1979 Overview
From Hoopedia
1978-79 NBA Season
Dennis Johnson had shot 0-for-14 from the field in Game 7 of the 1978 NBA Finals, and his Seattle SuperSonics had lost to the Washington Bullets, on their home floor, no less. But the redemption took all of one season.
One year later, Johnson would again find himself in the championship series, starring at both ends of the court and leading his Sonics to the title over those same Bullets, a performance that earned him the Finals MVP Award.
“I really believe defense is an art,” said Johnson, who would go on to help Boston to two titles.
Led by Elvin Hayes, Washington won a league-high 54 games and took the Atlantic Division title, but it wasn’t easy. “It’s all so different from last season when we were relaxed,” Hayes said. “The pressure. The mental part. Everyone’s after us. Defending [the championship] is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
San Antonio, behind repeat NBA scoring champion George Gervin (29.6 points per game), won the Central, and the two met in the Conference Finals.
The Bullets fell behind the Spurs 3-1, but won three straight games to keep their hopes of two straight titles alive.
Coached by Lenny Wilkens, the Sonics took the Pacific with 52 wins and ditched Los Angeles in the Western Conference Semifinals. Seattle won the first two against Phoenix in the Western Finals, then lost three straight but managed to win the last two by a total of five points to set up a rematch with the Bullets.
“It all boils down to us against Washington one more time,” Seattle guard Fred Brown observed. “They’re deeper, but we make up for that with our backcourt. . . I think it will be wild and picturesque all over again.”
In adjusting to the rigors of the season, Wilkens moved Jack Sikma from forward to center, then shifted Lonnie Shelton into the starting slot at power forward to go with guards Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams and versatile small forward John Johnson. “Downtown” Fred Brown came off the bench and provided instant offense with his long-range shooting. Another key was the veteran leadership provided by Paul Silas, the 35-year-old ex-Celtic who came off the bench and gave the Sonics the benefit of his toughness and savvy. “Look anywhere on our team and you’ll see Paul’s influence,” Wilkens said.
In the NBA Finals, Washington claimed Game 1 when Larry Wright made two free throws with no time remaining. But the SuperSonics then found their stride, led by 24-year-old Dennis Johnson’s search for redemption.
“The difference from last year is maturity,” Wilkens told reporters. “Last year we were so young we played on emotion. Last year we were questioning. Now we’re playing with confidence.”
Beginning with Game 2, that confidence soared to an all-time high. The Sonics took home-court advantage with a 92-82 win in the second game, secured with their ability to shut down Hayes and Dandridge.
Williams scored 31 to lead the charge in Game 3, a 10-point win that gave Seattle a 2-1 series edge. Game 4 was a foul-fest (59 were called) that went to overtime. Again Williams provided the key offense with 36 points while D.J. added 32 – the two backcourtmen would score more than half their team’s points in the series. Johnson recorded his fourth block of the night on Kevin Grevey’s last-ditch shot in overtime to preserve Seattle’s 114-112 win.
Johnson and Williams came through again in Game 5, when the Finals returned to Washington. Seattle won 97-93 for its fourth consecutive victory and its first NBA title.
