’t pay attention that the series were only best of three, so he missed all the game amounts. Still, a 40 point cushion over anyone who may predict later this playoffs.

Semi-Finals – Picking the Winning Team is worth 25 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 5 Points

Results

We have some contenders! Joey Bananas hit Rockets and Lakers, nailing the exact amount of games for the Lakers, putting Joey on the board with 55 points. Dubb came in with his own predictions, hitting all four teams and getting the exact games for the Sixers, scoring 105. Right now the 1981 Playoff Predictions Standings look like this:

Dubb: 105
Joey Bananas: 55
Grim: 40

Conference Finals – Picking the Winning is worth 50 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 10 Points

Results

All three didn’t believe in the Rockets. Dubb and Grim hit the Celtics at least, adding 50 points to their totals. Joey missed both.

@Dubble J : 155
@ThanksGriming 90
@Joey Bananas : 55

NBA Finals – Picking the Winning Team is Worth 100 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 20 Points

Guessing the Finals MVP: Worth 20 Points

Winning the Competition Each Year: Worth +10%

I will eventually find use for prediction points, as you will keep them over the years. Predictions accepted until Semi Results are posted.

Stats Site

Grimoire Lenin · Nov 23, 2022

Celtics in 7

Larry Bird to MVP

Dubb · Nov 28, 2022

Rockets in 5.

Moses Malone MVP

RDT · Dec 3, 2022

Game 1 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 Houston Rockets

Game 1 may have gone down as the greatest Finals duel of all-time!

The hometown Rockets looked to take Game 1 after a strong third quarter, giving them a double digit lead into the fourth. Moses had been insanely unstoppable at this point. But Larry Bird and the Celtics didn’t give up. A Bird three-pointer with four minutes to go left things tied up at 90 as Boston suddenly caught fire!

Dave Cowens’ lone bright spot of the game against Moses took place here with a steal, and he found Gus Williams for a jumper to give Boston the lead! Allen Leavell missed on the other end, but Moses snared yet another offensive rebound, jammed it home AND drew a foul from Cowens. Moses drained the free throw, making it 93-92 with just about 3:30 left. Ricky Sobers finds Bird, but Bird misses. Kevin Grevey finds a jumper and the Rockets go up three. After each team commit ugly turnovers, Kevin Grevey ends up fouling out and sending Tiny Archibald to the line. Tiny makes one of two, and it’s 95-93 with just 2:30 left.

Moses escapes the double-team of Cowens and Bird, and draws a foul on Archibald while hitting a short lay-up off the glass! He makes it again and we’re at 98-93. Bird misses off the glass but gets his own board, scoring and drawing a foul from Moses (Moses’ only foul to this point!). Bird drains the free throw to make it 98-96, then intercepts the inbounds pass! Bird finds Sobers for a lay-up and we are suddenly tied with slightly less than a minute left!

Moses continues to be unstoppable as DJ finds him and a quick bank off the backboard make it 100-98, although Moses wanted a foul there. With 27 seconds left. Gus Williams gets trapped, but is able to find Bird. Bird drains another game-tying shot with just 7 seconds left, and Houston fails to get a last second shot off, sending us to overtime in Game 1!

As great a game this had been, unfortunately the entertainment value dropped off in overtime. Rudy T scored quickly, then Bird lost the ball on a wild pass. Moses ended up with ANOTHER and-1, and the Celtics couldn’t get back into it, losing an opportunity to steal homecourt. Moses finished with 42 points and 24 rebounds, while Bird had 38 points himself.

ROCKETS 113, Celtics 105 (OT) (Rockets lead 1-0)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 38 PTS, 9 REB, 13/23 FG, 11/12 FT

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 42 PTS, 24 REB, 12/25 FG, 18/21 FT
Allen Leavell: 21 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL

***

Game 2 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 1-0)

Game 2 started as close as exciting as Game 1, but the Rockets shut down Bird and Boston’s offense overall to take a 2-0 lead in the series Boston did hold the Rockets down as well, Caldwell Jones did a good job keeping Moses to at least a realistic game (26-19, but bad shooting). Dennis Johnson found 20 points of his own to match Bird and no one really gave Bird much help on that end. The Celtics will look to change up the momentum of the series in Boston.

ROCKETS 94, Celtics 79 (Rockets lead 2-0)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 20 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 7/18 FG, 6/7 FT
Caldwell Jones: 8 PTS, 13 REB, 7 BLK

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 26 PTS, 19 REB, 4 AST, 7/20 FG, 12/15 FT
Dennis Johnson: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST

***

Game 3 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Boston Celtics (Rockets lead 2-0)

Game 3 proved to be another all-time classic. Boston had a small lead for most of the game, but it was the Rockets who stormed ahead in the 4th. Houston led 105-96 with just 4 minutes to play, mostly thanks to Dennis Johnson and Moses. The deflated Boston Garden still looked to energize Bird and co. to get back into the game.

Bird finds Gus Williams to make it 105-98. DJ finds Moses on the other end, but Moses loses the ball to Cedric Maxwell! Maxwell takes it coast-to-coast himself, but Allen Leavell gets his body in the way and Maxwell fails to finish off the lay-up! DJ rounds up the ball as the Boston Garden boos heavily for a lack of a foul call. DJ hits a jumper, and with just 2:30 left it’s 107-98. Bird hits a shot from the wing to bring it within seven. Rudy T misses a jumper with the shot clock expiring, and Bird hits another jumper to make it 107-102. Moses, who had been great all game, loses the ball again on an errant pass, and Bird finds Ricky Sobers for two as the Boston Garden comes alive again! 107-104! Just 45 seconds left.

Amazingly, Sobers steals the inbound for Boston and he finds Dave Cowens for a shocking score, making it 107-106! The Rockets are melting down as the Boston Garden has come unglued! Out of a timeout, the Rockets drain down the clock and try to go to Moses, but Moses can’t find a shot and DJ ends up missing! Rebound Maxwell with the clock ticking down! Bird get hounded but still takes the potential game-winner…but it rims out and neither team can gain control as time expires! The Rockets celebrate running off the court as Bird sits on the court, hands in his head, dejected. It’ll take a miracle for Boston to get back in this.

Rockets 107, CELTICS 106 (Rockets lead 3-0)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 36 PTS, 17 REB, 6 AST, 2 BLK
Dennis Johnson: 31 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 30 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 9/14 FG, ¾ 3P
Gus Williams: 22 PTS
Ricky Sobers: 12 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 5 STL

***

Game 4 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Boston Celtics (Rockets lead 3-0)

It wasn’t climatic, but the Celtics continued to play hard in Game 4 despite being down 3-0 and found a win in these NBA Finals. Moses struggled with only 16 points and Bird put up another well-rounded gem with 29-8-5, aided by Gus Williams’ 20. While the Rockets did find the free throw line often, a recurring theme in these Finals, they only shot 27/68 from the field. Houston would have to wait a couple more nights before winning the NBA Title.

CELTICS 90, Rockets 79 (Rockets lead 3-1)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 16 PTS, 13 REB
Dennis Johnson: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 29 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 11/22 FG, 6/6 FT
Gus Williams: 20 PTS, 8 AST, 9/17 FG

***

Game 5 - #1 Houston Rockets at #4 Boston Celtics (Rockets lead 3-1)

The last game in the this series to be played as Boston Garden provided yet another battle that went down to the wire. This one was the DJ vs. Bird. With about 3 minutes left, the game was tied at 98. DJ hit a lay-up to make it 100-98 for Houston, but Bird came right back with a three to allow Boston to take the 101-100 lead! Allen Leavell finds Moses, who was relatively quiet in this game, and Cowens fouls Moses on the way up. Moses hits both free throws, giving Houston back the lead. Leavell steals the ball from Cedric Maxwell and eventually finds Kevin Grevey, who hits a three! 105-101 Houston with 90 seconds left.

Bird won’t be denied as he’s fouled on a shot that just rims out, but he drains both free throws. Moses misses from the block, and Bird finds Cowens for his only field goal of the day, and it’s a tie game! DJ gets knocked down on his lay-up attempt, but there’s no foul called! Boston comes back down with the clock ticking away, and Ricky Sobers finds an open Gus Williams who hits a shot to take the lead! Houston has 20 seconds left, but Moses misses a good look on a hook, and the Celtics survive again as the series heads back to Houston!

CELTICS 107, Rockets 105 (Rockets lead 3-2)

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 18 PTS, 12 REB
Dennis Johnson: 30 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL
Allen Leavell: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 31 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 4/8 3P
Ricky Sobers: 20 PTS, 6 AST, 3 STL
Gus Williams: 18 PTS, 6 REB

***

Game 6 - #4 Boston Celtics at #1 Houston Rockets (Rockets lead 3-2)

This is the fourth game in the series that went down to the wire, but unlike the previous games the lead was all over the place. Boston stormed out to a 9 point lead in the first, only to lose all that momentum as the Rockets had a 40 point second quarter. Still, heading into the 4th, Boston found themselves only down seven and made the comeback. Larry Bird, having a poor shooting game, hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 106 with just a couple of minutes left. Evey possession matters, as that’s the difference between Game 7 and Houston hoisting the NBA title.

Kevin Grevey missed a three on the other end, but Moses grabbed the offensive board from Dave Cowens and slammed the ball in to give Houston back the lead. Bird missed a jumper, and Moses cleared the rebound there too. Grevey hit a shot this time, and just like that Houston was up by four. Gus Williams got to the line on the next possession and hit both free throws, then quickly stole the ball from Allen Leavell. Williams hit a lay-up, and it was 110-110 with less than a minute to go! Leavell looked to get revenge but couldn’t hit the lay-up, but DJ grabbed the board and found Moses to put Houston back up with just 18 seconds left. Bird made a move for a game-tying shot and while he missed the fans nearly rioted on a DJ foul call. Bird smoothly made both to tie the game at 112, and Leavell ended up missing a game-winning three to send the game to overtime!

