The 70s was, as novelist Tom Wolfe once famously wrote, the me decade. When Bill Walton signed a huge contract with the San Diego (later Los Angeles) Clippers in 1979, his former team received two players and a first-round draft pick in return, essentially gutting Waltons new team. But they seem inconsequential when compared to the off-court changes that took place in the seventies. Something not often mentioned about West is his excellent defense. Dunk Darnell Hillman) and the fans love of the dunk only grew, peaking in the eighties with the powerful dunks of Dominique Wilkins and the tongue-wagging exploits of Michael Air Jordan. He was a 7x All-Star and 6x All-NBA/All-Defensive selection during the 1970s. Steve Nash Eight-time NBA All-Star Steve Nash first gained the notice of the basketball world in 1993. Sure, we still saw centers like Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaq, Tim Duncan and Yao Ming rise and dominate down the road. PSA Set Registry. Dr. So might Barry, who bounced between the ABA and NBA before leading the Warriors to the '75 title. Moreover, he not only faced the incredible pressure of being anointed The Chosen One by Sports Illustrated as a teenager, but hes actually exceeded the lofty expectations set for him. He is one of only five players to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals, all in one season. Dont be fooled by his humble small-college provenance and the Hick from French Lick nicknameLarry Bird was one of the fiercest competitors and greatest smack-talkers in NBA history. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Frazier was one of the most significant point guards in NBA history. Yeah. Black and white basketball hustlers join forces to double their chances of winning money on the street courts and in a basketball tournament. 1970s NBA Average Height: 6'6 Average male height: 5'8 Notable stars of the decade: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Elvin Hayes, John Havlicek 1980s NBA Average Height: 6'6 Average male height: 5'8 He made eight All-Star games in the seventies, only missing out in his rookie year and in 1978-79 when he was injured. Where Timmy would work his way around an opponent in the post with his superb footwork, Shaq would often use his extraordinary bulk (71 and 315 pounds) to bully his way to the basket. 1970-71 Houston Cougars Men's Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 22-7 ( Independent ) Rank: 14th in the Final AP Poll Coach: Guy Lewis More School Info Houston (Men's) School History Roster & Stats Polls, Schedule & Results On this page: Roster Per Game Team and Opponent Stats Per Game Totals Per 40 Minutes Who are the best basketball players of the '70s of all time? If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org. This brought an even greater influx of stars to the NBA, making for a great new era of basketball. 1970-71 Kansas Jayhawks Men 's Roster and Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com via Sports Logos.net About logos 1970-71 Kansas Jayhawks Men's Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 27-3 (17-0, 1st in Big 8 MBB ) Rank: 4th in the Final AP Poll Coach: Ted Owens More School Info Big 8 Reg Season Champ Vtg 70's AAU USA Basketball Shoes Upside Down Swoosh Logo Travis Size 3.5 Scott. Jabbar was from the very beginning of his career being named the 1969-1970 rookie year,Abdul-Jabbar was a 5x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive selection in the 1970s with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers; moreover, he averaged 28+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and led the Bucks to their first NBA title, winning Finals MVP in the process. The Knicks legend was All-NBA six times, All-Defence six times, a seven-time All-Star and helped New York win its only two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. He went on to play for Brazil until 1982 before finally calling time on a glittering eighteen-year career in the yellow and green of his home country, retiring as one of the most revered Brazilian . The player who scored the most points in the 1970s was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. As Paul Flannery wrote this week, the ABA's mere presence helped push the NBA in a fateful direction toward style, panache and run-and-gun tactics by introducing the three and elevating the dunk to a respectable art form. What is the Best Decade of Basketball in NBA History? But ONeal wasnt just pure physicalityhe was surprisingly graceful for such a massive man and he had a deft touch with his close-range jump shots. J Erving. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). In fact, Hubie Browns Atlanta Hawks attempted just 75 three-pointers all season (making just 13). Abdul-Jabbar was dominant in all aspects of the game, but he was particularly unstoppable on offense. Just kidding. Years with Cavaliers: 1973-1979 Playing a key role for the Cavs for much of the 70's, Brewer was a strong defender and rebounder. 