Blazermania engulfs the Pacific Northwest.  The Big Redhead, Bill Walton leads the Portland Trail Blazers on an unforgettable playoff run to win the NBA Finals over the Philadelphia 76ers.  The NBA changed quite a bit in the 1976-77 season.  The league merged with the ABA which brought in the New York Nets, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs.  A dispersal draft saw great players like Artis Gilmore go to the Chicago Bulls and the all-time great Julius Erving to go the Philadelphia 76ers.  Dr. J paid huge immediate dividends for the 76ers, leading them to the best record in the Eastern Conference and an appearance in the Finals, winning a tough series against the Houston Rockets in the Eastern Finals.  The Los Angeles Lakers had the best record in the league at 53-29 but were swept by the Trail Blazers in the Western Finals.  Maurice Lucas joined Portland from the ABA and joined with Bill Walton to make a tremendous front line. Rip City!  The NBA was now taking shape to be the league the world would fall in love with the in the 1980s.  Relive all of the action with Courtside Basketball and the 1976-77 Season Set!