1979 NBA Finals
Encyclopedia
The 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 home-court advantage.
Dennis Johnson
of the SuperSonics was the Finals Most Valuable Player 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
.
Coincidentally, the series (along with the 1978 NBA Finals
) was informally known as the George Washington
series, because both teams were playing in places named after the first President of the United States
(the SuperSonics were playing in Seattle, the largest city in the State of Washington, and the Bullets were representing Washington, D.C.
albeit playing in nearby Landover, Maryland
).
SuperSonics win series 4-1
, 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 a foul on Johnson, 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.
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.
had 21, and Dennis Johnson
had a fine all-around game with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and two blocked shots.
. Williams and Johnson dominated the Bullets' guards all series, as they were plagued by poor shooting. Johnson also had four blocks in the game, the last on Kevin Grevey with 4 seconds left to ensure the Seattle victory.
had a hot first half, scoring 20, but injuries to starting guards Tom Henderson
, 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.
. The Bullets (39-43) were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers
, while the SuperSonics (56-26) lost to the Los Angeles Lakers
in the Conference Finals. Both the 76ers and Lakers faced off in the 1980 NBA Finals
, a 4-2 Lakers win. Dick Motta
, the Bullets coach, departed to take over the expansion Dallas Mavericks
in the 1980-81 NBA season
, while the SuperSonics traded 1979 Finals MVP Dennis Johnson
for Paul Westphal
, which hastened their downfall. Wes Unseld
retired after the season, and Elvin Hayes
concluded his final three NBA seasons with the team he started with, the Rockets
.
As of the 2010-11 NBA season this was the last Finals appearance for the Bullets/Wizards franchise. The SuperSonics would not return until 1996
.
1978-79 NBA season
The 1978–79 NBA season was the 33rd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Seattle SuperSonics winning the NBA Championship, beating the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals, a rematch of the previous year's Finals, but with the opposite...
were won by the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
defeating the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1. The series was a rematch of the 1978 NBA Finals
1978 NBA Finals
-Series summary:Bullets win series 4-3-Game 1:The Bullets, behind Kevin Grevey's 27 and Elvin Hayes's 21 points, held a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter at the Seattle Center Coliseum. But, the Sonics staged a comeback in front of the home crowd, led by "instant offense" guard Fred Brown...
which the Washington Bullets had won 4-3. Due to a better regular season record, the Bullets had home-court advantage.
Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
of the SuperSonics was the Finals Most Valuable Player while Gus Williams of the SuperSonics was the top scorer, averaging 28.6 points per game.
Besides the Seattle Metropolitans
Seattle Metropolitans
The Seattle Metropolitans were a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington which played in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association from 1915 to 1924. They won the Stanley Cup in 1917, becoming the first American team to do so...
victory in the Stanley Cup in 1917
1917 Stanley Cup Finals
-See also:* 1916–17 NHA season* 1916–17 PCHA season...
, this remains Seattle's only men's professional sports championship. The SuperSonics reached the 1996 NBA Finals
1996 NBA Finals
The 1996 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1995-96 NBA season of the National Basketball Association. The Seattle SuperSonics of the Western Conference took on the Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference, with the Bulls holding home court advantage...
, but lost to the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in six games. The Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
did not play for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
championship until Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, and the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
have never reached Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
.
Coincidentally, the series (along with the 1978 NBA Finals
1978 NBA Finals
-Series summary:Bullets win series 4-3-Game 1:The Bullets, behind Kevin Grevey's 27 and Elvin Hayes's 21 points, held a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter at the Seattle Center Coliseum. But, the Sonics staged a comeback in front of the home crowd, led by "instant offense" guard Fred Brown...
) was informally known as the George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
series, because both teams were playing in places named after the first President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
(the SuperSonics were playing in Seattle, the largest city in the State of Washington, and the Bullets were representing Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
albeit playing in nearby Landover, Maryland
Landover, Maryland
Landover is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, within the census-designated place of Greater Landover. The Prince Georges County Sports and Learning Complex is in Landover...
).
