ABA Finals MVP (George McGinnis, 1973)

Lore & Background

George McGinnis was a force of nature in the early 1970s, a bruising forward who could score inside, rebound with ferocity, and push the ball in transition like a runaway truck. In the 1973 ABA Finals, the Pacers faced the Kentucky Colonels, a team led by the 7'2" Artis Gilmore and sharpshooting Dan Issel. McGinnis rose to the occasion, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, using his strength to overpower defenders and his quickness to create mismatches. His performance in Game 6, where he scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, sealed the series and earned him the Finals MVP. The award was a testament to McGinnis's unique skill set—he was one of the few players who could dominate both ends of the floor with sheer physicality, often wrestling rebounds away from giants and then sprinting the floor for a thunderous finish. His legacy with the Pacers includes being a two-time ABA champion and a key figure in the team's golden era. The 1973 Finals MVP remains a symbol of his impact, as he later went on to the NBA, but his finest moments came in an Indiana uniform. Today, the award is part of Pacers lore, a reminder of the ABA's vibrant history and the players who made it memorable. McGinnis's number 30 hangs in the rafters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, honoring his contributions to the franchise's first championships.

In Their Own Story

The arena in Louisville roared as the Colonels tried to claw back, but George McGinnis had other plans. He caught the ball at the top of the key, faked left, then barreled toward the rim like a freight train derailed—his shoulders low, his legs churning, his eyes locked on the iron. The defender braced, but McGinnis absorbed the contact, let out a grunt, and flipped the ball off the glass with a soft touch—and-one. He pumped his fist, sweat flying, as the Pacers bench erupted. That night, he would hoist the trophy, the MVP award a crown for a king of the hardwood.

Reader's Guide

The 1973 ABA Finals MVP was awarded to George McGinnis after the Indiana Pacers defeated the Kentucky Colonels 4-3 in a brutal, grinding series that featured multiple overtime games and enough elbows to start a bakery. This was the Pacers' second consecutive ABA championship, following their 1972 title, and it solidified their status as a dynasty in the league. McGinnis's dominance—averaging a double-double with key scoring bursts—was crucial in a series where every possession felt like a street fight. The significance of this award extends beyond the series itself. It highlighted McGinnis's emergence as a superstar and helped elevate the Pacers' profile in the ABA. The 1973 title also marked the peak of the franchise's early success, as they would win two more ABA championships in 1970 and 1972, but McGinnis's MVP remains a standout individual achievement. For fans, it represents a time when the Pacers were the class of the league, a blue-collar team with a superstar who played like his jersey was on fire.

Did You Know?

• George McGinnis is one of only two players in Pacers history to win the ABA Finals MVP, along with Freddie Lewis in 1972.
• McGinnis averaged 23.7 points and 12.3 rebounds in the 1973 Finals, leading both teams in scoring.
• He was also named the ABA's Most Valuable Player in the 1974-75 season, making him a two-time league MVP.
• McGinnis's number 30 was retired by the Pacers in 1985, honoring his contributions to the franchise.