1981 NBA Finals

The following photos are scenes from the 1981 NBA Finals. This Finals broadcast utilized tape delay, pre recording four of the six games and broadcasting them after their finish in favor of putting more reliable shows during the primetime slots (Adgate, 2024). Hitting rock bottom, CBS decided to end this practice since the Finals failed to reach a substantial viewership even though the matchup was between two large market teams with one of them having the future co-face of the league in Larry Bird.

These Finals have come to symbolize the end of a broadcasting era for basketball, which is why they are the tail-end of this project alongside the 1982 Finals. As the broadcast format of using tape delay died, the NBA ushered into the modern landscape of NBA broadcast as a visual medium after the four delineated eras.

1981 NBA Finals: Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics

Dick Raphael

May 1, 1981

National Basketball Association

BOSTON - 1981: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics goes up for a shot against Bill Willoughby #32 of the Houston Rockets during the 1981 NBA Finals at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets 4-2 and won the 1981 NBA Championship.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1981 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Boston Celtics Kevin McHale, 1986 NBA Finals

Andy Hayt

May 14, 1981

Sports Illustrated

Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Kevin McHale (32) victorious after winning Game 6 and series vs Houston Rockets. Houston, TX 5/14/1981

CREDIT: Andy Hayt (Photo by Andy Hayt /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X25583 TK5 R1 F16 )

NBA Finals Game 6 - Boston Celtics v Houston Rockets

Jim Cummins

May 14, 1981

National Basketball Association

HOUSTON - MAY 14: Head coach of the Boston Celtics Red Auerbach and his team celebrate after winning the 1981 NBA Championship on May 14, 1981 in Houston, Texas. The Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets four games to two in the Finals.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 1981 NBAE. (Photo by Jim Cummins/NBAE via Getty Images)

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