2. The leading scorer in National Basketball Association (NBA) history is just the 10th-best player ever? They didnt. He led the league in minutes played for the decade, and also grabbed more rebounds than anyone else.He was no slouch when it came to scoring either, recording the second-most points of the decade behind only Abdul-Jabbar.Hayes was a 12-time All-Star, being selected in each of his first twelve years, and was also a six-time All-NBA selection. Clockwise from upper left: Issel, Lanier, Mount and Maravich (not pictured: Murphy). Its time for BritannicaOK, one editor at Britannicato jump into the perpetually unresolved greatest ever in [insert sport here] fray. It didnt. This list is, naturally, incredibly subjective, and shouldnt be taken too seriously. $11.45 shipping. Kareem was the best pro basketball player of the '70s -- that's more or less beyond debate -- but hoops came out the other side fully enthralled with shooters and high-flyers. (LogOut/ His height is 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), and his weight is 205 lb (93 kg). -- Flannery. Most importantly, free agency also gave players newfound leverage in negotiations. 12. The 1970s NBA. Like it or not, the three-point field goal and the slam dunk have greatly changed the on-court product in the NBA. 1970s Basketball Players Basketball 1970s vs. now. He finished his career eighth all-time in both points and steals as a player who truly had a complete game.His ability to dominate as a wing was something the NBA had not seen much of before, and his mark on the game will always be remembered. Hayes averaged 23+ points and 14+ rebounds per game during the 1970s, he gets lost in the conversation when people talk about the greatest players in NBA history, but the Big E should always be in that conversation. While his famously vanilla playing style and quiet demeanor kept him from having a cultural impact similar to the other greats, his four championships, 14 All-Star Games, and two NBA MVP awards are indisputable evidence of his fantastic ability. FLANNERY DISSENTS: I had Dave Cowens on my Third Team and forgot to include him on the Honorable Mention list when we pubbed this list. Curious about the story behind the basketball card, intern Curtis Harris interviewed Jim Barnett, whose pro basketball career began in 1966 with the Boston Celtics.Aside from the outlandish hair and flamboyant jerseys of the players, basketball cards of the 1970s provide a fascinating window into an exciting and chaotic era in the sport's history. The league officially adopted the three-point field goal in 1979 and the San Diego Clippers led the NBA that season with 543 three-point attempts (making 32.6%). 1970s NBA Average Height: 6'6 Average male height: 5'8 Notable stars of the decade: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Elvin Hayes, John Havlicek 1980s NBA Average Height: 6'6 Average male height: 5'8 Now players could subsist without off-season work and, for the first time in league history, make life-changing money playing pro basketball. Al Lankford, Lee Averaged a double-double through much of his career with the Generals, scoring more than 20 points per game as a senior.. 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. 3 min read. Goose Givens won National Player of the Year. . Call 1-800-522-4700. thegruelingtruth.com is available in the following countries: The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. He worked at both ends. Bob McAdoo was a poster child for seventies basketball. Could the Rolls-Royce Backcourt of Walt Clyde Frazier and Earl The Pearl Monroe handle the modern-day Golden State Warriors Splash Brothers? At the opposite end of the attractive play spectrum from Duncan is Shaquille ONeal. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Free shipping for many products! Olympic Games Anthropometry for other sports in 2012. J Julius Erving and Skywalker David Thompson headlined the leagues first slam dunk contest in 1976, but their in-game dunks might have been even more impressive. Hayes and Wes Unseld led the Bullets to three Finals berths and one title, and Hayes was an All-Star every year of the decade. See the rankings as for this Basketball Player Sets set on 3/2/2023 3:23:10 PM. The Celtics had played for 10 seasons before Russell joined the team, never once reaching a championship series in that time. Packs. Gervin was famous for his finger roll and seemed to score at will against any opponent the Spurs played against. His ability to rebound as just a 64 guard was tremendous, averaging six boards per game for his 13-year run in the league. The Knicks legend was All-NBA six times, All-Defence six times, a seven-time All-Star and helped New York win its only two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. Do you have a blog? Michael Ray Richardson 8. The 1970 Draft is also known as the first draft where international players who had never played U.S. high school and college basketball were selected. Where Timmy would work his way around an opponent in the post with his superb footwork, Shaq would often use his extraordinary bulk (71 and 315 pounds) to bully his way to the basket. I included ABA contributions as warranted. 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. The easy answer would be to point to a lack of analytics (seriously, how did they survive without WAR, BPM, or VORP?)[1]. 