Johnson Leads Baltimore to Victory in Epic Seven Game Series

[Note: This is the fourth in a series of simulated playoff series to determine the worst team in franchise history in the Bullets Forever Epic Failoff.  In our first match-up, the 5th seeded 93 Bullets lost to the 95 Bullets, sending them to the 2nd round and the 1967 Baltimore Bullets advanced after losing in 7 games to the 1994 Bullets.  In the third match-up, the 2004 Wizards advanced to the second round after losing to the 2001 Wizards in 5 games.  The last quarterfinal featured the top seeded 2009 Wizards beating the 1992 Bullets in 5 games.

Now, we come to the semi-finals.  In our first match-up we've got the 1993 Washington Bullets taking on the 1967 Baltimore Bullets.  Next week, we'll see who advances between the 2004 Wizards and the 1992 Bullets. -Jake]

• Game 1: Baltimore 114 - Washington 105
• Game 2: Baltimore 110 - Washington 85
• Game 3: Washington 118 - Baltimore 114
• Game 4: Washington 134 - Baltimore 124
• Game 5: Baltimore 102 - Washington 119
• Game 6: Washington 120 - Baltimore 129
• Game 7: Baltimore 128 - Washington 112

BALTIMORE - In one locker room, a jubilant Gus "Honeycomb" Johnson led his Baltimore teammates in jubilant celebrations, knowing their dignity wouldn't be put to the test in the Epic Failoff Finals.

In the other locker room, Tom Gugliotta was assuring his teammates and the media that they would not end up with the dubious distinction of being the worst team in franchise history.

"We're not going down like this," said an angered Gugliotta after the game.  "I refuse to let our team go down as the worst team in franchise history.  In fact, I guarantee we'll win in the next round to make sure that doesn't happen."

Certainly, if the team could have duplicated Gugliotta four times over, the Washington squad would have had no difficulty in in getting past Baltimore.  His Herculean efforts kept his team competitive and for a brief moment, appeared like they would be enough to win the series.  But Baltimore would come up with an impressive win at the Capital Centre in Game 6, backed by impressive performances of Johnson and veteran Don Ohl as the series returned to the Baltimore Civic Center for the deciding Game 7..

After losing a tight seven game series in the first round on their home court, Baltimore was determined to avoid the same result this time.  "I've been through too much heartbreak this year," said Johnson after the game.  "We were intent on doing whatever it took to not have deal with that ever again."

Thanks to tonight's win, Baltimore no longer has to face any heartbreak.  We'll see if Gugliotta can prevent the same thing from happening in the Epic Failoff Finals.