Bonus Series! Conference Finals MVPs: Part 3 - Eastern Conference 1980-89, Bird's Celtics Run the Decade, Liberty Rings in Philly, The 'Bad Boys' Pistons, the Bucks Can't Break Through and MJ Up Next!
Description
Today we continue in part 3 of a 10-part series at Once Upon a Dribble!
During the 2022 playoffs the NBA began awarding MVP awards to the best performing player of each conference finals: the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award and the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the two players credited for building the league up to greater popularity in the 1980s.
This begs the question, with the award just being handed out for the first time last season, who are the deserving winners from the previous 50+ years of NBA history?
Find out today as Josh tackles the Eastern Conference in the 1980s!
1980: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (03:10 )
1981: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (07:17 )
1982: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (09:50 )
1983: Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers (12:00 )
1984: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks (15:53 )
1985: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (20:00 )
1986: Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks (22:59 )
1987: Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons (26:30 )
1988: Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons (29:21 )
1989: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons (30:38 )
Final award tally - (33:57 )
United States
