‘Offs Notes, Some Not Likely Cited Elsewhere

In 1971, the NBA season had a so reasonable last game on the last day of April, a fact accelerated by the Milwaukee Bucks 4 game sweep of the then Baltimore Bullets in the final round.

The New York Knicks were defending champions and their first series was a quarterfinal such vs the Atlanta Hawks. There were no preliminary series at that time, now there are these ridiculous –cha ching play in games and best of 7 prelims that follow.

This season, the Knicks are solid but not overwhelming favorites vs the Hawks whom they “5” ‘d those 55 years ago, but not before a superb Bill Bridges (he was in “The Gong Show” movie), 36 rebounds effort led a Hawks series squaring win at New York in game 2.

More 5 and 10 or multiples thereof—In a relatively renowned “semi,” now forty years in ‘el’ rear view, Ralph Sampson’s game and series ending field goal (it is a field goal and many recall “Coop” the tremendous Lakers player, Michael Cooper, falling to the floor in disbelief but I still a Lakers’ fan was glad to duck what was a tremendous Celtics team) lifted the Houston Rockets to a 5 game series win before they lost to the Celtics in 6 games (Andy B. telling the great baseball player and hoops fan, the not surprising result in #6).

Put a 5 on and ’twas 45 years ago that as was also the case, in that ’86 semi, Houston eliminated a defending champions Lakers team, that 2 games to 1 in a prelim.

Tom Henderson, as a Bullets player, is pictured above.

Earvin “Magic” (per the old ad you can call him Johnson and also an all-time great player) cited Henderson’s fine defense on let’s just call it a huge play in that Houston decisive third game prelim win vs L.A. in ’81.

Henderson “titled” in ’78 with the Bullets and did Yonkers/Roosevelt High Marty Gonda play with Tom at The University of Hawaii?

Another Henderson (Gerald) played a big part in one of the 5 “denials” of a Lakers title in the ’80’s with a steal and bucket in #2 for the Celts in the final round. Boston won in OT(B) man had $line not ‘el’ spread another “horseshoe,”), and went on to “7” the Lakers making it 8 of 8 vs Lakers teams (7 vs the L.A. version) in NBA final rounds. That now stands (9-3).