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, The Top 10 Seattle Mariners of all Time, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans, If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into The Grueling Truth sports shows, Where the legends speak. Nicknamed Big Red for his ginger hair, Dave Cowens was the anchor for many great Boston Celtics teams during the seventies. He is one of only five players to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals, all in one season. 1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com via Sports Logos.net About logos 1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 48-34, Finished 1st in NBA Pacific Division Coach: Joe Mullaney (48-34) Executive: Fred Schaus PTS/G: 114.8 (7th of 17) Opp PTS/G: 111.7 (6th of 17) (LogOut/ Michael Gearon, president of the Hawks, said he believes that as many as half the players in the league may use cocaine and as many as 10 percent may use free base. Ja Morants allegations of aggression off the court, explained. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Then the American Basketball Association (ABA) came along and celebrated the showmanship of their top stars. There were also great centers like Bob McAdoo, Artis Gilmore and Bill Walton. But he was so much more than a dazzling smile. He's also the best player to ever win a championship while wearing a toupe. His impact didnt stop on the offensive end of the court; Havlicek also made eight All-Defensive Teams in his career, epitomizing what it meant to be a two-way player. The pictures are all taken from the time to give you a better idea of how the sneakers were worn. Check the Blazers in 77-78 when they were 44-9 the year after they won the title, for an example. eBay item number: 404182195911. The Women's Professional Basketball League was the first attempt to launch a nationwide professional basketball league for women. For example, Oscar Robertson was one of the most athletic players of his erajust Google Oscar Robertson splits (Ill wait). 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. Kevin McHale was part of one of the most historic big threes of all time, which included him, Robert Parish and Larry Bird. Rick Barry, a two-time NBA All-Star, made $45,000 in the NBA and jumped leagues for a $75,000 payday. At their best the Knicks were a hybrid of downtown artistry mixed with old-school values. During the 1970 tournament Jairzinho scored in each and every game, finishing with seven goals and a reputation as one of the world's best players. Bob McAdoo 5. 15,159 Sets. Before the seventies, many players spent their summers barnstorming (making a few hundred bucks for a week or two of work) or working a white-collar job selling insurance or cars. Something not often mentioned about West is his excellent defense. 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! The five players represented by LA Tech during the 1980s all played a huge part in the success of these Bulldog teams. He was also a three-time MVP in the ABA during the seventies, capturing a three-peat in the award from 1974-1976. Mel Daniels, drafted by both leagues out of New Mexico, signed with the ABA's Minnesota Muskies (great name, by the way) for $36,000-triple what he was offered to play in the NBA. We forget how damn good Boston was in the '70s because their success then paled to that experienced in the '60s and '80s. For better or worse, basketball fans love to compare different eras of their favorite sport. 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. 1970: 'Mr. Clutch' sinks a must-see 60-footer Jerry West showed he deserved his nickname when he buried a 60-foot, game-tying bomb at the buzzer in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks.. In 1975, he led the San Francisco Warriors to an NBA championship, and he was named Finals MVP that year as well. Erving was one of the defining figures of the game during the decade, combining exceptional athleticism and finesse in a style that has remained popular all these years later. Parish was drafted in 1976 by the Golden State Warriors and didnt retire until 1997, capping off a 21-year career. Overall, they have won 17 NBA titles. Its uniform reflects the ever-changing trends and times. He was also a double-double machine, averaging over 12 rebounds per game for the decade. The uber-confident Bird had arguably the quickest release of anyone to ever play basketball and hed often let his defender know that the shot was going in soon after it left his hands. Malone entered 1981-82 ready to exact vengeance. All-Decade 1970s All-Stars on NBA 2K23. Cowens was known for his intensity that could get him in trouble with some fights. Jabbar then went on to finish up the decade with the Lakers. $44.99. 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. . The competition between the two leagues became fierce. During the decade, Gervin was a 6x All-Star and 5x All-NBA/ABA selection which put up 24+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 2+ assists per game, including two straight scoring titles to close out the decade. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. $179.99. 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. Hes bigger than a good portion of the players in the NFL and yet he still moves as gracefully as the most nimble guards in basketball. Frazier was one of the most significant point guards in NBA history. