|
SI Flashback: NBA Finals
| |
June 22, 1998 John Biever |
Every spring since 1955, Sports Illustrated's writers and photographers have
focused on the quest for the NBA title. In the early years of the magazine,
coverage of the championship series for what would become the world's
second-most-popular sport sometimes was relegated to SCOREBOARD and SCORECARD
items. In 1956, the only mention of the NBA Finals at all was the inclusion of
Philadelphia Warriors star Paul Arizin in FACES IN THE
CROWD!
The first full-length piece to mention an NBA champion appeared in 1957, when
the Boston Celtics' budding dynasty was spotlighted by Jeremiah Tax -- but only
as part of a story on playoff fever in Boston, where the Bruins were in the
Stanley Cup
finals.
We've come a long way since then. Pick a year using the drop-down menu to check
out excerpts from SI's coverage of that season's NBA Finals. As you'll see, the
features became increasingly thorough as we moved through the '60s and '70s and
into the '80s, as the sport exploded internationally with the arrival of Larry
Bird and Magic
Johnson.
Other memories to relive
...
Check out the 1967 76ers, the 1972 Lakers, the 1986 Celtics and the 1996 Bulls
-- four teams that have staked claims as the best in league
history.
The Celtics win the first of eight consecutive titles, in
1959.
Bill Russell goes out in style in 1969 with a second straight championship as
player-coach.
An injured Willis Reed comes out of the locker room minutes before tipoff to
inspire the Knicks to a Game 7 win over the Lakers in
1970.
Lew Alcindor and Oscar Robertson power the Bucks to their only world
championship in
1971.
In maybe the biggest upset in Finals history, Rick Barry and the Warriors sweep
the Bullets in
1975.
Game 6 of the 1976 Finals -- a triple-overtime affair between the Celtics and
Suns -- is perhaps the most exciting NBA playoff game
ever.
In 1980, Magic Johnson introduces himself to the NBA by subbing for the injured
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 and leading the Lakers past the
76ers.
Dr. J, Julius Erving, finally grabs a ring, with the help of Moses Malone, in
1983, as the Sixers complete the best run in playoff
history.
The Lakers become the first team in 19 seasons to repeat as champions, in
1988.
Michael Jordan finally proves the critics wrong by taking the Bulls to the first
of six titles in
1991.
With Jordan not returning to basketball until late in the season, the 1995
Rockets win every series on the road and repeat as
champions.
Jordan goes out on top by hitting the game-winning shot to beat the Jazz in
1998.
David Robinson and Tim Duncan finally bring a title to San Antonio in
1999.
The Lakers win their 13th championship in 2001.
Experience these moments, and many more, in this collection of exclusive Sports
Illustrated Flashbacks.
|
