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 1976–77 NBA season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Portland Trail Blazers winning their first NBA Championship in franchise history, beating the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the NBA Finals.
Prior to the season, the NBA merged with its primary rival league, the American Basketball Association (ABA). Four ABA teams joined the NBA, all four of which are still in the league today: the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and New York Nets. The Nets became the New Jersey Nets the following season, and now play as the Brooklyn Nets. With these additions, the NBA expanded from eighteen teams to twenty-two.
Close
John Salley: Magic, Not Jordan, was the Reason Isiah Thomas Didn't Make the Dream Team
In this clip, John Salley explained where the origin of the perceived beef between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas started. According to John, it was sparked by Isiah's nephew wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey which made Isiah develop a certain disdain for the Bulls. But John explained further that it wasn't personal. He also said that the story of MJ keeping Isiah off the Dream Team was a myth and in fact, it was Magic Johnson's doing which kept him from making the Olympic squad.
Later on, John Salley talked about the Bulls becoming a force only after Scottie Pippen assumed more responsibility and that the narrative around the "Bad Boys" of the Detroit Pistons was started by Phil Jackson.
On May 2, 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers faced the Denver Nuggets in Game 6...
1977 NBA Semi-Finals Game 6 - Portland vs Denver - Radio Broadcast / On May 2, 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers faced the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the NBA Semi-Finals, a pivotal moment in what was becoming an increasingly competitive series. The Trail Blazers, led by Bill Walton, were in the midst of a season that would ultimately see them capture their first NBA Championship. This particular game took place against a backdrop of high expectations and intense playoff atmosphere, with the Trail Blazers seeking to capitalize on their home court advantage to close out the series. Denver, featuring key players like David Thompson and Dan Issel, aimed to extend their playoff run by forcing a seventh game. The matchup was not just a test of talent but of strategies and resilience, as both teams were known for their strong defensive play and efficient scoring.
The game unfolded with a series of runs by both teams, reflecting the tight competition that had characterized their previous encounters that season. Portland's ability to control the tempo and leverage Walton’s inside presence was crucial, while Denver relied on their fast-paced offense to keep the pressure on. This game was indicative of the evolving NBA, where a more dynamic and physically demanding style of play was beginning to take center stage, setting the tone for future developments in the league.
Reelin’ In The Years Productions has available for licensing over 30,000 hours of music footage...
Kareem Abdul Jabbar • Interview on Merv Griffin / Reelin’ In The Years Productions has available for licensing over 30,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years. Additionally, we have more than 8,000 hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion, and Sports.
To search for footage please visit our online database at http://reelinintheyears.com.
Note: these clips are available on YouTube for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.
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.