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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.. He was a 7x All-Star and 6x All-NBA/All-Defensive selection during the 1970s. 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. A friend mentioned he'd heard there was a player on the verge of surpassing Pete Maravich's NCAA record 3,667 career points, a mark that's stood since 1970. . He was never the best player in either league -- Dr. J and Kareem ensured that -- but he was always in that second tier as a really great scorer. Gervin made 12 All-Star teams between the ABA and NBA, and was an All-League player nine times. [This list was originally published in April 2014. Most importantly, he led a very weak team in the New Orleans Jazz. Ja Morant suspended 2 games after flashing gun on Instagram following allegations, Luka and Kyrie make Mavs history with 40+ point efforts vs. Sixers, How ballscreen-centered sets can help unleash Jordan Pooles potency, LeBron James diagnosed with foot tendon injury, will be re-evaluated in three weeks, surgery not required, NBA Scores: Kevin Durants Suns debut was an easy W. (Editors Note: For a brief excerpt of the book, click here; for author reflections, click here.) Cowens was only 69 at the center position, but he was one of the most prolific rebounders of the era. T&Cs apply. 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. Malone was the league's best player in 1981-82 by nearly every metric. While Im too young to have ever seen him play, his statistics are so mind-blowing that I wish I had a time machine for the express purpose of going back and seeing him in action. Birthdate: May 4, 1970 Sun Sign: Taurus Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States 9 Becky Hammon (Basketball player) 20 4 Birthdate: March 11, 1977 Sun Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Rapid City, South Dakota, United States 10 Cheryl Miller (Basketball coach) 21 4 Birthdate: January 3, 1964 Sun Sign: Capricorn Birthplace: Riverside, California Julius Erving 3. Absolutely. But in his rookie year, Russell completely changed the franchises course and established the Celtics as the winningest team in the NBA. 1970s and the Chicago Bulls. 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. A great post scorer, McHale was a huge spark off the Celtics bench, as he is even regarded as one of the best 6th man in all of basketball history. and fought Bruce Lee in Game of Death, so his cool quotient is easily the highest of anyone on this list. 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. Regardless of the cigar-chomping coachs recommendation, the league introduced the three-point shot in 1979 and never looked back. 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. In the 1970s Barry claimed six NBA All-Star bids, three ABA All-Star bids and three All-NBA first team nods. It didnt. 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. I have defended the '70s before, notably in Free Darko Presents: The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History. Hayes was perhaps Kareem's only true rival, even though they didn't run into each other much in the NBA. In 1970, the average player earned a $35,000 salary (equivalent to around $224,000 today). Related: did you know that the 2013 Seattle Seahawks had the best defense in NFL history? In the first season with a three-point line, Maravich's last season, Pete went 10 for 15 from three-point range. These debates boil down to a very simple premise: basketball was different in the past. Dave Cowens 9. To woo top-tier college talent and lure elite players to jump leagues, ABA owners offered much higher salaries than their NBA counterparts. In addition to his unprecedented prowess at putting up points, Chamberlain was also the only person to grab more rebounds per game than Bill Russell (22.9), all while averaging more minutes played per game than any player in league history (45.8). Sure, we still saw centers like Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaq, Tim Duncan and Yao Ming rise and dominate down the road. Here's another argument: the '70s represented a battle for the soul of basketball. The five players represented by LA Tech during the 1980s all played a huge part in the success of these Bulldog teams. 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. (Russell Westbrook's head perks up.) I included ABA contributions as warranted. The 69 Johnson (making him the NBAs tallest point guard) not only posted the best assists-per-game mark in league history (11.2) but had a tremendous all-around game, as well. The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. Bidding wars almost bankrupted both leagues and soon even marginally talented players made six-figure salaries. They were no strong national rivalries, no dynasties, no epic G.O.A.T. They appreciated the game on its merits, and embraced the athletes as individuals and fellow entertainers. Hayes was an All-Star every year, 6x All-NBA, 2x All-Defensive, 2x rebounding champion, and NBA champion with the Washington Bullets in 1977-1978. Who are the best basketball players of the '70s of all time? Odds & lines subject to change. