Rick Barry 1975 Finals MVP

Lore & Background

The 1975 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1974–75 NBA season. The Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors (48–34) faced the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets (60–22). The underdog Warriors swept the heavily favored Bullets to win their first championship since 1956, when the team was based in Philadelphia. Warriors small forward Rick Barry was named series MVP. The series was notable as the first championship series in any major U.S. professional sports league to feature two black head coaches: Al Attles of the Warriors and K.C. Jones of the Bullets.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Cow Palace was thick with tension, the roar of the crowd rising like a tide against the Bullets' defense. Rick Barry stood at the free-throw line, sweat dripping from his brow, the weight of the franchise resting on his shoulders. He didn't look up; he just dribbled once, twice, then launched into that impossible reverse layup. The ball kissed the backboard and swished through the net, a sound that echoed louder than any cheer. In that split second, the underdog was no longer an underdog; the Warriors had their crown.

Reader's Guide

The Warriors swept the series 4–0. Game 1: Warriors 101, Bullets 95. Game 2: Warriors 92, Bullets 91. Game 3: Warriors 109, Bullets 101. Game 4: Warriors 96, Bullets 95. The Warriors' home games were played at the Cow Palace in Daly City due to scheduling conflicts at Oakland Arena. Washington opted for a 1-2-2-1-1 format, opening the series at home.

Did You Know?

• This was the first time in NBA Finals history that the team without home-court advantage swept the series.
• The series was the first championship series in any major U.S. professional sports league to feature two black head coaches.
• Warriors coach Al Attles was ejected in Game 4 after initiating a fight with Bullets forward Mike Riordan.
• CBS broadcast the 1975 Finals with Brent Musburger on play-by-play and Oscar Robertson on color commentary.