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Back to the future Finals matchup looks a lot like it did 18 years ago
When the Lakers and Sixers last faced each other in the NBA Finals, Rapper's Delight was fresh on the pop culture scene. Eighteen years later, you don't just hear rap music in NBA locker rooms; each team still standing features a star who has recorded an entire hip-hop album of his own. Which might lead you to think the world has turned upside down since 1983. Think again. In 1983, the Lakers had, in Pat Riley, an NBA forward-turned-group-therapist as their coach. In Phil Jackson, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Sixers had, in Billy Cunningham, a joyless ex-Tar Heel as their coach. In Larry Brown, they've got the same thing.
In 1983, the Sixers had a recent track record of futility and frustration. In 2001, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Lakers had a bipolar attack, perfectly balanced between guard Magic Johnson and center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Lakers had, in Norm Nixon, "that other guard" who'd kill you if you fussed too much over Magic. In Derek Fisher, Kobe's running mate, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Sixers had, in Clint Richardson, an off-the-bench energy guy from an obscure school, Seattle University. In Raja Bell of Florida International, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Lakers had, in Kurt Rambis, a power forward who made his name snatching rebounds in exotic eyewear. In Horace Grant, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Sixers had, in Andrew Toney, a quiet, bearded sniper in the backcourt. In Aaron McKie, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Lakers had Kareem and Jamaal Wilkes, players who had each won NBA titles with other teams. In Grant, Ron Harper and Robert Horry, they've got the same thing. In 1983, the Sixers had a league MVP from downstate Virginia in Moses ("Fo', fo', fo'") Malone, who liked to make audacious claims. In Allen (The Answer) Iverson, they've got the same thing. To be sure, some characteristics of that era don't have even a remote chance of being replicated when the Finals tip off Wednesday night: Bobby Jones' suddenness when finishing the break with a dunk (unfortunately); Dancing Barry's lightfooted forays through the Forum's aisles (fortunately); Riley's peculiar tonsorial taste (you make the call). But "Fo', fo', fo'" will again be on people's minds as the Lakers and Sixers hook up. And that's where past and present depart: It's L.A., not Philly, that has a shot at a perfect set of playoff fo's. Sports Illustrated senior writer Alexander Wolff is author of Big Game, Small World: A Basketball Adventure, which will be published in January 2002 by Warner Books. Send comments to thehooplife@aol.com.
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