6 of 13. The glory of the '80s was only possible because of the work done by Dr. J, Skywalker, The Ice Man, Kareem and the Rolls-Royce backcourt in the '70s. As Araton put it: "When The Captain and Clyde and the rest of the Old Knicks played, when the city and country convulsed with pain, oh what a beautiful game it was.". Alas, it was soon overtaken by the NFL, which lapped the field and has maintained its hold on the public ever since. Card Manufacturer: Topps. Known as Clyde Frazier, Walt brought the razzle dazzle to Madison Square Garden in the seventies. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. He led the league in minutes played for the decade, and also grabbed more rebounds than anyone else.He was no slouch when it came to scoring either, recording the second-most points of the decade behind only Abdul-Jabbar.Hayes was a 12-time All-Star, being selected in each of his first twelve years, and was also a six-time All-NBA selection. Understanding the marketability of high-flying, slam-dunking showmen, the NBA copied the dunk contest concept in 1977 (won by Indiana Pacer Dr. For better or worse, basketball fans love to compare different eras of their favorite sport. With no further adieu, here are your All-1970s teams. The mans desire to be the best is legendary and propelled him to six championships, five MVP awards, All-Star appearances in every full season he played, and the status as possibly the best defender ever. On defense, he was one of the most feared rim protectors of his time, swatting away every attempt that was thrown up. To woo top-tier college talent and lure elite players to jump leagues, ABA owners offered much higher salaries than their NBA counterparts. The five players represented by LA Tech during the 1980s all played a huge part in the success of these Bulldog teams. During his career as a center, Abdul-Jabbar was a record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), a record 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA selection, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. Admittedly, Chamberlain played at a time when post players were significantly smaller and basketball wasnt drawing the types of athletic marvels we see today, but the man was so incredibly dominant that he deserves a spot in the top five regardless of context. Russell Westbrook is being left wide open on offense, and hes still hurting the Clippers. The decade has some incredible players and good teams, but with how different the game would become in terms of the rules and the way it's played, it is not an easy measurement. Most importantly, he led a very weak team in the New Orleans Jazz. Malone was the league's best player in 1981-82 by nearly every metric. Successful Sports Betting Tips. Basketball. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. The big guy out of Duke looked like the demonic love child of John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell just after Ferrell . Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 16:44, National Association of Basketball Coaches, 196970 NCAA University Division men's basketball season, 2005 NCAA Basketball's Finest - All-Americans, "Awtrey leads All-American Academic unit", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1970_NCAA_Men%27s_Basketball_All-Americans&oldid=1140133496, No second, third or fourth teams (10-man first team), This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 16:44. . Al Lankford, Lee Averaged a double-double through much of his career with the Generals, scoring more than 20 points per game as a senior.. Malone entered 1981-82 ready to exact vengeance. Though the game was still primarily dominated by big men, the seventies saw a number of Hall of Fame wings, as well as exceptional guards. One of the most ebullient personalities to ever play in the NBA, Johnsons charm was a major factor in the massive increase in the leagues popularity during the 1980s. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. . The '70s were a time of chaos in pro basketball, but the chaos was caused by the fate of pro basketball being completely up in the air. He was an All-Star every year from 1970-76, and from 1970-75 he was named to both an All-NBA Team and an All-Defensive Team for each season. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. and fought Bruce Lee in Game of Death, so his cool quotient is easily the highest of anyone on this list. One on One (1977) PG | 98 min | Drama, Sport 6.5 Rate (Photo on right by: Ronald Martinez/ Getty Images) These days, when basketball players hit the court, there is so much swish-swashing of damn clothing going on, it's hard to focus on anything else. Shipping + Taxes Included In Price. Lew Alcindor's historic run to the NBA Rookie of the Year award was the talk of the 1969-70 season, but it was his sophomore campaign in 1970-71 where the Milwaukee Bucks big man took a transcendent leap towards the Hall of Fame.. With the acquisition of All-Star point guard and future Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson, the Bucks . The league was a creation of sports promoter Bill Byrne, who had previous involvement in start-up ventures such as the World Football League (1974-1975) and the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (1977-1980). He's also the best player to ever win a championship while wearing a toupe. 