Tag: Paul Arizin

Greatest Small Forwards of All Time

The 2020 season is about to kick off again, and the stakes are high for some of the best players in the game. Last year, Kawhi Leonard showed how high a playoff run can elevate a player’s all-time status, as he led Toronto to an unlikely championship. How high has he climbed on the rankings of the greatest small forwards of all time? And if he wins a third ring with a third franchise this season, where will that place him among the greats? Here is an in-depth listing of the top 10 small forwards ever, with a (ranked) 22-person honorable mention list.

10 (tie) – Paul Arizin – 108.8 WS, 19.7 PER, .183 WS/48, 4X All-NBA, 1 championship

Those familiar with Arizin’s career will not find it surprising that he cracked our top 10. He was a two-time scoring champion and pioneering jump shooter who was efficient on the offensive end of the court, with a career true shooting percentage that was 11% better than the league average. After his first scoring crown (in his second season), he went to serve in the Korean War, and missed two seasons of his prime. He didn’t miss a beat upon his return, and in 1955-56, he was the best player in the league in the playoffs, leading the Warriors to the championship. While Paul Pierce was productive for a longer period of time, Arizin’s dominance despite missing a chunk of his prime earns him equal status on this list.

10 (tie) – Paul Pierce – 150.0 WS, 19.7 PER, .157 WS.48, 4X All-NBA, 1X Finals MVP, 1 championship

Pierce was a professional bucket-getter, who had 17 productive seasons in the league before his final two seasons as a Clipper. He put up some eye-popping scoring numbers during a time when offense was down in the NBA (24.8 PPG from 2000-01 to 2006-07). He was the top regular season scorer on an NBA champion, and won Finals MVP that season. While he was never an MVP-caliber player, and only earned four all-NBA honors in his 19 seasons, his crafty game and clutch scoring ability helped him carry on the rich Celtic tradition.

9 – John Havlicek – 131.7 WS, 17.5 PER, .136 WS/48, 11X All-NBA, 8X All-Defense, 1X Finals MVP, 8 championships

Hondo was an 8-time champion who, by career accolades, should be even higher on this list. His first season was 1962-63 with the four-time defending champion Celtics. They won it again in each of his first four seasons, and in six of his first seven years. Along the way he became a key cog, leading the team in scoring on two of those runs. The team struggled for two seasons after Bill Russell retired, despite Havlicek putting up eye-popping numbers (26.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 7.1 APG over those two seasons). They vaulted back into contention afterwards, led by Havlicek, Dave Cowens, and Jo Jo White. They earned the best record in the league in ’72-’73 (when a shoulder injury to Havlicek may have cost them another championship), and won it all the next season with Havlicek as their best player. Two years later, they won it all again, though by this time, Cowens had taken over as their best player, and Hondo was actually their fourth leading scorer in the regular season (they had four players averaging between 17.0 and 19.0 PPG). In the playoffs that year, Havlicek dealt with a foot injury and only averaged 13.2 PPG in their run to the championship. So Hondo was the best player for one of his eight championships, and was a vital cog on the seven other ones. It should be noted that his advanced stats are surprisingly pedestrian for a player of his caliber. While these facts give more context to his career, let’s be clear – Havlicek was a great player who was clutch, could do everything on the basketball court, and could play in any era.

8 – Scottie Pippen – 125.1 WS, 18.6 PER, .146 WS/48, 7X All-NBA, 10X All-Defense, 6 championships

Pippen’s brilliance is highlighted by his standing as one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history. He was a point forward who would be even more valuable in today’s game, in which versatile wings are the gold standard. There are two events that would have further enhanced his legacy and moved him into the highest tier. In 1993-94, when Pippen was arguably the best perimeter player in basketball, he led the Jordan-less Bulls to 55 wins and an Eastern Conference Semifinals appearance. Had Hue Hollins not called a questionable foul on Scottie in the closing seconds of the pivotal Game 5 in New York (the subsequent foul shots erased Chicago’s one-point lead and gave the Knicks the victory), then the Bulls would have had a chance to close out the series in Chicago. There are no guarantees, but the Bulls would have been favored to make the NBA Finals, as an inferior Indiana Pacers team awaited them in the Conference Finals. The second event was the 2000 Western Conference Finals, in Pippen’s first year in Portland. In Game 7, the Blazers blew a 15-point lead with 10:28 remaining in the game, an almost impossible task in an era when three-point shooting was a much smaller part of the game. Pippen’s Blazers (who were more an ensemble rather than a Pippen-led outfit) would have been favored to win the title against the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. Had Pippen succeeded in either of these instances, he would have escaped the long shadow cast by Michael Jordan. As it turns out, there’s nothing wrong with being the greatest sidekick ever, even if he couldn’t win one on his own.

7 – Kawhi Leonard – 73.4 WS, 23.0 PER, .220 WS/48, 3X All-NBA, 5X All-Defense, 2X DPOY, 2X Finals MVP, 2 championships

Similar to last season, Kawhi has a chance to enhance his legacy more than any other player over the next few months. He has already shown he can be the lead player on a championship team, and he also gets credit for being an essential part of the 2013-14 NBA champion Spurs, one of the great teams of the current generation. His peak is up there with the greats on this list, but he has a long way to go to earn the career accolades of everyone else in the top 10. With his leg issues and load management, he may never get there, but his brilliant all-around game and championship pedigree still earn him this lofty status. If he’s able to lead the Clippers to the championship, I will bump him up to fifth all-time.

6 – Rick Barry – 128.9 WS, 21.0 PER, .162 WS/48, 10X All-NBA/ABA, 1X Finals MVP, 1 championship (NBA)

Like our fourth-rated small forward, a chunk of Barry’s prime was played in the ABA, and he missed his third professional season due to an unfortunate contract matter. He transferred right after leading the NBA in scoring and taking a mediocre San Francisco Warriors team to the NBA Finals in his second season. His greatest accomplishment was leading the ’74-75 Warriors to the NBA championship; after Barry (who averaged 30.6 PPG and a league leading 2.9 SPG that season), their second leading scorer was rookie Jamaal Wilkes, at 14.2 PPG. Arguably the third best player of the 1970s, Barry’s all-around offensive game would have been effective in any era.

