1968 Game of the Century

[@hairyscotman]

I'm 55 today...I was a 15 year old sitting at the very top of the Astrodome...we were on the TOP row of the yellow section. Watching this video brought back alot of great memories of UH and Guy Lewis. I went on to UT Austin, but watching this brings back so much PRIDE I had for my HOMETOWN team UH. This was just a HUGE EVENT in my life. Elvin Hayes was my HERO. I thank my Dad for making sure we got to see it. He was the BEST at being a good DAD. Miss him...

[@zay7808]

Means you’re 70 now hope all is well

[@hairyscotman]

thanks, so much.....70 happens in October....been incredibly blessed....@@zay7808

[@windbagjones2081]

I was at this game. When UH won, the crowd was the loudest I've ever heard. People were ecstastic. A young woman beside me was actually crying (tears of joy). I'm sure that practically no one remembers this: This was back in the days when freshmen weren't allowed to play on NCAA varsity teams. Therefore, 4-year institutions usually had a separate freshman basketball team. Anyhow, before the UH-UCLA contest the Houston freshmen team played San Jacinto Junior College. The Cougars were pretty good, but were thought to be no match for San Jacinto. Playing with both freshmen and sophomores, San Jacinto was the #1 ranked junior college team in the nation. The game, however, was tight throughout. With the Astrodome beginning to fill up, there were probably around 30,000 fans there as the game went into the final minutes. The crowd, already at a fever pitch for the big contest to come, began to really get behind the UH freshmen, who went on to pull off a big upset. With a win over a #1 team already under their belt, the crowd was even more ravenous as they awaited the main event.

[@monolithgeometry3221]

Great summary Windbag, I assume I can trust you at your word even though they call ya Windbag !!

[@BAYAREA-kd1ig]

Never knew that this was a doubleheader which makes it more interesting that they beat the #1 JC team in the land as well.

[@melbea03]

UCLA's senior class was 89-1 with 3 national championships

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

I tape recorded the game on an old reel to reel tape recorder. The tape would record for an hour and I cut out all the commercials and was able to record the whole game just barely. I still have that tape but no recorder to play it on.

[@17indianajones]

thumbs up if you think this should be a movie.

[@tedspradley]

Ken Spain (not mentioned in the video) was a junior playing center/forward in that game and had 11 rebounds. Ken was also an All American and later that summer played on the 1968 US Olympic Gold Medal Winning Men's Basketball Team. Ken was drafted by the Chicago Bulls the next year but I think only played in the ABA. I was 9 years old for this game but any game Kenny was in was news in our house. We didn't have a TV, so we listened on the radio. The Spains lived two doors down from us in Houston. My older brother & sister were the same ages as Kenny's little brother and sister David & Janelle. David & Janelle were over all of the time. We are still big fans of this game, Big E, Don & Kenny (RIP).

[@dape8993]

The two teams had a rematch that season in the semi finals of the Final Four. Lew Alcindor, by then healthy, led the Bruins as they completely destroyed Houston. UCLA then whipped North Carolina to capture the National Title a day or two later. It was the 4th NCAA title for UCLA in a stretch which saw them win 10 times in 12 years.

[@marksheppard6498]

Both events should be in the same movie.

[@hairyscotman]

I was there!!! on the VERY top row of the upper deck.....really incredible....

[@ColtraneNYC]

I was there too! Saw Bobby Thomson and was in Dealey Plaza on 11/22/63!

[@laveenaz1]

I was stationed at Fort Hood and listened on a radio in the Day Room not missing a second of the game. I was a huge UCLA fan who was devastated by the loss. This was the game of my young life at 21 years of age. 😮😮

[@stevehyman259]

I had never sat and watched a basketball game on TV until that night, because all we played in my neighborhood was baseball. But when I heard the hype that night while turning the TV dial, I was intrigued and got into the game! I'm so glad I did, as a 13 yr. old who grew from 5'9" to 6'2" in one summer and by my senior year grew to 6'6.5". I grew to love (pardon the pun) the game, all because of the game of the century.

[@jackkitchen737]

What's great is part of this was narrated by the great Dick Enberg.....who also called the game live way back then! What a great clip this is.

