The Best of the NBA in the ’70s
Contents
- The best players in the NBA in the ’70s
- The best teams in the NBA in the ’70s
- The best games in the NBA in the ’70s
- The best moments in the NBA in the ’70s
- The evolution of the NBA in the ’70s
- The impact of the NBA in the ’70s
- The style of play in the NBA in the ’70s
- The social impact of the NBA in the ’70s
- The global impact of the NBA in the ’70s
- The legacy of the NBA in the ’70s
A look back at the best players and teams in the NBA during the 1970s.
The best players in the NBA in the ’70s
In the 1970s, the National Basketball Association (NBA) saw some of its greatest players ever. Among them were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Julius Erving Moses Malone, Pete Maravich Bob McAdoo, George Gervin and Allen Iverson These men dazzled fans with their skill, drive, and passion for the game of basketball
The best teams in the NBA in the ’70s
The 1970s were an exciting decade for the National Basketball Association Some of the league’s all-time greats, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Julius Erving, and Bill Russell re Playing during this time. Many new teams had joined the league, and the level of competition was rising.
This decade was dominated by two teams in particular: The Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. These two teams won a combined eight NBA championships in the ’70s. The Bucks were led by superstar Kareem Abdul Jabbar, while the Lakers had a star-studded lineup that included such greats as Jerry West Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain
Other great teams of the ’70s included the New York Knicks who won their only championship of the decade in 1970; the Golden State Warriors who won titles in 1975 and 1976; and the Seattle SuperSonics who won their only championship in 1979.
The best games in the NBA in the ’70s
In the 1970s, the NBA saw some of the most exciting basketball games in its history. Many of the greatest players in NBA history played during this decade, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, and Oscar Robertson The games during this decade were characterized by intense rivalries and close finishes. Here are some of the best games of the NBA in the 1970s.
Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks is considered one of the greatest games in NBA history The game went into overtime, with the Lakers eventually winning 111-108. This victory gave them their first NBA Championship in franchise history.
Another classic game from the 1970s was Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns The Suns were leading by two points with just seconds remaining in the game, when Celtic player John Havlicek made a miraculous backcourt heave to give his team a one-point lead. The Celtics went on to win the game and the NBA Championship
The 1977 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers was also a classic series. The Blazers won Game 1 in overtime, but the Lakers came back to win Games 2 and 3. In Game 4, Portland’s Bill Walton hit a buzzer-beating shot to even the series at two games apiece. The Lakers ultimately won Game 5 and the NBA Championship but this series is considered one of the best ever played.
The best moments in the NBA in the ’70s
The NBA in the 1970s was a decade of transition for the league. The decade started with a bang, as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers met in the NBA Finals for the first time in history. The two teams would meet again in the Finals three more times in the decade, with the Celtics winning twice and the Lakers once. In between those Finals Appearances some of the greatest players in NBA history would take center stage.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had been traded to the Lakers from the Milwaukee Bucks before the start of the decade, won his first NBA MVP Award in 1971 and would go on to win a total of five MVPs in the 1970s. He led the Lakers to an NBA-best record of 60-22 in 1972-73 and their first NBA title since moving to Los Angeles Abdul-Jabbar wasn’t the only star center in the league, as Wilt Chamberlain was still going strong with the Los Angeles Lakers Chamberlain had been traded to the Lakers from Philadelphia before the 1968-69 season and would play four seasons with Los Angeles averaging 18.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game
The 1974-75 season was one of transition for the league, as it marked the ABA-NBA merger The San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers were two of four ABA teams that joined the NBA for that season. The Spurs would go on to have moderate success in their first few years in the league, but it was nothing compared to what they would achieve later on. The Pacers, on the other hand, were one of worst teams in NBA history finishing with a record of 20-62.
The 1976 NBA draft would prove to be one of the most important drafts in league history, as it saw five future Hall of Famers being drafted: Julius Erving (1st overall by Nets), Adrian Dantley (6th overall by Buffalo), Robert Parish (8th overall by Golden State), Alex English (23rd overall by Milwaukee) andDennis Johnson (29th overall by Seattle). Parish would go on to have a Hall of Fame career with Golden State Warriors while English and Johnson would become two of Seattle’s all-time greats; leading them to their only championship appearance in 1979. Dantley would have a very successful career as well, becoming one of only six players to win back-to-back scoring titles (1981-1982). As for Erving, he was already a star player in situation while playing for New York Nets of ABA; winning three ABA championships and being named ABA Rookie of The Year (1972), ABA All Star Game MVP(1975)and ABA Most Valuable Player(1976). But he truly made his mark on basketball when he joined Philadelphia 76ers; becoming one Philly’s all time scoring leaders while helping them win an NBA championship 1983 . Not only that but he is also considered by many as arguablythe best player everto play In both leagues .
