1969-70 New York Knicks (60-22)

Coach: Red Holzman

In New York City, the Mets had won the World Series in October 1969. The next month, the Knicks would fly out of the gate by winning 19 of their first 20 games. This team, led by MVP Willis Reed, spectacular guard Walt Frazier, forwards Dave DeBusschere, and "Dollar Bill" Bradley. These Knicks would win 60 games en route to the last Eastern Division title before expansion. In the East Semis, the Knicks would need all seven games to beat the Baltimore Bullets. The Milwaukee Bucks would be the next challenge for the Knicks in the Eastern Division Finals. The Bucks, led by New York high school legend Lew Alcindor (later named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), lost to the red-hot Knicks in 5. In the NBA Finals, the Knicks met the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams won a game each in New York. By the time the L.A. portion of the series was through, MVP Reed would be injured and the Lakers were one game from losing the series. The Lakers would force a memorable 7th game in which Willis Reed would make one helluvan entrance. He would limp during warm-ups. Thanks to the entrance, it would inspire Walt Frazier as he would lead the Knicks to their first NBA Championship.