5 – Elgin Baylor – 104.2 WS, 22.7 PER, .148 WS/48, 10X All-NBA

As great as he was, there are two unfortunate circumstances that stand out from Baylor’s career. First is the injury bug; his knee problems began in the 1963-64 season, and he was never the same player once those occurred. That can best be seen in his efficiency stats: in his first five years, he had a cumulative 26.1 PER and .195 WS/48; for the rest of his career, those sunk to 20.2 PER and .112 WS/48. The second issue was his failure to win a championship: he was 0-8 in the NBA Finals, and in ’71-72, he retired after nine games then watched the Lakers win 33 in a row on their way to an elusive ring. However, it’s hard to fault someone who fought so valiantly for so many years. His rookie year, Baylor led a 33-39 Lakers team to the Finals, where they got swept by the Celtics. Over the next four years, he was an absolute tour de force, leading the league in playoff PPG each year and cumulatively averaging 35.8 PPG, 15.3 RPG, 4.1 APG on 45.3% shooting with a 26.7 PER and .205 WS/48 in 47 playoff games. He was a trailblazer who could have reached even greater heights if he had access to modern medicine and/or did not play in the era of Russell’s Celtics.

4 – Julius Erving – 181.1 WS, 23.6 PER, .192 WS/48, 12X All-NBA/ABA, 1X All-Defense, 4X MVP (1 NBA, 3 ABA), 3 championships (1 NBA, 2 ABA)

Dr. J was the best player in the 1A league of the 70s, the ABA. For historical purposes, it’s a shame we don’t have an apples-to-apples comparison of his prime years to other NBA legends. His NBA body of work was certainly impressive, including the fact that his teams were usually in title contention; in his first seven years after the merger, Philadelphia went to the conference finals every year, made four finals appearances, and won one championship, after acquiring Moses Malone in year seven. His legacy would be bolstered if he had been able to win it all as the lead player in the NBA, but two championships as the lead guy in the ABA is certainly noteworthy, especially his run in ’76, when he averaged 34.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, and 2.0 BPG on 53.3% shooting from the field, with a 32.0 PER and .321 WS/48 in 13 playoff games. His longevity, three championships, and playoff dominance put him in the upper tier of basketball legends.

3 – Kevin Durant – 141.7 WS, 25.2 PER, .217 WS/48, 9X All-NBA, 1X MVP, 2X Finals MVP, 2 championships

Durant has more scoring titles (four) than anyone on this list, and he has become one of the most unstoppable forces in league history with his flawless repertoire. What’s striking about Durant is his consistency: he averaged 25.8 PPG in his lone year at Texas, has averaged 27.0 PPG in his 12 pro seasons, 25.0 PPG in his 10 all-star games, and 29.1 PPG in nine playoff appearances. Just 32 years old by the time the ‘20-21 season starts, he has a good chance at earning the number two slot on this list and knocking on the top 10 all-time player list if he can overcome the devastating Achilles injury he suffered in the 2019 Finals. Even if Durant never played another game, his career accomplishments are already staggering.

2 – Larry Bird – 145.8 WS, 23.5 PER, .203 WS/48, 10X All-NBA, 3X All-Defense, 3X MVP, 2X Finals MVP, 3 championships

Greatest Small Forwards of All Time
Larry Bird and Julius Erving ca. 1986
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

For now, Bird holds a slight lead over Durant due to his dominant run as the best player in basketball in the mid-80’s, and his three NBA titles as the lead player. Bird was a timeless offensive player; the thought of him shooting 10+ threes a game in the modern era is tantalizing, even if he would have had struggles on the other end of the court. His passing was as special as his shooting, and he was a tough rebounder who could challenge anyone on this list in that category. My favorite Bird stat? Outside of the year he played 6 games due to injuries, the Celtics averaged 59.1 wins per game in his career, and 61.1 wins in his prime (prior to the ‘88-89 season).

1 – LeBron James – 236.1 WS, 27.5 PER, .235 WS/48, 15X All-NBA, 6X All-Defense, 4X MVP, 3X Finals MVP, 3 championships

LeBron’s career is now leaps and bounds ahead of the pack due to his combination of peak value and sustained excellence. Consider that as of this writing, his 236.1 career win shares equal the career totals of Elgin Baylor, Kawhi Leonard (to date), and George Yardley combined. Arguably the most versatile player in league history, he has a good chance of having the greatest statistical career ever if he continues his unprecedented run over the next few seasons. A fourth championship as the lead player on his third different team will bolster his GOAT credentials, and may ultimately be his most impressive feat, considering where the Cleveland and Los Angeles franchises were prior to his arrival.

