February 1972 in the NBA
A pair of tight playoff races take shape in the NBA, while the field appears to be mostly set in the ABA.
Editor’s note: This is a fictional account of the history of the NBA beginning in 1966–67. This narrative was created by playing Fast Break Pro Basketball 3. For an introduction to this dynasty, visit: https://medium.com/historical-sports-gaming/re-writing-nba-history-an-introduction-483db0ebc720
AROUND THE NBA — FEBRUARY 1972
Golden State Playoff Bound: The Warriors’ chance at a perfect home record disappeared with their first loss in Oakland, a 107–98 loss to Milwaukee on Feb. 1. However, Golden State is continuing to dominate otherwise. The Warriors have already clinched a playoff berth, the earliest anyone in the NBA has clinched in recent memory.
Slipping in the Motor City: The good news for the Pistons is they have a 10.5 game lead over Phoenix in the Midwest Division. The bad news is Detroit hasn’t played all that well in recent weeks. Detroit was just 5–6 in February and saw the team fall two games behind the Pacific Division’s second place team, Houston.
Biggest Riser of the Month: The first half’s big disappointment is making comeback. Phoenix has taken advantage of a mediocre Western Conference and, at 26–30, is clinging to a half-game lead for the final playoff spot over Seattle. A lot could change, but the Suns have the momentum at the moment.
Biggest Faller of the Month: The Eastern Conference is suddenly a bit interesting after the Atlanta Hawks stumbled through a 4–7 month of February. Baltimore is suddenly only a game behind Atlanta for the East’s final playoff spot. The Hawks haven’t missed the playoffs since 1967. The Bullets haven’t made the playoffs since 1966.
60+ POINT GAMES THIS MONTH:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, Phoenix —Once again, Abdul-Jabbar made Bucks C Gene Moore look silly in a Feb. 3 showdown between the Suns and Milwaukee. Abdul-Jabbar torched the Bucks for 60 points in leading Phoenix to a 125–111 win.
25+ REBOUND GAMES THIS MONTH:
Mike Lewis (PF) Atlanta — The crazy performance of the month came Feb. 16 at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta as Mike Lewis had one of the greatest rebounding games in recent memory, grabbing 35 boards! It’s the most any player has recorded in a game since 1966. What’s crazier is the hapless Celtics managed to upset the Hawks, 114–112, behind 34 points from JoJo White.
Nate Thurmond, C, Golden State —A much milder rebounding performance came earlier in the month as the Warriors took down the Cavaliers in Cleveland, 105–97, on Feb. 3. Thurmond grabbed 26 rebounds in what was a game closer than many expected.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, Phoenix — Abdul-Jabbar’s amazing season continued Feb. 28 against the Bulls at Chicago Stadium. Abdul-Jabbar grabbed 26 rebounds, albeit in a losing effort as the Bulls downed the Suns, 106–99.
NEW SINGLE-GAME RECORDS SET THIS MONTH:
Mike Lewis (PF) Atlanta — The Lewis game described above was noteworthy for being a record-setting performance as Lewis broke the NBA single-game offensive rebounding record with 15. The previous mark of 14 was set earlier this season by Mel Daniels.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, Phoenix — The Suns throttled the Houston Rockets at home, 119–93, on Feb. 19 with Abdul-Jabbar dominating fellow all-star Elvin Hayes in the process. Abdul-Jabbar had 13 blocks, tying the NBA single-game record previously set by himself one year earlier as well as Wilt Chamberlain in 1968.
MILESTONES REACHED THIS MONTH — None
PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
Player of the Month — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, Phoenix —What else needs to be said about him? Abdul-Jabbar is just barely ahead of Houston’s Elvin Hayes in the scoring race, but his 15.5 rebounds and 5.6 blocks per game this season (the best of his career so far) have him easily leading the field in the MVP race.
Rookie of the Month —Julius Erving (SF) Cleveland —After missing a decent chunk of the season early on, Erving is now playing like a star in Cleveland. In February, Erving had a huge month, averaging 42.2 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. If he qualified, Erving would currently be third in the scoring race, ahead of fellow rookie Artis Gilmore.
TRADES THIS MONTH — None leading up to the trade deadline
1972 NBA ALL-STARS
1972 All-Star Game —The Forum, Los Angeles, CA
Final Score — Western Conference 172, Eastern Conference 134
All-Star Game MVP — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, C, Phoenix — 28 points, 10 rebounds
Eastern Conference All Stars (by team):
Cincinnati (3): Walt Wesley, C; Jerry Lucas (PF), Clem Haskins (SG)
Atlanta (2): Zelmo Beaty (C, Starter), Willie Somerset (PG)
Cleveland (2): Julius Erving (SF, Starter), Ron Williams (PG)
New York (2): Willis Reed (PF, Starter), Dick Van Arsdale (SG, Starter)
Philadelphia (2): Wilt Chamberlain, C; Cincy Powell (PF)
Baltimore (1): Jon McGlocklin (SF)
Boston — No all-stars
Buffalo — No all-stars
Western Conference All Stars (by team):
Golden State (3): Rick Barry (SF, Starter), Donnie Freeman (SG, Starter), Nate Thurmond, C
Detroit (2): Billy Cunningham (PG, Starter), John Beasley (SF)
Houston (2): Elvin Hayes, C; Earl Monroe (SG)
Chicago (1): Sidney Wicks (PF)
Milwaukee (1): Bob Lanier (PF, Starter)
Phoenix (1): Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (C, Starter)
Portland (1): Artis Gilmore, C
Seattle (1): Archie Clark (PG)
Los Angeles — No all-stars for the host team!