Overtime was a war, with both Boston and Houston trading baskets. Bird hit a jumper with a minute left, tying the game at 124. DJ crossed up Bird on the other end and hit a lay-up to make it 126-124 Houston. Gus Williams got to the line with just 15 seconds left and he tied the game again at 126! Houston looked for a game-winner, but Williams thought he got his tenth steal of the game…but it was called a foul! Leavell hit the two biggest free throws of his career, giving the Rockets a 128-126 lead. Bird went for it all out of the timeout, with just 3 seconds left he launched a three and got a good look, but it went off the front of the rim, and the Rockets brought home the NBA Championship! The Celtics refused to die over and over again, but Moses and DJ proved to be just a bit too much.

ROCKETS 128, Celtics 126 (OT) (Rockets win 4-2)

Celtics Stats
Larry Bird: 21 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 4/19 FG, 12/14 FT
Gus Williams: 26 PTS, 9 STL

Rockets Stats
Moses Malone: 19 PTS, 18 REB, 5 AST
Dennis Johnson: 24 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL
Kevin Grevey: 21 PTS, 5 AST
Rudy Tomjanovich: 22 PTS

***

Prediction Contest – 1981 Results

1st Round – Picking the Winning Team is worth 10 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 2 Points

Results

Grim is the only predictor so far. Fortunately, he nailed all four picks team wise, scoring 40, but didn’t pay attention that the series were only best of three, so he missed all the game amounts. Still, a 40 point cushion over anyone who may predict later this playoffs.

Semi-Finals – Picking the Winning Team is worth 25 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 5 Points

Results

We have some contenders! Joey Bananas hit Rockets and Lakers, nailing the exact amount of games for the Lakers, putting Joey on the board with 55 points. Dubb came in with his own predictions, hitting all four teams and getting the exact games for the Sixers, scoring 105. Right now the 1981 Playoff Predictions Standings look like this:

Dubb: 105
Joey Bananas: 55
Grim: 40

Conference Finals – Picking the Winning is worth 50 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 10 Points

Results

All three didn’t believe in the Rockets. Dubb and Grim hit the Celtics at least, adding 50 points to their totals. Joey missed both.

Dubb: 155
Grim: 90
Joey Bananas: 55

NBA Finals – Picking the Winning Team is Worth 100 Points, Picking the Exact Amount of Games is worth 20 Points

Guessing the Finals MVP: Worth 20 Points

Winning the Competition Each Year: Worth +10%

Results

Dubb takes down the 1981 Playoff Prediction Contest, hitting the Rockets and the Finals MVP. With the 10% increase (I’m rounding up) from winning outright, the final score for 1981 ends up as:

@Dubble J : 302
@ThanksGriming : 90
@Joey Bananas : 55

Total Results

@Dubble J : 302 Points (1x Champion: 1981)
1981: 302 (Champion)

@ThanksGriming : 145 Points (1x Champion: 1980)
1980: 55 (Champion)
1981: 90

@Joey Bananas : 55 Points
1981: 55

Stats Site

RDT · Dec 8, 2022

All box scores have been updated as well as the historical spreadsheets on the first page. Thanks everyone who has been following, we'll pick up 1981-1982 sometime next week!

RDT · Dec 11, 2022

1981 NBA Off-Season

While there was no team movement set for the 1981 off-season, future moves were confirmed. Not only will the New Orleans Jazz return for 1983-1984, but so will the St. Louis Spirits. The Kansas City Kings are set to outright move to Sacramento as opposed to a new franchise being awarded that season as well. For the ’81-’82 season the salary cap rose again to $3,000,000, so expect another wild off-season in Free Agency. Lastly, the NBA finalized making the first round of the playoffs a Best-of-Five as opposed to a Best-of-Three.

Surprises were aplenty when it came to coaching changes. Despite back-to-back 60-win season, the Lakers failure in the playoffs led to Paul Westhead being replaced by assistant Pat Riley. Rumors are swirling around LA that Magic had a hand in this move, and that Kareem isn’t quite on board. The surprises did not end there. Bill Fitch had the Celtics just two games from the NBA Title, but has elected to move on. Former Celtic and current assistant K.C. Jones takes over. Slick Leonard elected to retire despite continuing on this emerging Pacer team, and Don Nelson has taken over after a season off. Richie Abudato was fired from Detroit and Mike Schuler will take over.

The NBA Draft Lottery was next. Here was the original order.

1. Heat
2. Mavericks
3. Bullets
4. Pistons
5. Clippers
6. Supersonics
7. Trail Blazers
8. Cavaliers
9. Warriors
10. Bulls
11. Bucks
12. Bullets (from Stallions)

The lottery took place in Secaucus, NJ. The lottery draft spots were announced in reverse order.

12. Bullets
11. Bucks
10. Bulls
9. Warriors
8. Cavaliers
7. Trail Blazers
6. Clippers (-1)

This meant the Supersonics jumped into the top 3.

5. Bullets (-5)

That puts the Detroit Pistons in the top 3!

4. Heat (-3)
3. Pistons (+1)
2. Sonics (+4)
1. Mavericks (+1)

Considering there are mainly two guys in this draft class considered higher than the rest, both Dallas and Seattle were thrilled to find themselves with top 2 picks.

Next was the NBA Rookie draft.

The only question left was would Dallas select Isiah or Mark Aguirre.

1. Mavericks – Isiah Thomas
2. Sonics – Mark Aguirre
3. Pistons - Tom Chambers

Detroit surprises some by taking Tom Chambers over Buck Williams and Rolando Blackman. Next, the Miami Heat, clearly disappointed to miss out on the top picks, decided to trade out instead of pick someone to play alongside Andrew Toney. Miami sends this selection for Cleveland’s 1982 and 1983 first round picks. It’s risky, as if Cleveland goes in the right direction those picks will be lower in drafts. Still, this arms Miami with some draft capital in the upcoming seasons.

4. Cavaliers – Rolando Blackman

A major trade came next. After the coaching changes for the Lakers, the Lakers made a massive move, moving Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the #16 selection for the #5 selection and Washington’s 1982 and 1983 first round selections. It seems like an expensive move for the Bullets, especially if Kareem is on his last legs, but it gives Washington a weapon they can try a quick build around. This may cost the Lakers in the short-term, but if the Bullets fall apart suddenly, they’ll be drafting near the top of the draft for a couple years.

5. Buck Williams, Lakers
6. Larry Nance, Clippers
7. Kelly Tripucka, Trail Blazers
8. Darnell Valentine, Cavaliers
9. Orlando Woolridge, Warriors
10. Alton Lister, Bulls
11. Herb Williams, Bucks
12. Frank Johnson, Bullets
13. Mike McGee, Kings
14. Danny Ainge, Pistons
15. Jay Vincent, Nets
16. Eddie Johnson, Bullets
17. Albert King, Nuggets
18. Steve Johnson, Spurs
19. Danny Schayes, Pacers
20. Tony Gwynn, Sonics
21. Al Wood, Warriors
22. Frank Brickowski

The Lakers made another trade, plugging in the new hole at center by trading last year’s first round pick Rick Mahorn and the #23 to the Suns for Alvan Adams. Adams has been underused these past few seasons in Phoenix.

23. Yasutaka Okayama, Suns
24. Jeff Lamp, Rockets

We won’t cover the 2nd round, but you can view the site for more info.

FREE AGENCY

There were some obvious re-signings. Julius Erving signed with the Sixers for $9.5 Million over 6 years. David Thompson signed for a full 7 years for a total of $7.6 Million with Denver. Jack Sikma also signed with Seattle for 7 years for $7.1 Million. Walter Davis re-signed with the Suns for 6 years, $6 Million. Eddie Johnson re-signed with the Hawks for the same $6 Million, 6 Years. Marques Johnson signed for 5 Years, $4.3 Million. Gus Williams re-signed with the Celtics for 5 Years, $3.7 Million and Otis Birdsong re-signed with the Kings for 4 Years, $3.6 Million.

The big surprise of free agency though, was Bernard King spurning the Stallions and signing with the Lakers for 6 Years at nearly $6 Million total. This suddenly makes the Lakers look great now and in the future after the Kareem trade.

Other signings (second/third tier players): Johnny Moore, Bulls (6/$3.6M), James Edwards, Pacers (5/$3.3M), Ray Williams, Knicks (5/$3.2M), Norm Nixon, Hawks (3/$2.6M), Brad Davis, Pacers (5/$2.5M), Tree Rollins, Hawks (3/$2.3M), Bob McAdoo, Suns (3/$1.3M), Cedric Maxwell, Celtics (5/$1M), Doug Collins, Sixers (3/$900K), James Silas, Spurs (3/$675K), Wes Unseld, Stallions (2/$624K), Bob Lanier, Kings (1/$400K), Bill Walton, Rockets (1/$400K), Bill Laimbeer, Spurs (2/$1.2M), Robert Reid, Nets (2/$1.3M), Greg Ballard, Celtics (2/$800K)

And with that, we are on the cusp of the 1981-1982 season! Preview is next!

RDT · Dec 13, 2022

1981-1982 Season Preview

1981-1982 Team Information

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics
1981 Record: 57-25 (3rd in Atlantic, Lost Finals to Rockets)
Head Coach: K.C. Jones (1st Year)
Key Players: Larry Bird (26.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 53-91-44%s), Gus Williams (18.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG)
FBB Ranking: 3/24

Despite the coaching change, all signs point to another successful season in the Larry Bird-era for the Celtics. Despite finishing 3rd in the division last year, the Celtics rode Bird to the Finals. There’s no reason to expect anything else for Boston.

Miami Heat
1981 Record: 15-67 (6th in Atlantic)
Head Coach: Chuck Daly (2nd Year)
Key Players: Andrew Toney (17.6 PPG, 1.1 SPG)
FBB Ranking: 24/24

Miami surprisingly traded out of the draft when they didn’t win the lottery for future considerations. While that’s great for their future, there’s not a lot there this year as they’ll be running a similar team as last season.