Honorable Mention

Greatest Small Forwards of All Time - Honorable Mention

33 – Jim Pollard won 5 championships in his seven professional seasons, and as a great athlete and good shooter, his game had a good chance to translate well to other eras…32 – Jamaal Wilkes enjoyed great success in his career, playing a key role on Warriors and Lakers championship teams. He was always overshadowed by bigger stars; in the closeout game of the 1980 NBA Finals, Wilkes scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to support Magic Johnson’s legendary effort…31 – Jack Twyman was the first player (along with Wilt Chamberlain) to crack the 30 PPG mark but played on a series of miserable Cincinnati Royals teams before Oscar Robertson saved the franchise…30 – If you squint, Andre Iguodala‘s game may remind you of Scottie Pippen’s: unselfish, great passing, all-world defense. He was a key component of the great Warriors teams of the past few years, and cemented his name in history with a Finals MVP award in 2015…29 – Bernard King was the best scorer in the world for a one-year stretch, when he led the league in playoff scoring in 1984 then won a scoring championship the following year, before injuries curtailed his prime…28 – George Yardley was the first player in league history to crack 2000 points in a season, and was the leading scorer on the 1954-55 and 1955-56 Fort Wayne Pistons teams that lost in the Finals…27 – Chris Mullin was a brilliant offensive player who averaged 25+PPG five years in a row with the run-and-gun Warriors teams of the 1980s/90s…26 – Paul George is an all-around force who should shoot up this list with more healthy, productive seasons…25 – Roger Brown was a three-time ABA champion who led Indiana in playoff scoring in two of those three seasons…24.- Bob Dandridge was a key cog on two NBA champions (the ’71 Bucks and ’78 Bullets), and was a force on both sides of the court. He’s still, unfortunately, waiting for his Hall-of-Fame call…23 – James Worthy was the perfect complement to Magic and Kareem’s Lakers upon his arrival in 1982-83. The three-time champion also had the fourth-greatest game 7 performance ever on his way to the 1988 Finals MVP…22 – Marques Johnson was a force with the great Bucks teams of the late 70s to early 80s, and had better career efficiency stats than most players on this honorable mention list…20 (tied) Carmelo Anthony and Alex English were both one-time scoring champions who are in the 25,000+ point club. Both have virtually equal career offensive and defensive ratings however, indicating their impact on the court was less than their scoring suggested. It also remains unclear how they would best serve a championship-level team, though with the right mix of talent around them, I believe they could have achieved greater team success…19 – Chet Walker never made an all-NBA team, which seems shocking considering his career accomplishments. He was the best player on the early to mid-70s Bulls teams, and was a key cog on the ’67 Sixers, one of the greatest teams ever…18 – Connie Hawkins was unfairly blackballed from the NBA for five seasons. In the last two of those years, he played in the ABA, where he won a scoring title, MVP, and playoffs MVP award in his first season. When he finally made the NBA, he made all-NBA first-team in his debut season and had a productive run thereafter, although his prime was robbed from him…17 – Cliff Hagan was the league’s best player in the 1958 playoffs, when he and Bob Pettit led St. Louis to the championship. He led the league in playoff scoring, field goal percentage, PER, true shooting percentage, win shares, and WS/48 that season, then led again in playoff scoring, PER, and true shooting percentage the following year…16 – Shawn Marion was one of the most underappreciated players of his era; consider that he never made an all-NBA defensive team, and only made two all-NBA teams in his career. However, he was a spectacular player on both ends of the court, and was a key piece on the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. He also has the second most career win shares of anyone on this honorable mention list…15 – In his prime, Grant Hill was one of the league’s top players, and before his injury woes crept up, he dialed up his scoring to average a career-high 25.8 PPG is his last year in Detroit. Injuries robbed him of many prime seasons, but he wound up playing 18 seasons in the league, including a five-year stretch in Phoenix when he became a valuable role player…14 – Billy Cunningham dominated in the NBA in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s with three straight all-NBA first team appearances followed by a second team birth, before jumping to the ABA and winning the MVP award in his first season there. He also was a sixth man extraordinaire on the aforementioned ’67 Sixers title team…13 – Dominique Wilkins never found the team success that would have vaulted him into a higher stratosphere, and he missed out on some key accolades as a result (namely, the Dream Team and NBA’s 50 Greatest Players List). He was, however, an unstoppable force offensively who won a scoring title and finished as the runner-up in the 85-86 MVP race…12 – Adrian Dantley is one of the most efficient offensive players in NBA history, ranking ninth all-time in career true shooting percentage. He also was the leading scorer in the regular season for a team that came within seconds of winning the NBA Finals (the 1988 Pistons). His game may not have translated as easily as others to the modern era, and he only earned two all-NBA honors, but his career is still vastly underrated.

NBA Villanova Wildcats vs. NBA St. John’s Red Storm

Our next matchup is a classic Big East clash. St. John’s dominated the early days of this rivalry, going 37-19 from 1954-55 through the 1992-93 season. Since then, however, Villanova has dominated, sporting a 33-10 record as St. John’s has faded from national prominence. In recent years, Villanova has become the last vestige of Big East basketball power, adding two championships and becoming one of the best programs in the country. The NBA Villanova Wildcats vs. NBA St. John’s Red Storm will be a battle of an old juggernaut and a new superpower, with key players from each era of this storied rivalry.

NBA Villanova Wildcats vs. NBA St. John's Red Storm

Key Matchups

Small ball vs. traditional lineups – The Wildcats are going to try to go as small as possible throughout this series. Their best NBA players were guards (or guard-sized in the case of Paul Arizin), and their bench is filled with ball-handlers and shooters. St. John’s has more roster balance, and can play a variety of ways, but expect Villanova to try several different four-guard lineups, and also to try a five-out configuration with Tim Thomas as the big man. How will St. John’s counter these lineups? St. John’s has several competent big men, but they can adjust by using Metta World Peace and Maurice Harkless as power players to counter the smaller Wildcat lineups. Leroy Ellis should be quick enough to defend Thomas on the perimeter while giving St. John’s an advantage on the boards when they need mobility at the five spot.

Pitchin’ Paul vs. modern-day wings – Arizin may be the best NBA player in this series, but it will be interesting to see how he fares against some of the modern day wings the Red Storm will throw at him. World Peace, Malik Sealy, and Harkless will all spend time using their length and physicality to disrupt Villanova’s best scorer. Arizin was highly skilled, and will get his points, but they won’t come easy unless Villanova can force the Red Storm’s older, slower guards to switch onto him.  

Biggest Mismatches

St. John’s big man depth – The Red Storm should dominate the interior on both ends of the court. Billy Paultz should have a field day against Jim Washington at the start of each half, and will serve as the key rim protector in this series. If Villanova plays Ed Pinckney and Washington together for long periods of time, St. John’s can pair Paultz with Jayson Williams and/or Ellis. Williams in particular will help them dominate the glass.

Villanova’s modern-day backcourt – Kyle Lowry is one of the best all-around guards in today’s game, and Kerry Kittles would thrive as a modern-day 3-and-D athletic wing. Mark Jackson and Max Zaslofsky do not have the size, athleticism, or defensive capabilities of their counterparts. Expect Zaslofsky to cede playing time to Sealy and Harkless (with Chris Mullin switching to shooting guard in some of these lineups) to help St. John’s offer more defensive resistance.

X-Factor

Whose older players are better positioned for success? Arizin, Zaslofsky, Paultz, Bill Melchionni, and Dick McGuire will face an interesting transition to the modern-day game. How will they hold up defensively? Which of them has the skill set to thrive in any era? Arizin was a superb athlete and pioneering jump shooter in his time, so I expect his transition to be the smoothest. Others have specific skills that translate (Zaslofsky’s shooting, Paultz’s rebounding and shot-blocking, Melchionni and McGuire’s ability to run an offense), but will have varying degrees of success, based on matchup.

Results

This proves to be a fun series, with several memorable performances from the superstars (namely Lowry, Arizin, and Mullin). However, the role players wind up being the deciding factor. St. John’s has a deeper, more versatile team, and they use a balanced attack, led by Mullin, World Peace, and Paultz, to pull out the victory.