1970s and the Chicago Bulls. Data Provided By [25] (LogOut/ In 1977, the Denver Nuggets signed their star guard, David Skywalker Thompson to a record-setting, five-year, $4-million deal, because they knew he would receive similar offers from other teams (*cough* the Knicks *cough*), should he enter free agency. Yes, the man many fans (ignorantly) consider the most overrated choke artist in the league is actually the best player to ever set foot on a court. The 1970'swas a time when you had a lot of emerging sneaker companies and no one company completely dominating thesneaker market. When Dr. James Naismith nailed a peach basket to a spot ten feet above the gym floor, he didnt account for dribbling, let alone slam dunks, hyper-athletic seven-footers, or J.R. Smith. Michael Gearon, president of the Hawks, said he believes that as many as half the players in the league may use cocaine and as many as 10 percent may use free base. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Adam Criblez is an Assistant Professor of History at Southeast Missouri State University and the author of the new book Tall Tales and Short Shorts: Dr. J, Pistol Pete, and the Birth of the Modern NBA. One of the most successful franchises in sports history, the Celtics won 11 of 13 National Basketball Association (NBA) championships from 1957 to 1969. The 1970 Draft is also known as the first draft where international players who had never played U.S. high school and college basketball were selected. There have been some great shooters in the past. He finished his NBA career in '76 having averaged 20-10. Why did NBA players not shoot more three-pointers in the late seventies and early eighties? It didnt. In 1975, he led the San Francisco Warriors to an NBA championship, and he was named Finals MVP that year as well. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Football. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Note: We wanted guys who brought it for an extended period of time, so the bar was set at 20,000 minutes, the equivalent of 25 minutes per game, 80 games per season for 10 seasons. He led all players in the seventies in scoring and blocks, and he was second in both minutes and rebounds.. When the Boston Athletic Association, the pre-cursor to the NBA, awarded prize money to the winning team . Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. This years playoffs confirmed that the NBA is in good hands. And how might retired NBA legends fare in todays game? From there, its just a short jump to comparing players from the past with present stars. [7] The following is the 196970 Academic All-America Men's Basketball Team as selected by CoSIDA: Members of the 1970 Consensus All-America first team. Notable stars of the decade: Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Bill Russell. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. The other big on-court change during the decade was that NBA players began embracing the slam dunk as a form of artistic expression. Some say the three-time All-Stater and future baseball Hall of Famer was Illinois' first high-school basketball star. Kareem won five of the 10 MVPs awarded in the '70s, made the All-Star team every year but '78 and only missed All-NBA first team three times in the decade. During the 1970 tournament Jairzinho scored in each and every game, finishing with seven goals and a reputation as one of the world's best players. How Many Championships Does Steph Curry Have? Here's another argument: the '70s represented a battle for the soul of basketball. For his unbelievable scoring and ball-handling ability, Maravich was a three-time SEC Player of the Year and Consensus First-Team All-American and was the National College Player of the Year in 1969 and 1970. Though John Havlicek debuted in 1962, he was still very much in his prime when the seventies came around. Johnsons otherworldly passing set the stage for the Showtime L.A. Lakers teams that captured five championships during his 13 years with the franchise. Basketball has not escaped the fashion roller-coaster of the past century. or Best Offer . Richardson was a four-time All-Star in the NBA. The one time in his 14-year career that he was not an All-Star was in 1970, a season in which an injured Chamberlain was limited to just 12 regular-season games and yet he still managed to will his team to the NBA finals upon his return. Background. Original/Reprint: Original. Overall, they have won 17 NBA titles. Two rival leagues (the NBA and ABA) were . The easy answer would be to point to a lack of analytics (seriously, how did they survive without WAR, BPM, or VORP?)