1971 NBA Finals

NBA Finals summary


caption =
year = 1971
runnerup = Baltimore Bullets
runnerup_coach = Gene Shue
runnerup_games = 0
champion = Milwaukee Bucks
champion_coach = Larry Costello
champion_games = 4
date= April 21 - April 30
MVP = Lew Alcindor
(Milwaukee Bucks)
television = ABC (U.S.)
announcers = Chris Schenkel and Jack Twyman
HOFers = Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Earl Monroe, Oscar Robertson, Wes Unseld
radio_network =
radio_announcers =
referees_1 =
referees_2 =
referees_3 =
referees_4 =
ECF result = Bullets defeat Knicks, 4-3
WCF result = Bucks defeat Lakers, 4-1The 1971 NBA Finals was the played at the conclusion of the NBA's Silver Anniversary season of 1970-71. The Western Conference Champion Milwaukee Bucks, who were born just three years earlier, swept the Eastern Conference Champion Baltimore Bullets in four games. Baltimore had dethroned the 1969-70 NBA Champion New York Knicks to get to their only NBA Finals appearance (as a Baltimore based franchise). This would be the last time that both participants were playing in their first NBA Finals until the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat got together in the 2006 NBA Finals.

Television: ABC - Chris Schenkel, Jack Twyman

Game-By-Game Summary

Game 4: In his 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Royals, Oscar Robertson had never come close to an NBA championship. But now, playing his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks and Lew Alcindor, Robertson gained the elusive crown.

The Bucks became just the second team to sweep the finals, with the series ending in an 118-106 victory in Game 4 at the Baltimore Arena, in Baltimore. At the age of 32, playing in his 886th NBA game. Robertson controlled the clincher, scoring 21 of his game-high 30 points in the first half when the Bucks built a 60-47 lead.

He finished 11-of-15 from the field, 8-of-9 from the foul line and had nine assists. "Oscar Robertson?" said Bucks coach Larry Costello "You can't describe him. I can't. He was unbelievable."

Though Alcindor dominated in both the regular season and Finals, guard Jon McGlocklin said, "Oscar was the key for us. He comes to play, he runs the team. He's it."

As the Bucks celebrated in the locker room, Robertson said, "This is the first champagne I've ever had, and it tastes mighty sweet. We won the title in high school, but it was soft drinks then. This is the big leagues, man."

eries Summary

"Bucks win series 4-0"

Team rosters

Navbox
navbar=plain
titlestyle = background:#073; color:#d4312a;
title = Milwaukee Bucks 1970-71 NBA Champions
list1 =

1 Robertson !4 Smith !5 Winkler !7 Allen !8 Webb !10 Dandridge !14 McGlocklin !18 Greacen !19 Cunningham !20 Boozer !33 Alcindor (Finals MVP) !35 McLemore !Head Coach Costello

ee also

*1971 NBA Playoffs

External links

* [http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19701971.html NBA History]