[@scottfreeman727]

14 yrs old the only home game i missed that year-i still get stirred up at the roaring E-E-E-E-E-E that lifted the roof at delmar stadium-class act a REAL superstar -GuyLewis sorely missed

[@raiders-ny6cx]

One of the great aspects of KZbin is that it permits those who were at important event to post about their experiences. I was a little shy of 3 1/2 years old when this game occurred so I don't remember it. I would, however, enjoying reading more about it from the comments of those in attendance. I am glad you posted your comments.

[@den20dgo]

This is cool. Game was hyped up as much as possible, and it delivered.

[@kentucy9999]

Thanks for posting this. I watched all of it. One of the biggest games in basketball history............I was a huge Elvin Hayes fan. Elvin scored 29 pts in the first half. Lew Alcindor had a scratched cornea.

[@ronrondon9780]

one of the greatest upsets in history RIP Dick Enberg

[@tellthetruthg]

great to get an inside look at the game which I watched as a young kid from Oakland CA.

[@BoomJr1]

Congrats Guy V Lewis!! Finally making it into the Hall of Fame!! Been too long!!

[@cokeman89]

Didn't Houston blow a title to NC State great coaching Guy

[@KWCline91]

But he did lead the Cougars to two NCAA Title appearances and four Final Fours. That's worthy of a hall of fame.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Wow! I remembered Guy Lewis coaching Phi Slamma Jamma back in the Mid 80's when Houston were going to Final Fours. And everyone remembers 1983.

[@jmweed2628]

I remember this game like yesterday. Houston won because Lew Alcindor had the scrached eye ball. In the rematch the Semi-Finals of the NCAA "Final Four, UCLA beat Houston by 44 points. The GREATEST exebition of college basketball I have ever seen.

[@windbagjones2081]

The rematch was actually 101-69. Houston played without their starting point guard, Geirge Reynolds.

[@thedude3538]

That's true about his eye. But you can't help but wonder if losing against Elvin Hayes was just a preview of how kareem would do in the NBA vs other great centers. Kareem lost to Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Walton, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave Cowens, and Moses's Malone during the playoffs. Alot of Kareem fans like to say that "Kareem dominated the game on every level". High school, college, and the NBA. Which is an unfair statement. Let's just use three other players as an example. Hakeem, Wilt, and Moses. One didn't learn the game existed until high school age. The other two didnt even start their pro careers in the NBA. Plus one completely skipped college and went straight to the pro. Only for Kareem to lose to all of them in the NBA playoff. The lone win was in 1971. People don't realize that kareem weakness in The NBA Playoffs was... other great centers. Don't believe me? Make a list of the best centers that Kareem beat during the years his team won a champ in the NBA. Regardless of age, era, or even team ranking/seeding. Then compare that list to the best centers kareem played during the years he lost. You will be surprised to learn that History always outlast personal bias.

[@bemore1134]

@@thedude3538 He beat the aforementioned Thurmond & Wilt Chamberlain in the playoffs on the way to his first title. Lost in the playoffs to the same guys shortly thereafter. I can't speak to what he did against other centers later on because by the late 70s I grew tired of the NBA.

[@Iambriangregory]

​@@thedude3538I have to admit you make some interesting and intriguing points but you also show that you're not at the level that you think you are and you are indeed a rookie when it comes to basketball analyzation in compared to me and others and very simply put Kareem didn't lose to those centers Einstein The TEAM he played on lost to the otherTEAM That is an intrinsic FUNDAMENTAL fact that as a rookie and as a casual basketball sports fan you didn't take it to account That's why you cannot comment on this anymore You hear me? Don't even dare to reply because I will embarrass you again got it? Get it!.. And you got the nerve to talk about someone that has six championship rings as if that doesn't show any person with a half or brain that he was dominant and better than those others can you give me six rings from those other guys You brainiac? Smh to you

[@JamesHardenoverKobe]

