West and Cooke settled their differences—and the former Laker's lawsuit—and Cooke hired him to replace Sharman as the team's coach.Lazenby, pp. 164–5. West became upset, however, when Cooke refused to spend the money necessary to acquire forward Julius Erving, who the Nets were selling.Lazenby, pp. 166–7. Behind another MVP season from Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles won the Pacific Division, finishing the 1976–77 season a league-best 53–29. They defeated the Warriors in a seven-game series to open the postseason before being swept by Portland in the Western Conference Finals. During the off-season, Los Angeles picked up Jamaal Wilkes from Golden State and signed first-round draft pick Norm Nixon.
West and Cooke settled their differences—and the former Laker's lawsuit—and Cooke hired him to replace Sharman as the team's coach.Lazenby, pp. 164–5 West became upset, however, when Cooke refused to spend the money necessary to acquire forward Julius Erving, who the Nets were sellingLazenby, pp. 166–7. Behind another MVP season from Abdul-J.abbar, Los Angeles won the Pa.cific Division, finishing the 1976–77 season a league-best 53–29. They defeated the Warriors in a seven-game series to open the posts.eason before being swept by Portland in the Western Conference Finals During the off-season, Los Angeles picked up Jamaal Wilkes from Golden State and signed first-round draft pick Norm Nixon.