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Los Angeles Lakers: Biggest enemies of the 1970s

By Jamaal Artis

Mar 2, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; American broadcaster Bill Walton before the game between the Stanford Cardinals and the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; American broadcaster Bill Walton before the game between the Stanford Cardinals and the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers – Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers – Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Bill Walton

It was just one playoff series but it was probably the most frustrating playoff loss for the decade outside of losing the NBA Finals in 1970 and 1973.  The 1977 Los Angeles Lakers had the best record in the NBA and found themselves one series away from making it to NBA Finals for the first time since 1973 and for the first time since trading for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975.

Their opponent in the Western Conference Finals were the Portland Trailblazers led by the enigmatic red-headed Bill Walton.  The Trailblazers with their strong focus on team play were the n the playoffs for first time in franchise history.

What looked like a close series on paper ended up being a stunning four game sweep as the Trailblazers stunned the Lakers to advance to their first NBA Finals.  Statistically Abdul-Jabbar had a strong series averaging 30 points and 16 rebounds, but Walton the emotional leader of his team averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds while playing tough defense on Abdul-Jabbar.

The indelible image of the series was Walton dunk over Abdul-Jabbar in Game 3 of the series that the Trailblazers would win giving them a 3-0 series lead on their way to the sweep.  Walton’s strong play would continue as he lead the Trailblazers to a NBA Finals win and he would be named MVP of the Finals series.

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