The NBA in 1981 meant – Larry Bird, Moses Malone, Magic Johnson, Ice Man & Doctor J.<\/p>\n
The #1981 NBA playoffs featured the same cast of eastern conference characters. Philadelphia jumped out to Another 3-1 lead on the Celtics but this time it didn’t pan out like the season before. The #BostonCeltics would advance to the NBA Finals. It was their first appearance since winning the title in 1976.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, out west it also seemed like a familiar story. the defending champion Lakers were sure to quickly dispose of the lowly 40 win Houston Rockets.<\/p>\n
The Lakers were tied in the mini series 1-1 with the Rockets. Game 3 was in the Fabulous Forum and there was no way that the Lakers would lose
\nUnfortunately for them, Paul Westhead & Pat Riley didn’t game plan enough for role player, Mike Dunleavy
\nThe unlikely veteran smacked LA and disposed of the defending world champions.<\/p>\n
Now on to San Antonio, as the Cinderella tour continues.<\/p>\n
Up next? The 52 win San Antonio Spurs. George Gervin and company look to derail the Rockets but history would be different in 1981. It was, a Cinderella season.
\nThrough the sheer dominance of #MosesMalone, Del Harris commands the tempo early, slowing down the pace to utilize Malone’s might.<\/p>\n
Game 1 goes to the Rockets and it seems midnight is nowhere in sight.<\/p>\n
Reid would be pivotal 4 years later, when another Houston team would make an unlikely run. But in game 3 against the Spurs, Reid would score 33 in a losing effort.<\/p>\n
Game 6, however, would belong to Moses. He and Reid would again muster a win in San Antonio. But it was MOSES who would lead his flock into the promised land and he did it, as always, by dominating the offensive glass.<\/p>\n
It was the 2 greatest words in team sports, GAME 7! And in the biggest game in Houston Rockets history, Coach Del Harris would call upon his smallest man in stature\u2026<\/p>\n
Calvin Murphy would stake his claim to legend status in this clincher. Calvin, the acclaimed baton twirler, twirled in 42 daggers and the little man came up big once again<\/p>\n
Finally, the 11 year veteran would get his recognition.<\/p>\n
The Spurs were ready to put Houston on ICE and they had the right Star to do it. George Gervin kept the spurs ahead and game 2 was there’s, but not before Robert Reid let the nba know that he had arrived.<\/p>\n
This Cinderella series would start in Kansas City.
\nScott Wedman aimed to continue the heat he laid on the Suns. But Kansas City struggled in game 1 it went to Houston.<\/p>\n
As Coach Del Harris had preached all season long, Success came in ONE WORD: MOSES.<\/p>\n
Pounding the paint repeatedly allowed Malone to plant his feet firmly in the midrange, where he dominates most.<\/p>\n
Kansas City simply couldn’t keep Moses and company off the boards sparking the fast break, accentuated by the 5 foot 9 inch Murphy.\u00a0The Rockets wrapped it up in 5 games, closing it out in Kansas City’s gym.<\/p>\n
The city of Houston had become believers in the Rockets! Now, the fireball rockets had their biggest challenge ahead of them\u2026<\/p>\n
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