St. John’s wins, four games to three.

Next Round

The Red Storm faces the NBA Louisville Cardinals in the second round of our tournament.

NBA Villanova Wildcats

NBA Villanova Wildcats

Our next profile features a college basketball David who has morphed into Goliath. Long gone are the days when they were mainly known for their miracle run to the NCAA championship in 1985, when they became the lowest seed ever to win the NCAA tournament. With two more titles since 2016, and a program run by one of the best coaches in the country, they seem poised to stay near the top of college hoops for the foreseeable future. While they don’t typically recruit the NBA-ready talent that many of their elite peer schools do, they have a steady influx of players who have had long NBA careers. The NBA Villanova Wildcats features a multigenerational mix, with a heavy emphasis on backcourt talent.

After a bumpy start to his career, Kyle Lowry has worked to become a perennial all-star, NBA champion, and likely Hall-of-Famer. He has become a deadly outside shooter, who also is a strong finisher at the rim, and a smart, tough-minded defender. His impact on the game was summed up by Zach Lowe earlier this year: “Lowry is just a brilliant, winning player. Every second he is on the floor, he is doing the exact right thing — half-rotations on defense, extra passes, impromptu screens, little shifts along the arc to open up driving lanes, late switches, tipped rebounds. Because he is a threat everywhere — as a shooter, cutter and quick-twitch passer — defenses follow every one of those moves.” He’s joined in the starting backcourt by Kerry Kittles. As an athletic two-guard with good size (6’5”), good shooting ability (3 of his 8 seasons shooting over 40% from three-point range), and who was a two-way player (Larry Brown once called Kittles a “great defender”), his skills would have been coveted in today’s game. The depth of this team’s backcourt is impressive, as the best players in Wildcat history have generally been guards. Off the bench, Bill Melchionni was a three-time ABA all-star and an NBA and ABA champion. He has his number retired by the Nets, and at his peak, averaged 16.8 PPG and 7.5 APG over a four-year period, though advanced stats aren’t as kind to him (14.6 PER and .087 WS/48 during that time). Rory Sparrow provides more point guard depth, though he’ll play sparingly behind Lowry and Melchionni. Randy Foye was a combo guard who struggled with inconsistency; however, he could shoot from long-range, and will likely get minutes beside the two main point guards. Alvin Williams was another combo guard who had his biggest impact as a point guard on the Raptors teams in the early 2000s; he’s only likely to be used when others are in foul trouble. Finally, Chris Ford was a solid shooting guard with good size (6’5”) and range. He was a starter on an NBA champion (the ’81 Celtics), and will get minutes as Kittles’ backup.

The starting small forward, Paul Arizin, had the greatest NBA career of any Wildcat. He was a two-time scoring champion in the 1950s. He was an NBA champion in 1956, who had the best postseason run of anybody on his team (and, arguably the league), leading the league in playoff scoring, minutes, win shares, and WS/48. He was a pioneering jump shooter who would benefit from the modern-day three-point line. He and Lowry will form the backbone of this team’s offense. Ed Pinckney is another player who would have been more appreciated in the modern-day context. He had an above-average PER in four seasons in his career. He has a 60.2% career true shooting percentage. He ranked fourth in the league in offensive rebound percentage in 1991-92, and if he qualified, he would have ranked second the year before. He could be a valuable supporting player in the right context, and he’ll be tasked with keeping them competitive on the glass and providing some interior defensive resistance. The nominal starting center, Jim Washington, only stood at 6’7”, but he was able to average a double-double four times in his career, and played center for the Chicago Bulls in the 1967-68 season. Tim Thomas will be one of the most important players on this roster off the bench. The tallest player on the team (6’10”), Thomas had productive stretches in the NBA, including his 2005-06 playoff run in Phoenix, when he averaged 15.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.4 made three-pointers on 44.4% from downtown, and a 62.5% true shooting percentage in 20 games. In fact, his career playoff PER is 16.9 in 55 games. He was an infuriating player at times because his production did not always match his talent, but he will play as a stretch four and small ball five for this smaller roster, and his ability to hold up will be a key factor in their success. Dante Cunningham was an NBA journeyman who will be another body they can use against bigger opponents, but he won’t move the needle for this frontcourt.

Overall, the NBA Villanova Wildcats are well-suited to play small ball, with a plethora of guards and a lack of NBA-caliber big men. Their success will depend on matchups, and how well their frontcourt players hold up against more talented big men in this tournament. They will face their old Big East rival, the NBA St. John’s Red Storm, in their first-round matchup.

Worst Game 7 Performances in NBA History

In 2016, LeBron James had the defining moment of his career, slaying the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in game seven on their home floor. James had a triple-double that game and added perhaps the most iconic blocked shot in league history. However, that game was an offensive struggle for both teams, with James shooting 9 for 24 from the field.

NBA history is littered with uneven shooting performances when the stakes are highest, even among the game’s greatest players. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson combined to shoot 11 for 32 in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen combined to shoot 15 for 43 in Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan shot 6 for 24 and 10 for 27, respectively, in Game 7 of the 2010 and 2005 NBA Finals, and still brought home MVP honors for those series (as did Bird in 1984 and James in 2016).

There are some Game 7 performances that particularly stand out for the wrong reasons. What happened to the players during these games? Was the moment too big, or did the defense figure them out after a six-game sample? Did they simply have a bad shooting day at an inopportune time? Every circumstance is different, as you’ll see below.

This post highlights 10 of the worst Game 7 performances in NBA history. This list is skewed toward offensive performances, since defensive tracking is difficult for games, especially in the pre-merger era. I’m also focusing on the very highest stakes games – only semifinals and finals games are included.

