It was exactly 45 years ago today, that the Los Angeles Lakers completed one of the greatest single seasons in any major sport, by winning the NBA Title, their first in Los Angeles, with a home (114-100) victory vs the New York Knicks in game 5 of the finals on a Sunday night at The Forum in L.A.
The Knicks had defeated the Lakers in game 7 of the NBA finals to win their first crown by almost the same score (113-99) just two years earlier.
This was the second title for playoffs MVP, Wilt Chamberlain and the first and only as a player for another great, Jerry West.
The Lakers had a regular season record of (69-13) a record until “Chi” broke it in 1996. They won 33 straight games which is still a record in any of the four major sports leagues. It was quite a team and a remarkable season.
Wilt and Jerry West, two of the greatest ever.
Yesterday, Friday May 5th, a day the L.A. area, Anaheim Ducks staged an almost unprecedented comeback victory at home, vs the Edmonton Oilers, scoring three goals to force overtime after pulling net minder Gibson and winning (4-3) on Corey Perry’s goal in the second overtime, I remember an L.A. area team win, exactly 45 years earlier.
On May 5, 1972, Jim McMillian took over in the overtime leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a game 4 win at Madison Square Garden vs the New York Knicks that gave them a (3-1) Finals Series lead, in a series they clinched two nights later.
Speaking of 45 years later and vs an NHL team based in Canada (they just seem unable to win), the Rangers on the exact anniversary of a game 3/1972 finals victory, won (4-1) for the second straight game and not only squared their “Qtr” vs the Ottawa Senators but are bigger series faves now than they were before the series started, despite “Ott” having this afternoon’s #5 and a potential game 7 at home.
Corey Perry’s goal in the second overtime last night lifted “An” (4-3) over Edmonton in game 5 and into a (3-2) “Qtrs” lead.
The Ducks (Anaheim or “An”) were the second team in NHL annals to team score as many as 3 goals to even force overtime with less than 4 minutes remaining in the tilt.
Perry with Ryan Getzlaf getting an assist won it.
Both the 2015 and 2016 NBA finalists (to this point, there never was an NBA Finals series matching the same teams for three straight seasons), are (6-0) thus far in these ‘offs and have (2-0) “quarters” leads.
The defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who sailed through the much weaker NBA East a year ago, going (12-2), take a (2-0) series lead into Toronto vs the Raptors tonight.
Their two losses within the Eastern Conference last year, came in this situation, but in the semis.
Golden State (Warriors) with the NBA’s best record for a third straight season, lead the Utah Jazz two games to none, after two double digit, but no cover home victories.
An evening viewing party was held for NY Mets fans on the Rick’s Cabaret NYC Roof Deck and Cigar Lounge. The fans watched the Mets game on the club’s flat-screen TVs and then celebrated the team’s victory with the beautiful Rick’s Cabaret NYC girls.
“The Roof Deck is such a fun place for a party,” explained Rick’s Cabaret NYC girl Kelly.
Ronnie the Limo Driver from the Howard Stern Show stopped by. “He is the best,” said Rick’s Cabaret girl Marilyn. “He is a lot of fun to hang out with–he is so nice!”
“The Champagne was flowing and there were so many hot girls,” cooed Rick’s Cabaret NYC girl Diana. “Oh, and everyone enjoyed the food prepared by Chef Franklin Edwards.”
Rick’s Cabaret New York is known for its beautiful entertainers and warm hospitality. It is a favorite spot for pro athletes from all the major sports. Conveniently located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan (50 West 33rd Street), it is across from the Empire State Building and just one block away from Madison Square Garden.
I will not give an opinion on the play in which the great player, Sidney Crosby was injured, an injury that will cause him to miss at least one game.
However, I have strong opinions on two matters in which the NHL has made the wrong decision.
First and foremost is that the top two teams in the regular season should never be meeting as early as the league’s quarterfinals, it is bad enough when it manifests in a league semi-final.
However, due to the inane “within the division” playoffs format, the top ranked Caps and defending champion Pens, the teams with the top two regular season points marks are clashing as early as the quarterfinals.
Next the 4 rounds of best of 7 is a contest of attrition, not necessarily of skill and talent.
On a flipping the channels day, “Romance on the High Seas” and an episode of “Friends,” “brought” two favorites and a note or two.