[1]. This list is, naturally, incredibly subjective, and shouldnt be taken too seriously. Sure Barry was an asshole, but he was also a prolific scorer who averaged 24+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game during the 1970s across the NBA and ABA; during the decade, he was also a 9x All-Star and 7x All-ABA/NBA selection who took home Finals MVP in 1974-1975 while guiding the Golden State Warriors to the championship. [This list was originally published in April 2014. Call 1-800-522-4700. thegruelingtruth.com is available in the following countries: The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. Julius Erving 3. He never averaged fewer than 10 rebounds in the seventies, and also never dipped below two blocks per game.Although Hayes was only 69, he played the center position with more ferocity than nearly anyone else in the game, and was known as one of the toughest competitors in the league. Pretty much all you can ask for from the best ever, no? Erving was the most outstanding player in ABA history and won the 1976 ABA Dunk contest against David Thompson. The best basketball player of the 1970s was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Top 10 Best Basketball Players of the 1970's, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947) is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times. Captured consecutive state championships in 1970 and 1971 3-time All State choice Charles Smith - Harding - 1984 1984 McDonald's All American 1 st Team Parade Magazine All American in 1984 Captured state championships in 1983 and 1984 2-time All State honoree Chris Smith - Kolbe Cathedral - 1988 1988 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year Indeedy. Fearing bankruptcy and finally willing to concede to player movement, the summer of 1976 witnessed the first crop of NBA free agents. He was also a three-time MVP in the ABA during the seventies, capturing a three-peat in the award from 1974-1976. Until researching my upcoming book, Tall Tales and Short Shorts: Dr. J, Pistol Pete, and the Birth of the Modern NBA, I didnt realize how many of these changes actually occurred during the 1970s, when the NBA arguably entered a modern age. The Doctor was the original Dunk king. In addition to scoring, Gervin was also a proficient rebounder and excellent defender. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2. Quite possibly. The Marquette men's basketball team has already clinched at least a share of the Big East Conference title. Oh my, yes. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. He really did help continue the legacy of Bob Cousy in some ways, and with Frazier helped set the table for the next generation of bombastic point guards. He was integral in helping to popularize the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon in the process. Now players could subsist without off-season work and, for the first time in league history, make life-changing money playing pro basketball. Famously, he played center in place of the injured Abdul-Jabbar in the title-clinching game six of the 1980 NBA finals as a 20-year-old rookie. Like Magic, Jordan and LeBron later on, he melded exciting play and quality in a way that reeled fans in and never let them go. Michael Ray Richardson 8. I included ABA contributions as warranted. The 40th anniversary of the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team and its infamous Cold War gold-medal game again the Soviet Union, up until the last week or so, had been passing rather quietly. You had D.C.'s best era with Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes. Other Links > Basketball > Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . What hasn't been said about Gervin? So whether or not you believe the Rolls-Royce Backcourt could defuse the Splash Brothers or that Dr. J could take LeBron to school, theres no denying the league as we know it todayfull of three-pointers, highlight-reel dunks, and multi-millionaire free agentswas born in the 1970s. Related: did you know that the 2013 Seattle Seahawks had the best defense in NFL history? For whatever reason, he kept it in his pocket and Alcindor signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for a $250,000 annual salary. He wasn't just a pure shooter and scorer. This was the period of time that reallyhelped build the foundation to sneakers as we know it today. Their mantra was simple: Find the open man. Below is All-Decade 1970s All-Stars' 2K full team roster. 1. The competition between the two leagues became fierce. Parish was able to stick around for so long because of his great talent as a basketball player, making nine All-Star teams during his career as well as winning four NBA championships. Havlicek is also one of three NBA players with an unsurpassed 80 record in NBA Finals series outcomes. Bernard King Bernard King was born in 1956 in New York. Also, his career totals were inflated by the fact that he played roughly 10,000 years in the NBA. ABA Commissioner George Mikan held a $1 million check he was to give Big Lew. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The only NBA Hall of Famer for whom a Gossip Girl character was named. They appreciated the game on its merits, and embraced the athletes as individuals and fellow entertainers. 