For whatever reason, I became enthralled with the NBA Finals this season — something I really haven’t watched in years.

It stemmed from my rekindled interest in the Knicks, and they had some captivating series.

In Game Six, Indiana’s bench was the key to its victory, as it outscored Oklahoma City’s bench, 48-37 during a 108-91 win. In Game Seven, Indiana’s bench outscored Oklahoma City’s, 42-20, but the Pacers dropped a 103-91 decision.

Indiana’s Obi Toppin, Benedict Mathurin, and ex-Sixer T.J. McConnell also proved to be valuable “sixth men” at times with Mathurin averaging 12.1 points per game, and McConnell 11.8 in the Finals.

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll review some of the Sixers’ sixth men, as well as some of the top ones that were around the league. In addition, I’ll look at some random pop-culture TV and song tidbits.

Also, who was the former Denver Nugget who became a top Sixers’ sixth man? What TV series starring a famous TV sportswriter from another show was a precursor for the CSI shows? Do you remember a one-hit wonder about “short hair” from the early 70s?

And what wrestler from a “brother” trio was the fatal victim of an auto accident in this state in 2018?

Bountiful Boston Betterments ... Some of the game’s earliest “sixth-man” or resourceful reserves can be traced back to the heydays of the Celtics.

For you graybeards, Boston’s Frank Ramsey was among the pioneers coming off the bench in the late 50s through the mid-60s, and was a pivotal part of a seven-championships run. He averaged better than 11 points per game.

Along with Ramsey, Satch Sanders was another integral part of Boston’s bench basically during the same time period. Legendary Jon Havlichek came off the bench in the 60s before he became a starter in the 70s.

As far as the 70s, Don Nelson and Paul Silas were two prominent bench players who gave the Beantowners plenty of major sparks. After he came over from Phoenix, Silas was an underrated post player and rebounder in the 70s, while Nelson always seemed to play his role to near perfection.

In the 80s, Kevin McHale was a two-time NBA Sixth-Man Award winner, and Kevin Gamble (remember him?) also was prominent in the 80s.

Some stars who were past their prime that I recalled were Pete Maravich and Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Others who I forgot were Shaquille O’Neal, Gary Payton, Artis Gilmore and Chauncey Billups to mention a few.

Super Sixth Sixers ... When I think of sixth men with the Sixers, Bobby Jones and Steve “The Mayor of Mixville” Mix come to mind.

When he was traded for the much-maligned George McGinnis from Denver, Jones was not a well-known commodity. However, he quickly developed into an elite sixth man and defender as a two-time All-Star with the Sixers, as well as a key to the 1983 title.

In eight years with the Sixers, Jones averaged 10.7 points in 617 games, and 12.1 over 941 games in 12 years.

Mix was signed as a free agent by the Sixers in August 1973 after being waived by the Pistons. He was a starting forward averaging 16 points a game in his first season in 1973-74, but Mix spent the next eight seasons as a one of the first players off the bench.

In September of 1983, Mix signed as a free agent with Milwaukee, and ended his career with the Lakers. In 13 years, Mix averaged 10.6 points in 788 games.

During the Sixers’ 1966-67 championship season, Billy Cunningham came off the bench and averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and shot 46 percent.

Best of the Rest ... Over the years, there were some very recognized players who were effective sixth men.

There was the Rockets’ and Lakers’ Robert Horry, Pistons’ Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson, the Knicks’ Cazzie Russell and Jerry Lucas, the Bucks’ Junior Bridgeman, the Bulls’ Toni Kukoc, ex-Sixer and Clipper Lou Williams, the Suns’ Eddie Johnson, the Warriors’ and ex-Sixer Andre Iguodala, and the Lakers’ Michael Cooper.

The Original CSI ... What TV series can be considered as the precursor to the CSI series?

Anyone remember “Quincy”?

Being an “Odd Couple” fan, it didn’t take me long to latch on and watch Jack Klugman in “Quincy” that aired on NBC from Oct. 1976 until May 1983.