​@@bemore1134 I hope your not referring to the weak 1971 champ. Kareem vs Hakeem. Kareem second year vs Hakeem second year playoff competition is a perfect example. Kareem faced a injured Lakers and a 42-40 Baltimore in the Finals. Who were also injured. Meanwhile. Hakeem faced a 62 win Lakers and a 67win Celtics. Kareem 1971 The Lakers were missing Jerry West. Look at what happened when the Lakers weren't injured in the very next season. When other teams are missing starters like the 1971 Lakers, 1971 Bullets, 1977 Blazers, and 1986 Rockets. Kareem fans will gloss over this. Hey at least Kareem beat a rookie Robert Parish in 1977. You can debate Kareem got saved by Oscar and Dandridge vs Nate Thurmond as well. Out of the 16 Kareem vs Nate Thurmond playoff games. Kareem scored at least 30 only twice. Keep in mind that this was during Kareem's top three scoring season. 42-40 team in the 1971 finals. Bullet's didn't have Gus for every game during the finals so Kareem didn't even play the best version of that team. This is Kareem only champ in his top ten scoring season of his career.

[@natch27]

In the first two minutes Dick Enberg said these two teams were meeting for the first time, however, they played in the previous year’s Final Four, with UCLA winning 73-58.

[@DGarcia879]

If I'm not mistaken, my dad attended that game with a relative of mine, i have pics to prove it

[@dinosaurjohnson6138]

Wouldn’t you know whether or not you’re mistaken if you have pics to prove it?

[@mapleva]

Great that this is recorded.

[@rickycole6327]

This is the game that put college basketball on the map gave the University of Houston its first number ranking and helped Elvin Hayes win college basketball Player of The Year

[@davidshepherd5536]

In 1968........ That is amazing

[@oneputtsteven]

If memory serves this game was not nationally broadcast it was only available on closed circuit TV. Surreal to say the least to play basketball in the middle of a football field.

[@windbagjones2081]

Nope. It was, in fact, the very first NCAA basketball game to be nationally televised. I didn't watch it on tv because I was there.

[@BryanX64]

WHOA 2:36 he looks a hell of a lot different than he did in the movie Airplane.

[@brianarbenz1329]

You mean Kareem didn’t really try, except during the playoffs?

[@raiders-ny6cx]

Guy should definitely be in the hall of fame.

[@tomy5868]

Alcindor, Hayes, Chaney and Allen....GOD I MISS THE NBA.

[@jwsf941]

UCLA is in the South Region in 2015, so they will play their regional games in the tournament next door to where this took place

[@foxmccloud7055]

After the game, Elvin Hayes was running his mouth, claiming that he was the greatest player of all time. However, UCLA and Lew Alcindor (Aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) shut his mouth real quick when UCLA Anniliated Houston and Elvin Hayes with a score of 101-69.

[@brianarbenz1329]

Elvin did not understand diplomacy. A modest tone by him, acknowledging Kareem’s eye injury, would have avoided giving UCLA that fierce revenge motive for the final 4.

[@TheCream14]

I was 14 years old and I remember all the hype before the game. After it was over, I thought college basketball will never be the same - and it wasn't. This game opened the doors for NCAA basketball as we know it today. Well, kind of . . . . back then it was a team game. Now, I don't know what it is.

[@davidlafleche1142]

It's all over-hyped. The worst thing is that the NCAA eventually decided to play basketball in giant stadiums that were meant for big fields like baseball and football. That meant that "small" venues like the Providence Civic Center were no longer good enough. But who in his right mind would pay good money for a nosebleed seat to squint at a tiny court, 600 feet away?

[@stever1791]

With George Reynolds not being allow to play in the NCAA tourney game - Point guard being so important for Houston to get the ball to the Big E, Houston was not going to win the semi final game - BUT with him they were the better team

[@jayalan1703]

Actually it was 32 points. But still. A great game.

[@jamesg1406]

Still a great night - Steve Harvey

[@Tubewings]

Tonight`s Attendance 52 693 Largest paid crowd to see a basketball game anywhere in the world...EVER !!!

[@SuperfanDK]

And the Houston Oilers (football team), now the Tennessee Titans

[@GBeret83]

The night the "Big E", Elvin Hayes went off and scored at will against Lou Alcindor aka Kareem Abdul Jabaar. Later in the year though, in the NCAA tournament, UCLA avenged the loss.

