UCLAs Lew Alcindor. He debuted in 1972 and proceeded to make an All-Star team seven times during the decade, continuing the great legacy of big men in the NBA.He was named MVP of the 1974-75 season, a year that came in the middle of a dominant run for the Buffalo Braves. By comparison, Steph Curry attempted 789 three-pointers *himself* this season (connecting on 41.1%) and the Golden State Warriors hoisted over 2,500 (making 38.3%) as a team. Abdul-Jabbar also made 19 All-Star teams during his career and was a two-time Finals MVP, recording one of the most legendary and impactful resumes in league history.. (LogOut/ FLANNERY DISSENTS: No offense to your old man, but Jerry West should be here now and forever. Pistol Pete was one of the best scorers of the 70's. He led the NBA in scoring in the 1976-'77 season. The Warriors, Blazers, Bullets and Sonics all had their moments in the sun. Jabbar then went on to finish up the decade with the Lakers. Gambling problem? 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. Kevin McHale was part of one of the most historic big threes of all time, which included him, Robert Parish and Larry Bird. The '70s were marked by an absence of dynasties. Bob Lanier 8. The Top Ranked Basketball Players of the 1970's 17 Reasons why Jordan is greater than Lebron, 16 Reasons why Lebron is greater than Jordan, The 18 greates Coaches in College Football History, The Top 21 Offensive Linemen in NFL History, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans. 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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. In 1975-76, Brewer had his best season as a Cavalier, averaging a. 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. 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. He was never the best player in either league -- Dr. J and Kareem ensured that --. 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). And he never dunked in an NBA game. has been obsessively watching sports for nearly three decades and arguing about them with friends for nearly as long. How Many Championships Does Steph Curry Have? A member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach, Abdul-Jabbar twice was voted NBA Finals MVP. 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. You also had the burgeoning troupe of high-flyers with style: guys like Julius Erving, David Thompson and George Gervin. All-Decade 1970s All-Stars on NBA 2K23. Was . TGT Play! Odds Deals Podcasts US USA Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Virginia Most famous player ever? 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. Dave Cowens 9. Parish was drafted in 1976 by the Golden State Warriors and didnt retire until 1997, capping off a 21-year career. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947) is an American retired professional basketball player with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Their mantra was simple: Find the open man. Oh my, yes. Mac remains one of the greatest athletes in Buffalo history, though, which is something. From there, its just a short jump to comparing players from the past with present stars. Fast And Free U.S. Best 1970s Basketball Players | Top 70s NBA Player List The Best Players in the NBA in 2022 Greatest Players with No Rings The Best Ever Team Owners Tall Players Over 7'2 Best Players from Foreign Countries Short Players Under 5'9 The Best White Guys in the NBA Hall of Fame Candidates Worst Team Owners of All Time Players with Their Numbers Retired 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. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 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. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Then the American Basketball Association (ABA) came along and celebrated the showmanship of their top stars. You had championships in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, signaling the weakening of the East's stranglehold on basketball dominance, as well as providing evidence that L.A. could be rivaled on the Pacific Coast. Why take a 30-foot jump shot if making it counted for the same as a two-footer? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Here's another argument: the '70s represented a battle for the soul of basketball. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Billy Cunningham: The Kangaroo Kid didn't win a title in the '70s (he was a Wilt sidekick on that great '67 team) but he cranked out some great seasons with the Sixers and the Carolina Cougars of the ABA. The 1970s NBA. Just kidding. At the opposite end of the attractive play spectrum from Duncan is Shaquille ONeal. college basketball player." . Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $5,000. Star Power: Now we are on the to 70's. Not only does he routinely pull off feats that Ive never before seen, he has consistently evolved his game to fix the relative weak spots he was previously criticized for. You still see them at the Garden and no sport has ever had a more dedicated celebrity fan than Jack Nicholson. The competition between the two leagues became fierce. His ability to rebound as just a 64 guard was tremendous, averaging six boards per game for his 13-year run in the league. Plus, he was hilarious in Airplane! Original/Reprint: Original. The Golden Eagles (23-6, 15-3 Big East) wrap . They didnt. The Knicks also won two championships and it's this team that stands out as the enduring essence of '70s basketball. Not once. Elvin Hayes 4. Free shipping for many products! How 1970s NBA pioneers paved the way for today's game My argument was that it was a time of testing new limits, of parity and of transition. David Thompson and Dr. J. The only NBA Hall of Famer for whom a Gossip Girl character was named. LeBron James just does things that shouldnt be humanly possible. He won a league title in all but two of his 13 seasons as a member of the Boston Celtics. (LogOut/ . 