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While his famously vanilla playing style and quiet demeanor kept him from having a cultural impact similar to the other greats, his four championships, 14 All-Star Games, and two NBA MVP awards are indisputable evidence of his fantastic ability. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? Kareem was the best pro basketball player of the '70s -- that's more or less beyond debate -- but hoops came out the other side fully enthralled with shooters and high-flyers. Hes bigger than a good portion of the players in the NFL and yet he still moves as gracefully as the most nimble guards in basketball. 26,045 Sets. He was amazing, but he had a lot of help, at least more than the last guy on this list. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Curious about the story behind the basketball card, intern Curtis Harris interviewed Jim Barnett, whose pro basketball career began in 1966 with the Boston Celtics.Aside from the outlandish hair and flamboyant jerseys of the players, basketball cards of the 1970s provide a fascinating window into an exciting and chaotic era in the sport's history. Top 5 Ranked Mens Basketball Players Of All Time, Top 6 Best NBA Power Forwards of All Time, Top 6 Best NBA Shooting Guards of All Time, Top 6 Best NBA Small Forwards of All Time, Top 6 Best Womens Basketball Players Of All Time. In 1975-76, Brewer had his best season as a Cavalier, averaging a. 1970: 'Mr. Clutch' sinks a must-see 60-footer Jerry West showed he deserved his nickname when he buried a 60-foot, game-tying bomb at the buzzer in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks.. Jabbar then went on to finish up the decade with the Lakers. Injuries hampered and eventually shortened his career, but Cowbns was a great player winning Rookie of the Year in 1970-1971 and MVP in 1972-1973; he was a 7x All-Star, 2x NBA champion, 3x All-NBA, and 3x All-Defensive during the decade while averaging 18+ points and 14+ rebounds per game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Julius Erving There was actually a good deal of legal wrangling over the reserve clause, the ABA merger, draft eligibility and What Team Rick Barry Would Be Playing For. David Thompson and Dr. J. Teams: Atlanta Hawks (1970-74), New Orleans/Utah Jazz (1974-80), Boston Celtics (1980 . As a sophomore, he led the "Flying Clouds" to . RUSTON - The Southland Conference, as part of its year-long 50th Anniversary commemoration, has announced its 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Men's Basketball teams which includes 10 former Louisiana Tech greats. Athlete Body Size Changes Over Time Sports Nutrition for Basketball He finished his career eighth all-time in both points and steals as a player who truly had a complete game.His ability to dominate as a wing was something the NBA had not seen much of before, and his mark on the game will always be remembered. I have defended the '70s before, notably in Free Darko Presents: The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History. Ja Morants allegations of aggression off the court, explained. He pulled down 14 rebounds per game from 1970-1980, and any game that he finished without a double-double was a rarity.. Two answers: the ABA and free agency. The history of basketball uniforms shows more coordination among players between 1920 and 1940 as they began wearing mid-length shorts and jerseys made of wool. Join our linker program. Plus his 30.1 points per game is the NBAs highest career scoring average. He also happens to be one of the top five in-game dunkers ever. Gervin made 12 All-Star teams between the ABA and NBA, and was an All-League player nine times. In addition, the decade saw the merging of the ABA and the NBA, the two top leagues of the time. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. All rights reserved. Mostly, players shot three-pointers out of desperation, not as a strategic element. He didn't play for really excellent teams until joining the Showtime Lakers in '80s, however, which hampers his legacy. College basketball conference tournament predictions: Picks for every mens league. He worked at both ends. National Basketball Association, book | 296 views, 8 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from ABC News Live: "The NBA is the most woke league because the players pushed it to. Frazier held most Knicks records until . Havlicek is widely considered to have been one of the greatest players in the history of the game and was inducted as a. Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17, 1945) is an American retired professional basketball player and radio analyst for his alma-mater Houston Cougars. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. debates. Another player who made his debut after the decade was already underway, Bob Lanier hit the ground running. Unfortunately, Maravich was a consummate showman who was stuck on bad teams throughout the 1970s. PSA . How Many Championships Does Kobe Bryant Have? As magnificent as earlier players were, they never had to deal with the 24/7 stresses of 21st century media, which James has with aplomb.