New Jersey Nets
1981 Record: 41-41 (4th in Atlantic, lost in 1st Round to Sixers)
Head Coach: Kevin Loughery (9th Year)
Key Players: Calvin Natt (19.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1 SPG, 50.6% FG), Cliff Robinson (17.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 49.7% FG), Darrell Griffith (18.9 PPG)
FBB Ranking: 15/24

The Nets exceeded expectations with their young trio by making the playoffs last season. They’ll be bringing back mostly the same team, although rookie Jay Vincent could be a helpful addition. The Atlantic is tough overall though, with Boston, New York and Philadelphia there as well as Washington’s big addition.

New York Knicks
1981 Record: 60-22 (1st in Atlantic, Lost to Celtics in the Semi-Finals)
Head Coach: Red Holzman (14th Year)
Key Players: Micheal Ray Richardson (19.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 10.4 APG, 2.5 SPG, 48.7% FG), Bill Cartwright (18.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 58.3% FG), Ray Williams (17.2 PPG, 4.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 48.6% FG)
FBB Ranking: 11/24

The Knicks rode Micheal Ray Richardson’s monster season to an Atlantic Division title. That season, as well as solid seasons from Cartwright and Ray Williams allowed the Knicks to be the surprise of the league last year. Rookie Michael Wiley also contributed greatly. The Knicks bring back mostly the same team, can they improve on their disappointing playoff performance?

Philadelphia 76ers
1981 Record: 60-22 (2nd in Atlantic, Lost to Celtics in Conference Finals)
Head Coach: Billy Cunningham (4th Year)
Key Players: Robert Parish (23.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1 SPG, 53.5% FG), Julius Erving (26.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 55.9% FG), Bobby Jones (12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 48.8% FG, All-Defense 2nd Team), Maurice Cheeks (14.3 PPG, 7.7 APG, 2.6 SPG, 48.2% FG), Doug Collins (17.1 PPG, 52.7% FG)
FBB Rank: 7/24

Philly looked like they had good shot at winning a second straight NBA Championship, but Bird and the Celtics proved to be playing at another level. With that being said the Sixers are right in the hunt for another title run. They are perhaps the deepest team in the Eastern Conference and have two players who could be in discussion for MVP: Parish and Dr. J.

Washington Bullets
1981 Record: 22-60 (5th in Atlantic)
Head Coach: Gene Shue (2nd Year)
Key Players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 55% FG), John Williamson (19.1 PPG), Bob Dandridge (14.2 PPG, 49.4% FG)
FBB Rank: 19/24

It seemed like the Bullets were headed towards a rebuilding phase…and then they traded for the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Kareem is 34 and its unknown how many years he has left at high level basketball, but the Bullets should be able to compete. At least for their future’s sake they better hope so.

Eastern Conference

Central Division

Atlanta Hawks
1981 Record: 45-37 (2nd in Central, Lost in 1st Round to the Celtics)
Head Coach: Hubie Brown (6th Year)
Key Players: John Drew (17.5 PPG, 52.3% FG), Eddie Johnson (19 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 47.2% FG), Tree Rollins (8.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.7 BPG), Dan Roundfield (15.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 52.9% FG), Terry Furlow (14.3 PPG, 1.5 SPG, 6th Man of the Year), Norm Nixon (13.1 PPG, 7.4 APG)
FBB Rank: 5/24

The Hawks improved last season and made the playoffs. To compete in a tough Eastern Conference, Eddie Johnson or John Drew will have to play at the next level. FBB Rank has them highly valued again.

Chicago Bulls
1981 Record: 36-46 (4th in Midwest)
Head Coach: Phil Johnson (2nd Year)
Key Players: Reggie Theus (23.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 51.7% FG), Vinnie Johnson (18.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 SPG), Johnny Moore (10.3 PPG, 8.5 APG, 1.8 SPG), David Greenwood (16.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 50.8% FG), Alton Lister (#10 Overall Pick)
FBB Rank: 16/24

Chicago surprised the league by improving to the mid-30 win mark with players just deemed as building blocks. Johnny Moore became one of the better playmakers in the league (and was paid for it too), and Vinnie Johnson became a strong scorer to compliment Theus. The Bulls add rookie bruiser Alton Lister to defend the middle. Chicago will need to fight to make the playoffs, but if their young players continue to improve there’s no reason why it can’t happen.

Cleveland Cavaliers
1981 Record: 35-47 (5th in Central)
Head Coach: Stan Albeck (3rd Year)
Key Players: Mike Mitchell (17.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG), Kevin McHale (13.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 54.2% FG), Mike Dunleavy (14.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.5 SPG), Rolando Blackman (#4 Overall Pick), Darnell Valentine (#8 Overall Pick)
FBB Rank: 17/24

Cleveland is somewhat in the middle right now. Kevin McHale had a solid rookie season and Rolando Blackman should add a scoring punch, but how they jive with veterans Mike Mitchell and Mike Dunleavy still remains to be seen. If Blackman turns out to be a top level scorer over the years, Cleveland should be in excellent shape throughout the 80s.

Detroit Pistons
1981 Record: 27-55 (6th in Central)
Head Coach: Mike Schuler (1st Year)
Key Players: Tom Chambers (#3 Overall Pick), Greg Kelser (20.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 49.4% FG)
FBB Rank: 23/24

Detroit continues to rebuild, with Tom Chambers and Danny Ainge coming in as first round picks.

Indiana Pacers
1981 Record: 56-26 (1st in Central, Lost to Sixers in Semi-Finals)
Head Coach: Don Nelson (1st)
Key Players: Alex English (27.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 52.4% FG), Billy Knight (14.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 48.6% FG), Johnny Davis (19 PPG, 6.3 APG, 1.3 SPG), James Edwards (14.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 54.7% FG)
FBB Rank: 5/24

The Pacers contend with the Hawks for deepest team in the Eastern Conference. Led by Alex English, Indiana gave the Sixers a run for their money last year in the playoffs. With Don Nelson replacing long term Pacers coach Slick Leonard Indiana will likely be one of the fastest teams in the league. Don’t be surprised if English wins the scoring title.

Milwaukee Bucks
1981 Record: 37-45 (3rd in Midwest)
Head Coach: Bill Musselman (2nd Year)
Key Players: Marques Johnson (24 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 SPG), Sidney Moncrief (17 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG), Junior Bridgeman (15.4 PPG)
FBB Rank: 4/24

FBB Rank really highly values the Bucks, as the Marques Johnson-Sidney Moncrief combo continues to gain cohesion. Rookie big man Herb Williams should only help things as well. Do they have the talent to match up with the top of the East?

Western Conference

Midwest Division

Dallas Mavericks
1981 Record: 21-61 (6th in Midwest)
Head Coach: Frank Layden (2nd Year)
Key Players: Kiki Vandeweghe (20.9 PPG, 4 RPG, 47.2% FG, 90.2% FT), Isiah Thomas (#1 Overall Pick), Elvin Hayes (14.4 PPG, 7 RPG)
FBB Rank: 21/24

Isiah Thomas is a gem that may prove to be the face of the new Mavericks for years to come. He should be able to provide Kiki Vandeweghe a lot of easy buckets this year and beyond. It may not lead to tons of wins this year, but it’s a great start.

Denver Nuggets
1981 Record: 48-34 (3rd in Midwest, Lost to Rockets in Semi-Finals)
Head Coach: Donnie Walsh (4th Year)
Key Players: David Thompson (30.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3 APG, 50% FG), Dan Issel (18.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 48.5% FG), George McInnis (13.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 53.9% FG)
FBB Rank: 18/24

Behind Skywalker, the Nuggets exceeded FBB Rank expectations for the third season in a row. Unfortunately, the addition of the Spurs and Rockets to the division perhaps hurt Denver more than any other team. The Nuggets should still compete, but they’re clearly behind San Antonio and Houston without making a big move.

Houston Rockets
1981 Record: 63-19 (1st in Midwest, Won NBA Title)
Head Coach: Del Harris (3rd Year)
Key Players: Moses Malone (29.7 PPG, 15.4 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 56.8% FG, MVP), Dennis Johnson (19.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.4 SPG)
FBB Rank: 1/24

In Moses the Rockets trust. Moses won his third straight MVP award, but this time he led the Rockets all the way and won Finals MVP as the Rockets won the title. The Moses-DJ combo may be the best in all of the NBA. Houston also added Bill Walton, a third Finals MVP, to the bench. Everything in the West looks headed to a Rockets-Lakers showdown.

Kansas City Kings
1981 Record 39-43 (4th in Midwest, Lost in 1st Round to Spurs)
Head Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons (4th Year)
Key Players: Otis Birdsong (25.3 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.8 SPG), Swen Nater (10.6 PPG, 10 RPG), Phil Ford (12.1 PPG, 6.1 APG, 1.2 SPG), Scott Wedman (12.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG)
FBB Rank: 12/24

The Kings managed to improve and even found a playoff spot last season. Otis Birdsong signed a new contract, but it’s unclear where the Kings will improve as they spend their last seasons in Kansas City. It didn’t help they lost young big Bill Laimbeer in free agency.

Salt Lake Stallions
1981 Record: 38-44 (5th in Midwest)
Head Coach: Tim Nissalke (3rd Year)
Key Players: Artis Gilmore (15.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 54.9% FG), Adrian Dantley (21.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG), Wes Unseld (10.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG), Pete Maravich (14.6 PPG, 3.9 APG, 43.2% 3P)
FBB Rank: 22/24

Just one game from the NBA Finals a season ago, it’s all falling apart for Salt Lake. The only hope is that Adrian Dantley returns to his elite scoring form he displayed two seasons ago. Wes Unseld, Artis Gilmore and Pete Maravich may help, but they’re all in their twilight years. It shouldn’t be hard for Dantley to get shots, Salt Lake lost Bernard King in free agency.