The late 1970s were dominated by two teams: The Washington Bullets and Seattle SuperSonics . The Bullets won an NBA-best 60 games en route to reaching Eastern Conference Finals , where they lost series 4–3 eventual champion Sonics . Washington made it back Conference Finals next year , but this time they lost 4–0 losing team Portland Blazers , who were led Bill Walton . Walton went on win NBA Finals MVP that year after averaging 18 points , 19 rebounds 6 blocks per game series . As for Sonics , they made back—to—back trips Finals , losing both times ; first 1979 against Mitch Kupchak -led Bullets )and then 1980 against rookie Magic Johnson – Los Angeles Lakers ). Despite those heartbreaking losses late ’70s ,Seattle had built themselves quite formidable team that featured not just DJand Gus Williams but also Jack Sikma ;Small Forward/Center whobecame franchise leader rebounds 2014 )and Defensive Player Of The Year 1979 )Benson 3 TIME All—Star Guard /Forward ]]]. So even though they never managedwin championship ’70swere quite successful decade Seattle SuperSonics franchise ;who are now known Oklahoma City Thunder
The evolution of the NBA in the ’70s
The National Basketball Association saw a lot of changes in the 1970s. The decade started with the NBA being largely composed of white players However, by the end of the decade, the league was becoming more racially diverse. The number of African American players in the NBA increased from approximately 20% in 1970 to nearly 80% by 1980.
The style of play also changed dramatically during this time period. In the early 1970s, teams tended to play a more physical style of basketball. This began to change in 1976 when the Boston Celtics implemented a strategy known as “the Trojan Horse.” The Trojans used a Zone defense that focused on stopping penetration and forcing opponents to take jump shots. This style of play quickly spread throughout the league and helped lead to an increase in scoring. The average points per game rose from 105 in 1970 to 118 in 1980.
The ’70s was a decade of great change for the NBA. The league became much more racially diverse and the style of play evolved thanks to new strategies like the Trojan Horse defense. These changes paved the way for an even more exciting brand of basketball in the 1980s.
The impact of the NBA in the ’70s
During the 1970s, the NBA saw a period of great change. Teams began to move to larger markets, which led to an increase in TV ratings and popularity. Players started to become more outspoken, which led to social change both on and off the court. And, of course, the game itself evolved as players became more skilled and teams began to focus more on strategy.
The ’70s was a decade of great change for the NBA, and that change had a profound impact on the league. It’s hard to imagine the NBA today without thinking about the impact that the ’70s had on the league.
The style of play in the NBA in the ’70s
The 1970s was a decade of great change in the NBA. The style of play became more fast-paced and physical, as well as more focused on scoring. This decade saw the league expand from 17 to 23 teams, with the introduction of the Charlotte Hornets Cleveland Cavaliers Denver Nuggets Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs, and Seattle SuperSonics. The NBA also implemented a number of new rules designed to increase scoring and improve the quality of play. Among these were the introduction of the shot clock and the 3-point line
The ’70s was a decade of Great players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Walt Frazier, Elvin Hayes, Bob Lanier, Pete Maravich, David Thompson, and Wes Unseld These players helped lead their teams to success on the court and made the NBA into the global league it is today.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) underwent a huge transformation in the 1970s, both on and off the court. The league saw an influx of International Players the introduction of iconic player-coach combinations, and an expansion into new markets. But perhaps more significantly, the NBA became a powerful platform for social change. During this decade, the league used its platform to speak out against racism and to advocate for social justice. These efforts reached new heights in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when several NBA Stars marched with his widow, Coretta Scott King, in her husband’s funeral procession. The NBA also became a leader in promoting women’s rights; in 1974, the league hired its first female referee Violet Palmer. By the end of the decade, the NBA had made considerable progress in tackling racism and promoting equality both on and off the court.
The global impact of the NBA in the ’70s
In the 1970s, the National Basketball Association (NBA) saw a surge in popularity both in North America and around the world. This was due in part to the increased accessibility of televised games and the rise of star players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, and Bill Russell The NBA’s global footprint expanded during this decade as the league began holding exhibition games in Europe and Asia. This newfound popularity led to a boom in the merchandise and licensing business, with NBA-branded products becoming available in more countries than ever before. The NBA also used its platform to advocate for social causes, such as racial equality and environmental protection. The impact of the NBA was felt far beyond the basketball court during this decade, as the league left its mark on popular culture, fashion, and even politics.
The legacy of the NBA in the ’70s
While the legacy of the NBA in the ’70s is often overshadowed by the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of the ’90s, there are many great players and teams from that era that are still remembered fondly by fans today. The ’70s were a decade of change for the NBA, with new rules and regulations being implemented that helped to shape the league into what it is today. Among these changes was the introduction of the Three-Point Line which had a profound impact on the way the game was played.
Some of the greatest players in NBA history made their mark in the ’70s, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, and Bill Walton. Abdul-Jabbar, who won a record six MVP Awards during his career, is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. Erving was one of the most popular players of his era and is credited with popularizing the dunk. Walton was a dominant center who won back-to-back NBA Championships with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 and 1978.
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were two of the most successful teams in the NBA during the ’70s. The Celtics won five NBA championships during that decade, while the Lakers won four titles. These two teams dominated the league during that era and their rivalry helped to shape the league into what it is today.