TERRY PLUTO

“Great players defend. Great players help their team win. Great players find a way to stay on the court for most games.”

1979 SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

“THE RING’S THE THING: 50 YEARS – 50 CHAMPS.”

The 1979 was a rematch from last year. A revenge series from the Sonics point of view.

The Washington Bullets had defeated the Sonics in last year’s finals 4-3.

This was also the first NBA finals I recall being shown on tape-delay by CBS. I recall watching a few of the games tipping off at 11:30 PM est.

The Sonics bounced back and beat the Bullets 4-1.

Dennis Johnson bounced back after shooting 0-14 last season in Game 7 of the Finals. DJ was named MVP of the finals.

Along with DJ there was his backcourt partner Gus Williams who averaged 28 PPG in the finals. After playing with the Warriors for his first two seasons in the league, Gus moved on to Seattle where he led them to the finals his first two years.

Jack Sikma, John Johnson, (Brent Musburger kept calling him “JJ.”), Lonnie Shelton joined the team via a trade before the season for Marvin Webster, Fred Brown, Paul Silas, Dennis Awtrey and Tom LaGarde.

DJ made 1st team all-defense.

The Sonics led the league in team defense giving up 103.9 PPG.

Lenny Wilkens was in his 2nd season as head coach.

EMAIL: Hoops135@hotmail.com

TWITTER: @CoachFinamore

DENNIS JOHNSON

On this date 13 years ago DJ passed away.  He was 53.  The Pepperdine alum was a very good player and a better guy.  Love this image with DJ as a Seattle Supersonic defending David Thompson.  How about DJ’s sweet Bata Bullets?   They were hot in the mid to late 70’s.   Unfortunately I couldn’t afford them.

MAGIC JOHNSON

Happy birthday to the greatest, and I do mean the greatest point guard in the history of basketball!

Here’s Magic being checked by the late Dennis Johnson.

Incredible match-up back in the day.