Dishonorable Mention: The first three quarters of Kobe’s performance in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals were shockingly awful, but he had a spirited fourth quarter and wound up with 23 points and 15 rebounds in spite of his 6 for 24 shooting performance. In the same game, Ray Allen shot 3 for 14, capping a series where he shot just 36.7% overall…In Game 7 of the 1979 Eastern Conference Finals, Tom Henderson put up 0 points on 0 for 9 shooting in 30 minutes. Despite his effort, tbe Bullets beat the Spurs and went to their second straight NBA Finals…Bob Love shot 6 for 26 from the field in a four-point Chicago loss to Golden State in the 1975 Western Conference Finals. Chicago only scored 79 points that game, and Love shot 10 more times than any other teammate…The Boston Celtics shot 32.7% from the field as a team in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals and still found a way to beat the Lakers by the three…In the previous round, the Celtics won another Game 7, this time against the Philadelphia Warriors, and won on a last second Sam Jones shot. Paul Arizin shot 4 for 22 for Philadelphia. Curiously, Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 50.4 PPG in the regular season, took only 15 shots. He scored 22 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, and was clutch down the stretch, but this was the rare example of the Warriors version of Wilt being too unselfish.

10. Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown, 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7 (combined 8 for 42 from the field, 21 total points): In 2018, an overachieving Celtics team without Kyrie Irving (and Gordon Hayward, who missed virtually the entire season after a gruesome opening-night injury) advanced to the brink of the NBA Finals in a weak Eastern Conference. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stood in their way, but they were not the juggernaut of year’s past. Kevin Love, Cleveland’s second leading scorer, did not play in this game due to a concussion. Boston also had homecourt, since Cleveland only won 50 games that season. However, the moment seemed too big for a young Celtics team. Brown, who played like a future star throughout their unlikely playoff run, shot 5 for 18 from the field, and 3 for 12 from 3. Marcus Smart, a notoriously inconsistent shooter, made only one of his 10 shots. Finally, the clock struck midnight on Terry Rozier, who impressively filled Irving’s shoes throughout the playoffs. Rozier shot 2 for 14 from the field, and 0 for 10 from three, part of an embarrassing 7 for 39 team performance from long distance. While Boston would have had no chance against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, this game may have represented their best shot at the Finals in this era, considering the rise of the Toronto Raptors the next season and the dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the following years.

9. Chris Bosh, 2013 NBA Finals, Game 7 (0 for 5 from the field, 0 points): The Heat won the 2013 Finals, and Bosh’s rebound in Game 6, and subsequent pass to Ray Allen, will live in history. However, it’s odd for a future Hall-of-Famer who averaged 16.6 points per game in the regular season to score zero points and shoot only five times in the season’s biggest game. Bosh was an all-around player, and wound up +1 for the game, but this performance would have been (rightfully) vilified if Miami lost. It should be noted that Ray Allen also had 0 points in this game, but he was more of a role player than Bosh in the Heat’s scheme, and was fresh off of perhaps the greatest shot in NBA history in Game 6.

8. Oscar Robertson, 1974 NBA Finals Game 7 (2 for 13 from the field, 6 points, 11 assists): The storybook ending to one of the greatest careers ever did not come to fruition. Game 6 was one of the best games in NBA history, with the Bucks staving off elimination with a double-overtime victory in Boston. However, the Bucks could not muster the same spirit back home in Game 7, and the Celtics won by 15. Did playing 58 minutes in the previous game affect the aging Robertson? He was well past his prime at this point, only averaging 12.7 points per game during the regular season, and 14.0 PPG in the postseason. He could not get on track during this game, and the greatest era in Bucks history ended with a whimper. This was Robertson’s last game in the NBA, and after a disappointing 38-44 record the next year, Milwaukee shipped off Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers and have not been back to the Finals since.

7. Stephen Curry, 2016 NBA Finals Game 7 (6 for 19 from the field, 4 of 14 from 3): Chalk this one up to the burden of high expectations. Curry’s 17-point performance wasn’t the seventh worst in history, but it certainly was one of the most disappointing. The unanimous MVP had one of the greatest seasons ever, and his team’s 73 regular season wins may never be surpassed. It’s still hard to pinpoint what happened in the last three games of this series. Certainly, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving deserve credit, but Golden State’s performance, and especially Curry’s, will live in infamy.

6. The Jordannaires, 1990 Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 (Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, B.J. Armstrong, Craig Hodges, and Bill Cartwright – combined 11 for 57 from the field, 28 points): A back-and-forth series ended with a blowout as the Bulls failed to step up to the challenge. Scottie Pippen had a migraine, which helps explain his 1 for 10 performance, but what about the others? Horace Grant was 3 for 17, though he did contribute 14 rebounds. Craig Hodges was 3 for 13, and 2 for 12 from three, which was a shockingly high number at the time. Armstrong was 1 for 8, and Cartwright was 3 for 9. The team scored 74 points total, with Michael Jordan contributing 31 of those. It was fair to wonder whether Jordan’s supporting cast would ever step up in crunch time after this game, but luckily for Chicago fans, they answered all questions the following year in a dominant 15-2 postseason run.

Worst Game 7 Performances in NBA History - Chicago Bulls, 1990 Eastern Conference Finals

In 1990 the Bulls had a nightmare Game 7 performance in Detroit Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

5. Trevor Ariza, 2018 Western Conference Finals, Game 7 (0 for 12 from the field, 0 for 9 from three, 0 points): Ariza, a tested veteran and NBA champion, simply could not hit a shot during this deciding game. The Rockets shooting performance is infamous, as the team missed 27 three pointers in a row at one point, and shot 7 for 44 from three for the game. Yes, they were missing their point guard (Chris Paul), and no, Ariza wasn’t alone in his futility. However, 0 points and -15 in 41:50 of playing time represents a historic meltdown on the league’s second biggest stage.

4. Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, 1957 NBA Finals Game 7 (combined 5 for 40 from the field, 21 total points): This is a candidate for the single greatest game in NBA history. A double-overtime classic in Game 7 of the Finals. Bill Russell, in his first year in the league, facing third-year stud Bob Pettit. The NBA regular season and all-star game MVP Bob Cousy looking for his first ring. Cousy capped his historic season with a shockingly poor game 7, finishing 2 for 20 from the field in 58 minutes. His backcourt mate, Hall-of-Famer Bill Sharman, was 3 for 20 in 48 minutes. Boston’s two leading scorers in the regular season came up empty, but their rookie frontcourt mates carried the load, as Tom Heinsohn and Bill Russell led them to victory. The Hawks would get their revenge the following year, but Boston would defeat St. Louis two more times in the finals on their way to eight championships in a row between 1959 and 1966, a record that’s likely never going to be broken.