Series summary
| Game | Date | Home Team | Result | Road Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 20 | Washington | 99-97 | Seattle |
| Game 2 | May 24 | Washington | 82-92 | Seattle |
| Game 3 | May 27 | Seattle | 105-95 | Washington |
| Game 4 | May 29 | Seattle | 114-112 (OT) | Washington |
| Game 5 | June 1 | Washington | 93-97 | Seattle |
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. Larry WrightLarry Wright (basketball)
Larry Glenn Wright is a former American professional basketball player and former Grambling State University men's basketball team head coach, his alma mater...
, who had 26 points off the bench, drove to the basket as time ran down and had his shot blocked by Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
, but the referees called a foul on Johnson, 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 HayesElvin Hayes
Elvin Ernest Hayes is a retired American basketball player and radio analyst for Houston Cougars men's basketball, where he played college basketball...
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 SikmaJack Sikma
Jack Wayne Sikma is a retired American NBA basketball center. He was known for his distinctive curly, blonde hair in his playing days....
had 21, and Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
had a fine all-around game with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and two blocked shots.
Game 4
The Sonics won a close one in OT 114-112, staving off a late Bullets comeback behind 36 points by Gus Williams and 32 by Dennis JohnsonDennis Johnson
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
. Williams and Johnson dominated the Bullets' guards all series, as they were plagued by poor shooting. Johnson also had four blocks in the game, the last on Kevin Grevey with 4 seconds left to ensure the Seattle victory.
Game 5
Back home, Elvin HayesElvin Hayes
Elvin Ernest Hayes is a retired American basketball player and radio analyst for Houston Cougars men's basketball, where he played college basketball...
had a hot first half, scoring 20, but injuries to starting guards Tom Henderson
Tom Henderson
Thomas Edward "Tom" Henderson is an American former professional basketball player.A tough-minded 6'4" guard from the University of Hawaii, Henderson was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 1974 National Basketball Association Draft...
, Kevin Grevey
Kevin Grevey
Kevin Michael Grevey is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'5" swingman, the left-handed Grevey played for the Washington Bullets from 1975-1983 and the Milwaukee Bucks from 1983-1985...
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.
Aftermath
Neither team made it back to the Finals the following season1979-80 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Coach of the Year: Bill Fitch, Boston Celtics*All-NBA First Team:**Paul Westphal, Phoenix Suns...
. The Bullets (39-43) were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, while the SuperSonics (56-26) lost to the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the Conference Finals. Both the 76ers and Lakers faced off in the 1980 NBA Finals
1980 NBA Finals
The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1979–80 NBA season.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP. But midway through Game 5, the Laker center suffered a severely sprained ankle. He managed to come back in the game in the 4th quarter to lead the Lakers to victory...
, a 4-2 Lakers win. Dick Motta
Dick Motta
John Richard "Dick" Motta is a former basketball coach whose career in the National Basketball Association spanned 25 years, and he continues to rank among the NBA's all-time top 10 in coaching victories....
, the Bullets coach, departed to take over the expansion Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
in the 1980-81 NBA season
1980-81 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz*Coach of the Year: Jack McKinney, Indiana Pacers*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
, while the SuperSonics traded 1979 Finals MVP Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
for Paul Westphal
Paul Westphal
Paul Westphal is a retired American basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Association's Sacramento Kings. Westphal has had a storied career in the NBA, both as a player and as a coach. As a player, he won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in the 1974 NBA...
, which hastened their downfall. Wes Unseld
Wes Unseld
Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld is an American former basketball player. He spent his entire NBA career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life and college career:Unseld starred on a Seneca High School team...
retired after the season, and Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes
Elvin Ernest Hayes is a retired American basketball player and radio analyst for Houston Cougars men's basketball, where he played college basketball...
concluded his final three NBA seasons with the team he started with, the Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
.
As of the 2010-11 NBA season this was the last Finals appearance for the Bullets/Wizards franchise. The SuperSonics would not return until 1996
1996 NBA Finals
The 1996 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1995-96 NBA season of the National Basketball Association. The Seattle SuperSonics of the Western Conference took on the Chicago Bulls of the Eastern Conference, with the Bulls holding home court advantage...
.