40: A MyNBA Universe

[huge_bart_simpson]

Conference Finals Prediction

(2) Detroit Pistons @ (1) Boston Celtics
The Pistons are already exhausted from a grueling second-round win over Philadelphia in a six-game series with two overtime games. Boston comes in rested and ready (albeit with a hobbled Gerald Henderson) after handling business against Milwaukee in five. The Celtics just have too much talent to drop this, but Detroit will give them a fight.

Prediction: Celtics in 6

(2) Los Angeles Lakers @ (1) Utah Jazz
The Jazz come screaming into this series after a five-game crushing of the Spurs behind leading playoff scorer Adrian Dantley, while the Lakers needed a superhuman performance from Kareem to avoid the upset of the century against Denver. Call me controversial, but I'm going with Utah to dethrone L.A. as the champion of the West.

Prediction: Jazz in 7

[huge_bart_simpson]

Conference Finals So Far

(2) Detroit Pistons 2 @ (1) Boston Celtics 2
Game 1: DET 109 @ BOS 103 - I. Thomas (35 points, 8 assists)
Game 2: DET 116 @ BOS 104 - B. Laimbeer (23 points)
Game 3: BOS 126 @ DET 117 - R. Parish (35 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks)
Game 4: BOS 116 @ DET 114 - L. Bird (43 points, 9 assists)

(2) Los Angeles Lakers 1 @ (1) Utah Jazz 3
Game 1: LAL 95 @ UTA 115 - A. Dantley (35 points, 8 assists)
Game 2: LAL 100 @ UTA 118 - D. Griffith (32 points)
Game 3: UTA 101 @ LAL 111 - M. Johnson (21 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists)
Game 4: UTA 121 @ LAL 98 - A. Dantley (45 points, 9 assists)

Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics

Pistons Lineup
PG - Isiah Thomas (22.8 PPG, 10.9 APG, 2.2 SPG, .540 FG%)
SG - Vinnie Johnson (13.9 PPG, .523 FG%)
SF - Kelly Tripucka (18.9 PPG)
PF - Cliff Levingston (6.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG)
C - Bill Laimbeer (15.5 PPG, 15.5 RPG, 1.9 BPG)
6th Man - John Long (17.3 PPG)

Celtics Lineup
PG - Gerald Henderson (7.8 PPG)
SG - Dennis Johnson (14.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.7 SPG)
SF - Cedric Maxwell (8.6 PPG)
PF - Larry Bird (28.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.9 BPG)
C - Robert Parish (20.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG, .555 FG%)
6th Man - Kevin McHale (17.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, .547 FG%)

[huge_bart_simpson]

Boston Celtics @ Detroit Pistons

After dropping the first two games at home, the Celtics seemed to have finally met their match in the younger, hyper-aggressive Pistons. Boston then silenced its doubters by winning three straight, including a 117-108 victory in Game 5 to help them regain control of the series. Larry Bird was as hot as ever, posting 27 points and 7 rebounds while Robert Parish put up 18 of each. Sixth Man of the Year Kevin McHale delivered 18 points and 3 blocks off the bench, while Dennis Johnson (17 points) and Cedric Maxwell (14 points, 6 rebounds) also performed well. On the losing side, all five Detroit starters reeled off between 16 and 18 points, led by Bill Laimbeer (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Vinnie Johnson (17 points, 10 assists). Kent Benson led the Pistons bench with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

[huge_bart_simpson]

Conference Finals

(2) Detroit Pistons 2 @ (1) Boston Celtics 4
Game 1: DET 109 @ BOS 103 - I. Thomas (35 points, 8 assists)
Game 2: DET 116 @ BOS 104 - B. Laimbeer (23 points)
Game 3: BOS 126 @ DET 117 - R. Parish (35 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks)
Game 4: BOS 116 @ DET 114 - L. Bird (43 points, 9 assists)
Game 5: DET 108 @ BOS 117 - L. Bird (27 points, 7 rebounds)
Game 6: BOS 112 @ DET 98 - R. Parish (26 points, 16 rebounds)

(2) Los Angeles Lakers 1 @ (1) Utah Jazz 4
Game 1: LAL 95 @ UTA 115 - A. Dantley (35 points, 8 assists)
Game 2: LAL 100 @ UTA 118 - D. Griffith (32 points)
Game 3: UTA 101 @ LAL 111 - M. Johnson (21 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists)
Game 4: UTA 121 @ LAL 98 - A. Dantley (45 points, 9 assists)
Game 5: LAL 112 @ UTA 141 - J. Drew (37 points)

NBA Finals Preview

(1) Utah Jazz @ (1) Boston Celtics
It's the battle of the big threes, as Bird, Parish, and McHale take on Dantley, Griffith and Green. However, Griffith dealing with a pinched nerve tilts the series in Boston's favor, and trotting out Rich Kelley to defend Parish doesn't help. The Jazz might be a great squad, but Dantley needs some help in the frontcourt other than sixth man John Drew for this to be the gateway to a title. The safe bet is to pick the battle-tested Celtics to hoist another Walter A. Brown Trophy.