San Antonio Spurs
1981 Record: 55-27 (2nd in Midwest, Lost to Lakers in Semi-Finals)
Head Coach: Doug Moe (6th Year)
Key Players: George Gervin (31.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 56.4% FG), Larry Kenon (13.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1 SPG, 49.8% FG), James Silas (16.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 48.9% FG, 87.6% FT), Campy Russell (16.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 49.1% FG), John Lucas (11.5 PPG, 8 APG, 2 SPG), Bill Laimbeer (9 RPG, 7.3 RPG, 48.3% FG)
FBB Rank: 6/24

The Spurs took the Lakers to seven games powered by Ice, but fell just short. Gervin should be among the scoring leaders once again, and the addition of the young Laimbeer should shore up the defense. The Spurs brought back all the other pieces and should be in the mix again.

Western Conference

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors
1981 Record: 36-46 (3rd in Pacific)
Head Coach: Al Attles (13th Year)
Key Players: Darryl Dawkins (17.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 49.8% FG), Purvis Short (15.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG), John Long (17.9 PPG), Phil Smith (15 PPG), Orlando Woolridge (#9 Pick Overall)
FBB Rank: 10/24

Golden State sports an intriguing team. They flirted with a playoff spot last season and just missed out. If Darryl Dawkins can get to the next level the Warriors may be in the mix.

Los Angeles Lakers
1981 Record: 60-22 (1st in Pacific, Lost to Rockets in Conference Finals)
Head Coach: Pat Riley (1st)
Key Players: Magic Johnson (23.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 10.4 APG, 2.4 SPG, 54% FG, 86.4% FT), Bernard King (27.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 51.8% FG), Jamaal Wilkes (20 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.5 SPG), Michael Cooper (12.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.1 SPG), Buck Williams (#5 Overall Pick)
FBB Rank: 2/24

Top teams usually don’t make so many changes, but the Lakers went all out, sending perhaps the league’s all-time greatest player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Bullets. With other future considerations, the Lakers landed rookie Buck Williams, who should be able to score. LA also landed a big fish, signing away Bernard King from the Stallions. Adding Alvan Adams to the frontcourt has LA going all-in for new Head Coach Pat Riley.

Phoenix Suns
1981 Record: 39-43 (2nd in Pacific, Lost to the Nuggets in Round 1)
Head Coach: John MacLeod (9th)
Key Players: Walter Davis: 23.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 50.6% FG, 86% FT), Paul Westphal (16 PPG), Truck Robinson (14.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG), Bob McAdoo (15.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 49.7% FG)
FBB Rank: 13/24

Phoenix likely has the talent to make the playoffs again, but not much farther. They’ll likely be a contender to trade off their pieces and rebuild…although they did just commit big money to Walter Davis.

Portland Trail Blazers
1981 Record: 38-44 (4th in Pacific, Lost to Sonics in Round 1)
Head Coach: Dr. Jack Ramsay (6th Year)
Key Players: Maurice Lucas (20.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1 BPG, 48.1% FG), Jim Paxson (14 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.1 APG), Lionel Hollins (12.2 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.8 SPG), Ron Brewer (12.8 PPG, 1.6 SPG, 48.8% FG), Kelly Tripucka (#7 Pick Overall)
FBB Rank: 8/24

Portland just missed the playoffs last season, and it allowed them to add scorer Kelly Tripucka in the rookie draft. Portland is likely a big piece away from being a strong playoff contender, but they have chances to make it there this year nonetheless.

San Diego Clippers
1981 Record: 29-53 (6th in Pacific)
Head Coach: Scotty Robertson (2nd Year)
Key Players: Joe Barry Carroll (14.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 54.7% FG), World B. Free (25.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.4 APG), Larry Nance (#6 Overall Pick)
FBB Rank: 20/24

The Clippers will still be in rebuild mode. Don’t be surprised to see a potential contender gamble on Free in a trade.

Seattle Supersonics
1981 Record: 32-50 (6th in Pacific)
Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens (8th Year)
Key Players: Jack Sikma (18.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1 BPG, 47.2% FG, 84.8% FT), Fred Brown (18.1 PPG, 1.3 SPG), Louis Orr (13.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG), Mark Aguirre (#2 Overall Pick)
FBB Rank: 9/24

The Sonics committed to their future, paying Jack Sikma big money and drafting potential Rookie of the Year Mark Aguirre. It probably doesn’t lead to wins this year, but it should soon.

STATS SITE

RDT · Dec 18, 2022

EARLY NBA SEASON RECAP SO FAR

The 81-82 NBA Season had an unexpected start, with November providing some surprises. Things regressed towards expectation in December as some of the familiar teams creeped towards the top. Perhaps the big story of the season is injuries, as two title contenders: New York and Houston, suffered massive injuries. The Knicks came out at 8-1 and lost both Micheal Ray Richardson and Bill Cartwright and have went 3-12 since. Richardson should be back soon after Christmas and Cartwright should return around the end of January. Moses Malone was ripping apart the league again, eyeing a fourth straight MVP, but a stress fracture has sidelined him and he won’t return until around All-Star Weekend. This has opened the door in the West for sure.

The Kings and Warriors started hot, but the Spurs and Lakers, as expected, rose to the top of their respective divisions. The Spurs perhaps have the strongest squad they’ve had since coming into the NBA, led again by “Iceman” George Gervin. The Lakers were an intriguing team for sure trading away Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but bringing in Bernard King and they’ve performed so far. The Lakers are one of two teams who are almost four full points per 100 netter offensively than the next best. The other team? Alex English’s Indiana Pacers. English has been on a tear so far as him playing the power forward position has caused severe mismatches that other teams haven’t been able to take advantage of. English may even be your MVP at the moment. Boring as it may sound, Larry Bird has Boston cooking up top the East with Dr J. and Robert Parish’s Sixers not far behind. We mentioned Kareem earlier, his stellar play at age 34 has the Bullets with a winning record at the moment. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone makes a big trade for one of the big scorers on terrible teams: David Thompson and Adrian Dantley sport top five points per game averages and have 5-21 and 4-20 records respectively.

ROOKIE REPORT

What a strong rookie class so far. Detroit's Tom Chambers (22.3) has edged out Seattle’s Mark Aquirre (22.1) for Rookie scoring leader so far. Isiah Thomas is also above the 20 PPG mark (with 6.6 APG) and Kelly Tripucka, Jay Vincent, Rolando Blackman and Larry Nance are all providing scoring threats for their teams. It should be interesting to see how things play out for Rookie of the Year.

NOTABLE GAMES SO FAR

(Note – Links will be added to Part 3 at season’s end)

11/3/81: MAVERICKS 93, Supersonics 85 – In a battle between the #1 and #2 NBA Draft picks, Isiah debuts with a 21-9 to put the Mavs over Mark Aguirre’s Sonics

11/4/81: SIXERS 94, Celtics 93 – First battle of the top teams in the Atlantic, the Sixers use a balanced attack to survive Bird’s 30

11/6/81: Spurs 143, LAKERS 139 (2OT) – A wild double overtime game ends with 13 players in double digit scoring. The Spurs’ balanced attack overcomes Magic’s 25-13-13 and Bernard’s 28-7-9.

11/6/81: Knicks 131, SIXERS 117 – Micheal Ray reminds the Sixers’ who actually won the Atlantic Division last season with a 22-16.

11/7/81: Nets 142, LAKERS 138 (2OT) – The Lakers lose a second straight game in double overtime. Some insane statlines in this one. Magic Johnson had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 20 assists. Jamaal Wilkes had a 39-4-6 and Bernard a 35-5-5. Cliff Robinson had a 27-14-6-5 for the Nets.

11/11/81: Pistons 133, MAVERICKS 126 – Rookie Tom Chambers and 2nd Year Kiki Vandeweghe put on a scoring clinic (or expose their defensive deficiencies) as Chambers drops 37 and Kiki drops 44, with 14 assists going to Isiah.

11/17/81: Spurs 101, CELTICS 100 – Ice wins a duel with Bird, scoring 27 but coming out with a win against Bird’s 36-15.

11/19/81: MAVERICKS 102, Rockets 95 – Dallas upsets Houston despite Moses’ 48 minute, 40 point, 17 rebound performance. Isiah has a 20-14.

11/22/81: LAKERS 133, Rockets 130 – Moses’ 52-18 isn’t enough to overcome the Laker offensive attack. Magic had a 20-15.

12/4/81: ROCKETS 105, Hawks 102 – Moses continues with the “holy shit” stat lines, scoring 34 with 29 rebounds in a tough win against the Hawks.

12/21/81: Spurs 107, CAVALIERS 104 – “Ice” puts up 48 to lead the Spurs on the road

12/23/81: PACERS 126, Nuggets 87 – Alex English inserts himself into the MVP discussion, dropping 49 and grabbing 14 boards against the struggling Nuggets.

As the regular season is broken into three parts, we’ll look at ten upcoming players, with the intent that these are the top 25 prospects, that will be a part of the 1982 Rookie Draft Class. Age is listed as time of the draft.

Dominique Wilkins – Small Forward, 6’8”, Georgia, 22: Oh man. There’s already serious hype for ‘Nique, nicknamed the “Human Highlight Film”. An unstoppable scorer in transition. It would be a shocker for him to fall out of the Top 3.

James Worthy – Small Forward, 6’9”, North Carolina, 21: All-American dynamic scorer who may lead the Tar Heels to a NCAA Championship this year. Tall frame makes him ridiculously tough to guard. Probably a “safer” pick than Wilkins.

Terry Cummings – Power Forward, 6’9”, Depaul, 21: Nearly unstoppable inside player and a strong rebounder. With the Chicago Bulls holding two high picks fans will definitely be rooting for a Cummings selection, as he is a Chicago native.

