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The defense-oriented New York Knicks were so well-balanced that none of their players finished the 1972-73 season among the individual stats leaders except for Bill Bradley, who finished fifth in free-throw percentage.
Adding to that balance was guard Earl Monroe, whom the Knicks acquired earlier in the previous season, teamed with Walt Frazier in the backcourt to wreak havoc on opposing guards.
During the regular season, 6-foot-1 Nate “Tiny” Archibald pulled off the amazing by leading the league in scoring (34 ppg) and assists (11.4 apg). His Kings, who had moved from Cincinnati (where they were the Royals), divided their home games between Kansas City, Mo., and Omaha, Neb. Though the Kings finished 36-46 and were one of the league’s worst teams, Archibald still accomplished his feat while also playing a league-leading 46 minutes a game.
While the Kings had their bright spot in Archibald, there surely wasn’t anything positive in Philadelphia this season. Losing star forward Billy Cunningham to the upstart ABA, the Sixers suffered through a 9-73 season — the worst finish in league history.
Boston seemed like the title favorite during the season as it rolled up a franchise-record 68 wins and boasted the league’s MVP, center Dave Cowens. In the playoffs, they breezed past the Hawks in six games, setting up a showdown with the Knicks.
The Knicks made it look easy. Bradley, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Monroe and Frazier led the charge and Jerry Lucas and Phil Jackson — two key reserves — helped the Knicks waltz past Baltimore in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Although it went seven games, the Knicks-Celtics conference finals had its fair share of blowouts and close calls. Yet in Game 7, the Knicks won 94-78 at Boston Garden to return to The Finals.
In The Finals, the Knicks dropped Game 1 to the Lakers, then won four straight closely contested games for the Knicks’ second NBA title. It was the last Finals appearance for all-time great center Wilt Chamberlain. For his career, Chamberlain had taken three different teams to seven Finals appearances, winning twice.
PLAYOFFS
Eastern Conference semifinals
Boston defeated Atlanta (4-2)
New York defeated Baltimore (4-1)
Western Conference semifinals
Golden State defeated Milwaukee (4-2)
Los Angeles Lakers defeated Chicago (4-3)
Eastern Conference finals
New York defeated Boston (4-3)
Western Conference finals
Los Angeles Lakers defeated Golden State (4-2)
NBA Finals
New York defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
SEASON LEADERS
Points — Nate Archibald, K.C./Omaha Kings (34.0)
Assists — Nate Archibald, K.C./Omaha Kings (11.4)
Rebounds — Wilt Chamberlain, Los Angeles Lakers (18.6)
FG% — Wilt Chamberlain, Los Angeles Lakers (72.7)
FT% — Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors (90.2)
AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player — Dave Cowens, Boston Celtics
Rookie of the Year — Bob McAdoo, Buffalo Braves
Coach of the Year — Tom Heinsohn, Boston Celtics
All-Star Game MVP — Dave Cowens, Boston Celtics
Finals MVP — Willis Reed, New York Knicks