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. He led the league in scoring three straight times from 1974-1976, pouring in over 30 points per game in each season. It's hard to understand why this is a debate, as great as West was. Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati: 2,973 points (1957-58 to 1959-60) "The Big O" averaged 35.1, 32.6 and 33.7 points in his three seasons. 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. When Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo bang gloves Michigan vs Indiana Preview W/Steve Risley: Indiana Basketball Preview, MLB Rule Changes | Can F1 Compete With NASCAR | Froggy Talkin Sports #MLB #indianahoosiers #nascar. These debates boil down to a very simple premise: basketball was different in the past. Erving then reeled off 11 straight All-Star bids in the NBA after the merger. 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. Walton was so damn good that it's impossible to imagine a world where he stayed healthy and reached his potential. Courtesy of Flickr. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. 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. 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. 1. The only player to lead the NBA in points and assists in the same season. Richardson was a four-time All-Star in the NBA. 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. Hondo's back as the star of the post-Russell Celtics. 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. List of all the NBA and ABA Players Born in 1970 | Basketball-Reference.com We've added Women's stats dating back to 2009-10 on College Basketball Reference!. Cowens was only 69 at the center position, but he was one of the most prolific rebounders of the era. He also happens to be one of the top five in-game dunkers ever. In 1975-76, Brewer had his best season as a Cavalier, averaging a. Fearing bankruptcy and finally willing to concede to player movement, the summer of 1976 witnessed the first crop of NBA free agents. He was an All-Star every year of his career, racking up 16 selections while dominating both leagues. The 70s was, as novelist Tom Wolfe once famously wrote, the me decade. Gambling problem? But it was in New York, and specifically in the World's Most Famous Arena, where the '70s made their strongest impression. Most obsessively competitive to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody? What sneakers do you like from the 70's? How 1970s NBA pioneers paved the way for today's game In 1977, the Denver Nuggets signed their star guard, David Skywalker Thompson to a record-setting, five-year, $4-million deal, because they knew he would receive similar offers from other teams (*cough* the Knicks *cough*), should he enter free agency. You still see them at the Garden and no sport has ever had a more dedicated celebrity fan than Jack Nicholson. 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. 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). Mostly, players shot three-pointers out of desperation, not as a strategic element. He made eight All-Star games in the seventies, only missing out in his rookie year and in 1978-79 when he was injured. When Lew Alcindor graduated from UCLA in 1969, both sides negotiated for his services. Yeah. McAdoo was the 1972-1973 NBA Rookie of the Year; he also won three straight scoring titles mid-decade and averaged 27+ points and 12+ rebounds per game in the 1970s en route to five All-Star Games, two All-NBA selections, and the 1974-1975 MVP. Sure Barry was an asshole, but he was also a prolific scorer who averaged 24+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game during the 1970s across the NBA and ABA; during the decade, he was also a 9x All-Star and 7x All-ABA/NBA selection who took home Finals MVP in 1974-1975 while guiding the Golden State Warriors to the championship. In 1973, just his third season in the league, he won the MVP award after averaging 20 points and 16 rebounds per game. But in his rookie year, Russell completely changed the franchises course and established the Celtics as the winningest team in the NBA. The dataset includes stats on over 3000 Players NBA Players from 1947-2018. From a mall parking lot altercation to a fight with a teenager during a pickup game, these are the allegations Ja Morant is facing. 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. (Editors Note: For a brief excerpt of the book, click here; for author reflections, click here.) Release Year: 1971 Kareem Abdul Jabbar was the best basketball player in the world during the early 1970's. He helped make the Adidas Jabbar High and Low famous. 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. Facebook Watch. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Data Provided By One of two players, along with Stephon Marbury, who couldn't find a way to co-exist with a young Kevin Garnett in Minnesota. 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. Until others called the 80s and 90s the same. 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But they seem inconsequential when compared to the off-court changes that took place in the seventies. Another player who made his debut after the decade was already underway, Bob Lanier hit the ground running. Who Is Better: Lebron James Or Wilt Chamberlain? The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. More famously, when the New Orleans Jazz signed aging guard Gail Goodrich away from Los Angeles in 1976, the league awarded the Lakers three first-round draft picks (one of which became Earvin Magic Johnson). In 1970, the average player earned a $35,000 salary (equivalent to around $224,000 today). 