1971-72 Lakers

<b>1971-72 <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id=" ORSPT000104" title="Los Angeles Lakers" href="/topic/sports/basketball/los-angeles-lakers-ORSPT000104.topic">Lakers</b></a><br>
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<u>69-13, First in Pacific Division</u><br>
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defeated New York Knicks in <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id=" 15008001" title="National Basketball Association" href="/topic/sports/basketball/national-basketball-association-15008001.topic">NBA</a> Finals, 4-1<br>
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<b>Head Coach</b>: Bill Sharman<br>
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<b>Key Moments</b>:<br>
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1. Lakers record the longest winning streak in pro sports history (33 straight victories) and post a then all-time NBA-best 69-13 record.<br>
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2. The Lakers win their first NBA title since moving to L.A.<br>
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3. Jerry West leads the NBA in assists (9.7), and Gail Goodrich leads the Lakers in scoring (25.7).<br>
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4. Lakers establish NBA record in consecutive road wins (16).<br>
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5. Bill Sharman is named NBA coach of the year.<br>
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<b>Standing, left to right (players only)</b>: Gail Goodrich, Jim Cleamons, Pat Riley, Jim McMillian, Jerry West, Flynn Robinson<br>
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<b>Seated, left to right (players only)</b>: Keith Erickson, Happy Hairston, Leroy Ellis, Wilt Chamberlain, John Trapp, Elgin Baylor

( All photos courtesy of the Los Angeles Lakers )

1971-72 Lakers

69-13, First in Pacific Division

defeated New York Knicks in NBA Finals, 4-1

Head Coach: Bill Sharman

Key Moments:

1. Lakers record the longest winning streak in pro sports history (33 straight victories) and post a then all-time NBA-best 69-13 record.

2. The Lakers win their first NBA title since moving to L.A.

3. Jerry West leads the NBA in assists (9.7), and Gail Goodrich leads the Lakers in scoring (25.7).

4. Lakers establish NBA record in consecutive road wins (16).

5. Bill Sharman is named NBA coach of the year.

Standing, left to right (players only): Gail Goodrich, Jim Cleamons, Pat Riley, Jim McMillian, Jerry West, Flynn Robinson

Seated, left to right (players only): Keith Erickson, Happy Hairston, Leroy Ellis, Wilt Chamberlain, John Trapp, Elgin Baylor

Comments (2)

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Acerblade at 11:45 PM June 20, 2010

Swap Andrew Bynum for Chris Bosh

Swap Jordan Farmer for Devin Harris

Change is good.

The swap of Ariza for Artest is the best example.

Mitch is the man that can make this happen.

learnmedia at 7:15 AM June 19, 2010

This was the team photo at the start of the season. The notes should reflect that Elgin Baylor, in one of the cruelest twists of fate, did not win a championshio ring, having retired due to, if memory serves me correctly, an achilles tendon injury. It was shortly after Jim McMillian replaced him in the starting lineup that the Lakers began the 33 game winning streak.

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