1979 NBA Finals

NBA Finals summary


caption =
year = 1979
runnerup = Washington Bullets
runnerup_coach = Dick Motta
runnerup_games = 1
champion = Seattle SuperSonics
champion_coach = Lenny Wilkens
champion_games = 4
date= May 20 - June 1
MVP = Dennis Johnson
(Seattle SuperSonics)
television = CBS (U.S.)
announcers = Brent Musberger, Rick Barry, and Rod Hundley
HOFers = Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld
radio_network =
radio_announcers =
referees_1 =
referees_2 =
referees_3 =
referees_4 =
referees_5 = Game 5:
ECF result = Bullets defeat Spurs, 4-3
WCF result = Supersonics defeat Suns, 4-3The 1979 NBA World Championship Series at the conclusion of the 1978-79 season were won by the Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1. The series was a rematch of the 1978 NBA Finals which the Washington Bullets had won 4-3. Due to a better regular season record, the Bullets had the home court advantage.

Dennis Johnson of the SuperSonics was the Most Valuable Player of the Finals while Gus Williams of the SuperSonics was the top scorer, averaging 28.6 points per game.

Besides the Seattle Metropolitans victory in the Stanley Cup in 1917, this remains Seattle's only men's professional sports championship. The SuperSonics reached the 1996 NBA Finals, but lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games. The Seattle Seahawks did not play for the National Football League championship until Super Bowl XL, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Seattle Mariners have never reached Major League Baseball's World Series.

eries Summary

"SuperSonics win series 4-1"

Game 1

The Bullets controlled the game and led by 18 in the fourth, but Seattle mounted a furious comeback to tie it at 97-97. Larry Wright, who had 26 points off the bench, drove to the basket as time ran down and had his shot blocked by Dennis Johnson, but the referees called Johnson for a foul, sending Wright to the line with one second left. Wright hit two of three foul shots (NBA rules at the time awarded an extra free throw attempt when a team was in the penalty foul situation) to win the game.

Game 2

Elvin Hayes had 11 points in the first quarter, but only nine the rest of the way as Seattle turned its defense up a notch, holding the Bullets to 30 points in the second half.

Game 3

Seattle dominated this game, which wasn't as close as the final margin indicated. Gus Williams scored 31 points, Jack Sikma had 21, and Dennis Johnson had a fine all around game with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and two blocked shots.

Game 4

The Sonics won a close one, staving off a Bullet comeback late behind 36 points by Gus Williams and 32 by Dennis Johnson. Williams and Johnson would dominate the Bullet guards all series, as the Bullet guards were plagued by poor shooting.

Game 5

Back at home, Elvin Hayes had a hot first half, scoring 20, but injuries to starting guards Tom Henderson and Kevin Grevey and prolonged poor shooting by their replacements took their toll. Hayes had only nine points in the second half as Seattle closed out the series.

Team rosters

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list1 = 1 Williams ! 8 Shelton ! 10 Hassett ! 11 Snyder ! 21 Awtrey ! 22 Hansen ! 22 Robinson ! 23 LaGarde ! 24 D. Johnson (Finals MVP) ! 27 J. Johnson ! 32 Brown ! 35 Silas ! 42 Walker ! 43 Sikma ! Coach Wilkens

ee also

*1979 NBA Playoffs

References

* [http://www.nba.com/sonics/history/1979finals.html NBA Sonics 1979 Finals]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1979.html 1979 NBA Playoffs]