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. That's worth a lot in my book. Olympic Games Anthropometry for other sports in 2012. For better or worse, basketball fans love to compare different eras of their favorite sport. [1] Curious as to what these terms mean? Find out more. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? The Knicks also won two championships and it's this team that stands out as the enduring essence of '70s basketball. . 15,159 Sets. The Doctor averaged 26+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 4+ assists per game in the 1970s and was an 8x All-Star and 7x All-ABA/NBA selection. Though Frazier was a model point guard, running the offense and dishing out a plethora of sweet dimes, he also possessed a skill that would foreshadow the direction of the position. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? In addition to scoring, Gervin was also a proficient rebounder and excellent defender. Oscar Robertson versus Russell Westbrook? debates. He is a member of the All-time ABA Team as well as the NBAs 75th Anniversary Team, and his talent as a pure scorer will be remembered forever. Investors founded the ABA in 1967 as a rival to the more established NBA (then just an eight-team league). Just kidding. He was a perennial All-Star, won the scoring title in 1970 and had four All-NBA first team nods in the decade. Change). Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Jabbar then went on to finish up the decade with the Lakers. Once there, he would finish with an emphatic dunk, a foolproof strategy that helped ONeal lead the NBA in field-goal percentage 10 times in his career. has been obsessively watching sports for nearly three decades and arguing about them with friends for nearly as long. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. In his prime, Duncan, nicknamed The Big Fundamental by no less a nickname authority than Shaquille ONeal, was one of the most sound players of all time. He was an All-NBA selection every year from 1970-1976, and he also won two championships with the Boston Celtics in the seventies, one in 1974 and again in 1976.. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $5,000. . You had Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier in the Big Apple, drawing attention and respect to the Mecca of basketball. Card Manufacturer: Topps. Shipping + Taxes Included In Price. John Havlicek 6. This was the period of time that reallyhelped build the foundation to sneakers as we know it today. He made the All-Star Game in four of his first five seasons and in 1974 was named the All-Star Game MVP.Overall, he made seven All-Star teams during the decade, playing as one of the best centers of the era.He averaged over 22 points and 11 rebounds per game for the seventies, and also rejected over two shots per game. 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 He was an All-Star every year of his career, racking up 16 selections while dominating both leagues. See our ethics statement. His free-throw shooting, on the other hand. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Previous Decade > Next Decade . Julius Dr. What survived was the hoops cognoscenti, made up notably of writers, musicians and actors who were active followers on both coasts. The competition between the two leagues became fierce. David Thompson: Thompson was an incredible scorer whose exploits rivaled those of Gervin and Maravich, and is considered one of MJ's chief inspirations. But a decade before kids wanted to Be like Mike, they wanted to operate above the rim like Dr. 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. FLANNERY DISSENTS: No offense to your old man, but Jerry West should be here now and forever. A high scorer and rebounder, the purveyor of the Sky Hook and a thoughtful off-court presence, it's really a shame KAJ isn't more beloved. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as Im concerned. 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. For example, Oscar Robertson was one of the most athletic players of his erajust Google Oscar Robertson splits (Ill wait). All-Decade 1970s All-Stars on NBA 2K23. 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. The 1970s were a golden age for basketball. UCLAs Lew Alcindor. How 1970s NBA pioneers paved the way for today's game He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball, racking up 400 more steals than any other player in the seventies.Like Gervin, he is a member of both the All-Time ABA Team and the NBAs 75th Anniversary Team. If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Lou Boudreau, Thornton, 1935. 12. See the rankings as for this Basketball Player Sets set on 3/2/2023 3:23:10 PM. He was fifth in total minutes played for the decade and was also fifth in points scored.Lanier was also unusually-adept at shooting free throws for a big man, averaging 77 percent for his career. List of all the NBA and ABA Players Born in 1970 | Basketball-Reference.com We've added Women's stats dating back to 2009-10 on College Basketball Reference!. In addition, the decade saw the merging of the ABA and the NBA, the two top leagues of the time. You still see them at the Garden and no sport has ever had a more dedicated celebrity fan than Jack Nicholson. This years playoffs confirmed that the NBA is in good hands. 