Decade overview
1970s NBA champions
Eight franchises won titles in the 1970s, the most spread of any full decade. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, and a wave of new stars played in a faster, more balanced league.
Ten champions came from eight franchises: Knicks (1970, 1973), Bucks (1971), Lakers (1972), Celtics (1974, 1976), Warriors (1975), Trail Blazers (1977), Bullets (1978), and SuperSonics (1979). No team won three in a row.
Willis Reed's Knicks opened the decade. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won with Milwaukee in 1971 and later starred on the 1972 Lakers with Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. Dave Cowens and John Havlicek carried Boston's mid-decade titles. Rick Barry led Golden State in 1975. Bill Walton powered Portland in 1977. Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes won in Washington in 1978. Dennis Johnson and Jack Sikma closed the decade in Seattle.
The ABA merger in 1976 brought new talent and a slightly faster pace. Scoring spread across more positions. Teams still played through big men, but guards and forwards carried heavier loads than in the Russell era. Parity was the story: almost every year brought a new champion.
Each season below links to a full article with the Finals result, roster, and context for that year.