CBS Held A Pre-Recorded 3 On 3 Tournament During 1978 NBA Playoffs

In 1978, CBS held a pre-recorded 3 on 3 game featuring Julius Erving.

Sep 25, 2023

4 Min Read

Credit: Fadeaway World

The NBA struggled to find ratings in the 1970s

CBS once held a pre-recorded 3 on 3 tournament

The tournament was shown during the 1978 NBA playoffs

The NBA is the pinnacle basketball league in the world. This includes having regular-season matchups on networks ABC, ESPN, and TNT, averaging 1.6 million viewers.

This wasn’t always the case, though. The NBA was struggling to catch and keep viewers’ attention in the 1970s, and the league appeared to be on its way out of American sports. One way they decided to gain fans’ attention was by putting on 3 on 3 tournaments.

In 1978, CBS, who held the TV rights to the NBA, put on a 3 on 3 tournament during the playoffs. There’s not a lot of information on the 3 on 3 tournament, but we do know the teams consisted of one current NBA player, one former player, and a celebrity.

The first episode showcased current player, Maurice Lucas, retired legend Sam Jones, and actor Robert Conrad defeating current player Julius Erving, retired player Kevin Loughery, and comedian David Steinberg.

April 23, 1978: CBS premieres the pre-recorded "Three On Three" competition that would air throughout the '78 NBA Playoffs.

In the show's first episode, the team of Maurice Lucas, Sam Jones & actor Robert Conrad defeat Julius Erving, Kevin Loughery and comedian David Steinberg. pic.twitter.com/PGShtII4GE

— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) April 23, 2023

It’s a shame there’s not much more information or video on the 1978 3 on 3 tournament, as it would be interesting to watch and see how the games turned out and who the ultimate winner ended up being. Still, it is exciting to see that Julius Erving, one of the most popular players at the time, participated in the tournament.

Can you imagine a 3 on 3 tournament featuring the stars of today? It’s unlikely. The NBA is adding in a mid-season tournament for the upcoming 2023-24 season to spice things up a little bit, but this idea is split between fans loving it and hating it.

Bird And Magic Saved The NBA

CBS held the rights to the NBA from the 1973–74 NBA season to the 1989–90 NBA season. The games were pre-recorded during the 1970s, and viewership was not good. Luckily for the NBA, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league in 1979 and turned it around, becoming one of the most popular sports leagues in the USA.

The 1975 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Washington Bullets saw 11.38 million viewers tune in. At the height of Bird-Magic, the 1987 NBA Finals, Bird’s Boston Celtics, and Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers saw a viewership of 24.12 million.

The Bird and Magic rivalry brought excitement to the game. The game truly wouldn’t be what it is today without Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Still, the idea of a 3 on 3 tournament would be fun. Just ask Big 3 founder rapper Ice Cube.

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TAGGED:3 On 3 Julius Erving (Dr. J)Larry Bird Magic Johnson

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ByTitan Frey

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Titan Frey is the editor-in-chief and a staff writer for Fadeaway World from York, Pennsylvania. Titan blends his deep passion for basketball and storytelling to oversee the content at Fadeaway World. A prolific writer, Titan has authored several novels, including the award-winning "Players Path." This experience has honed his ability to weave compelling narratives, a skill he applies to his editorial role, ensuring that every piece resonates with basketball lovers and maintains high journalistic standards. His passion for basketball was sparked by Michael Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995, and his allegiance to the Chicago Bulls often inspires his contributions to "Pippen Ain’t Easy," a website dedicated to Bulls-related content. Titan’s specialization in player biographies and retro basketball content allows him to offer unique insights, often reaching out to key sources to secure exclusive information not available elsewhere. One of Titan’s proudest achievements is the biography of Chuck Cooper, the first African American drafted by an NBA team. By collaborating directly with Chuck Cooper III, Titan was able to present a nuanced portrayal that enriched the basketball community’s understanding of Cooper’s impact on the sport. Titan also extends his storytelling prowess to his YouTube channel "HoopsHistory26", where he uses archived footage to bring historical basketball stories to life, engaging a broader audience with his vivid storytelling and authoritative content.Titan's bold predictions and memorable basketball moments also reflect his deep involvement in the sport. He boldly predicts that the Phoenix Suns will part ways with their Big 3 and focus on building around Kevin Durant. Among his cherished memories is attending the unforgettable 2004 game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers in Philly, where he witnessed Allen Iverson make his first career game-winning shot. These experiences and insights continue to enrich his contributions to Fadeaway World, connecting with readers on a deeply personal level.