44,845 Sets. Rick Robey was drafted #3 overall. The pictures are all taken from the time to give you a better idea of how the sneakers were worn. Erving was the most outstanding player in ABA history and won the 1976 ABA Dunk contest against David Thompson. Tall Tales and Short Shorts: Dr. J, Pistol Pete, and the Birth of the Modern NBA. 1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com via Sports Logos.net About logos 1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 48-34, Finished 1st in NBA Pacific Division Coach: Joe Mullaney (48-34) Executive: Fred Schaus PTS/G: 114.8 (7th of 17) Opp PTS/G: 111.7 (6th of 17) Another player who made his debut after the decade was already underway, Bob Lanier hit the ground running. Was . On NBA 2K23, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is All-Decade 1970s All-Stars' highest rated player, followed by Julius Erving in second place, and Walt Frazier in third. Through the publication of this list, James has averaged a Robertson-esque 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 steals per game andunlike the Big Ohe was doing so against teams stocked with elite athletes and not players who smoked cigarettes at halftime. In the 1970s Barry claimed six NBA All-Star bids, three ABA All-Star bids and three All-NBA first team nods. 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 led the league in scoring three straight times from 1974-1976, pouring in over 30 points per game in each season. Playing for the Detroit Pistons until he was traded in 1980, Lanier was the heart and soul of his teams and promoted a tough, intense culture. (Or 20. On May 12, 1970, CoSIDA announced the 1970 Academic All-America team. Jordan played college basketball for three seasons under coach Dean Smith with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Though he was a great offensive player, Cowens made his biggest impact on defense, being named to three All-Defensive teams in his career. Frazier was one of the most significant point guards in NBA history. Sucker punch in OVC tournament leads to 3 ejections. Atlanta General Manager Stan. The Celtics won a pair of titles and were often very good, but they were a distinct entity from the Russell/Red teams of the '60s. It's hard to understand why this is a debate, as great as West was. 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. The competition between the two leagues became fierce. Packs. The struggles and hard-won glory of pioneers such as Alice Coachman, Althea Gibson, Wilma Rudolph and Lynette Woodard helped pave the way for later generations of sports greats like Jackie. During the 196162 season, The Big O averaged a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. Easily the greatest ABA player ever, Julius Erving had no trouble making the transition to the NBA in 1976. Top 21 ACC Basketball Players of All Time: Where does Michael Jordan Rank? 26,045 Sets. I have a confession to make: even though Im a lifelong devotee to all Seattle sports team, I had a fan-fling with the San Antonio Spurs teams of the late 90s and early 2000s. 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. Alas, it was soon overtaken by the NFL, which lapped the field and has maintained its hold on the public ever since. How to Win While Sports Betting? With one of the coldest nicknames in NBA history, Iceman George Gervin was one of the best scorers in the NBA during the seventies and early eighties. Those two players, more than any others, defined the 1980s in the NBA. Mel Daniels, drafted by both leagues out of New Mexico, signed with the ABA's Minnesota Muskies (great name, by the way) for $36,000-triple what he was offered to play in the NBA. Mac remains one of the greatest athletes in Buffalo history, though, which is something. After the 1976 ABA-NBA merger, team owners hoped salaries would normalize. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. He absolutely dominated the seventies, leading the NBA in points scored and blocks for the decade, as well as recording the second-most rebounds.Abdul-Jabbar was a force on the offensive end, armed with a skyhook shot that was seemingly unstoppable. He's one of the most interesting elite athletes ever, he was fully dominant for a long spell and he kept the Lakers afloat in bridging the West and Magic eras. Johnsons otherworldly passing set the stage for the Showtime L.A. Lakers teams that captured five championships during his 13 years with the franchise. Frazier had a flair for style that had been sparsely seen in the league before his debut, but once he arrived, all eyes were glued on him. 1. $11.45 shipping. Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. What is the Best Decade of Basketball in NBA History? More famously, when the New Orleans Jazz signed aging guard Gail Goodrich away from Los Angeles in 1976, the league awarded the Lakers three first-round draft picks (one of which became Earvin Magic Johnson). Gilmore wasn't the most fluid looking player, but he dominated the paint on both ends in both leagues. The 2021 NBA Draft is less than three weeks away. But he didnt earn his place on this list though some sort of vague, ethereal winningness. Russell was one of the fiercest defenders of all time and he redefined the value of blocking shots, in addition to averaging an incredible 22.5 rebounds per game over his career. There have been some great shooters in the past. I put Pistol Pete on the first team over Jerry West primarily because my father raised me to believe Pistol Pete was the most exciting player ever. Hondo's back as the star of the post-Russell Celtics. Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA MVP, a 19-time All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA pick, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. 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 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. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Bernard King Bernard King was born in 1956 in New York. Until others called the 80s and 90s the same. 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. Walton was so damn good that it's impossible to imagine a world where he stayed healthy and reached his potential. So, yeah, Magic Johnsonneat guy. 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. 2. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. 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. Get the best deals on 1970s Athletic Shoes for Men when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. He is a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, and an inductee in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Walt Frazier 7. 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. Sneaker Name: Nike Cortez Year: 1972 The Nike Cortez was created by Nike Co-Founder and Oregon Head Track and Field Coach Bill Bowerman. In 1975, he led the San Francisco Warriors to an NBA championship, and he was named Finals MVP that year as well. Sooners' 1970s all-decade team By Joey Helmer Apr 18, 2020 12 NORMAN, Okla. Welcome to the glory years known as the Barry Switzer Era. There has never been a more enthralling backcourt than Clyde and the Pearl, and their ingenious styles were balanced by bedrock pros like Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere and the Captain, Willis Reed. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The three-pointer debuted in the NBA in late 1979, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson dominated the early years of the 1980s, Michael Jordan arrived a few years later and the rest is history. See the rankings as for this Basketball Player Sets set on 3/2/2023 3:23:10 PM. Yes, the NBA consisted of just 8 to 14 teams during this period, so capturing championships was a statistically easier feat for a single franchise, but even that fact doesnt minimize Russells historic accomplishments. 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. Dugan has called him the best player he's ever coached. He made eight All-Star games in the seventies, only missing out in his rookie year and in 1978-79 when he was injured. He also happens to be one of the top five in-game dunkers ever. 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 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. Also, his career totals were inflated by the fact that he played roughly 10,000 years in the NBA. In 1996, he was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. college basketball player." . In the 10th and 11th round, the Atlanta Hawks drafted Mexican Manuel Raga and Italian Dino Meneghin; both were playing in the Italian league at the time. We forget how damn good Boston was in the '70s because their success then paled to that experienced in the '60s and '80s. The glory the NBA would enjoy in the '80s and '90s wouldn't be possible without players like Dr. J and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar laying the groundwork for the league in the '70s. When people knocked him for not winning championships early in his career, they overlooked that he almost single-handedly took an overmatched Cleveland Cavaliers squad to the 2007 NBA finals at just 22 years old. Football. When the Boston Athletic Association, the pre-cursor to the NBA, awarded prize money to the winning team . 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. The only NBA Hall of Famer for whom a Gossip Girl character was named. Unless you agree with me, in which case this was the most meaningful thing Ive ever written. The Top Ranked Basketball Players of the 1970's When it all clicked, the Knicks flowed like the deadline poetry that was emanating from the press box. Richardson was a four-time All-Star in the NBA. Abdul-Jabbar was dominant in all aspects of the game, but he was particularly unstoppable on offense. 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.