Oakland Oaks beat Pacers to capture 1969 ABA title
The Oakland Oaks are champions of the American Basketball Association, and talking of a dynasty.
The Oaks polished off Indiana in the fifth game of their seven-game series, 135-131 in overtime, before 6,340 at the Oakland Arena to complete a magic first year under the wizardry of coach Alex Hannum.
It was a sub-par performance at best by the Oaks, which makes it even more bitter to swallow for several ABA coaches who predicted Indiana would defeat Oakland.
Now Oakland, a harmless bunch of Raggedy Anns a year ago, should be even stronger next season in its title defense with Rick Barry coming back (from a knee injury).
Owner Ken Davidson, after an impromptu shower he and co-owner Pat Boone received from the happy Oaks, said he “hopes this is the beginning of a long dynasty for the people of the East Bay and Northern California” and once more put down rumors of distress and disaster with the statement: “We are here to stay.”
There’s also Hannum’s ambition to have the best team in basketball in five years, but that’s a while off. There’s last night to savor.
Warren Armstrong, as he has been throughout the playoffs, was the Oaks’ leader with 39 points. Yet the rookie phenom almost cost Oakland the game. With 13 seconds left in regulation play, Armstrong went to the line with a 121120 lead and three chances to make two foul shots.
He could make only the third attempt, and after teammate Ira Harge fouled Ron Perry on a three-point field goal attempt the calm Pacer made two pressure free throws after missing the first to create the overtime.
Both teams battled for their lives, trading basket for basket in the extra period until the Oaks led 131130.
Doug Moe hit two free throws and the Oaks got the ball back after Roger Brown missed a shot. Jim Eakins missed twice for Oakland but Henry Logan rebounded out to Larry Brown, who was fouled with 0:14 left.
Brownie, playing his last game before becoming Davidson head coach, netted both ends of the bonus situation to make it 135-130 before
Perry got another free throw.
As the buzzer sounded the Oaks players mobbed one another, while the fans — the largest playoff crowd at the Arena — poured onto the floor to mob the Oaks.
Armstrong had plenty of help again, with Moe scoring
22 points, Brown 19, Henry Logan 18, Eakins 15 and Gary Bradds 14.
Roger Brown, who’s as difficult as Armstrong to stop when motivated, kept the Pacers in the game down the stretch with 31 points. Indiana fought throughout as if the series
was tied, 3-3.
Freddie Lewis topped the Indianans with 33, while Bob Netolicky had 26 and Mel Daniels 21 with a finals high of 25 rebounds.
Oakland gave signs of wanting to bust out on Indiana, but couldn’t hold on to several eight- and ninepoint
leads. The Oaks and Pacers each made 48 field goals, but Oakland hit four more free throws in six more attempts.
This can be attributed to Hannum, who teaches going to the basket. The Oaks were the better field goal shooters, 46.6 to 41.4 percent.
The Oaks, who finished as successor to Pittsburgh (now Minnesota) as league champion, built a fantastic 78-25 record including exhibitions, season play and the playoffs.
It all started last Sept. 15 after the worst record in the ABA last year. The winner’s share is about $4,000 per man.
The emotions of the players varied.
Armstrong remained the great stone face. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. Everybody’s jumpin’ and hollerin’. No I didn’t worry tonight because I don’t feel like we’re supposed to lose.
Brown: “Nothing compares to this moment, but you’ve got to respect those guys (Indiana). We’re first class: this franchise is a great one.
Hannum said, “I’m sending the following telegram to Red Auerbach. ‘Congratulations on winning the NBA championship. Now how about playing for the world championship?’”
The Boston Celtics have won 11 of the last 13 NBA titles.
The Oaks traded the usual postgame champagne for a party at the Elegant Farmer. Davidson, chairman of the board, was passing out $100 bills to each player.