3. Danny Green, 2013 NBA Finals Game 7 (1 for 12 from the field, 1 for 6 from 3, 5 points): Through five games in this series, Danny Green looked like he was heading toward the most unlikely Finals MVP campaign in league history. During that stretch, he averaged 18 PPG on 56.6% shooting from the field and an unimaginable 65.8% from 3, with five made three pointers per game. Unfortunately, he lost his hot hand at the worst possible time. In games 6 and 7, he scored 4 PPG on 10.5% shooting and 18.2% from downtown. Game 7 was particularly tough, as Green could only make 1 of his 12 field goal attempts as the series slipped from San Antonio’s hands. This series was Green’s breakout performance on a national stage, but just as his hot shooting brought the Spurs to the brink of an unlikely championship, his cold spell was a big reason they were unable to bring the championship home.

2. John Starks, 1994 NBA Finals Game 7 (2 for 18 from the field, 0 for 11 from 3, 8 points): Starks was coming off of a brilliant Game 6 (27 points, 50% from the field, 5 for 9 from 3), but had a last second shot blocked by Hakeem Olajuwon to force a game 7. Unfortunately for Knicks fans, their notoriously hot and cold shooting guard came up empty in their biggest game of that era. The Knicks as a team averaged 11.1 three-point field goal attempts per game in 1994, so it was appalling to see Starks match that output on his own in this game and fail to make a single one. Hubert Davis only played four minutes while Rolando Blackman was a DNP-CD. Knicks fans will always wonder if Pat Riley should have played either of them more instead of watching Starks melt down in 42 minutes of play.

1. Dennis Johnson, 1978 NBA Finals Game 7 (0 for 14 from the field, 4 points): The expected rematch of the 1977 Finals between the Blazers and Sixers turned into a surprising encounter between the 44-win Bullets and 47-win SuperSonics due to Bill Walton’s injuries and Washington’s upset of Philadelphia. Even though Seattle had game 7 at home, Washington eked out a victory on the road. Johnson entered the game averaging 18.7 PPG on 44.8% from the field in the series, but he came up shockingly empty in Game 7. The fact that Seattle still had a chance to win at the end makes this performance all the more painful. Luckily for Johnson, he’d have five more Finals appearances in his career, including the following year, when he captured Finals MVP in the rematch between these teams.

All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Detroit Pistons

Our third place game features two teams who both advanced further than expected based on wildly different approaches. One team used an unstoppable offense to upset a great Spurs team. The other used a dominant defense to vanquish Michael Jordan and the third-ranked Bulls. While both teams were tamed by the top seeds in our tournament, the third-place battle between the All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Detroit Pistons promises to be a classic.

All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Detroit Pistons

Key Matchups

Physicality vs. finesse – The Bad Boys made it to the Final Four largely due to the toughness and physicality of their roster. Dennis Rodman, Bailey Howell, Ben Wallace, and Bill Laimbeer were known for battering opponents, and getting under their skin in the process. They have size, athleticism, and support from other solid defenders, including Joe Dumars and Chauncey Billups, on their roster. However, they again face an offensive juggernaut that may be able to overcome their stifling defense. Golden State’s offense presents a unique challenge to their opponents, with six former scoring champions, including all five in their starting lineup. Expect Detroit to try to slow the pace of each game, and rough up Golden State’s perimeter stars whenever possible. Stephen Curry will be specifically targeted, as Detroit will test his pain threshold throughout the series.

Wilt vs. Worm – One could argue that the two greatest rebounders in NBA history are facing off in this battle. Wilt Chamberlain, the all-time leader in rebounds and rebounds per game, towered over opponents and used his elite athleticism to dominate the boards. Dennis Rodman, who dominated his competition on the glass even more than Chamberlain, used his superior instincts and basketball IQ to win seven straight rebounding (per game) titles in the 1990s. Rodman has experience guarding much larger foes, such as Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning, so expect Chuck Daly to use him on Wilt at times. In these instances, Dennis will try to get inside Wilt’s head with a combination of trash talk and cheap shots. Detroit will also use Bob Lanier, Ben Wallace, and Bill Laimbeer to frustrate Chamberlain and send him to the foul line as often as possible.

Biggest Mismatches

Detroit’s athleticism advantage – Detroit has a vastly superior team defense, which is partly due to the athleticism on their roster. Rodman, Grant Hill, Billups and Dumars can switch aggressively and cover plenty of ground to contest Golden State’s jumpers. Golden State’s roster is filled with players who were more advanced on the offensive end, and they do not have the team athleticism on the perimeter to thrive on the other end of the court.

Golden State’s firepower – Luckily for Golden State, they can make up for their lack of defense with a completely unstoppable offensive attack. They have several ways they can beat their opponents, specifically with either a Twin Towers lineup featuring two of the best offensive centers the game has ever seen (Chamberlain and Neil Johnston), or with one big man surrounded by a bevy of shooters and passers (with Tom Gola and Rick Barry playing as the forwards in this setup). Although Detroit’s perimeter defenders can cover a lot of ground, Curry’s limitless range alongside Paul Arizin, Barry, and Chris Mullin will help to negate that advantage.

X-Factor

Offense vs. Defense – NBA history is littered with examples of unstoppable offenses facing off against dominant defenses. Since 1950-51, basketball-reference.com has team data on offensive rating (an estimate of points produced per 100 possessions) and defensive rating (an estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions). There are 19 instances where the league’s top offense by this metric met the top defense in a playoff series, with the defensive team winning 12 of these encounters:

NBA's Best Offense vs. Best Defense

This data shows that there’s no discernible pattern to be drawn from these matchups. Typically, the better team prevails, with a dominant player leading the way to victory.

Results

The Detroit Pistons advanced to the Final Four of our tournament through team play, relentless effort on the defensive end, and a diversified offensive attack. They finally met their match against a team with too much high-end talent for them to handle. While Golden State is not as good as Los Angeles, they have the same ability to elevate their offensive game to a level that Detroit can’t replicate. The Bad Boys fight to the very end, but Wilt, Barry, Steph, Arizin and company prove to be too much to handle.

Warriors win, four games to three.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors

Our first semifinal matchup is a battle between the most balanced team in our tournament against arguably the most offensively explosive one. Boston has had a relatively easy path to this point, with a first-round bye and two five-game series, while Golden State shocked many with their narrow escape in the Elite Eight against the vaunted Spurs. Can the Warriors continue their magical run by outscoring the number one seed? The All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors is an intriguing matchup, featuring some of the game’s greatest stars.

