Well since you guys merged/moved the Old School section here, I decided to post this here. My question: Which is the best Finals series ever?There are many that are classic, and MANY to remember. Great performances, comebacks, and clutch moments. Here are two finals series that I believe should be considered some of the best ever in NBA history: 1970 NBA FINALS: KNICKS VS. LAKERSThe Boston Celtics, after years of domination, started to fall after Bill Russell's retirement. Right then, teams started to get even in terms of success, and more teams really, could win the title. Turned out to be the New York Knicks vs the Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks were seeking their first title as a franchise, and the Lakers were looking to get another title since 1954. Many moments to never forget in this series. This one went all the way up to 7 games. Star players, including some of the greatest players in NBA history, featured in the lineup for LA. When you hear the names, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor, it just makes you want to cringe. But the Knicks had their own formula of success with their captain Willis Reed, dazzling play-ground point guard Walt Fraizer, and a terrific scorer and rebounder in Dave DeBusschere. The series began in New York, where each team split a game. NYK won Game 1 by a dozen, LA won Game 2 by 2 in a close one, and in Los Angeles is where the series really started to heat up. The teams split two victories again in overtime matchups, where the series would be considered a dogfight throughout. In Game 5, however, big problems started to face the Knicks. On a drive to the basket, Willis Reed went to go defend Chamberlain, and then he fell on the floor and eventually tore a muscle in his thigh. Reed still told everyone who was helping him up, that he could still play. But the pain started to kill him. NYK in fact, did manage to pull through and win Game 5 without their floor leader. In Game 6, things started to go downhill for the Knicks. Without Reed, no one was able to cover Chamberlain on defense. One of the most dominant performances in NBA playoff history, in a blowout, Chamberlain dropped 45 pts and grabbed 27 rebounds. Now it was evident that the series was going to be won by Los Angeles without Reed on the Knicks. Just then, a couple of minutes before Game 7, Willis Reed put on his warmups and limped out there on the court. Everyone in the Madison Square Garden went absolutely nuts! His teamates, and even the Laker team, were stunned. With Willis back in the lineup, LA couldnt even score. Willis scored the first 2 baskets for NY, and that was it. He didnt need to. Walt Frazier led the way with 39 pts and 19 assists. The Knicks were already up by 27 at halftime. It was simply the unselfish leadership of a courageous captain that enabled his team to grab the win and the title.1957 NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. HAWKSHaving two star rookies in Tommy Heinsohn and Bill Russell allowed the Boston Celtics to earn their first trip to the NBA Finals in 1957. Heinsohn, a natural scorer and rebounder teamed up with Bill Russell, one of the greatest defensive big men in NBA history. Russell was always known for his legacy of winning with Boston, and also for his rebounding and amazing shot-blocking. The C's went on to play the St. Louis Hawks in the NBA Finals. Although many were saying that the Hawks were going to win it, and the series went to 7 games. Bob Petit was the star big man for St. Louis, as they won the first game in double-overtime in a hotly contested battle. But then Boston went on to win Game 2 by 20. St. Louis then won again in Game 3 by 2 points. However, the Celtics came back again and then won the next 2 games. Suddenly, to everyone's suprise, the Celtics were only one game away from winning their first ever championship. Twelve seconds left in regulation in Game 6, tied at 94. Bob Cousy was at the line for one free throw. Usually, this is easy for Cousy, but he missed it. Immediately, St. Louis takes the ball downcourt and Cliff Hagan caught a pass underneath the basket. Hagan had multiple Celtic defenders on him, but suprisingly, he still managed to put up a shot with only one second left in the game. It went in, and the series was tied at 3-3. In another, yet again, close matchup in Game 7, would be held in Boston. Instantly, the game became an unforgettable series of moments. Thirty-eight lead changes, and then it finally went into overtime. With just 2 seconds left on the clock, Jim Luscutoff swished a free throw increasing Boston's slim lead to 2. During the entire game, Bob Petit was on fire, and he just couldnt miss. So St. Louis coach Alex Hannum set up one last play which positioned Petit right underneath the basket. A LONG inbound pass was thrown off the the backboard while Petit and Russell fought for the rebound. Petit managed to quickly snatch it away from Russell, and then he put up another shot. It actually clanged off the the rim and the crowd went wild as Boston won their first NBA title. During the '50s and '60s, the Celtics built a dynasty, winning 11 straight titles in 13 years. Cousy, Russell, and Heinsohn kept team chemistry through that stretch, and this just goes to show you, that no one can do it alone.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC @ May 5 2006, 11:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You took all the good ones Zards </div>Oh c'mon, I only named 2. There's plenty that you can choose still.
^I know but as soon as I saw the topic I said the 1970 Knicks-Lakers then i Saw that you posted it already.Some other good ones:1969 Lakers-Celtics. There were 2 buzzer beating games in that series. The talent on the 2 teams was amazing. Elgin Baylor, Jerry West , Wilt Chamberlain VS John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Bill Russell The Celtics won in 7.1976 Suns-Celtics. Had "The greatest game in NBA history" In game 4. The game went into 3 overtimes. I watched it on ESPN classic. It was flat out amazing. It was clutch shot after clutch shot after clutch shot.1998 NBA Finals Bulls-Jazz. Jordan made two HUGE baskets for a one-point win and the championship. It was Jordan's last play for the Bulls. It was the shot against Russell it can be debated whether he "Pushed off" or not.
2005 NBA FinalsSpurs vs Pistons1994 NBA FinalsRockets vs Knicks1987 NBA FinalsLA. Lakers vs Celtics1989 NBA FinalsDetroit Pistons vs L.A. Lakers1988 NBA FinalsL.A. Lakers vs Detroit Pistons
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballorama @ May 6 2006, 08:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1989 NBA FinalsDetroit Pistons vs L.A. Lakers</div>This had to be a mistake. Magic and Byron Scott were both out for this series, the Pistons swept them easily.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>2005 NBA FinalsSpurs vs Pistons</div> You've got to be kidding me. Even though the series did indeed go all the way up to 7 games, it had very low ratings, trust me, it was a pretty boring series for everyone. Lol lakaboy, I think he just put that there because Detroit did sweep LA. And he's a Detroit fan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ May 6 2006, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You've got to be kidding me. Even though the series did indeed go all the way up to 7 games, it had very low ratings, trust me, it was a pretty boring series for everyone. Lol lakaboy, I think he just put that there because Detroit did sweep LA. And he's a Detroit fan.</div>They swept a Lakers team without their starting backcourt. Not a big accomplishment.