[@jab3785]

Revenge was sweet though in the semi-final game where UCLA demolished Houston 101-69. I remember seeing that game and it really was not that close. I believe Wooden cleared the bench with about eight minutes left when they were 45 points up.

[@thedude3538]

That's true about his eye. But you can't help but wonder if losing against Elvin Hayes was just a preview of how kareem would do in the NBA vs other great centers. Kareem lost to Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Walton, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave Cowens, and Moses's Malone during the playoffs. Alot of Kareem fans like to say that "Kareem dominated the game on every level". High school, college, and the NBA. Which is an unfair statement. Let's just use three other players as an example. Hakeem, Wilt, and Moses. One didn't learn the game existed until high school age. The other two didnt even start their pro careers in the NBA. Plus one completely skipped college and went straight to the pro. Only for Kareem to lose to all of them in the NBA playoff. The lone win was in 1971. 1971 is overrated.

[@SeanM1925]

@Jiltedin2007 Guy Lewis coaches Houston for 30 years, from 1956-1986.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Thank you for telling me SeanM1925.

[@selfexplanitory]

Classic!!!!

[@jmweed1861]

Game of the Century, except Lew Alcindor had just gotten out of the hospital from a scratched eye. In the rematch of the Semi Finals, UCLA had leads of 44 points on Houston and could have won by 60 points if John Wooden had wanted too!!!!!!! Watched both games Live in 1968-69.

[@JamesJohnson-wj4lp]

yea but that was because UCLA got George Reynolds declared ineligible to play in the playoffs. Without him UH couldn't beat the press of UCLA and lost its one outside shooter outside of Elvin. So the rematch wasn't actually the same two teams.

[@stever1791]

Your correct James. Houston was doing well and missed some early opportunities to have the lead early, but didn't connect on them@@JamesJohnson-wj4lp

[@johnlinzmayer7036]

​@@JamesJohnson-wj4lp What do you mean "UCLA got George Reynolds declared ineligible"? Apparently, there was something wrong with his eligibility that was not of UCLA's doing. I will research that.

[@rodsmith4756]

@@JamesJohnson-wj4lp ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Newark's Central High School's Brilliant Guard. He Just Passed away this weekend. He was the catalyst of that game.

[@rodsmith4756]

@@johnlinzmayer7036 well then go check it out.

[@BoomJr1]

yes back in the day

[@richardthelionheart5594]

But when it really counted Warren came out of the tunnel w his hand held high - sole index finger pointed to the stars. We crushed them. I was there.

[@marksheppard6498]

Where’s footage of the rematch?

[@darendavis5865]

Yea he got it scratched again in the nba

[@barrysutherland2812]

Big E outplayed Alcinder in that game. Scratched retina may have affected Jabbar's shooting but he could still play normal defense and he was lit up by E.

[@kennethhenson8240]

Did the big E light up lew Alcindor in the ncaa tournament and how’s alcindor going to defend him when he’d been in bed all week and didn’t have his strength you failed to mention that part UCLA 101 Houston 69 with a healthy Alcindor

[@Slipknot5301]

Barry Sutherland how can you play normal defense with an injured eye clown?

[@thedude3538]

@@kennethhenson8240 That's true about his eye. But you can't help but wonder if losing against Elvin Hayes was just a preview of how kareem would do in the NBA vs other great centers. Kareem lost to Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Walton, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave Cowens, and Moses's Malone during the playoffs. Alot of Kareem fans like to say that "Kareem dominated the game on every level". High school, college, and the NBA. Which is an unfair statement. Let's just use three other players as an example. Hakeem, Wilt, and Moses. One didn't learn the game existed until high school age. The other two didnt even start their pro careers in the NBA. Plus one completely skipped college and went straight to the pro. Only for Kareem to lose to all of them in the NBA playoff. The lone win was in 1971. 1971 is overrated. People don't realize that kareem weakness in The NBA Playoffs was... other great centers. Don't believe me? Make a list of the best centers that Kareem beat during the years his team won a champ in the NBA. Regardless of age, era, or even team ranking/seeding. Then compare that list to the best centers kareem played during the years he lost. You will be surprised to learn that History always outlast personal bias.