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 pace of play increased, players were given more freedom, and the talent in the league was at an all-time high. He was never the best player in either league -- Dr. J and Kareem ensured that --. Malone was the league's best player in 1981-82 by nearly every metric. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Julius Erving 3. The Top Ranked Basketball Players of the 1970's He racked up three championship rings and 12 All-Star appearances in his injury-shortened 13-year career. The player who scored the most points in the 1970s was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The three-pointer debuted in the NBA in late 1979, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson dominated the early years of the 1980s, Michael Jordan arrived a few years later and the rest is history. He won six MVPs during his career, tied for the most all-time, and was also a six-time NBA champion. Notice the striped tubed socks and short shorts in almost every picture. See below where Professor Flannery waxes on Clyde and the Knicks. Known as Clyde Frazier, Walt brought the razzle dazzle to Madison Square Garden in the seventies. He really did help continue the legacy of Bob Cousy in some ways, and with Frazier helped set the table for the next generation of bombastic point guards. 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. His pro career essentially spanned the entire decade, and he racked up five All-Star bids, two first team All-NBA nods and a scoring title. Nash led the 15th seeded, and lightly regarded, Santa Clara to an improbable upset win over 2 seed Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Rick Barry Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the best basketball players of the '70s of all time? As Araton put it: "When The Captain and Clyde and the rest of the Old Knicks played, when the city and country convulsed with pain, oh what a beautiful game it was.". Top 10 NBA Players of the 1970s - The Grueling Truth Ranking the top 10 players of the 1970s TGT Tips! or Best Offer . 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? The competition between the two leagues became fierce. Parish was able to stick around for so long because of his great talent as a basketball player, making nine All-Star teams during his career as well as winning four NBA championships. 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 a 7x All-Star and 6x All-NBA/All-Defensive selection during the 1970s. Body Size of NBA Basketball Players Body Size in Basketball Fitness testing for basketball Height records, including the tallest and shortest in sports. You had Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier in the Big Apple, drawing attention and respect to the Mecca of basketball. 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. From baggy street clothes to signature form-fitting apparel and back to baggy, basketball uniforms have undergone transition until what has settled today is both comfortable and functional, and invokes a sense of nostalgic pride among players and fans alike. He pulled down 14 rebounds per game from 1970-1980, and any game that he finished without a double-double was a rarity.. Understanding the marketability of high-flying, slam-dunking showmen, the NBA copied the dunk contest concept in 1977 (won by Indiana Pacer Dr. 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. Just kidding. 6 of 13. There has never been a more enthralling backcourt than Clyde and the Pearl, and their ingenious styles were balanced by bedrock pros like Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere and the Captain, Willis Reed. and fought Bruce Lee in Game of Death, so his cool quotient is easily the highest of anyone on this list. (All this said, it's pretty clear that Kobe eclipsed him as the second best Laker guard ever right around 2009 or 2010. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Why take a 30-foot jump shot if making it counted for the same as a two-footer? Injuries hampered and eventually shortened his career, but Cowbns was a great player winning Rookie of the Year in 1970-1971 and MVP in 1972-1973; he was a 7x All-Star, 2x NBA champion, 3x All-NBA, and 3x All-Defensive during the decade while averaging 18+ points and 14+ rebounds per game. 44,845 Sets. : Gender and Styles of Play in Modern Basketball, Review of Tall Tales and Short Shorts | Sport in American History, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Randy Denton easily has the most unique afro in the history of basketball. Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 16:44, National Association of Basketball Coaches, 196970 NCAA University Division men's basketball season, 2005 NCAA Basketball's Finest - All-Americans, "Awtrey leads All-American Academic unit", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1970_NCAA_Men%27s_Basketball_All-Americans&oldid=1140133496, No second, third or fourth teams (10-man first team), This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 16:44. In 1970, three expansion teams enteredthe Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. He was a perennial All-Star, won the scoring title in 1970 and had four All-NBA first team nods in the decade.