Fat Lever – Point Guard, 6’3”, Arizona State, 21: Even though the top 3 seem to be at a consensus, Lever isn’t that far behind them and will likely be a top 5 pick. An interesting jack of all trades type, can score, distribute, play defense, shows three-point range and rebounds well for his size. But is he elite at anything?

Sleepy Floyd – Combo Guard, 6’3”, Georgetown, 22: Combo guard who can score an distribute. Could be picked anywhere from fringe top 5 to somewhere outside the top 10.

Ricky Pierce – Shooting Guard, 6’4”, Rice, 22: Good scorer who’ll be 23 when the season starts.

Bill Garnett – Power Forward, 6’9”, Wyoming, 22: Garnett shows a good all-around game that should get him picked somewhere in the top 10.

Mark Eaton – Center, 7’4””, UCLA, 25: Monstrous Eaton is a gamble. He could easily block everything in the middle and be a force, but a lack of speed may cost him on both ends and he’s limited offensively. Someone may take a shot at him in the top 10…or he could fall all the way to near the second round.

Rod Higgins – Shooting Guard, 6’7”, Fresno State, 22: Solid scorer who shows three-point range.

LaSalle Thompson – Center, 6’10”, Texas, 20: Good back-to-the-basket big who can rebound and block shots.

***

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics (1)
1982 Record: 20-6
Key Players: Larry Bird (26.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 51-89-34%s), Gus Williams: 16.5 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.3 SPG)
Big Moves: None

Business as usual for Boston. The NBA Title is the goal.

Philadelphia 76ers (3)
1982 Record: 18-7
Key Players: Julius Erving (24.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 52 FG%, 76% FT), Robert Parish: 22.9 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 1 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 53% FG), Bobby Jones (14.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.2 PG, 1.3 BPG, 51% FG), Doug Collins (16.9 PPG) Maurice Cheeks (10.7 PPG, 7.2 APG, 2.6 SPG)
Big Moves: None

Business as usual for Philadelphia as well, as they are on Boston’s tail in the Atlantic Division.

Washington Bullets (6)
1982 Record: 15-13
Key Players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (21.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 56.7% FG) John Williamson (16.3 PPG)
Big Moves: None

Looks like Kareem still has something in the tank. The Bullets have stayed afloat and if they can find a way to add someone to help Kareem (Williamson and rookie Eddie Johnson have poor FG%s as the #2 and #3 guys) they may be able to make a surprise run.

New Jersey Nets
1982 Record: 13-15
Key Players: Cliff Robinson (18.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 52% FG), Calvin Natt (16.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG), Jay Vincent (16.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG), Darrell Griffth (16.7 PPG)
Big Moves: None

Despite Jay Vincent having an outstanding rookie campaign, he’s severely out of position at center. There’s a good core here, but the Nets probably need to make a trade to get to the next level.

New York Knicks
1982 Record: 11-13
Key Players: Bill Cartwright (9 Games, 17.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG), Micheal Ray Richardson (9 Games, 18.6 PPG, 8 RPG, 10.8 APG, 2 SPG)
Big Moves: None

The Knicks started 8-1 before both Cartwright and Richardson get hurt in the same game. 3-12 in the 15 games since. Richardson is due back any day, Cartwright still out a month.

Miami Heat
1982 Record: 9-16
Key Players: Andrew Toney (20.4 PPG), Clint Richardson (19.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Richardson has shown to be a solid contributor on the scoring end, and the result has been an improved Miami team. A good pick this year could make Miami interesting in the near future.

Eastern Conference

Central Division

Indiana Pacers (2)
1982 Record: 18-7
Key Players: Alex English (31.7 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 52.4% FG, 82.3% FT), Johnny Davis (17.1 PPG, 6.3 APG, 1.3 SPG), Brad Davis (15.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 6.5 APG), Billy Knight: 14.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG), James Edwards (13.7 PPG, 8.2 EPG, 1.7 BPG
Big Moves: None

Indiana stumbled a bit in December, but held the #1 seed in most of November. English may the MVP frontrunner.

Milwaukee Bucks (4)
1982 Record: 14-11
Key Players: Sidney Moncrief (19.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 2 SPG, 52.8% FG, 85.7% FT), Junior Bridgeman (15.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG), Marques Johnson (19.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1 SPG, 50% FG)
Big Moves: None

The Bucks seem to be playing better after making a change with Herb Williams now coming off the bench and Rich Kelley starting at center. Kelley rebounds better, Williams protects the rim better. Moncrief has slowly become one of, if the best, two-way guards in the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers (5)
1982 Record: 15-13
Key Players: Mike Mitchell (13.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG), Kevin McHale (16.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.5 BPG), Rolando Blackman (16.2 PPG, 53% FG)
Big Moves: None

The Cavs are currently in the mix, with Blackman scoring at an efficient rate for a rookie and Mitchell and McHale also playing well so far.

Atlanta Hawks
1982 Record: 14-14
Key Players: Eddie Johnson (17.6 PPG, 5.3 APG, 1.8 SPG), Dan Roundfield: 19.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.7 BPG), Norm Nixon (13.3 PPG, 6 APG)
Big Moves: None

101.9 PPG and 101.9 oPPG. Atlanta needs a big shake-up to break through the .500 level.

Detroit Pistons
1982 Record: 9-15
Key Players: Tom Chambers (22.3 PPG, 6 RPG), Phil Hubbard (15.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Detroit has found a keeper with Chambers.

Chicago Bulls
1982 Record: 8-19
Key Players: Reggie Theus (20.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 50% FG), Vinnie Johnson (15.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG), Johnny Moore (12 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.3 APG, 2.1 SPG)

A disappointing start for Chicago for sure, although at the moment they now have two top lotto picks to play with in a strong draft. That being said they committed a lot of money to Johnny Moore and he’s taken a step back.

Western Conference

Midwest Division

San Antonio Spurs (1)
1982 Record: 22-6
Key Players: George Gervin (33.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 56.2% FG, 83% FT), Campy Russell (14.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG), James Silas (14.3 PPG), John Lucas (14.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.9 SPG)
Big Moves: None

With the Rockets struggling with some injuries, the Spurs have shot up to the top of the West. Iceman’s eyeing the MVP. We’ll see if this is the Spurs’ season.

Houston Rockets (3)
1982 Record: 18-8
Key Players: Moses Malone (17 Games, 34.3 PPG, 17.4 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 56.4% FG), Dennis Johnson (19 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4 APG), Kevin Grevey (15.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.4 APG)
Big Moves: Traded for Wes Unseld and Pete Maravich

The point of getting Bill Walton in the off-season was to allow Moses to save his legs for a repeat title run. Once Walton got injured, the Rockets traded for the aging Wes Unseld and Pete Maravich. But now with Moses down for another month, the Rockets need to hang on for dear life. Luckily, it doesn’t seem like anyone else in the West is really going to challenge them for the playoffs.

Kansas City Kings (6)
1982 Record: 12-12
Key Players: Otis Birdsong (24.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG), Swen Nater (10 PPG, 8.5 RPG)
Big Moves: None

The Kings started hot, but have cooled off back to their expected mean. With that being said, 12-12 isn’t too shabby.

Dallas Mavericks
1982 Record: 8-18
Key Players: Isiah Thomas (20.7 PPG, 6.6 APG), Kiki Vandeweghe (19.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Isiah has helped the Mavericks improve greatly from last season. They’re still a few pieces away, but the team is coming along nicely in year 2.

Denver Nuggets
1982 Record: 5-21
Key Players: David Thompson (28 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 48.7% FG, 83.7% FT)
Big Moves: None

The bottom has fell out in Denver. Question is if Denver wants to build with Thompson or completely start over.

Salt Lake Stallions
1982 Record: 4-20
Key Players: Adrian Dantley (28.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3 APG), Artis Gilmore (16.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG)
Big Moves: Traded away Pete Maravich and Wes Unseld for a future 1st round pick and Rick Barry

Salt Lake is in the same situation as Denver, except Dantley may be more appealing to build around being only 25 years old.

Western Conference

Pacific Division

Los Angeles Lakers (2)
1982 Record: 20-6
Key Players: Magic Johnson (18.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 56.3% FG, 82.3% FT), Jamaal Wilkes (25 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG), Bernard King (21 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Showtime is rolling without Kareem. Still, defensively the center position may need some assistance. Alvan Adams has been serviceable and Spencer Haywood no worse, but that’s something the Lakers aren’t used to. Still, the Magic-King-Wilkes trio will be tough to beat.

Golden State Warriors (4)
1982 Record: 14-12
Key Players: Darryl Dawkins (17.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG), Phil Smith (15.7 PPG, 1.5 SPG)
Big Moves: None

Golden State, like Kansas City, started hot, but they’re struggling to score big points. There’s a lot of different pieces here, but it seems to struggle to come back.

Portland Trail Blazers (5)
1982 Record: 12-11
Key Players: Maurice Lucas (17.9 PPG, 8.9 RPG), Jim Paxson (16.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, 2.3 SPG), Kermit Washington (12 PPG, 9.4 RPG), Kelly Tripucka (18.4 PPG)
Big Moves: None

Adding rookie scorer Tripucka has given Portland another dimension, but they are still struggling to break through the glass ceiling.

Seattle Supersonics
1982 Record: 13-14
Key Players: Mark Aguirre (22.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.6 APG), Jack Sikma (20.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1 BPG)
Big Moves: None

The new look Sonics have been re-invigorated by Mark Aguirre. Seattle already looks ready to jump back in the playoff hunt.

San Diego Clippers
1982 Record: 12-14
Key Players: World B. Free (16.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG), Joe Barry Carroll (13.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG), Larry Nance (15.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1 SPG, 1.2 BPG)

The Clippers have been working on building and have some nice pieces now. They’re right in the playoff hunt.

Phoenix Suns
1982 Record: 6-19
Key Players: Walter Davis (17.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.4 SPG), Paul Westphal (14.9 PPG, 4.4 APG), Bob McAdoo (16.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG), Truck Robinson (13.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Like Denver and Salt Lake, the window has shut for Phoenix. Time to rebuild.

