1970 NBA Finals Game 7 breakdown - Jerry West sucks

[Guy986]

My problem with the games in the 60s and 70s is that it appears that nobody plays hard. This is game 7 of the nba finals and nobody hustles. They all jog up and down the court in half assed speed. Its easy to play 48 mins this way. When i was a kid, i could play 4 hours straight in the playground by jogging up and down the court playing absolutely no defense and not boxing out. So i'm not that impressed by the "stamina" of the old aged legends.

Bah humbug to your post. Considering its game 7 of the NBA Finals its understandable that the players look tired. As for hustling, playing hard, and not boxing out...the Lakers must've had 2-4 game-winning buzzer beaters in the recent playoffs that were easy putbacks from Kobe's misses which were a direct result of not enough hustle, boxing out, etc. from today's incredibly pampered athletes. In the recent Game 7 the players also looked tired and they also didn't look like they were giving 100% if that was one of the only samples you had of them. Not to mention it was almost a different game in West's days considering the absence of the 3 point line and a wide number of other rules differences.

Its funny because the last time i saw a game in the late 60s on youtube, i was assured that the reason the players don't play all out is because its a regular season game. Now you're telling me they don't play hard because they're tired? Its game 7 of the NBA final, at this point adrenaline should take over by now. Its a really bad excuse.

Considering how bad the average ball handler were back in the 60s/70s(Bob Cousy said middle school student now could do what he did back in the days and if these videos are any indication, he's absolutely right), i'm always perplexed when i see the opposing PG bring the ball up leisurely without any pressure or trap. But doing so would require effort on defense. God forbid they may actually have to sweat playing basketball.

[Patterns]

My problem with the games in the 60s and 70s is that it appears that nobody plays hard. This is game 7 of the nba finals and nobody hustles. They all jog up and down the court in half assed speed. Its easy to play 48 mins this way. When i was a kid, i could play 4 hours straight in the playground by jogging up and down the court playing absolutely no defense and not boxing out. So i'm not that impressed by the "stamina" of the old aged legends.

Bah humbug to your post. Considering its game 7 of the NBA Finals its understandable that the players look tired. As for hustling, playing hard, and not boxing out...the Lakers must've had 2-4 game-winning buzzer beaters in the recent playoffs that were easy putbacks from Kobe's misses which were a direct result of not enough hustle, boxing out, etc. from today's incredibly pampered athletes. In the recent Game 7 the players also looked tired and they also didn't look like they were giving 100% if that was one of the only samples you had of them. Not to mention it was almost a different game in West's days considering the absence of the 3 point line and a wide number of other rules differences.

That's a poor excuse. Teams play the hardest in game 7 no matter how many games they've played before.

[stephanieg]

If you watch the rest of the vid he does dribble with his left.

[XuDa]

Lol, 70's basketball is comical to watch.

[NYK 455]

No way West is a superstar in todays NBA. He deserves respect for paving the way, however.

[B-Scott]

Didn't Jeff Hornacek average close to 20 a game? Kevin Martin is also a 20 point scorer.

West was 6-5, had a great pull up jumper and could shoot coming off screens.

If the two guys above along with someone like Rip Hamilton could average 20 so could West. Rip doesnt have great handles. Actually West shot better off the dribble than Rip and Kevin Martin.

[Dipper 13]

Wilt is a ball stopper, wow. Never knew it was THAT bad.

Sports Illustrated - December 13, 1971

Early in the winning streak—which began the night young Jim McMillian took Elgin's place in the starting lineup Sharman was undecided whether to hold a practice the day following a 40-point victory over Philadelphia. He polled the players. And the players told him to ask Chamberlain. "Yes, I think we ought to practice" was Wilt's unexpected verdict.

"I don't like all this talk about how I'm playing only because of Bill Sharman." Chamberlain said last week. "I've always done what's been necessary on any team I've been on. People tend to forget that when I was with Philadelphia we compiled a great record and I sometimes took 30 shots a game. Sonic games now I only lake five or six. but it's a different era and a different team. I'm just doing what's needed."

Another long-held assumption has been that Chamberlain could not provide the maneuver so essential to a last break—a good outlet pass. A quick release of defensive rebounds is mandatory in that style of offense, but it has rarely been part of Wilt's game. His previous coaches resisted the fast break, preferring to move slowly enough so that Chamberlain could set up in the post where patterns would evolve around him. "The outlet pass was something I had to be very conscious of earlier this season," Wilt said. "It was a change of style for us then, but it has become second nature now."

Once Chamberlain releases the ball, he almost never touches it again. When the Laker fast break succeeds, he usually remains standing in the defensive area of the court. Even when Los Angeles settles into its patterns, Wilt handles the ball far less frequently than in past years, when the Laker offense consisted mainly of throwing the ball into the post, letting Chamberlain wave it around in one hand for five or 10 tedious seconds and then throw it back outside for West to take a jump shot.


1967 76ers in action below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJjBDUhbBcs[/youtube]