[@kennethhenson8240]

Big E didn’t outplay Alcindor when it really counted though did he the coogs are still ringless

[@kennethhenson8240]

Ding ding ding Congrats Barry you win the dumbest reasoning award of the day gtfoh how’s he gonna defend when he’s weak and could barely see sheesh

[@Ariamaluum]

Guy was Lewis was the guy responsible for the NCAA banning the dunk for 10 years. Name me another coach who was viewed threatening that they had to change the rules to prevent him from winning.

[@stever1791]

Are you sure Guy Lewis influnced the rule change ?

[@stever1791]

Are you sure that Guy Lewis (Houston coach ) was responsible for banning the dunk in college basketball ??

[@windbagjones2081]

That's ridiculous. That Cougar team had plenty of thunderous dunkers too. In fact, before it was banned, UH fans would always show up early to see the Cougars' impressive dunking exhibition during warm-ups. Coach Lewis and all Cougar fans hated the ban. I have no idea where you would have come up with that dogshit.

[@805Bruin]

@107224 LOL at "put him in the hall of fame or close it up." Lewis didn't win any titles. Sure, he might deserve to be in, but it's not like he's Red Auerbach or John Wooden. If he was really that much of a shoo-in, he'd already be there.

[@windbagjones2081]

Aside from the results on the court, Guy Lewis deserves credit for this as well: At a time when teams in the Southeast Conference and Southwest Conference were all-white, Lewis was very proactive in recruiting black players to Houston (which was an independent school at that time). Bill Yeoman did the same for Houston football, and the success of those 2 coaches greatly influenced other southern schools to change their ways.

[@lowpants94]

elvin hayes was the Best Player Ever That NIght

[@cokeman89]

Yeah he was playing a one eyed Alcindor

[@windbagjones2081]

@@cokeman89 Granted, but Alcindor wasn't guarding Hayes. The Big E hit a lot of long-range shots. What a lot of people don't recall is that Hayes had 29 points at halftime, but he also had 4 fouls, because Coach Lewis simply felt that UCLA was so good that he just couldn't afford to have Hayes sit. Hayes had to play very cautiously in the second half, but he managed to score 10 more points without fouling out.

[@edscottable]

i don't think that guy v. losing the big games is what's keeping him out. i believe its the fashion in which he lost to nc state. he blew that one big time. people feel that hell, if you put guy v. in, then why not put in michigan's steve fisher. finals fours but better known for talented teams

[@toddparke8535]

So why is there no damn actual film of the game of the century?

[@Jiltedin2007]

How long was Guy Lewis coaching Houston?

[@hansgordy]

A historic game... and Ucla destroyed Houston in the NCAA Tournament.

[@Nastyfinger1444]

I recall seeing this game with my Dad. What a game. I was only eight or nine at the time. UCLA was so dominant back then. I lived in Alabama which at the time was not by any means a basketball state. We did, however, know about UCLA and Houston.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Was Guy Lewis coaching Houston back then?

[@Isuyoas]

GO COOGS! This was a great video to watch, and I wasn't aware of the eye injury that Alcindor had before the game. Is this the reason he always wore the goggles on the court during his outstanding NBA career?

[@garyneilson5457]

No

[@kennethhenson8240]

That’s why Houston still hasn’t won a title

[@jmweed1861]

Yes, after he got another eye injury as a Milwaukee Buck...

[@jmweed1861]

Lew got a bad scratch on the cornea of his eye in a game 9 days before this game. He spent 5 days in the Hospital with a patch over his eye. By the time of this game, he was out of shape and still not seeing very well. Even though Elvin Hayes had the game of his life, it shows how good UCLA was, as Houston still only won by 2 points ...and would lose to UCLA in the Semi Finals of the Final Four by 44 points.....UCLA would then run North Carolina out of the gym in the Final Game...

[@thomaswolf723]

U.C.L.A. made up for this loss by crushing Houston 101-69 in the NCAA semi-finals and then winning the title in the finals against North Carolina.

