1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers season
Encyclopedia
The highlight of the Los Angeles Lakers season was winning their first NBA title since moving to Los Angeles. The Lakers beat the New York Knicks
in five games to win the title, after going 69-13 during the regular-season, a record that stood for 24 seasons. During the regular season, they would also go on to win a current-standing NBA record 33 straight games.
Early in the 1971-72 season, the Lakers lost Elgin Baylor
to retirement. Shortly thereafter, the Lakers strung together a record 33-game win streak under Coach of the Year Bill Sharman. The streak ended on January 9, 1972 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in five games to win the title, after going 69-13 during the regular-season, a record that stood for 24 seasons. During the regular season, they would also go on to win a current-standing NBA record 33 straight games.
NBA Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | Jim Cleamons Jim Cleamons James Mitchell "Jim" Cleamons is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft... |
Guard | Ohio State Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances... |
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Depth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA... |
LeRoy Ellis Leroy Ellis LeRoy Ellis is a retired American basketball player.-Professional career:A 6'10" center from St. John's University, Ellis was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1962 NBA Draft... |
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| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Happy Hairston Happy Hairston Harold "Happy" Hairston was an American professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He was a member of 1971–72 NBA championship Lakers team that won 33 games in a row, a record not duplicated in any other American professional sport. Hairston was a 6'7" ... |
John Trapp John Trapp (basketball) John Quincy Trapp is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Trapp played five seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the San Diego Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers... |
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| SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
Jim McMillian Jim McMillian James M. "Jim" McMillian is a retired American professional basketball player. After starring at Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, McMillian played college basketball at Columbia University. He led Columbia to a three-year mark of 63-14, and their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 1968,... |
Pat Riley Pat Riley Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams... |
Keith Erickson Keith Erickson Keith Raymond Erickson is a former American basketball player.After graduating from El Segundo High School , Erickson played at UCLA, where he was a member of the 1964 and 1965 NCAA Champion teams. Erickson, who attended UCLA on a shared baseball/basketball scholarship, also played on the 1964 US... |
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| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
Jerry West Jerry West Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr... |
Jim Cleamons Jim Cleamons James Mitchell "Jim" Cleamons is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft... |
||
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Gail Goodrich Gail Goodrich Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He is best-known for scoring a then record 42 points in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971–72 season... |
Flynn Robinson Flynn Robinson Flynn James Robinson is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" guard from the University of Wyoming, Robinson played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association and one season in the now-defunct American Basketball Association... |
Regular season
Since moving to Los Angeles, the Lakers were repeatedly foiled by the Boston Celtics in their attempts to capture an NBA title. The Lakers lost the championship to them six times in eight years.Early in the 1971-72 season, the Lakers lost Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....
to retirement. Shortly thereafter, the Lakers strung together a record 33-game win streak under Coach of the Year Bill Sharman. The streak ended on January 9, 1972 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Season schedule
| 1971–72 season game log | |
|---|---|
| Season Schedule | |
Playoffs
| 1971–72 playoff game log | |
|---|---|
| Playoff Schedule | |
Regular Season
| Player | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin Baylor Elgin Baylor Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers.... |
9 | 26.6 | .433 | .815 | 6.3 | 2.0 | 11.8 |
| Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA... |
82 | 42.3 | .649 | .422 | 19.2 | 4.0 | 14.8 |
| Jim Cleamons Jim Cleamons James Mitchell "Jim" Cleamons is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft... |
38 | 5.3 | .350 | .778 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 |
| LeRoy Ellis Leroy Ellis LeRoy Ellis is a retired American basketball player.-Professional career:A 6'10" center from St. John's University, Ellis was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1962 NBA Draft... |
74 | 14.6 | .460 | .695 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 4.6 |
| Keith Erickson Keith Erickson Keith Raymond Erickson is a former American basketball player.After graduating from El Segundo High School , Erickson played at UCLA, where he was a member of the 1964 and 1965 NCAA Champion teams. Erickson, who attended UCLA on a shared baseball/basketball scholarship, also played on the 1964 US... |
15 | 17.5 | .482 | .857 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 5.7 |
| Gail Goodrich Gail Goodrich Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He is best-known for scoring a then record 42 points in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971–72 season... |
82 | 37.1 | .487 | .850 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 25.9 |
| Happy Hairston Happy Hairston Harold "Happy" Hairston was an American professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He was a member of 1971–72 NBA championship Lakers team that won 33 games in a row, a record not duplicated in any other American professional sport. Hairston was a 6'7" ... |
80 | 34.4 | .461 | .779 | 13.1 | 2.4 | 13.1 |
| Jim McMillian Jim McMillian James M. "Jim" McMillian is a retired American professional basketball player. After starring at Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, McMillian played college basketball at Columbia University. He led Columbia to a three-year mark of 63-14, and their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 1968,... |
80 | 38.1 | .482 | .791 | 6.5 | 2.6 | 18.8 |
| Pat Riley Pat Riley Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams... |
67 | 13.8 | .447 | .743 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 6.7 |
