The Greatest Hoops Clash That Almost No One Saw

50 years ago last night there was a pre-season thriller as Julius "Dr. J." Erving, who led the Nets to the ABA Title in 1974, sparred with Rick Barry of the 1975 NBA Champion Warriors

Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY - October 16, 1975

The Sports Time Traveler went back in time 50 years to the Nassau Coliseum last night to see a pre-season basketball game between the New York Nets and the Golden State Warriors.

It might just be the greatest pre-season game ever played.

Sadly, almost no one saw this game.

It was not on TV. And only 4,877 fans showed up at the Nassau Coliseum. In the New York area you could listen to the game on the radio. In the Bay Area in California the game was not even on the radio.

This is incredible when you consider that the game featured two of the best small forwards in hoops history: Julius Erving, aka Dr. J, and Rick Barry.

These 2 players, are also perhaps the 2 greatest legends to ever don a Nets uniform (Barry had a stint with the Nets from 1970 - 1972).

NOTE From the Present - I say that with apologies to Jason Kidd and Kevin Durant. But I saw Erving and Barry play in their primes, and they were both breathtaking to watch. Now back to 1975.

The game was even more intriguing when you take into account that the Warriors are the defending 1975 NBA champions. While the Nets are the 1974 ABA Champions.

At the outset of the game, the NBA Champs looked like they were demonstrating why the NBA is the superior circuit. They raced out to a 35 - 20 lead after the 1st quarter. The Nets were playing without their starting point guard, Brian Taylor. And back up Nets’ guard Bill Melchioni, told Jane Gross of Long Island’s Newsday, “They came out and played really well the first five or six minutes.”

Gross described the champions play in the first half, “The Warriors… were playing like a team in midseason stride. They worked the ball inside in complicated pass patterns, getting credit for 17 assists in the first half.”

At halftime, the Warriors maintained their 15 point spread at 59 - 44. The Nets just couldn’t get near the basket. Warriors’ center George Johnson already had 4 blocks and 4 more blocks that were called for goal tending. And Rick Barry, who averaged 31 points a game in 1975, already had 24 at the break. Nets’ coach Kevin Loughery told Newsday, “A guy like Rick (Barry) can really control a game.”

Whatever coach Loughery told the Nets at halftime, it worked. Dr. J, who was held to 12 points in the 1st half, came out on a mission to show that he is the best basketball player on the planet (and in Nets’ history). Gross described a scene late in the 3rd quarter that I wish was on video to cherish, “The duel between Erving and Barry was encapsulated in a minute-and-a-half period in the third period. Erving deflected a Barry pass, and (Rich) Jones stole the ball. He passed it to Erving going downcourt for a stuff. A minute later Barry connected for one of his three three-point baskets. Erving came back with another three-pointer 13 seconds later. Not to be outdone, Barry sank another three-pointer within 15 seconds.”

Now as you read that account, bear in mind that back in 1975, few ABA players took 3 point shots (Erving averaged only one 3-point shot taken per game in 1975). And there was NO 3 pointer in the NBA.

NOTE From the Present

I have come back to the present time to inform you that there is no verified record for the shortest amount of time that 2 players made three 3-pointers. But Barry and Erving combined to make three 3-pointers in just 28 seconds in this 1975 pre-season game. That could be the record for a pro game.

Now back to 1975.

When Erving made his 3-pointer he pulled the Nets to within 3 points of the NBA champions at 76 - 73. Dr. J poured in 15 points in the quarter.

But when the 3rd quarter ended the Warriors were ahead 88 - 82.

The Nets weren’t done. According to Paul Montgomery, writing in a special to the New York Times, the 4th quarter began with Dr. J putting on the type of roundball display that only he can perform, “Erving unloaded a cluster of his more spectacular shots - a swooping dunk over George Johnson… a turnaround jumper off the glass… a twisting reverse-English layup… a soaring underhanded ladle from the foul circle… two 3-point baskets.”

OMG! How I wish I could’ve seen that!

Fueled by Erving’s electrifying show, the Nets pulled even with the NBA Champions at 90 apiece. And then continued on to take a 6 point advantage!

But as soon as the Nets forged ahead with the 6 point lead, the Warriors, led by Rick Barry, scored 14 consecutive points. Erving told Gross, “We made our move and then we relaxed.”

And who can blame them. This was a pre-season game.

The Warriors went on to win it 119 - 114.

Julius Erving had been sensational. He finished with 43 points in 46 minutes. He shot 15 for 22 on 2-pointers and was 2 for 3 on 3-pointers. He also had 8 boards and 7 assists.

But Rick Barry was even better. Barry had 49 points in 41 minutes. He made 12 of 22 on 2-pointers and made all 3 of his 3-pointers. In addition he was 16 for 17 shooting free throws, using his under-hand style. And Barry also had 8 assists.

Combined Dr. J and Rick Barry accounted for 122 points out of the 233 scored in the contest.

Here’s a photo of both players during last night’s action:

I can’t wait to follow Julius Erving and Rick Barry in the 1975-1976 ABA and NBA basketball seasons.

I’ll keep you posted.