In the 1949 movie, “Romance on the High Seas” directed by the great Michael Curtiz (many great films but one need only say “Casablanca”) there was Don DeFore, for whom so many years ago, I subliminally named an “Electric Football” running back.
In the movie, DeFore was a “Mr. Kent” evoking my favorite from and including Superman, Clark Kent.
On “Friends,” there was the great character actor named Phil Leeds. He delivered a great line.
Mine is where have they all gone, character actors and many other good things?!
Phil Leeds, pictured above.
The first round of the NBA playoffs is finally over with one 7th game played and in it, the Jazz won at L.A. vs the Clippers making them the first lower seeded team to win after 7 higher seeded teams had advanced.
According to notes I read, the Clippers are the first team in NBA history, likely sports history, to lose a series in which it led, for as many as five consecutive seasons.
Tonight the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors begin to “slosh” away in one “Qtr,” in which I anticipate and look forward to Marv Albert broadcasting the games on Turner Network Television.
A prediction: The Cavs in 6 just as in last year’s “semi,” but a much better effort from the Raptors this time, I dare say with a win at Cleveland in one of the first two games.
Last year en route to a title, largely “gifted” to them by their easy conference and the unjust suspension of Dray Green for game 5 of the finals, “Cleve” went (9-1) at home in the ‘offs, which is quite impressive.
Other “quarters,” San Antonio vs Houston, Golden State vs Utah and yesterday the Boston Celtics “opened” vs the Washington Wizards nee Bullets.
How far we are from another Sunday afternoon series opener (the ’75 semis) between the Celts and Wizards/Bullets. Phil Chenier or Nick Weatherspoon anyone?
The game 6, to “stay alive” victory at Utah, by the six plus point underdog, Los Angeles Clippers two days ago which forced today’s 7th game, prevented a first in NBA/NHL first round, best of seven series annals.
After no first round NHL series needed a deciding seventh game for just the third time in 30 possibilities, (’87-2017), (no NHL season in 2005), and the other seven NBA first round series had ended in no more than six games, a Utah “wrap” in six would have produced the first season in 14 possibilities, (the NBA began best of seven first round play in 2003 and only in 2011 were there no 7th games in the first round) that neither league had a seventh game in the first round.
By the way, the other two times no 7th game in the first round of NHL playoffs was required took place in 1996 and 2001.
In both of those seasons the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. This season the Avalanche finished last in the 30 team NHL in points scored, garnering 21 fewer points than any other team. The “Lanche” do have those two Cup victories.
Once again, Bergino Baseball Clubhouse (67 East 11th Street in New York City) with proprietor and interviewer Jay Goldberg, was the site for a great evening of discussion with a great guest, this time, Marty Appel, whose extraordinary baseball knowledge flowed, as he discussed his new book, ” Casey Stengel Baseball’s Greatest Character.”
The baseball world and I would think the world, needs more people like Marty Appel. whose stories, knowledge and research truly impressed me, and the extremely baseball knowledgeable audience which is par for the course at Bergino Clubhouse.
Stories about Casey Stengel and a sparrow, his relationships with such Yankees as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin were imparted by Mr. Appel in a most interesting, refreshing way, certainly augmenting my already considerable knowledge on the subject.
I can not wait to read the book, while suggesting to baseball fans, to mine the treasure that is Marty Appel.
Oh how I love baseball history and thirst for more in accurate, articulate fashion. While few if any people know my passion in this regard, trust me it is there, thus it is high praise indeed, for one like me, to marvel at Mr. Appel’s performance at Bergino Clubhouse and in a few interviews I watched on his website.
Preorder your copy at Amazon.com
At one point in the discussion, Jay Goldberg read from the book saying Casey’s time in baseball spanned from John McGraw to Tug McGraw (Casey broken his hip during the 1965 season leading to his retirement and was not the Mets’ on the field manager when Tug got credit for the victory, the first time the Mets defeated Sandy Koufax in August 1965.)
Later, Mr. Appel cited the fact Casey knew the great pitcher Kid Nichols from their time in Casey’s hometown of Kansas City. Thus as Appel said, “never mind John McGraw to Tug McGraw, Kid Nichols to Tug McGraw!
Quoting Casey but spelling the word as is, “amazing.” It was that kind of information chocked night!
Andy B Sports 