[@MLoo32]

Guy should be in

[@brucedavis3816]

Sam Gilbert!!!!

[@hectorlopez1069]

Houston cougars playing in the Astrodome in the 60s. Cougars beats jabbar ucla bruins.

[@SFFOOL76]

I think there was some prejudicial bias with that rule and Wooden complaining about the dunk.

[@BBNTrashtalker]

Kentucky Michigan state broke that record in 2003 Go Cats baby 💪💪💯💯😼

[@cazzyr9518]

Just my opinion < This game was bigger than the Title Game. The Big E was the best player in the world this night, - WOODEN KNEW THAT SAM GILBERT WAS BUYING ALL THE PLAYERS, PULL THE TITLES

[@Slipknot5301]

You’re a moron lmao

[@stever1791]

@@Slipknot5301 Pull the titles. Or Does Sam Gilbert have them ?

[@stever1791]

Lew could have 25 eyes, that night blong to the Big E

[@douglascarlson9006]

I've got video of the entire game - back then NOBODY played defense - they were all matadors - they just stood around and watched as their man just blew right by them.

[@garrison968]

The worst seating ever for a basketball game.

[@805Bruin]

Kareem - 3 championships, Hayes - 0 championships. Hang a banner commemorating your regular season win, Cougs.

[@AlexHernandez-mo5kz]

805Bruin Salty ass complaining about a game played years ago. It's coogs. What's a Brewin?

[@windbagjones2081]

That's a ridiculous statement. Hayes was a great player, and is in the NBA Hall of Fame. UCLA won 7 straight titles, so you could have named any player in the nation (who didn't play for UCLA) during that period and said the same thing. UCLA had an avalanche of glory back in those years. It's rather petty to throw barbs at one of the very few teams to defeat them back then.

[@thedude3538]

People don't realize that kareem weakness in The NBA Playoffs was... other great centers. Don't believe me? Make a list of the best centers that Kareem beat during the years his team won a champ in the NBA. Regardless of age, era, or even team ranking/seeding. Then compare that list to the best centers kareem played during the years he lost. You will be surprised to learn that History always outlast personal bias.

[@charlesjackson3433]

Alcindor played that game blind in one eye with eye pain and headaches resulting from being poked in the eye earlier in the week. If Alcindor was healthy UCLA would have won that game.

[@thedude3538]

That's true about his eye. But you can't help but wonder if losing against Elvin Hayes was just a preview of how kareem would do in the NBA vs other great centers. Kareem lost to Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Walton, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave Cowens, and Moses's Malone during the playoffs. Alot of Kareem fans like to say that "Kareem dominated the game on every level". High school, college, and the NBA. Which is an unfair statement. Let's just use three other players as an example. Hakeem, Wilt, and Moses. One didn't learn the game existed until high school age. The other two didnt even start their pro careers in the NBA. Plus one completely skipped college and went straight to the pro. Only for Kareem to lose to all of them in the NBA playoff. The lone win was in 1971.

[@charlesjackson3433]

@@thedude3538 Interesting. You've done your homework to support your thought, but what did Kareem's numbers look like against those other centers in the playoffs.

[@thedude3538]

