The Punch Heard Round the N.B.A.

By Sam Goldaper

Credit...The New York Times Archives

December 17, 1978, Section S, Page 5

The Washington Bullets erased the stigma of failure in 1978 and won their first National Basketball Association championship. Offcourt events overshadowed a season of increased violence, the first trading of franchises, the financial plight of the New Jersey Nets, midseason coaching changes and the movement of top free agents.

A costly punch was thrown by Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers, who broke Rudy Tomjanovich's jaw and nose and put the Houston forward into the hospital. Larry O'Brien, the N.B.A. commissioner, suspended Washington for 60 days and fined him $10,000.

Franchises Exchanged

The penalty failed to curb violence. To prevent future incidents, the league instituted the use of three officials and banned hand‐checking, a major cause of fights.

John Y. Brown of the Buffalo Braves and Iry Levin of the Boston Celtics traded franchises and made a sevenplayer trade. The Braves were moved to San Diego and became known as the Clippers.

Roy Boe's financial and legal problems caught up with him, and he was forced to give up the Nets and his New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.

Before the 1978‐79 season was half over, five coaches had been dismissed. Red Holzman returned to the Knicks, succeeding Willis Reed, and Dave Cowens became the playing coach of the Celtics, replacing Tom Sanders.

McGinnis Now a Nugget

George McGinnis was traded from Philadelphia to Denver, Rick Barry moved from Golden State to Houston, Marvin Webster went from Seattle to the Knicks and John Havlicek retired after 16 seasons with the Celtics.

Bill Walton, accusing the Portland Trail Blazers of trying to make him play despite injuries, tried unsuccess fully to be traded. Although he missed the final games of the regular season, he was voted the most valuable player.

The Bullets defeated the Sonics for the title in seven games after having eliminated Atlanta, San Antonio and Philadelphia.

George Gervin of the Spurs edged David Thompson of the Nuggets for scoring honors on the final day of the season. Gervin averaged 27.21 points to Thompson's 27.15.