Prediction: Celtics in 6

[huge_bart_simpson]

NBA Finals So Far

(1) Utah Jazz @ (1) Boston Celtics
Game 1: UTA 113 @ BOS 107 - A. Dantley (26 points, 9 assists)
Game 2: UTA 125 @ BOS 117 - D. Griffith (30 points, 6 assists)
Game 3: BOS 104 @ UTA 120 - D. Griffith (25 points, 6 assists)

Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz (Game 4, UTA leads 3-0)

Celtics Lineup
PG - Gerald Henderson (9.1 PPG, 6.5 APG)
SG - Dennis Johnson (14.3 PPG, 5.0 APG)
SF - Cedric Maxwell (8.9 PPG, .549 FG%)
PF - Larry Bird (27.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.8 SPG)
C - Robert Parish (20.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.2 BPG, .551 FG%)
6th Man - Kevin McHale (16.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG, .562 FG%)

Jazz Lineup
PG - Rickey Green (16.7 PPG, 11.3 APG, 2.3 SPG)
SG - Darrell Griffith (26.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, .608 FG%)
SF - Adrian Dantley (31.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 6.4 APG, .634 FG%)
PF - John Drew (19.6 PPG, .549 FG%)
C - Jeff Wilkins (4.7 PPG, .558 FG%)
6th Man - Thurl Bailey (9.1 PPG, 1.4 BPG)

[huge_bart_simpson]

Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz

The Celtics managed to survive a late rally in Game 4 to escape Utah with a 112-109 win and blow them out in Game 5 with a 113-97 romp, but the Jazz held strong and clinched their first title at home with a 104-97 victory!

The Jazz just missed clinching the title in Game 4, with Darrell Griffith's tying three with no time left rimming out to preserve a Celtics victory after rallying from 12 down with five minutes to play. Robert Parish's 33 points and 10 rebounds saved Boston from elimination, as did Larry Bird's 23 and 17 and Gerald Henderson's 12 with 12 assists. Adrian Dantley gave everything he could with 41 points, and John Drew (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Rickey Green (18 points, 11 assists) also tried to help, but Utah would have to wait a little longer to secure victory. In Game 5, Bird posted yet another triple-double in these playoffs, with 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Parish (23 points, 13 rebounds) contributed once more as Boston desperately tried to extend the series.

However, Utah finally rid themselves of the albatross that they had carried since their beginnings in New Orleans with a Finals-winning victory. Dantley (28 points) and Drew (28 points, 11 rebounds) showed up on the game's biggest stage to secure the franchise's first Walter A. Brown Trophy. A special surprise awaited Dantley: he was named Finals MVP with a stellar 29.6 PPG and .606 field goal percentage.

[huge_bart_simpson]

1984 NBA Offseason

Player Retirements

• Calvin Murphy was the only retiree to play meaningful minutes in his final season, averaging 11.4 PPG and 4.7 APG while averaging 24 minutes. However, the big news comes with the retirement of former MVP and 8-time All-Star Dave Cowens, who hung it up after not playing in the '83-'84 campaign. Charlie Criss and one-time All-Star Steve Mix also announced their exits from the league.

General Notes

• The "clear path" foul has been introduced, giving a player fouled in transition with a "clear path" to the basket two free throws and possession.
• The San Diego Clippers are no more, as they have relocated to Los Angeles. The Jazz and Pacers also both got updated uniforms.

1984 NBA Draft Order
1. Chicago Bulls
2. Portland Trail Blazers (via IND)
3. Kansas City Kings
4. Philadelphia 76ers (via LAC)
5. Dallas Mavericks (via CLE)
6. Indiana Pacers (via NY)
7. Houston Rockets

[ShamWowNY]

Wow, Adrian Dantley Finals MVP! Definitely an aberration from OTL, but glad to see the Jazz get one.