***

Top 5 PPG: 1. Moses Malone, HOU (34.3), 2. George Gervin, SAS (33.2), 3. Alex English, IND (31.7), 4. Adrian Dantley, SLS (28.3), 5. David Thompson, DEN (28.0)

Top 5 RPG: 1. Moses Malone, HOU (17.4), 2. Robert Parish, PHI (12.8), 3. Jack Sikma, SEA (10.2), 4. Alex English, IND (10.2), 5. Wes Unseld, SLS-HOU (9.9)

Top 5 APG: 1. Magic Johnson, LAL (11.2), 2. John Lucas, SAS (8.3), 3. Johnny Moore, CHI (7.3), 4. Maurice Cheeks, PHI (7.2), 5. Isiah Thomas, DAL (6.6)

Top 5 SPG: 1. Maurice Cheeks, PHI (2.6), 2. Dennis Johnson, HOU (2.5), 3. Jim Paxson, POR (2.3), 4. Gus Williams, BOS (2.3), 5. Dudley Bradley, IND (2.2)

Top 5 BPG: 1. Tree Rollins, ATL (2.9), 2. Ben Poquette, CHI (2.5), 3. Darryl Dawkins, GSW (2.4), 4. Robert Parish, PHI (2.2), 5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, WAS (1.9)

***

Players of the Week (Listed by Week Ending)

11/8 – Moses Malone, Rockets, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bullets
11/15 – George Gervin, Spurs, Robert Parish, Sixers
11/22 – Moses Malone, Rockets, Larry Bird, Celtics
11/29 – George Gervin, Spurs, Alex English, Pacers
12/6 – Moses Malone, Rockets, Larry Bird, Celtics
12/13 – David Thompson, Nuggets, Larry Bird, Celtics
12/20 – Magic Johnson, Lakers, Cliff Robinson, Nets

Players of the Month

November: Moses Malone, Rockets, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bullets

Rookies of the Month

November: Isiah Thomas, Mavericks, Rolando Blackman, Cavaliers

STATS SITE

RDT · Dec 26, 2022

THROUGH ALL-STAR WEEKEND

The 81-82 season continued to go as expected considering the injuries. The Lakers and Spurs are dominating the West as the Sixers, Celtics, and Pacers are on top of the East. Everyone else is jostling for position. Defending NBA Champion Rockets are still in the mix and with Moses making his way back they can’t be counted out. Mark Aguirre has turned the Sonics back into a playoff contender quicker than expected. The Trail Blazers have also put themselves in position to make a playoff run as rookie Kelly Tripucka has given them the extra scoring spark they need. In the East, the Knicks look to make a strong run for the end of the season with Micheal Ray Richardson back and Bill Cartwright returning soon. The Bucks made a trade for Artis Gilmore to try to make a run in the East, and Kareem still has the Bullets in contention.

ROOKIE REPORT

While Detroit’s Tom Chambers leads all rookies in scoring, Mark Aguirre has likely taken the Rookie of the Year lead for having the Sonics back in playoff position. Kelly Tripucka also is getting some attention with Portland in the playoff hunt. Isiah is having a great rookie season, but Dallas still hasn’t made the jump to playoff contention yet. Nine rookies are scoring in double figures: Chambers, Aguirre, Isiah, Tripucka, Jay Vincent, Rolando Blackman, Larry Nance, Eddie Johnson, and Buck Williams. Isiah sits sixth in APG at 6.4 as well.

NOTABLE GAMES SO FAR

(Note – Links will be added to Part 3 at season’s end)

11/3/81: MAVERICKS 93, Supersonics 85 – In a battle between the #1 and #2 NBA Draft picks, Isiah debuts with a 21-9 to put the Mavs over Mark Aguirre’s Sonics

11/4/81: SIXERS 94, Celtics 93 – First battle of the top teams in the Atlantic, the Sixers use a balanced attack to survive Bird’s 30

11/6/81: Spurs 143, LAKERS 139 (2OT) – A wild double overtime game ends with 13 players in double digit scoring. The Spurs’ balanced attack overcomes Magic’s 25-13-13 and Bernard’s 28-7-9.

11/6/81: Knicks 131, SIXERS 117 – Micheal Ray reminds the Sixers’ who actually won the Atlantic Division last season with a 22-16.

11/7/81: Nets 142, LAKERS 138 (2OT) – The Lakers lose a second straight game in double overtime. Some insane statlines in this one. Magic Johnson had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 20 assists. Jamaal Wilkes had a 39-4-6 and Bernard a 35-5-5. Cliff Robinson had a 27-14-6-5 for the Nets.

11/11/81: Pistons 133, MAVERICKS 126 – Rookie Tom Chambers and 2nd Year Kiki Vandeweghe put on a scoring clinic (or expose their defensive deficiencies) as Chambers drops 37 and Kiki drops 44, with 14 assists going to Isiah.

11/17/81: Spurs 101, CELTICS 100 – Ice wins a duel with Bird, scoring 27 but coming out with a win against Bird’s 36-15.

11/19/81: MAVERICKS 102, Rockets 95 – Dallas upsets Houston despite Moses’ 48 minute, 40 point, 17 rebound performance. Isiah has a 20-14.

11/22/81: LAKERS 133, Rockets 130 – Moses’ 52-18 isn’t enough to overcome the Laker offensive attack. Magic had a 20-15.

12/4/81: ROCKETS 105, Hawks 102 – Moses continues with the “holy shit” stat lines, scoring 34 with 29 rebounds in a tough win against the Hawks.

12/21/81: Spurs 107, CAVALIERS 104 – “Ice” puts up 48 to lead the Spurs on the road

12/23/81: PACERS 126, Nuggets 87 – Alex English inserts himself into the MVP discussion, dropping 49 and grabbing 14 boards against the struggling Nuggets.

12/25/81: 76ers 101, BULLETS 89 – Parish and Kareem battle as the Bullets fail to gain ground. Dr. J made the difference with 33.

12/30/81: 76ers 114, CELTICS 110 – Parish has a 32-14 and Dr. J adds another 32 as the Sixers score a huge win over Bird and Boston.

1/4/82: Lakers 128, SPURS 125 – The Lakers overcame 50 from Gervin, with Magic, Wilkes, and Bernard putting together 76 points to score an important road victory.

1/9/82: 76ers 143, CELTICS 140 (OT) – In one of the wildest games in NBA history, the Sixers barely overcame Boston again. Bird did all he could with a 40-8-13, but four Sixers scored 23+ and it was just enough.

1/9/82: NUGGETS 128, Stallions 113 – It hasn’t been a good season for either team, but memories of just a couple seasons ago were revisited as Adrian Dantley and David Thompson just went at one another. Skywalker scored 43 and got the win, overcoming Dantley’s 53.

1/12/82: NUGGETS 111, Rockets 110 – It may be a rough season for Denver, but Thompson hasn’t given up. He dropped 51 in this one.

1/18/82: CELTICS 120, Pacers 113 – Larry Bird sent Indiana a reminder of who he is with a 47-14-10.

1/25/82: Lakers 139, NUGGETS 121 – David Thompson put up 44, but Denver couldn’t hang with Magic and the Lakers. Jamaal Wilkes and Bernard King had 58 total, a lot of those being the result of 17 assists from Magic.

1/28/82: LAKERS 132, Spurs 123 – In what may be a preview of the Western Conference Finals, this Magic-Ice battle went to Magic this time. Magic’s 32-8-13 to offset Gervin’s 39.

2/1/82: Lakers 120, SPURS 113 – The Spurs had three cracks at the Lakers in this set, each one coming close, but each ended in a loss. Gervin had 53 and was unstoppable, but Magic had a 32-7-18.

2/4/82: SPURS 102, Rockets 89 – Moses was back with a vengeance with a 35-25, but there wasn’t much help to beat San Antonio. Iceman had 42 in a big Midwest win.

As the regular season is broken into three parts, we’ll look at ten upcoming players, with the intent that these are the top 25 prospects, that will be a part of the 1982 Rookie Draft Class. Age is listed as time of the draft.

Dominique Wilkins – Small Forward, 6’8”, Georgia, 22: Oh man. There’s already serious hype for ‘Nique, nicknamed the “Human Highlight Film”. An unstoppable scorer in transition. It would be a shocker for him to fall out of the Top 3.

James Worthy – Small Forward, 6’9”, North Carolina, 21: All-American dynamic scorer who may lead the Tar Heels to a NCAA Championship this year. Tall frame makes him ridiculously tough to guard. Probably a “safer” pick than Wilkins.

Terry Cummings – Power Forward, 6’9”, Depaul, 21: Nearly unstoppable inside player and a strong rebounder. With the Chicago Bulls holding two high picks fans will definitely be rooting for a Cummings selection, as he is a Chicago native.

Fat Lever – Point Guard, 6’3”, Arizona State, 21: Even though the top 3 seem to be at a consensus, Lever isn’t that far behind them and will likely be a top 5 pick. An interesting jack of all trades type, can score, distribute, play defense, shows three-point range and rebounds well for his size. But is he elite at anything?

Sleepy Floyd – Combo Guard, 6’3”, Georgetown, 22: Combo guard who can score an distribute. Could be picked anywhere from fringe top 5 to somewhere outside the top 10.

Ricky Pierce – Shooting Guard, 6’4”, Rice, 22: Good scorer who’ll be 23 when the season starts.

Bill Garnett – Power Forward, 6’9”, Wyoming, 22: Garnett shows a good all-around game that should get him picked somewhere in the top 10.

Mark Eaton – Center, 7’4””, UCLA, 25: Monstrous Eaton is a gamble. He could easily block everything in the middle and be a force, but a lack of speed may cost him on both ends and he’s limited offensively. Someone may take a shot at him in the top 10…or he could fall all the way to near the second round.

Rod Higgins – Shooting Guard, 6’7”, Fresno State, 22: Solid scorer who shows three-point range.