| Flynn Robinson Flynn Robinson Flynn James Robinson is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" guard from the University of Wyoming, Robinson played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association and one season in the now-defunct American Basketball Association... |
64 | 15.7 | .490 | .860 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 9.9 |
| John Trapp John Trapp John Trapp, , was an English Anglican Bible commentator. His large five-volume commentary is still read today and is known for its pithy statements and quotable prose. His volumes are quoted frequently by other religious writers, including Charles Spurgeon... |
58 | 13.1 | .443 | .699 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 5.7 |
| Jerry West Jerry West Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr... |
77 | 38.6 | .477 | .814 | 4.2 | 9.7 | 25.8 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilt Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA... |
15 | 46.9 | .563 | .492 | 21.0 | 3.3 | 14.7 |
| Jim Cleamons Jim Cleamons James Mitchell "Jim" Cleamons is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft... |
6 | 2.8 | .571 | N/A | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| LeRoy Ellis Leroy Ellis LeRoy Ellis is a retired American basketball player.-Professional career:A 6'10" center from St. John's University, Ellis was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1962 NBA Draft... |
13 | 10.3 | .463 | .250 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 3.0 |
| Gail Goodrich Gail Goodrich Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He is best-known for scoring a then record 42 points in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971–72 season... |
15 | 38.3 | .445 | .898 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 23.8 |
| Happy Hairston Happy Hairston Harold "Happy" Hairston was an American professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He was a member of 1971–72 NBA championship Lakers team that won 33 games in a row, a record not duplicated in any other American professional sport. Hairston was a 6'7" ... |
15 | 38.5 | .440 | .794 | 13.1 | 2.1 | 13.5 |
| Jim McMillian Jim McMillian James M. "Jim" McMillian is a retired American professional basketball player. After starring at Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, McMillian played college basketball at Columbia University. He led Columbia to a three-year mark of 63-14, and their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 1968,... |
15 | 41.6 | .447 | .857 | 5.7 | 1.5 | 19.1 |
| Pat Riley Pat Riley Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams... |
15 | 16.3 | .333 | .750 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 5.2 |
| Flynn Robinson Flynn Robinson Flynn James Robinson is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" guard from the University of Wyoming, Robinson played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association and one season in the now-defunct American Basketball Association... |
7 | 10.3 | .463 | .700 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 6.4 |
| John Trapp John Trapp John Trapp, , was an English Anglican Bible commentator. His large five-volume commentary is still read today and is known for its pithy statements and quotable prose. His volumes are quoted frequently by other religious writers, including Charles Spurgeon... |
10 | 7.1 | .242 | .571 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 2.0 |
| Jerry West Jerry West Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr... |
15 | 40.5 | .376 | .830 | 4.9 | 8.9 | 22.9 |
Game 1
Although without Willis ReedWillis Reed
Willis Reed, Jr. is a retired American basketball player, coach and manager of basketball teams. He spent his entire professional playing career with the New York Knicks. In 1982, his outstanding record and achievements were recognized by his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall...
because of his knee injury. Jerry Lucas
Jerry Lucas
Jerry Ray Lucas was a basketball player from the 1950s to the 1970s, and is now a memory education expert. In 1996, the NBA's 50th anniversary, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in National Basketball Association history...
scored 26 points but was only one of several Knicks who was red hot. Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley
William Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2000 election.Bradley was born and raised in a suburb of St....
hit 11 of 12 shots from the field as New York shot 53 percent for the game. The team took advantage of a nearly perfect first half to jump to a good lead and won easily, 114-92. Early in the second half, the Forum crowd began filing out dejectedly. It looked like another Los Angeles fold in the Finals.
Game 2
Knicks forward Dave DeBusschereDave DeBusschere
David Albert DeBusschere was an American NBA and major league baseball player and coach in the NBA. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history....
hurt his side and didn't play after the first half. Hairston scored 12 points in the second half, and Los Angeles evened the series with a 106-92 win.
Game 3
DeBusschere attempted to play in the first half and missed all six of his field-goal attempts. He was hurting and elected not to play in the second half. DeBusschere explained :"I didn't feel I was helping the team,". The Lakers danced out to a 22-point lead and regained the home-court advantage with a 107-96 win.Game 4
The game went into overtime, but at the end of regulation, Wilt ChamberlainWilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
picked up his fifth foul. In 13 NBA seasons, he had never fouled out of a game, a statistic of which he was immensely proud. Immediately speculation started along press row that he would play soft in the overtime. Instead, he came out in a shotblocking fury that propelled the Lakers to a 116-111 win. At three games to one, their lead now seemed insurmountable.
Game 5
The Lakers won their sixth NBA championship by the score of 114-100. This was their first championship since moving to Los Angeles in 19601960-61 NBA season
The 1960–61 NBA season was the 15th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning their 3rd straight NBA Championship, beating the St...
. Jerry West
Jerry West
Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His nicknames include "Mr...
also won his first NBA championship after 12 years of waiting. Wilt Chamberlain scored 24 points and 29 rebounds and earned the NBA Finals MVP Award.
Award winners
- Bill SharmanBill SharmanWilliam Walton "Bill" Sharman is a former professional basketball player and coach. Sharman completed high school in the rural city of Porterville, California and is mostly known for his time with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s, partnering with Bob Cousy in what some consider the greatest...
, NBA Coach of the Year - Jerry West, All-NBA First Team
- Jerry West, All-NBA Defensive First Team
- Wilt Chamberlain, All-NBA Defensive First Team
- Wilt Chamberlain, NBA Leader, Shooting Percentage (.649)