NBA League Leaders
Points — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Phoenix — 42.6
Rebounds — Nate Thurmond, Golden State — 16.1
Assists — Al Smith, Cincinnati — 6.7
Steals — Rick Barry, Golden State — 3.4
Blocks — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Phoenix — 5.6
AROUND THE ABA —FEBRUARY 1972
Rocketing Into the Playoffs: With 24 games to play, the Denver Rockets have already punched their ticket to the postseason. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Denver maintains it’s hold on the ABA’s best record by a half-game over the East Division-leading Carolina Cougars.
Collision Course: Thanks to the ineptitude of the Dallas Chaparrals, Memphis and Utah are about the clinch playoff spots as well. The two appear likely to face off in what should be an entertaining first round series. The question is who will get home court? Memphis had a strong February to leap over Utah by 1.5 games, can the Stars bounce back?
Biggest Riser of the Month: With everyone now doubting them and amidst rumors of financial insolvency, Pittsburgh is suddenly on a roll. The Condors have won 10 of their last 14 and are now solidly in a playoff position. Pittsburgh trails the Nets by just three games for second in the East.
Biggest Faller of the Month: Pittsburgh’s comfortable spot in the standings is due in part to Kentucky’s February collapse. The Colonels went 4–11 in February and are suddenly dead last in the East, even falling behind Virginia. The Colonels strong start from November is long since forgotten.
55+ POINT GAMES THIS MONTH — None
20+ REBOUND GAMES THIS MONTH — None
NEW SINGLE-GAME RECORDS SET THIS MONTH:
Lou Dampier (PG) Kentucky — The Colonels’ lone bright spot recently has been fan favorite Lou Dampier, who set a pair of ABA records in a 128–120 Kentucky loss to Carolina in Charlotte. Dampier when 8-for-15 from three point land in the game, setting the ABA mark for most three-pointers made in a game and tying the record for three-point attempts.
MILESTONES REACHED THIS MONTH
Bill Melchionni (PG) Virginia — Toward the end of Virginia 104–96 loss to the Pittsburgh Condors at the Civic Arena on Feb. 27. Bill Melchionni dished off his 10th assist of the game and 2,000th for his career. Melchionni joined Larry Brown and Oscar Robertson as the only ABA players with 2,000 career assists.
PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
Player of the Month —Nate Archibald (PG) Carolina —Carolina’s second-year point guard is no longer flying under the radar. The ABA’s assist leader did plenty of scoring in February with 24.6 points per game while also recording 10.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Archibald is a darkhorse MVP candidate as Carolina maintains its lead in the East.
TRADES THIS MONTH
Feb. 12 — Utah trades SG Ron Perry to Memphis for PF Dan Anderson — It was strange to see two teams battling for position in the West Division make a swap. It was even stranger to see Utah deal its starting SG to Memphis for a bench player. This is highway robbery for the Pros, who get a great shooting threat and former ABA all-star in Perry while the Stars just add to their large collection of forwards. After the trade, Memphis was 5–3 and Utah 3–5. Coincidence? I think not.
1972 ABA ALL-STARS
1972 All-Star Game — Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY
Final Score — East Division 169, West Division 128
All-Star Game MVP — John Block (PF) Miami — 26 points, 12 rebounds
East Division All Stars (by team):
Miami (3): John Block (PF), Jack Marin (SF), Gail Goodrich (PG)
Pittsburgh (3): Walt Frazier (SF, Starter), Bobby Warren (SG), Freddie Lewis (PG)
Carolina (2): Nate Archibald (PG, Starter), Jim Fox, C
New York (2): Dave Cowens (C, Starter), Bob Rule (PF, Starter)
Kentucky (1): Lou Dampier (PG)
Virginia (1): Ralph Simpson (SG, Starter)
West Division All Stars (by team):
Indiana (4): Steve Kramer (SF, Starter) Ron Taylor, C; Don Sidle (PF), Glen Combs (SG)
Denver (3): Charlie Scott (SG, Starter), Larry Jones (PG, Starter), John Brisker (SF)
Memphis (3): Jim Davis (C, Starter), Bill Bridges (PF), Mack Calvin (PG)
Utah (2): Bob Netolicky (PF, Starter), Keith Erickson (SF)
Dallas — No all-stars
ABA League Leaders
Points — Bob Netolicky, Utah — 30.9
Rebounds — Jim Washington, Virginia — 9.9
Assists — Nate Archibald, Carolina — 9.6
Steals — Freddie Lewis, Pittsburgh — 2.6
Blocks — Ron Taylor, Indiana — 2.1