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. David Thompson: Thompson was an incredible scorer whose exploits rivaled those of Gervin and Maravich, and is considered one of MJ's chief inspirations. During the 196162 season, The Big O averaged a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. (The latest, and for my money the best, entry in the canon is "When the Garden was Eden" by New York Times columnist Harvey Araton who writes with the benefit of history and perspective on his side.). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1970-71 Topps Basketball Complete Set - Premier 7.5 - NM+ at the best online prices at eBay! Notable stars of the decade: Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Bill Russell. Unfortunately, Maravich was a consummate showman who was stuck on bad teams throughout the 1970s. Julius Erving 3. What? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. 26,045 Sets. The pace of play increased, players were given more freedom, and the talent in the league was at an all-time high. For whatever reason, he kept it in his pocket and Alcindor signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for a $250,000 annual salary. Cowens was only 69 at the center position, but he was one of the most prolific rebounders of the era. http://www.basketball-reference.com/about/bpm.html, Steph CurryThe Male Machine Gun Molly? The leading scorer in National Basketball Association (NBA) history is just the 10th-best player ever? When it comes to the 1970s, there was no greater basketball player than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.In fact, Abdul-Jabbars game has transcended eras, as he remains one of the greatest players to ever pick up a basketball. 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.. The best basketball player of the 1970s was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time MVP and six-time NBA champion, cementing his legacy as not just the greatest of the decade but one of the greatest in league history. Spalding issued women's basketball rules, edited by Senda Berenson, establishing 3 zones with 5-10 players per team; some teams used men's rules, some used Baer's rules, and some used Spalding's/Berenson's rules. Atlanta General Manager Stan. 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. By decades end, that had jumped to $180,000 ($641,000 today). Bidding wars almost bankrupted both leagues and soon even marginally talented players made six-figure salaries. Boston Celtics, American professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. You had dominating centers, of course, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a perennial MVP candidate and a fully dependable superstar in the middle for both Milwaukee and Los Angeles. NBA coach Pat Riley and players Isiah Thomas and Julius Erving have called, John Joseph Havlicek ( HAV-li-chek; April 8, 1940 April 25, 2019) was an American professional basketball player who competed for 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning eight NBA championships, four of them coming in his first four seasons. In addition to scoring, Gervin was also a proficient rebounder and excellent defender. Basketball. His patented skyhook was unguardable, and he used it to score over 22,000 points during the decade. Indeedy. He led the league in scoring three straight times from 1974-1976, pouring in over 30 points per game in each season. 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. Adam Augustyn is Managing Editor, Reference Content at Encyclopdia Britannica. Olympic Games Anthropometry for other sports in 2012. Sluggers reached 40 home runs a stunning 77 times in the 1990s and 91 times in the 2000s as steroids and smaller ballparks came to dominate the game. Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. 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. Let's take a look at some of the doper sneakers released in the 1970's. Mel Daniels, drafted by both leagues out of New Mexico, signed with the ABAs Minnesota Muskies (great name, by the way) for $36,000triple what he was offered to play in the NBA. Alas, it was soon overtaken by the NFL, which lapped the field and has maintained its hold on the public ever since. College basketball career scoring leaders. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? 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. The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. Yeah. PSA . . Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. He also led the U.S. national basketball team to . The Doctor was the original Dunk king. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link: Top 10 Athletes past the age of 40: Where does Tom Brady rank? We forget how damn good Boston was in the '70s because their success then paled to that experienced in the '60s and '80s. He was also a double-double machine, averaging over 12 rebounds per game for the decade. After coming over from the ABA in 1976, Gervin led the NBA in scoring three times during the decade, doing so in consecutive years from 1978-1980. Richardson was a four-time All-Star in the NBA. Hondo led the C's to titles in '74 and '76, was an All-Star every year of the decade until retiring in 1978 and made four straight All-NBA first teams from '71 through '74. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. You had Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier in the Big Apple, drawing attention and respect to the Mecca of basketball. Sucker punch in OVC tournament leads to 3 ejections. 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. 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. But a decade before kids wanted to Be like Mike, they wanted to operate above the rim like Dr. (Editors Note: For a brief excerpt of the book, click here; for author reflections, click here.) He also happens to be one of the top five in-game dunkers ever. In 1996, he was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. 