The 1977 NBA season saw the league cross a critical historical threshold. There was a merger with the American Basketball Association (ABA). Four new franchises were brought in, along with a multitude of important players. It’s not too much to say that the NBA as we understand it today essentially began in 1977. And the league also had a surprise champion, as the Portland Trail Blazers won the championship.
1977 was part of the NBA Prelude Era (1977-79), as the league took shape after the merger and before the arrival of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
THE WEST TAKES SHAPE
Portland was led by Bill Walton. The young center, in the last year before his feet betrayed him, was healthy and finished second in the MVP voting. Walton was joined by Maurice Lucas up front and Lionel Hollins in the backcourt.
The Blazers were good all year long, but the league’s best regular season team was their Pacific Division rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar winning the MVP award, Cazzie Russell at small forward, and Lucius Allen at the point, L.A.’s 53 wins made them the team to beat when the postseason began.
Denver was one of several teams who showed the new ABA arrivals could compete right away. The Nuggets augmented the electric David Thompson with Dan Issel at center and defensive stalwart Bobby Jones at forward and captured the Midwest Division.
The Lakers, Blazers and Nuggets were the West’s key contenders. The Phoenix Suns, who had gone to the Finals in 1976 as a Cinderella story saw the clock strike midnight and they missed the playoffs.
This was an era where six teams per conference made the postseason and the West bracket was rounded out by Golden State, Detroit and Chicago, in the final years before the latter two franchises were moved into the East. The Warriors were led by Rick Barry, the Pistons were built around Bob Lanier and the Bulls had a frontline keyed by Artis Gilmore and Mickey Johnson.
A NEW DYNAMIC IN THE EAST
No individual player signified by the new era more than Julius Erving. The high-flying “Dr. J” had been an ABA showcase and the merger saw him land with the Philadelphia 76ers. Ervin joined a cast that included a quality two-guard in Doug Collins, George McGinnis down low and a deep roster. The 76ers won 50 games were the top seed in the East.
The Boston Celtics defined the NBA in the old era and were the defending champs. The Celtics had a tumultuous season between injuries, other roster issues, and general aging. They only won 44 games. But a lineup that included Dave Cowens at center and JoJo White running point was whole by playoff time.
A tight Central Division with four playoff teams was won by the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, along with the San Antonio Spurs, were two more franchises that would soon by changing conferences. Houston was led by Rudy Tomjanovich at small forward, Calvin Murphy at the point and a young Moses Malone in the post. The Rockets won 49 games.
Washington was right on their heels, with a big frontline that included Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. The Bullets were knocking on the door, and their 48 wins marked them a contender when the playoffs arrived.
San Antonio and Cleveland rounded out the East bracket. The Spurs were built around two high-quality forwards in physical Larry Kenon and the prolific George “Iceman” Gervin. The Cavs used a balanced lineup coached by Bill Fitch, to squeeze into the postseason.
New Orleans, still the home of the Jazz franchise, had the East’s highest finisher in the MVP voting. Pete Maravich came in third behind Kareem and Walton. But Pistol Pete was a lonely warrior, and New Orleans was not close to making the playoffs.
THE LIGHTNING ROUND
With six teams per conference, the two division winners got byes into the second round. Los Angeles, Denver, Philadelphia and Houston could take a moment to catch their breath. But it was only “a moment.” Because the first round was just a best-of-three “mini-series.”
Boston took two straight from San Antonio, but the others all went the full three games. Portland survived a big series from Mickey Johnson and beat Chicago. Golden State knocked off Detroit, sealing the deal with a 30-point blowout in the finale behind 35 from Barry. And Washington moved past Cleveland.
We were set to settle into best-of-seven playoff basketball. The East would be highlighted by the Celtics and 76ers renewing their rivalry, with the Rockets playing the Bullets. In the West, the Nuggets and Blazers went toe-to-toe, while the Lakers matched up against the Warriors.
THE CONTENDERS COLLIDE
Los Angeles had their hands full with Golden State, who was still just two years removed from their championship year of 1975. The series went the full seven games. But Kareem was too much, averaging 37 points/18 rebounds/4 assists and the Lakers advanced.
Denver wasn’t as fortunate. Portland pulled out a one-point win on the road in Game 1 to take away homecourt advantage and then held serve the rest of the way, closing out the Nuggets in six.
Washington was another first-round winner that rolled some momentum into the early part of their second round series, taking two of the first three games from Houston. But Tomjanovich played well, Moses hit the boards and the Rockets won the next three to wrap it up in six. The Bullets’ time was coming—one year later, they would win the title. But they weren’t there yet.
Then there was the East’s rising star in Philadelphia taking on its aging champ in Boston. The Celtics stole Game 1 and signaled they would not go quietly. The series went the full seven games, ending with a defensive slugfest in the old Philadelphia Spectrum. The 76ers survived.
CRASHING THE FINALS
The conference finals didn’t offer a lot of drama. Philadelphia took the first two games at home against Houston. Dr. J and Collins shot the lights out. The 76ers ultimately wrapped it up in six games.
A lack of drama in this round should not be mistaken for a lack of surprises. The Blazers and Lakers, with the league’s best two centers going head-to-head turned into a sweep. What’s more, it was a sweep for the underdog. While Kareem did his thing and averaged a 30/16 line for the series, Walton had more support from Lucas and Hollins and Portland punched their first-ever ticket to the NBA Finals.
BLAZERMANIA
Philadelphia was a solid favorite to win the title and there was little reason to dispute that after they held serve at home in Games 1 & 2. But Portland was about to unleash their offense. Walton, in addition to excelling at the traditional center roles of scoring and rebounding, was a brilliant passer and the Blazers found their stride at home.
Portland scored a combined 259 points in Games 3 & 4 to even the series. They went on the road and tore off a 40-point third quarter to win Game 5. And a nail-biting Game 6, they won the championship in front of their home crowd. The lasting image would be Walton tearing off his jersey, throwing it into the crowd and parading shirtless with his arms held high in the air.
Walton averaged a 19/19/5 line and was named NBA Finals MVP. Lucas and Hollins continued to excel as key support pieces. Portland was the new champion. And a new epoch of NBA history had begun.
You can read more about the key teams who shaped the season at the links below. Each team article goes more in-depth on their star players, their regular season arc and game-by-game through the playoffs.
THE CHAMPION
Portland Trail Blazers: The Surprise Champions
THE CONTENDERS
Philadelphia 76ers: The Arrival of Dr. J
Los Angeles Lakers: Kareem Leads The Way
Denver Nuggets: An ABA Arrival
Houston Rockets: A Franchise Breakthrough
WHAT WAS COMING
Washington Bullets: Building Toward a Championship
THE OLD GUARD
Boston Celtics: The Old Champions’ Last Stand