RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The 1969–70 season saw the NBA into a new decade as well as a new era. The retirement of Bill Russell from the Boston Celtics at the end of the 1968–69 season effectively signaled the end of the Celtics dynasty that had dominated the NBA for the past decade.
The New York Knicks were the top club in the league. They had a solid team of players led by star center Willis Reed and rising star guard Walt Frazier. Dave DeBusschere, who had been acquired from the Detroit Pistons the previous year, combined with Frazier and Reed to anchor the league's best defense. Coach Red Holzman led the club to wins in 60 of its 82 regular season games to pace the league.
In just their second season in the league, the Milwaukee Bucks totaled 56 wins helped by rookie superstar Lew Alcindor. Alcindor averaged 29 points per game on 52% shooting. He was also third in rebounds, seventh in shooting accuracy, and second in minutes played. Coach Larry Costello's team also had a strong backcourt of Jon McGlocklin and Flynn Robinson, and two ex-Cincinnati Royals, but Alcindor's arrival on the team nearly doubled their win total from the previous season, earning him rookie of the year honors.
The Baltimore Bullets also reached the 50-win plateau. Coach Gene Shue led a squad looking to improve after their early playoff exit the previous year. Guards Earl Monroe and Kevin Loughery were the team's main scoring threats, while center Wes Unseld and forward Gus Johnson excelled at rebounding, giving the Bullets more field goals than any other NBA team that year.
The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA's West Division title with 48 wins. Under coach Richie Guerin, they fielded a solid starting five, led again by scorer Lou Hudson. An early-season trade with Detroit netted star center Walt Bellamy.
Aaron Gordon, Zach Lavine, Will Barton, and Andre Drummond enter the 2016 Dunk contest hoping to be crowned champions.
Congrats to Aaron Gordon and Zach Lavine you both did amazing.
Take a look back at one of the best dunk contests in the history of All-Star Weekend between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon!
About the NBA:
The NBA is the premier professional basketball league in the United States and Canada. The league is truly global, with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages, as well as NBA rosters at the start of the 2015-16 season featuring 100 international players from 37 countries and territories. For the 2015-16 season, each of the league's 30 teams will play 82 regular-season games, followed by a postseason for those that qualify.
The NBA consists of the following teams: Atlanta Hawks; Boston Celtics; Brooklyn Nets; Charlotte Hornets; Chicago Bulls; Cleveland Cavaliers; Dallas Mavericks; Denver Nuggets; Detroit Pistons; Golden State Warriors; Houston Rockets; Indiana Pacers; Los Angeles Clippers; Los Angeles Lakers; Memphis Grizzlies; Miami Heat; Milwaukee Bucks; Minnesota Timberwolves; New Orleans Pelicans; New York Knicks; Oklahoma City Thunder; Orlando Magic; Philadelphia 76ers; Phoenix Suns; Portland Trail Blazers; Sacramento Kings; San Antonio Spurs; Toronto Raptors; Utah Jazz; Washington Wizards.
The NBA offers real time access to live regular season NBA games with a subscription to NBA LEAGUE PASS, available globally for TV, broadband, and mobile. Real-time Stats, Scores, Highlights and more are available to fans on web and mobile with the NBA App.
Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, held on May 8, 1970, is one of...
1970 NBA Finals Game 7 • Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks - Radio Broadcast / Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, held on May 8, 1970, is one of the most iconic games in basketball history, primarily due to the dramatic return of New York Knicks center Willis Reed. The series was between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Going into Game 7, the series was tied 3-3, making this game the championship decider.
The most memorable moment came before the game even started. Willis Reed, the Knicks' star player and captain, had suffered a thigh injury in Game 5 and missed Game 6, both of which had significant impact on the team's performance. His status for Game 7 was uncertain. However, in a moment that has since become legendary, Reed limped onto the court during warm-ups, inspiring his team and the crowd. He scored the Knicks' first two baskets, and although he didn't contribute significantly in terms of points for the rest of the game, his presence had a huge psychological impact.
Walt Frazier took the spotlight for the Knicks, delivering a remarkable performance with 36 points and 19 assists. His play, combined with Reed's inspiring presence, led the Knicks to a 113-99 victory over the Lakers. This game was a defining moment for the Knicks, as it secured their first NBA championship.
The game is remembered not just for its on-court excellence, but also for the dramatic narrative and the sheer determination displayed by Reed. It remains a defining moment in NBA history, often cited as an example of leadership and perseverance in sports.
1 Comment
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.