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. He averaged 21+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game in the 1970s, in the process earning nine All-Star selections, making seven All-NBA and All-Defensive teams, and winning two titles. Best-known for his underhand free throw technique, Rick Barry was not someone to be taken lightly on the basketball court.He was a 12-time All-Star selection between the ABA and NBA, and also made a total of 10 All-League teams between the two leagues. Another, less easily explained difference, is that NBA players coming of age in the seventies grew up playing a game in which *every* shot counted for two points. In the first season with a three-point line, Maravich's last season, Pete went 10 for 15 from three-point range. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. The Rockets' forward led the league in minutes, rebounds and win shares . (LogOut/ Overall, he averaged 28.6 points per contest from 1969-70 through 1979-80. The hair, the nickname, the style of carefree, irresponsible play he exhibited: if Dr. J presented what basketball would become, Pistol Pete showed us what basketball could be at its most fun. 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. On May 12, 1970, CoSIDA announced the 1970 Academic All-America team. Missouri Valley Tournament 2023: Bracket, schedule, scores, teams, and more. Athlete Body Size Changes Over Time Sports Nutrition for Basketball And how might retired NBA legends fare in todays game? 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. What survived was the hoops cognoscenti, made up notably of writers, musicians and actors who were active followers on both coasts. How to keep your Expected Value bets Positive? It didnt. Overall, they have won 17 NBA titles. Vtg 70's AAU USA Basketball Shoes Upside Down Swoosh Logo Travis Size 3.5 Scott. 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. In fact, Hubie Browns Atlanta Hawks attempted just 75 three-pointers all season (making just 13). Ranking Explanations . Basketball has not escaped the fashion roller-coaster of the past century. Money was hard to come by for basketball players in the early days of the league as well. 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. 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. With the Knicks leading the way, this early to mid-70s period was the moment when the NBA was supposed to take hold as the nation's trendiest sport, just as baseball went through one of its periodic downturns. In the 1970s Barry claimed six NBA All-Star bids, three ABA All-Star bids and three All-NBA first team nods. 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. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Why did salaries increase so much during the decade? The shirts were fastened like a current-day body suit to keep them from becoming untucked. . Also, his career totals were inflated by the fact that he played roughly 10,000 years in the NBA. And while his free throw routine may have looked silly to some, it worked like a charm; Barrys 91.3 percent free throw percentage was the best of anyone in the decade by over seven percentage points. Play Video. But, well, he played alongside another top-25 talent in Scottie Pippen and was coached by the strategic genius Phil Jackson during his most productive years. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Julius Erving Rick Barry, a two-time NBA All-Star, made $45,000 in the NBA and jumped leagues for a $75,000 payday. Dugan has called him the best player he's ever coached. 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. Players hit 40 or more home runs 20 times in the 1970s with Willie Stargell, Johnny Bench, and George Foster reaching the total twice. Oh, the humanity. Frazier was one of the most significant point guards in NBA history. Just as the game took a step back in the national consciousness, it survived and even prospered in some quarters, such as the Pacific Northwest. Understanding the marketability of high-flying, slam-dunking showmen, the NBA copied the dunk contest concept in 1977 (won by Indiana Pacer Dr. In 1973, just his third season in the league, he won the MVP award after averaging 20 points and 16 rebounds per game. Oscar Robertson versus Russell Westbrook? 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. Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr. Do folks give Jerry credit for building future champions as a GM?). Oh, and while this has nothing to do with his ranking on this list, its still incredibly awesome and noteworthy that he has successfully fought off HIV for over two decades, helped de-stigmatize AIDS through his high-profile advocacy, and launched a second career as an entrepreneur who opens businesses predominantly in poverty-stricken areas in efforts to spur urban revitalization. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as Im concerned. See the rankings as for this Basketball Player Sets set on 3/2/2023 3:23:10 PM. As a sophomore, he led the "Flying Clouds" to . 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. 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). Successful Sports Betting Tips. A brutal sucker punch in the OVC tournament stopped the game in its tracks. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE HARD PLASTIC BASKETBALL PLAYER CAKE TOPPER / DECORATION 1970s at the best online prices at eBay! Goose Givens won National Player of the Year. George Gervin 10. Something not often mentioned about West is his excellent defense. 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. He was amazing, but he had a lot of help, at least more than the last guy on this list. Could todays players deal with the more physical play of the 1970s? For better or worse, basketball fans love to compare different eras of their favorite sport. That's worth a lot in my book. He was a key component to the success of the Celtics in the 1970s, helping them win two NBA titles. Two answers: the ABA and free agency. Which NBA player from the 1980's & 1990's helped popularized basketball and turn it into a global game? 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.