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors

Key Matchups

Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell – Perhaps the greatest rivalry in NBA history resurfaces in the Franchise Tournament. The greatest offensive force in league history faces the greatest defensive stopper. These two battled 57 times when Wilt was a Warrior, with Russell’s Celtics winning 41 of those encounters. Chamberlain averaged 35.4 PPG in those encounters, which, while obviously dominant, was less than the 41.5 PPG he averaged in his Warriors career. Russell’s ability to defend Chamberlain one-on-one with no help will be an essential part of Boston’s defense; they can’t afford to sag off of Golden State’s shooters if they have any chance of slowing the Warriors down.

Larry Bird vs. Rick Barry – An absolutely joyous matchup between an original (Barry) and his doppelganger (Bird). Both players were known for their transcendent shooting and passing skills, and each was the best player on a championship team (in Bird’s case, teams). Bird was a bigger player (6’9” and 220 lbs, compared to Barry’s 6’7” 205 pound frame), and can easily switch to power forward when needed. Neither player should be expected to stop the other, though Boston can switch the multitalented Kevin McHale onto Barry while Bird guards Neil Johnston. Expect John Havlicek to play heavy minutes on Barry as well, while Golden State’s best perimeter defender, Tom Gola, will often be tasked with guarding Bird and Boston’s other wings.

Bob Cousy vs. Stephen Curry – One of the first showmen in league history takes on the most recent. Cousy, one of the greatest passers in league history, led the league in assists for eight straight seasons, and was the second player in league history to win the MVP award. Curry, one of the greatest shooters ever, has led the league in made three point field goals for four years running, and has captured the last two MVP awards. Both are probably better defenders than they’re given credit for; Cousy accumulated more defensive than offensive win shares in his career, while Curry has become a solid defender over time, as detailed here. However, neither is a good bet to stop the other, but Cousy, in particular, must avoid defensive lapses against the explosive Curry, whose three-point shooting provides a unique challenge for opponents.

Biggest Mismatches

Boston’s versatility vs. Golden State’s – The Celtics have the ability to win any type of matchup with their depth and versatility. They can play big with any combination of Russell, Dave Cowens, Robert Parish, McHale, and Tom Heinsohn, or play small with Havlicek and Paul Pierce occupying the forward positions. They can also trot out a defensive lineup featuring Russell, McHale, Havlicek, and Sam Jones, and can space the floor on offense with Bird, Bill Sharman, and Pierce. They also have Red Auerbach on the sidelines, who got the most out of his players and popularized several strategic concepts, such as the sixth man. He’ll meld the extraordinary talent on the Boston roster and put them in position to succeed. Golden State has several solid wing defenders in Gola and Guy Rodgers, and two players who can protect the paint in Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond. However, their best lineup probably consists of one of Gola or Thurmond alongside Chamberlain, Barry, Paul Arizin, and Curry, which leaves them vulnerable to opposing perimeter threats. Expect Boston to hide their defensive liabilities better, and to benefit from the two-way ability of many of their stars.

Boston Celtics Big Three, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Boston Celtics Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

X-Factor

Wilt the Stilt – One could argue that despite his gaudy numbers as a Warrior, Wilt’s best years were with the Sixers, where he served as the centerpiece of one of the great teams in NBA history. The Warriors’ version of Wilt was accused of being a stat-monger who cared more about individual glory than team success. Is that a fair assessment? Probably not, since his teams made one NBA Finals appearance and two Eastern Division Finals appearances in his five and a half years there. However, there are concerns about how he will mesh with Barry, a notoriously difficult personality who has lambasted Chamberlain in the past, and how he will react to playing alongside so much firepower. If coach Al Attles can channel him to play like he did with the Sixers, then Golden State has a chance to win this series. If he’s not interested in letting his teammates shine, they’re in trouble.

Results

Despite the questions surrounding fit and personality, Chamberlain and Barry play brilliantly, and lead Golden State to several wins over the favored Celtics. Boston, however, has the deeper, more versatile roster, and their championship mettle comes through over the course of the series. Every single player on the Boston roster won at least one championship with the club, and the 17-time champions advance, as expected, to the Franchise Tournament finals.

Boston wins, four games to two.

Next Round

Boston faces the winner of the All-Time Lakers vs. All-Time Pistons in the finals.

All-Time San Antonio Spurs vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors

Our next match features two powerhouse franchises who have won the past two NBA championships. They’ve taken different approaches in earning their nine combined rings: Golden State has had intermittent periods of success spread out over 70 years of franchise history, while San Antonio has had one sustained run of dominance, where they secured five championships over 16 seasons. Who has the advantage in the highly anticipated matchup between the All-Time San Antonio Spurs vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors?

All-Time San Antonio Spurs vs. All-Time Golden State Warriors

Key Matchups

Golden State’s firepower vs. San Antonio’s defensive might: Golden State is one of the most explosive teams in our tournament, with ALL FIVE STARTERS having led the league in scoring at some point in their Warriors career, along with a sixth scoring champion off the bench from the league’s earliest days (Joe Fulks). They feature perhaps the greatest shooter in NBA history (Stephen Curry), along with arguably the greatest inside scorer ever (Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 41.5 PPG in his six seasons with the franchise). They have a wealth of shooting depth beyond Curry (Paul Arizin, Rick Barry, Chris Mullin), and a Hall-of-Fame offensive (Neil Johnston) and defensive (Nate Thurmond) big man to support Chamberlain. They also have perimeter playmakers (Curry, Barry, Tim Hardaway, Guy Rodgers) who will facilitate ball movement and offensive flow. No team can contain this group, but San Antonio is better equipped than most to withstand a potential offensive onslaught. Tim Duncan and David Robinson are two of the greatest defensive big men in NBA history; in their six seasons together, the Spurs ranked first (2 times), second (3 times), and third (one time) in defensive rating. Kawhi Leonard has developed into the best defender in the current NBA, and will see time on all of Golden State’s perimeter options. Alvin Robertson was the greatest thief in modern NBA history, standing as the all-time leader in steals per game and steals percentage, which will cause problems for Curry and his sometimes loose ball protection. Even though the Spurs have two former scoring champions on their team (Robinson and George Gervin), they must slow the games down to have a chance to win this series.

