1978 Washington Bullets

Washington was not a powerhouse in the regular season. They went 44-38 and finished second in the Central Division, a team that had been knocking on the door for years and losing, including a 1975 Finals sweep at the hands of Golden State. Coach Dick Motta kept them steady and pointed at the spring.

Hayes led the team at 19.7 points and 13.3 rebounds, with Dandridge close behind at 19.3. Unseld was the connective tissue. He scored 7.6 a game but grabbed everything and started the break with his passing. Off the bench, Mitch Kupchak gave them 15.9 a night and Kevin Grevey added perimeter shooting.

The Bullets ground through Atlanta, San Antonio, and Philadelphia to reach the Finals against Seattle. The series went the distance. Washington fell behind, then took Game 6 and the road Game 7 in the Seattle Center Coliseum. Unseld, the smallest center in most matchups, won Finals MVP on rebounding and defense.

Motta gave the playoff run its catchphrase when he said the opera is not over until the fat lady sings. It became the team's rallying cry. The Bullets returned to the Finals the next year and lost the rematch to the same Seattle club.