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Who are the top NBA players of the 1970s? Here is our top 10 countdown:
10. Pete Maravich: the top scorer in NCAA history, Maravich brought his high-scoring ways to the NBA, averaging 25+ points, 4+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game in the 1970s for five All-Star selections, four All-NBA teams, and the 1976-1977 scoring title.
9. Dave Cowens: though injuries led to his premature retirement, Cowens was dominant on both ends of the floor when healthy – in addition to winning Rookie of the Year in 1970-1971 and MVP in 1972-1973, he was a 7x All-Star, 2x NBA champion, 3x All-NBA, and 3x All-Defensive during the decade while averaging 18+ points and 14+ rebounds per game.
8. George Gervin: perhaps the NBA’s preeminent scorer of the late 1970s, Gervin was a 6x All-Star and 5x All-NBA/ABA selection during the decade who put up 24+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 2+ assists per game, including two straight scoring titles to close out the decade.
7. Rick Barry: perhaps best known for shooting free throws underhanded, Barry was a prolific scorer who averaged 24+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game during the 1970s across the NBA and ABA; during the decade, he was also a 9x All-Star and 7x All-ABA/NBA selection who took home Finals MVP in 1974-1975 while guiding the Golden State Warriors to the championship.
6. Bob McAdoo: the 1972-1973 Rookie of the Year, McAdoo won three straight scoring titles mid-decade and averaged 27+ points and 12+ rebounds per game in the 1970s en route to five All-Star Games, two All-NBA selections, and the 1974-1975 MVP.
5. Walt Frazier: a 7x All-Star and 6x All-NBA/All-Defensive selection during the 1970s, Frazier was one of the era’s elite point guards, averaging 20+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 6+ assists per game during the decade while guiding the New York Knicks to a pair of championships.
4. John Havlicek: the original sixth man and the Boston Celtics’ all-time leading scorer, Havlicek averaged 21+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game in the 1970s, in the process earning nine All-Star selections, making seven All-NBA and All-Defensive teams, and winning two titles.
3. Elvin Hayes: in addition to averaging 23+ points and 14+ rebounds per game during the 1970s, Hayes accomplished it all – an All-Star every year of the decade, 6x All-NBA, 2x All-Defensive, 2x rebounding champion, and NBA champion with the Washington Bullets in 1977-1978.
2. Julius Erving: one of the best dunkers in league history and perhaps the greatest player in ABA history, Erving won three ABA MVPs and scoring titles along with a pair of titles before coming over to the NBA; across both the NBA and ABA, he averaged 26+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 4+ assists per game in the 1970s and was an 8x All-Star and 7x All-ABA/NBA selection.
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: starting off his career with a dominant 1969-1970 rookie year, Abdul-Jabbar was a 5x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive selection in the 1970s across the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers; moreover, he averaged 28+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and led the Bucks to their first NBA title, winning Finals MVP in the process.
Agree/Disagree? As always, debate/discuss, and leave your thoughts and comments below.
Note: Includes players and statistics from the American Basketball Association (ABA).
Note: All statistics as of time of publication.
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Countdown 70: Top 10 MLB Players of the 1970s