Warriors vs Washington Bullets

Lore & Background

The 1974–75 Warriors, coached by former Warrior Al Attles and led by Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes, swept the heavily favored Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals. Barry averaged 29.5 points per game in the Finals and was named NBA Finals MVP. The series was played at the Cow Palace in Daly City because the Coliseum Arena had scheduled other events during the playoff dates.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Capital Centre hung heavy with tension, thick with the scent of popcorn and floor wax. Wes Unseld set a screen so immovable it felt like colliding with a brick wall, while Elvin Hayes loomed over the paint, a silent sentinel guarding the rim. On the other side, Rick Barry dribbled low, his eyes scanning for an opening that didn't exist against such suffocating defense. The crowd roared as the ball swung to the corner, but the Bullets' help defense collapsed instantly. This wasn't just a game; it was a physical war of attrition where every rebound was fought for with elbows and grit. The only thing louder than the whistle was the collective breath held by thousands of fans witnessing history unfold in real-time.

Reader's Guide

The Washington Bullets were an Eastern Conference team. The Warriors' 1974–75 championship was their first as the Golden State Warriors. Rick Barry led the league in scoring that season (30.6 points per game) and also led in free throw percentage and steals per game.

Did You Know?

• Rick Barry led the NBA in scoring during the 1974–75 season, the same season the Warriors won the championship.
• The Warriors swept the Washington Bullets in the 1975 NBA Finals, despite being considered heavy underdogs.
• The Warriors played their 1975 Finals home games at the Cow Palace in Daly City because the Oakland Coliseum Arena had other events scheduled.