LaSalle Thompson – Center, 6’10”, Texas, 20: Good back-to-the-basket big who can rebound and block shots.

Paul Pressey – Shooting Guard, 6’5”, Tulsa, 23: Defensive based guard, has scoring ability too.

Trent Tucker – Shooting Guard, 6’5”, Minnesota, 22: All around guard who shows some three-point range.

Clark Kellogg – Small Forward, 6’7”, Ohio State, 20: Strong scoring threat who may go as high 4th in the draft to the right team.

Craig Hodges – Point Guard, 6’3”, Long Beach State, 21: Another three-point gunner who has playmaking ability.

John Bagley – Point Guard, 6’0”, Boston College, 22: Stronger playmaker than the likes of Hodges, but doesn’t have the three-point range.

Quintin Dailey – Shooting Guard, 6’3”, San Francisco, 21: Scoring based guard who may be able to guard points as well.

Cliff Levingston – Small Forward, 6’8”, Wichita State, 21: Has the size of a small forward, but will likely play power forward because of his rebounding ability.

Keith Edmonson – Shooting Guard, 6’5”, Purdue, 21: Scoring guard who helped lead Purdue to the Final Four in 1980.

Lester Conner – Combo Guard, 6’4”, Oregon State, 22: Guard who can play either guard position.

Terry Teagle – Shooting Guard, 6’5”, Baylor, 22: Another all-around shooting guard who shows some three-point range.

***

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Philadelphia 76ers (1)
1982 Record: 37-9 (18-7, 19-2)
Key Players: Robert Parish (23.2 PPG, 12 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 52.5% FG), Julius Erving (25.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.3 APG, 54.8% FG), Doug Collins (17.3 PPG, 1.1 SPG), Bobby Jones (13.2 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG), Maurice Cheeks (12.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, 2.9 SPG)
Big Moves: None

Massive seven week stretch for Philly with multiple wins over the Celtics.

Boston Celtics (3)
1982 Record: 35-9 (20-6, 15-3)
Key Players: Larry Bird (27.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 50.8% FG, 37.2% 3P, 89% FT), Gus Williams (16.9 PPG, 2.3 SPG)
Big Moves: None

Two of the three losses were to rival Philadelphia. Boston’s biggest challenge will be making sure they don’t lose too much ground to Philly as Gus Williams recovers from a concussion.

New York Knicks (4)
1982 Record: 24-22 (11-13, 13-9)
Key Players: Bill Cartwright (18 Games, 16.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG), Micheal Ray Richardson (18.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 9.7 APG, 2.2 SPG)
Big Moves: None

With Micheal Ray and Cartwright back the Knicks have looked good, but the division already looks out of reach with Philly and Boston rolling. Right now the Knicks lead four teams competing for three spots.

Washington Bullets (5)
1982 Record: 25-23 (15-13, 10-10)
Key Players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 53.4% FG)
Big Moves: None

Kareem is carrying a limited Bullets squad to a playoff appearance so far. Whether that’s a good thing long term for the Bullets is a different question.

New Jersey Nets
1982 Record: 18-29 (13-15, 5-14)
Key Players: Cliff Robinson (17.6 PPG, 9.7 PG, 1.3 SPG), Calvin Natt (17.2 PPG, 6 RPG), Jay Vincent (15.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG), Darrell Griffith (17.6 PPG)
Big Moves: None

Nothing but massive disappointment for the Nets in the last seven weeks. The top four are an intriguing foursome, but so far it hasn’t been working.

Miami Heat
1982 Record: 15-31 (9-16, 6-15)
Key Players: Andrew Toney (22.1 PPG), Clint Richardson (16.6 PPG)
Big Moves: None

Miami’s been improving, which is all they can ask for. With five first round picks in the next three years this new Miami franchise is looking good so far.

Eastern Conference

Central Division

Indiana Pacers (2)
1982 Record: 32-14 (18-7, 14-7)
Key Players: Alex English (30.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 50.8%, 83.2% FT), Johnny Davis (17.1 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.2 SPG), Brad Davis (15.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, 1.2 SPG), Billy Knight (14.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.2 SPG), James Edwards (13.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 56.1% FG)
Big Moves: None

Alex English continues to play at a MVP level as the Pacers have a stranglehold on the Central.

Milwaukee Bucks (6)
1982 Record: 24-23 (14-11, 10-12)
Key Players: Sidney Moncrief (18.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG), Junior Bridgeman (14.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG), Marques Johnson (20.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG)
Big Moves: Traded for Artis Gilmore

The Bucks took a chance, sending center Rich Kelley and a 1st Round Pick to the Stallions for Gilmore. Whether or not Gilmore still has strong basketball left in the tank to get Milwaukee over the hump.

Atlanta Hawks
1982 Record: 25-24 (14-14, 11-10)
Key Players: Eddie Johnson (18.1 PPG, 5 APG, 1.5 SPG), Norm Nixon (12.9 PPG, 6.2 APG), Tree Rllins (7.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.9 BPG), Terry Furlow (15.9 PPG, 1.8 SPG), Dan Roundfield (17.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.5 BPG)
Big Moves: None

The Hawks continued their .500 ways and are sitting just a half-game out of the playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers
1982 Record: 19-28 (15-13, 4-15)
Key Players: Rolando Blackman (15.8 PPG), Kevin McHale (15.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG), Mike Mitchell (13.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Unfortunately, things went downhill for Cleveland. They aren’t totally out of the playoff hunt, but for a team that traded away their first round picks this is a disheartening result so far.

Detroit Pistons
1982 Record: 17-30 (9-15, 8-15)
Key Players: Tom Chambers (22.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG), Phil Hubbard (15.5 PPG, 6 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Detroit has found a keeper with Chambers. Not much else to say for Detroit this season.

Chicago Bulls
1982 Record: 15-32 (8-19, 7-13)
Key Players: Reggie Theus (20.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG), Vinnie Johnson (15.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG), Johnny Moore (12 PPG, 7.9 APG, 1.8 SPG)

Chicago had playoff aspirations, but now it’s all about the off-season and draft again.

Western Conference

Midwest Division

San Antonio Spurs (2)
1982 Record: 37-11 (22-6, 15-5)
Key Players: George Gervin (33.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 55% FG), Campy Russell (15.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG), John Lucas (13.6 PPG, 7.9 APG, 2.1 SPG)
Big Moves: None

The Spurs have shown they can beat the Rockets with Moses, but three losses to the Lakers in the last six weeks, close as they were, had to be disappointing.

Houston Rockets (3)
1982 Record: 26-19 (18-8, 8-11)
Key Players: Moses Malone (21 Games, 33 PPG, 17 RPG, 2 BPG, 58% FG), Dennis Johnson (20 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.2 SPG), Kevin Grevey (15.9 PPG)
Big Moves: None

The Rockets were able to hang onto a winning record and the #3 seed and now Moses is back. Loss to the Spurs right before All-Star Weekend may be a wake-up call.

Kansas City Kings
1982 Record: 21-26 (12-12, 9-14)
Key Players: Otis Birdsong (22.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.8 SPG), Swen Nater (10.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG)
Big Moves: None

The hot start from Kansas City seems like ages ago.

Dallas Mavericks
1982 Record: 16-28 (8-18, 8-10)
Key Players: Isiah Thomas (20.2 PPG, 6.4 APG, 1.6 SPG), Kiki Vandeweghe (21 PPG, 4.7 RPG)
Big Moves: None

Dallas had a stronger second set of games. They won’t make the playoffs this year, but they’re on their way up. Isiah is definitely the face of the franchise.

Denver Nuggets
1982 Record: 14-33 (5-21, 9-12)
Key Players: David Thompson (29.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 50.5% FG)
Big Moves: None

David Thompson single-handedly had Denver playing near .500 ball in the last six weeks. If he’s traded, he could make a huge difference in regards to who wins a NBA Title this year.

Salt Lake Stallions
1982 Record: 7-38 (4-20, 3-18)
Key Players: Adrian Dantley (28.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
Big Moves: Traded away Artis Gilmore for a 1st Round Pick

Stallions have a long way to rebuild as they traded their future away a couple of seasons ago to make a title run.

Western Conference

Pacific Division

Los Angeles Lakers (2)
1982 Record: 38-9 (20-6, 18-3)
Key Players: Magic Johnson (20.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 11.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 57.1% FG, 84.4% FT), Jamaal Wilkes (24.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG), Bernard King (21.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 56.4% FG)
Big Moves: None

Magic continues his quest for MVP as he has the Lakers again on top of the Pacific. The Lakers will have to be without King for a little while as for the third straight season he’s missing time. Three wins over the Spurs, one on the road without King, had to be encouraging for LA.

Seattle Supersonics (4)
1982 Record: 26-21 (13-14, 13-7)
Key Players: Mark Aguirre (21.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG), Jack Sikma (21.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.1 BPG)
Big Moves: None

Rookie Aguirre has Seattle back in the playoff hunt. Seattle will probably need one more piece to be a contender again and return to the NBA Finals, but they’re ahead of schedule in their rebuild for sure.

Portland Trail Blazers (5)
1982 Record: 24-20 (12-11, 12-9)
Key Players: Maurice Lucas (18 PPG, 9 RPG), Jim Paxson (16.4 PPG, 4.2 APG, 2.4 SPG), Kelly Tripucka (18.7 PPG)
Big Moves: None

Adding Tripucka has Portland hanging on the positive side of the playoff picture so far. A strong finish will guarantee they get in.

Golden State Warriors (6)
1982 Record: 23-23 (14-12, 9-11)
Key Players: Darryl Dawkins (17.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 2.4 BPG), Phil Smith (15.7 PPG)
Big Moves: None

For whatever reason, Golden State just can’t break through. They are tied for the 6th seed right now, but it’ll be a battle for them to hold onto it. They haven’t gotten a lot from rookies Woolridge or Wood.

