1954–55 Syracuse Nationals season

NBA season

team = Syracuse Nationals
end_year = 1955
wins = 43
losses = 29
division_place = 1^st
conf_place = 1^st
coach = Al Cervi
arena = Onondaga War Memorial
playoffs = Won NBA Finals

With the NBA struggling financially and down to just 8 teams, Nationals owner Danny Biasone suggested that the league limit the amount of time taken for a shot. Biasone was upset with the stalling tactics of opposing teams. During the summer of 1954, Biasone had gotten together some of his pros and a group of high school players and timed them with a stopwatch. [ [http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19541955.html NBA.com: Nats Win First Title of Shot-Clock Era ] ] Most shots were taken within 12 seconds, Biasone discovered. Biasone calculated that a 24 second shot clock would allow at least 30 shots per quarter and assist in increasing scoring. The result would speed up a game that often ended with long periods of teams just holding the ball. Quickness and athletic ability became prized as they never had been before. Excessive fouling didn't disappear completely, but just about everyone concluded that the clock was good for the game. The shot clock was a success with the result that scoring was up 14 points per game league wide. [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/syracuse/nats.html Syracuse Nationals (1946-1963) ] ] In the first season of the shot clock, the Nats would take first place in the Eastern Division with a 43-29 record.

Offseason

NBA Draft

[ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SYR/1955_games.html 1954-55 Syracuse Nationals Games - Basketball-Reference.com ] ]

Player stats

"Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average" [ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SYR/1955.html 1954-55 Syracuse Nationals Statistics - Basketball-Reference.com ] ]

Playoffs

After a first round bye in the playoffs, the Nats would beat the Boston Celtics in 4 games as the Nats would reach the NBA Finals for the 2nd straight season.

NBA Finals

In the finals the Nats would get off to a fast start taking the first 2 games at home against the Fort Wayne Pistons. However, as the series moved to Fort Wayne the Pistons would spark back to life taking all 3 games to take a 3-2 series lead. Back in Syracuse for Game 6 on the Nats kept Championship hopes alive by beating the Pistons 109-104 to force a 7th game at home. Game 7 would be as tight as the series as George King sank a free throw to give the Nats a 92-91 lead in the final seconds. King would then steal inbound pass to clinch the NBA Championship for the Nationals. "Nationals win series 4-3"

Awards and Honors

* All-NBA First Team:
** Dolph Schayes, Syracuse Nationals

References

* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SYR/1955.html Nationals on Basketball Reference]