1972 Los Angeles Lakers Win Their 33rd Consecutive Game-January 7, 1972

[@toml.1408]

I went the very 1st game in the streak with a high school buddy when I was given 2 FREE tickets to the game at the Forum. The moment I remember most was the pre-game when my buddy and I went down to court side at the lakers end who were warming up. We both stood there, about 3 feet out of bounds, and about 8 feet away was Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlin who were chatting with each other. We couldn't hear the subject, but we were really close and no security chased us off. We then went up to the stands to see Chick Hearn doing his radio broadcast. Our seats were on the sidelines, very high, actually above the rafters at the Forum. It was a great experience on November 5, 1971. I was there. Game #1.

[@retromaven2159]

Great story! You gave them the momentum to reel off the next 32 straight!

[@billymatthews7346]

That’s incredible, wonderful, was in the eighth grade, and can remember the season opening road trip games, and clubs season home opener was a lose to Chicago, and that night Sharman started young Jim McMillan for Baylor ending his career, and you were there, super great, enjoyed reading please post more, thank you, Laker fan from 67’ to present, thanks for sharing…Billy

[@edfitzpatrick2047]

It took the defending NBA 1971 champion Bucks with Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Oscar Robertson to snap the Lakers 33 game winning streak on January 9th, 1972. The Lakers would go on to defeat the Bucks in the WCF of that year 4 games to 2 and go on to win their first NBA championship against the Knicks, 4 games to 1. I was fortunate enough to watch those classic games. The 33 game winning streak still holds up today as the most consecutive wins in a row by any team, 50 years later.

[@americangiant1003]

Ed it was the first Lakers NBA title in LA. They had won a couple In Minnesota before moving west in time for the 1960-'61 season.

[@morrisparrish76]

3 of my all time team played in that 4-2 series

[@shwardlow]

@@americangiant1003 5 titles in Minneapolis 49, 50, 52,53, 54 The Lakers also won the 1948 NBL Championship

[@americangiant1003]

@@shwardlow Thanks for clarifying.

[@westy40]

Thanks so much for posting this! It's rare to see any clips of early 70's Laker games, especially with Chick Hearn broadcasting

[@retromaven2159]

You are welcome, Westy. Keep checking back...

[@disneyfan8178]

@@retromaven2159 Also, who was the color commentator? Lynn Shackleford?

[@retromaven2159]

@@disneyfan8178 Yes, I believe so.

[@rrmarshall3239]

If this record hasn't been broken by now it's doubtful it ever will be. Great footage!

[@RICHBLACKCOCK]

@rrmarshall3239 33 wins in uh row along with the 100 pts. in uh game, more than likely won`t be topped. & the BIG DIPPER took part in `em both!

[@999triple4]

Detroit’s on the pace to break it! But just backwards

[@retromaven2159]

@@999triple4 LOL!!

[@999triple4]

@@retromaven2159 😂

[@berniecioffoletti3398]

The NBA was so fun to watch in those days. Boy, I miss it.

[@johnperrigo6474]

Me too!!! Younger fans will often criticize this era saying they weren't as skilled or athletic. Hogwash! Something to consider too about this 33 game win streak - there was an article in Sports Illustrated magazine at the time on this streak. They listed the dates and scores for the 33 games. Five times during that streak they played on 3 consecutive days. I have never forgotten that. Today, players complain about "back to back" games. Also, you know they flew regular commercial flights and didn't have customized planes for their large bodies!

[@ssviking81]

Great video. Up by 40 points and still firing up shots at the final buzzer. In todays game that is such a touchy thing to do when only up by like 8-10 points.

[@billymatthews7346]

Great footage, televised back to Los Angeles…listen to bits and small pieces of this game on Hawk radio WSB 750 Atlanta…thank you for sharing.

[@retromaven2159]

My pleasure. Thanks!

[@Xontar02]

I love how they play to the buzzer, despite the margin. Can you imagine a guy stealing a pass up by 40 and trying to hit a 40 footer at the buzzer today?

[@master-kq3nw]

33 wins the record in all sports

[@fredstamps9824]

Tom Payne, who threw the ball away at the beginning of the clip and then goal-tended at the other end, was convicted of rape four different times and was jailed a fifth time for a parole violation. This is one of the 29 games he played in the NBA.

[@billymatthews7346]

Fred, interesting, and remember these years so very well, always a Laker fan as far back as 1967, how Tom Payne could have gotten himself in that trouble, and well as how “fast” Eddie Johnson did also, leave’s NBA fans like us, in disbelief. Thank you BCM

[@davanmani556]

As a minority who went to predominantly white schools in predominantly white areas. The isolation can really lead to bad things if you don’t have the ability to connect with people on your down time. Lot of those black players at SEC schools couldn’t get involved in interracial relationships or join fraternities. You are viewed like No. 5 in Short Circuit, a machine with ability but no feelings or that Indian guy. It still that way for certain programs.

[@stever1791]

When Payne came out of HS , he was the second coming of Wilt, Alcindor. But left UK after his sophmore year. He should have stayed - he wasn't ready for the NBA yet / The Rape charges keep him in Jail for like 25 + years. but he could run and jump with any big guy. Its a shame. RIP TOM PAYNE

[@DrJohnnyJ]

@@davanmani556 If you haven''t experienced it, it doesn't sound bad. I have lived overseas and being shunned is a bit tough. Rape though?

[@DrJohnnyJ]

Pat Riley scoring along with Flynn Robinson and future all-star Jim Cleamons. Maybe John Q. Trapp.

[@GrowthruGod]

Courtside seats diminish the games play

[@laiztreintaidos6485]

👍Gracias!

[@retromaven2159]

de nada!