Klugman was his usual unassuming self as a medical examiner in California who tried to solve suspicious cases. He had a strong supporting cast and good storylines that made the pioneering forensic evidence show worth watching.

The “Odd Couple,” a Friday night staple on Channel 6, ran from 1970-75. With Klugman playing sportswriter Oscar Madison, football stars Deacon Jones and Bubba Smith, tennis maven Bobby Riggs, and renowned broadcaster Howard Cosell played live roles on the show. Pop culture icons Wolfman Jack and Dick Clark also had cameo roles.

How many of you watched Wolfman Jack as the host of “The Midnight Special,” or Clark’s famed “American Bandstand” and “Rock and Roll New Year’s Eve.”

Lost Tracks ... Recently, I head two songs that brought back some middle school and freshman year of high school memories.

Anyone recall the song, “Back When My Hair Was Short?” It was a quirky, bubble-gum song in 1973, stating how the lead singer was a “white-socks sport,” as a classic line. Who was the artist? You have to dig down deep to remember Gunhill Road. It reached No. 37 on the Billboard 100 chart.

I also heard another classic type title, “Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me),” a patter, bubble-gum song by Reunion in 1974 that rambled off various names of artists such as Lesley Gore, Mott the Hoople, Poco, and Nilsson.

You’ll know the song when you here it, and it reached No. 8 on the Billboard 100 chart.

These are two songs that we will likely recognize, but they become lost over time.

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... Each column, I’ll look back at a former wrestler who we likely watched in our youth.

Do you remember “Lucious” Johnny Valiant? He is mostly remembered for his partnering with “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant to form The Valiant Brothers. Like several “brother” combinations in pop culture (see above), they weren’t really brothers.

Born Thomas Sullivan in Northern Pittsburgh, Valiant began a stint in the WWWF from 1969 to 1973 billed as John L. Sullivan. Ironically, fellow Pittsburgh native Bruno Sammartino trained him in his early days.

He then teamed with Jimmy Valiant in 1974-75 and with Jerry Valiant in 1979 to win the WWWF tag-team championship. He also had stops in the WWA, NWA, and wrestled in Japan and Canada.

Overall, Valiant had a 497-562-126 record over a 39-year career that ended in 2006 in his final match at Zens Farmers Market in Gilbertsville.

Tragically, Valiant was killed after he was struck by a pickup truck in Pennsylvania’s Ross Township in April 2018. He was 71.

Another Classic Game ... In 1971, Ideal — one of the toy manufacture kings during the time — released “Rebound,” which basically was a miniature, table-top version of a shuffleboard game.

According to its tagline, it was a “two-cushion rebound game where players need to hit the ball back and forth using a paddle, testing their reflexes and coordination skills. The vintage nature of this game adds to its appeal for collectors and nostalgia enthusiasts.”

In reality, though, it was shuffleboard. I never had it, but sounds like it can be fun.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, manager, coach or media personality from our yesterday.

In keeping with a sixth-man theme, do you remember former Phillie Gregg Dobbs? Former Phils’ GM Pat Gillick acquired him off waivers from Seattle in January 2007.

In 2006 and 2007, Dobbs was one of the game’s premier pinch-hitters. Dobbs led the majors with 18 pinch-hit RBIs, and led the majors in pinch-hits (22) and batting average (.355) the following season.

However, Dobbs’ production waned in 2010, and he was released after hitting .190.

Dobbs finished his career with Miami, Seattle, and Washington. In four years with the Phillies, Dobbs hit .261 in 455 games with 29 homers and 136 RBIs. Overall, Dobbs hit .261 in 959 games over 11 seasons with 46 homers and 274 RBIs.

In closing, recently departed rockers Sly Stone can remind us about being “Everyday People” and Brian Wilson can remind us that “God Only Knows.”

(We should also remember classics Lou Christie’s “Lightning Strikes,” and Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo.”)

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.