@@charlesjackson3433 I apologize in advance. 1970 Lost to the Knicks in the second round but was a rookie with no Oscar Robertson yet. Not his fault. 1971. In the conversation for easiest playoff run in history. First round. 41-41 Warriors. Of the 16 Kareem vs Nate playoff game from 1971-1973. kareem scored 30pts only two out of sixteen playoff games. Keep in mind that this was during kareem top three scoring season. Second round. 48-34 Lakers. Kareem and Oscar beat Wilt (post knee surgery) when Jerry West wasn't even playing. Third and final round. 42-40 Bullets. This is kareem only champ during his top ten Scoring Season. Out of the four worst team to make the finals in NBA history (1959, 1971, 1976, and 1981). Kareem played against Two of them and lost to one of them. 1972 West comes back and NBA scoring champ kareem lose to old Wilt when it isn't 2 against 1 anymore. Kareem best scoring season was in 72'. 35 ppg on 57% in the regular season. Nate Thurmond held Kareem to 22 points on 40% shooting. Sorry. Some people will say that Kareem still averaged over 33 points against Wilt. Yet they tend to look over the fact that Kareem averaged over 32 shot attempts to get those 33 points in that series. 1973 Kareem shot worst in the playoffs again vs Nate Thurmond who held kareem to 23 ppg on 43% shooting. 1974 Oscar and kareem has best record in league. kareem loss to Dave Cowens in finals. In the playoff he drops 30s and 20s while letting Dave score a few 20 30 game himself in 1974. Then game seven happened. *No Oscar Robertson/Magic Johnson Era* *1975* kareems teams has worst record in their division. No playoff. *1976* No playoff with a record of 40-42. I seen people try to use Bucks 38-44 and piston 36-46. *1977* Some people will say that he shot 60% against the warriors and blazer in 1977. Yet they refuse to talk about three things. One. The warriors no longer had Nate Thurmond. That team had a rookie Robert Parish. Two. People don't realize that Kareem went from averaging 37pts on 24FGA on a Warriors without Thurmond down low, to 30pts 18FGA vs Bill Walton. This changed the Lakers game plan. Especially when they got swepted. Three. Lakers had the Number one seed and the home court advantage against both teams. At least Kareem beat a rookie Robert Parish in 1977. Beside the only time The Show Time Laker didn't make the finals in the 80s was when kareem was matched up against Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone. *1978* knocked out in 1st Rd by Sonic. *1979* knocked out again by the Sonic. *End of no Oscar Robertson/ Magic Johnson Era.* Sure kareem team was ranked lower in 78' and 79'. Infact out of kareems twenty year career. His team was ranked in the top three team in the entire league fifthteen times. Thirteen of those seasons was with Oscar or Magic Johnson. Only two seasons he did so otherwise. Two out of twenty years. Plus Kareem scoring drop every single season from 1975 until he got Magic Johnson. Never won more than two series during this time. Sorry. 1980. Only season in NBA History that a team closed out the Finals without their regular season MVP. 1981 Kareem and Magic were the defending champs lakers and still loss to Mose Malone when Moses Rockets had a 40-42 record. Moses Malone out scored and out rebounded kareem. 1982 Don't forget what happened to Kareem in 1981 and 1983 against Moses. Plus most don't realize that kareem beat zero 50+ win teams to make the Finals in 1971, 82', 84', and 87'. Plus 1971, 80', and 82' champ wasn't won during the harder 4round format. Only two rounds to make the finals during this era. 1983 Kareem and The Show Time Lakers finals vs Dr. J and The 76ers. But this time The 76ers had Moses Malone. *NBA goes from a three rd to a harder four rd. Playoff format.* 1984 Well you can't put all of the blame on kareem in this series. Look up Tragic Magic Johnson. 1985 People don't realize that kareem has beaten only one 60 win team in twenty years. The 1985 63-19 Celtics. The Show Time Lakers were 62-20 during the same season. 1 in 20 years. 1986 Kareem Show time Lakers lost in a gentleman sweep vs the Rockets that didn't have Three All-Stars. 1987 kareem played second fiddle to prime Magic Johnson & James Worthy. 1988 Played second fiddle again. Just not as good as 1987. Kareem finals average was 14-4-1-41%. 1989 I know kareem played for 20 years but you have to give some credit to Oscar Robertson/Bob Danridge and Magic Johnson/James Worthy.

[@eriksmith2514]

UCLA killed Houston later and won the championship. No big deal.

[@windbagjones2081]

Regardless of what happened later on, it was still an amazing win for Houston. UCLA had won 47 straight and was considered by many to be unbeatable. They were clearly the best team in the country, and it took everything Houston had to eke out the 2-point win. Back in the Alcindor and Walton days, beating UCLA was virtually historic.

[@windbagjones2081]

Houston was beaten badly in the rematch at Pauley Pavilion, but it didn't help that they had lost George Reynolds, their starting point guard.

[@805Bruin]

Hayes was bought and paid for and he won jack.

[@chazeMugz10]

is that a football arena?

[@windbagjones2081]

The Astrodome, a multi-purpose stadium that featured mostly football and baseball.