San Diego Clippers
1982 Record: 23-23 (12-14, 11-9)
Key Players: World B. Free (17.2 PPG, 3.8 APG), Larry Nance (15.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG), Joe Barry Carroll (13.9 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.7 BPG)

The Clippers have shown promise this season, thanks to rookie Larry Nance and 2nd year man Joe Barry Carroll. With rumors of the Clippers moving from San Diego already, having a winning organization should only help matters…and perhaps leave unhappy fans in San Diego.

Phoenix Suns
1982 Record: 15-31 (6-19, 9-12)
Key Players: Walter Davis (17.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 4 APG), Bob McAdoo (16.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG), Paul Westphal (15.3 PPG, 4.6 APG), Truck Robinson (14 PPG, 7.4 RPG)
Big Moves: None

The Suns are in a bit of a no-man’s land. They should probably go full rebuild.

***

Top 5 PPG: 1. George Gervin, SAS (33.4), 2. Alex English, IND (30.5), 3. David Thompson, DEN (29.2), 4. Adrian Dantley, SLS (28.4), 5. Larry Bird, BOS (27.8)

Top 5 RPG: 1. Robert Parish, PHI (12), 2. Jack Sikma, SEA (10.8), 3. Wes Unseld, HOU (10.4), 4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, WAS (10.3), 5. Cliff Robinson, NJN (9.7)

Top 5 APG: 1. Magic Johnson, LAL (11.5), 2. Micheal Ray Richardson, NYK (9.7), 3. Johnny Moore, CHI (7.9), 4. John Lucas, SAS (7.9), 5. Maurice Cheeks, PHI (7.7)

Top 5 SPG: 1. Maurice Cheeks, PHI (2.9), 2. Dudley Bradley, IND (2.5), 3. Jim Paxson, POR (2.4), 4. Gus Williams, BOS (2.3), 5. Micheal Ray Richardson, NYK (2.2)

Top 5 BPG: 1. Tree Rollins, ATL (2.9), 2. Robert Parish, PHI (2.5), 3. Darryl Dawkins, GSW (2.4), 4. Ben Poquette, CHI (2.3), 5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, WAS (2.2)

***

Players of the Week (Listed by Week Ending)

11/8 – Moses Malone, Rockets, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bullets
11/15 – George Gervin, Spurs, Robert Parish, Sixers
11/22 – Moses Malone, Rockets, Larry Bird, Celtics
11/29 – George Gervin, Spurs, Alex English, Pacers
12/6 – Moses Malone, Rockets, Larry Bird, Celtics
12/13 – David Thompson, Nuggets, Larry Bird, Celtics
12/20 – Magic Johnson, Lakers, Cliff Robinson, Nets
12/27 – George Gervin, Spurs, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bullets
1/3 – Magic Johnson, Lakers, Alex English, Pacers
1/10 – George Gervin, Spurs, Micheal Ray Richardson, Knicks
1/17 – David Thompson, Nuggets, Larry Bird, Celtics
1/24 – George Gervin, Spurs, John Drew, Hawks
1/31 – Magic Johnson, Lakers, Julius Erving, 76ers
2/7 – George Gervin, Spurs, Reggie Theus, Bulls

Players of the Month

November: Moses Malone, Rockets, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bullets
December: George Gervin, Spurs, Larry Bird, Celtics
January: Magic Johnson, Lakers, Larry Bird, Celtics

Rookies of the Month

November: Isiah Thomas, Mavericks, Rolando Blackman, Cavaliers
December: Mark Aguirre, Sonics, Tom Chambers, Pistons
January: Mark Aguirre, Sonics, Tom Chambers, Pistons

ROOKIE-SOPHOMORE GAME

Rookie Starters: Jay Vincent (Nets), Tom Chambers (Pistons), Mark Aguirre (Sonics), Rolando Blackman (Cavaliers), Isiah Thomas (Mavericks)

Rookie Bench: Herb Williams (Bucks), Larry Nance (Clippers), Kelly Tripucka (Trail Blazers), Mike McGee (Kings), Frank Johnson (Bullets), Eddie Johnson (Bullets), Buck Williams (Lakers)

Sophomore Starters: Joe Barry Carroll (Clippers), Kevin McHale (Cavaliers), Kiki Vandeweghe (Mavericks), Darrell Griffith (Nets), Kelvin Ransey (Stallions)

Sophomore Bench: Jeff Ruland (Pistons), Mike Gminski (Sonics), Andrew Toney (Heat), Louis Orr (Sonics), Rory Sparrow (Bullets), Michael Wiley (Knicks), Rick Mahorn (Suns)

In a somewhat surprising outcome, the Sophomores ran over the Rookies 111-83. Darrell Griffith couldn’t be stopped, scoring 21, while Kiki Vandeweghe didn’t miss any of his 7 shots.

Rookie Best Performers
Rolando Blackman: 17 PTS, 5 REB
Isiah Thomas: 10 PTS, 4/8 FG

Sophomore Best Performers
Darrell Griffith: 21 PTS, 3 STL, 8/12 FG (MVP)
Kiki Vandeweghe: 14 PTS, 7/7 FG
Kevin McHale: 13 PTS

***

This year’s Three-Point Contest ended the same way the prior two ended up, with Pistol Pete holding up the trophy. He edged out Bird once again, although Andrew Toney put up a fight too.

THREE POINT CONTEST

Round 1

Andrew Toney (MIA) – 14/30 (Advanced)
Pete Maravich (HOU) – 13/30 (Advanced)
Larry Bird (BOS) – 12/30 (Advanced)
Darrell Griffith (NJN) – 11/30 (Eliminated)
John Lucas (SAS) – 10/30 (Eliminated)
Eddie Johnson (WAS) – 5/30 (Eliminated)

Final Round
Pete Maravich (HOU) – 12/30 – Winner
Larry Bird (BOS) – 11/30
Andrew Toney (MIA) – 7/30

***

Calvin Natt looked to defend his title, but Cedric Maxwell wowed everyone and took it down.

SLAM DUNK CONTEST

Round 1
Cedric Maxwell (BOS) – 50 (Advanced)
Calvin Natt (NJN) – 50 (Advanced)
Adrian Dantley (SLS) – 49.3 (Eliminated)
Kiki Vandeweghe (DAL) – 47 (Eliminated)
Alex English (IND) – 46.1 (Eliminated)
Buck Williams (LAL) – 46.1 (Eliminated)

Final Round – FAN VOTE
Cedric Maxwell (BOS) – 74.4% - Winner
Calvin Natt (NJN) – 25.6%

***

The 1982 All-Star Game wasn’t as high scoring as last year, and an unlikely hero for the West came through. World B. Free led with 23 points for a 134-110 West victory.

ALL-STAR GAME

Western Conference Starters
C – Moses Malone, Rockets (6th Appearance)
PF – Jack Sikma, Supersonics (2nd Appearance)
SF – George Gervin, Spurs (9th Appearance)
SG – Jamaal Wilkes, Lakers (2nd Appearance)
PG – Magic Johnson, Lakers (3rd Appearance)

Western Conference Bench
Darryl Dawkins, Warriors (1st Appearance)
Larry Nance, Clippers (1st Appearance)
David Thompson, Nuggets (7th Appearance)
World B. Free, Clippers (2nd Appearance)
John Lucas, Spurs (2nd Appearance)
Adrian Dantley, Stallions (3rd Appearance)
Dennis Johnson, Rockets (2nd Appearance)

Eastern Conference Starters
C – Robert Parish, 76ers (3rd Appearance)
PF – Alex English, Pacers (3rd Appearance)
SF – Larry Bird, Celtics (3rd Appearance)
SG – Julius Erving, 76ers (11th Appearance)
PG – Micheal Ray Richardson (3rd Appearance)

Eastern Conference Bench
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bullets (12th Appearance)
Cliff Robinson, Nets (2nd Appearance)
Reggie Theus, Bulls (2nd Appearance)
Brad Davis, Pacers (1st Appearance)
Sidney Moncrief, Bucks (3rd Appearance)
Tom Chambers, Pistons (1st Appearance)
Maurice Cheeks, 76ers (1st Appearance)

West Best Performers
World B. Free: 23 PTS, 7 AST, 10/15 FG, 2/3 3P (MVP)
Dennis Johnson: 18 PTS, 8/14, 6 REB
John Lucas: 15 PTS, 7/11 FG, 7 AST
George Gervin: 16 PTS, 6/10 FG

East Best Performers
Reggie Theus: 17 PTS, 6 AST, 8/15 FG
Tom Chambers: 15 PTS, 7/9 FG
Julius Erving: 14 PTS, 7/9 FG
Maurice Cheeks: 10 PTS, 5 AST, 5/6 FG

(Box Score Link to be Added Later)

STATS SITE

Search

NBA: The Modern Game Era

Welcome to "The New" Wrestling Smarks Forum!

I see that you are not currently registered on our forum. It only takes a second, and you can even login with your Facebook! If you would like to register now, pease click here: Register

Once registered please introduce yourself in our introduction thread which can be found here: Introduction Board

More options

Dubb

Cry me a river

RDT

Well-Known Member

Joey Bananas

Well-Known Member

Dubb

Cry me a river

Grimoire Lenin

Social Progressive

the autumn wind

Active Member

RDT

Well-Known Member

Grimoire Lenin

Social Progressive

Dubb

Cry me a river

RDT

Well-Known Member

RDT

Well-Known Member

RDT

Well-Known Member

RDT

Well-Known Member

RDT

Well-Known Member

RDT

Well-Known Member

NBA: The Modern Game Era

Welcome to "The New" Wrestling Smarks Forum!

I see that you are not currently registered on our forum. It only takes a second, and you can even login with your Facebook! If you would like to register now, pease click here: Register Once registered please introduce yourself in our introduction thread which can be found here: Introduction Board

Cry me a river

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Cry me a river

Social Progressive

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Social Progressive

Cry me a river

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member