Battle of the Big Men: Duncan and Robinson were perhaps the greatest ‘Twin Towers’ duo in NBA history, capturing two titles together and dominating opponents defensively. While those two are used to playing with one another, Chamberlain and Johnston will have to adjust to each other’s tendencies. Chamberlain will also have to adjust to playing with a team with so much perimeter firepower; his later days with the 76ers and the Lakers proved he could take a back seat, but the Warriors version of Wilt was a one-man wrecking crew who was the most dominant offensive force in league history. He won’t get the ball on as many possessions as he’s used to, and will have to help set up his teammates for easier baskets.

Tim Duncan and David Robinson
The Admiral faces The Big Dipper – two of the most athletic centers ever
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

Biggest Mismatches

Golden State’s three-point shooting advantage: The Warriors have the ability to blow opponents away from long range. Curry, Arizin, Barry, Hardaway, Jeff Mullins, and Chris Mullin have the ability to spread the floor like the modern-day Warriors team. San Antonio will be forced to play Chamberlain straight up without double-teaming, to avoid leaving these shooters open, though they are better equipped to deal with him than most teams. The Spurs have Manu Ginobili and Leonard as their best outside threats, but their other perimeter stars were more comfortable with penetrating and breaking down opposing defenses (especially Tony Parker and James Silas).

San Antonio’s coaching: Gregg Popovich has ascended to the top of the all-time coaching ranks. He has continually remade San Antonio’s offense over a nineteen year period, and kept them in contention throughout. Al Attles experienced great success with Golden State, but Popovich has a proven ability to maximize talent and get the most out of his players.

X-Factor

Pace: Though San Antonio can play different styles, they don’t want to run-and-gun with the Warriors. While Golden State will start two big men, expect them to utilize a few lineups where Chamberlain is surrounded by four perimeter players. Barry and Tom Gola can both initiate the offense from the forward position, and they have a slew of guards and wings to space the floor. Will San Antonio stick with their Twin Towers lineup when Golden State goes small? Who would Duncan or Robinson guard in this scenario? How would Golden State guard San Antonio in this setup? Speaking of which…

Golden State’s defense: While the Warriors are known for their offensive exploits, their defense will play a key factor in this series. Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond, and Gola are their best defenders, and they’ll be tasked with slowing down San Antonio’s explosive frontcourt. San Antonio’s perimeter players will face less resistance, however, as Golden State’s guards weren’t known for their work on the defensive end of the floor.

Results

This series lives up to the hype. The teams go back and forth as both coaches make adjustments to their rotations. Kawhi Leonard and Nate Thurmond are both inserted into the starting lineups for defensive purposes as the series progresses. The seventh and final game goes into overtime, as these two teams prove to be dead even. Although the Spurs have one of the best defensive units in the tournament, the Warriors have too many weapons to contain. Golden State advances.

Golden State wins, four games to three.

Next Round

Golden State faces the All-Time Celtics.

All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Houston Rockets

Our next Sweet Sixteen match features two teams who have embraced the modern day basketball revolution. The Warriors, featuring the best shooting backcourt (and team) in NBA history, are in the middle of an historic two-year stretch of dominance. The Rockets, led by General Manager Daryl Morey, have helped to popularize the analytics movement, and have built an annual contender around these principles. Despite these similarities, both of their all-time teams are built from the inside-out, with dominant big men serving as the primary option on each squad. Who has the advantage between the All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Houston Rockets?

All-Time Golden State Warriors vs. All-Time Houston Rockets

Key Matchups

Battle of the starting big men: Each team features a Twin Towers configuration in their starting lineup with two of the greatest big men in NBA history. The Warriors feature the indomitable Wilt Chamberlain, the greatest scoring machine in league history, alongside Neil Johnston, a pioneering big man who was one of the best players of his generation. The Rockets feature the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the greatest all-around centers in league history, alongside Moses Malone, the greatest offensive rebounder who ever lived. The matchup between Chamberlain and Olajuwon will be particularly noteworthy, as they are two of the most athletic big men to ever play the game.

Olajuwon gets ready for the biggest challenge of his career - Wilt Chamberlain Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Olajuwon gets ready for the biggest challenge of his career – Wilt Chamberlain
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

Biggest Mismatches

Golden State’s three-point shooting advantage: The Warriors feature some of the best shooters in NBA history. Stephen Curry is the all-time leader in single season three pointers made, and he’s on pace to shatter that record in the 2015-16 season. Paul Arizin was one of the best shooters of his era, and Rick Barry had tremendous range from the small forward position. Off the bench, Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway were also excellent three point shooting threats. The Rockets feature Kenny Smith, one of the better shooters of his era, but they don’t have many other options to compete with Golden State from the outside.

Houston’s athleticism advantage on the wing: While Clyde Drexler and Tracy McGrady weren’t great shooters with Houston (shooting 33.9% and 32.2% from downtown with the team, respectively), they were tremendous athletes who could overwhelm their opponents in an open court game. Arizin was a great athlete for his era, but he and Barry do not have the size or athleticism to stop the Houston duo without help from their big men.

Houston’s big man depth: In addition to Olajuwon and Malone, Houston features a slew of Hall-of-Fame and all-star big men off the bench. They will attempt to frustrate Chamberlain with behemoths Yao Ming and Ralph Sampson, and will also substitute in Elvin Hayes and Rudy Tomjanovich to play alongside their centers. Golden State will give plenty of minutes to Hall-of-Famer Nate Thurmond, a defensive specialist, alongside Chamberlain, but they’ll have their hands full trying to contain all of Houston’s low post options.

X-Factor

Defense: Will either of these teams be able to stop the other? Houston has Olajuwon, one of the greatest defenders ever, and can pair him up with Elvin Hayes or Otis Thorpe when they need stops. Golden State can feature a defensive frontcourt of Chamberlain, Thurmond, and Tom Gola, and can pack the paint without fearing Houston’s three-point shooting.

Results

Golden State’s inside-out game proves to be too much for the Rockets to handle. Despite the best efforts of Olajuwon and Malone, the Rockets are unable to match Golden State from three-point range, and the Warriors advance.

Warriors win, four games to two.

Next Round

Golden State faces the All-Time Spurs.