Q 01/05

Which injured Knicks center limped onto the court before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals?

A) Nate Bowman

B) Willis Reed

C) Mike Riordan

D) Jerry Lucas

Answer · why

B) Willis Reed

Willis Reed had torn a thigh muscle in Game 5, yet he hit the Knicks' first two baskets. Walt Frazier took over from there with 36 points and 19 assis...

Q 02/05

Under which name did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar play until 1971, the year he won his first NBA championship?

A) Keith Wilkes

B) Walt Hazzard

C) Lew Alcindor

D) Lloyd Free

Answer · why

C) Lew Alcindor

Lew Alcindor had converted to Islam in 1968 but kept his new name private for three years, going public with it in 1971.

Q 03/05

Which team, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, ended the Lakers' record 33-game winning streak in January 1972?

A) Milwaukee Bucks

B) Baltimore Bullets

C) New York Knicks

D) Chicago Bulls

Answer · why

A) Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks were the defending champions and stopped the run on January 9, 1972. The Lakers still finished 69–13 and took the title.

Q 04/05

Which Michigan State guard did the Lakers select first overall in the 1979 NBA draft after winning a coin flip?

A) Sidney Moncrief

B) David Greenwood

C) Greg Kelser

D) Magic Johnson

Answer · why

D) Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was available to the Lakers only because they held the Jazz's first-round pick from an earlier trade. The Bulls lost the coin flip and p...

Q 05/05

Which rule change, long a feature of the rival ABA, did the NBA adopt on a one-year trial for 1979–80?

A) The 24-second shot clock

B) The three-point line

C) The six-foul limit

D) The widened foul lane

Answer · why

B) The three-point line

The three-point line was dismissed by many as a gimmick when it arrived. Chris Ford of the Celtics made the first one on October 12, 1979.