Looking back in the last 20 years of the NBA Finals, there is no shortage of intrigue, whether it’s a key piece, an emerging dynasty, a long-term Hall of Fame member winning a first championship or anything else, those moments have created a variety of memories.
Which, however, are the best?
This rating focuses on memorable moments, such as a clutch hit, a defensive play or a big comeback. The team’s achievements are also taken into account, but they will have to be scarce.
It is to notice precisely what corresponds to a moment.
For example, the Golden State Warriors have won three titles in five years. Despite this success, there is no lasting snapshot – in NBA history – of those championship races. For the team, of course, but not necessarily for the not unusual amateur.
In retrospect, “no stars” is not correct. Chauncey Billups has become five-time All-Star, Rasheed Wallace had been in two All-Star groups before 2003 and Ben Wallace won four awards as defensive player of the year.
But the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons broke the mold of a transcendent player’s desire to win a championship.
Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, “Sheed” and Big Ben made it work. The quintet has played more than 34 minutes consistent with the game in the playoffs, finishing the championship race with a five-game sweep through a Los Angeles gentleman Lakers.
“It’s a well-oiled machine, kid, at both ends of the court,” Kobe Bryant said in 2015. “They were also sharp. Extremely crisp, incredibly crisp, incredibly methodical and well deserved. “
Since 2000, 4 NBA Finals have required a Game 7 and in 2010, which marked a clash moment between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics in 3 years, the decisive showdown fell on the wire.
As the clock approached the minute to play in the rules, the Lakers had a narrow 76-73 lead. Bryant sought to isolate himself, but the Celtics showed a double team and forced the ball out of their hands. He threw the ball at Ron. Artest, who stung, subsidized and fired.
“I never pass the ball and it happens to me,” Artest joked after the game.
The triple clutch gave the Lakers a six-point merit they would eventually get for an 83-79 win, and the victory earned Kobe their fifth and final NBA title, while Lakers coach Phil Jackson added to his record with 11 race rings.
So routine, so disrespectful.
In the opening game of the 2001 NBA Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Lakers favorites. Allen Iverson had 48 points, highlighted through a single backhand. The consequences of this shooting have been unforgettable.
In overtime, Iverson scored seven consecutive points and crowned the series with the jump shot. Lakers escort Tyronn Lue stumbled when the ball fell through the net, falling into Iverson’s path.
However, don’t worry, The Answer walked over Lue.
Although the Sixers won the first game, the Lakers responded with four direct victories to win the championship, however, this moment of Iverson is more iconic than the result.
Two years before Artest’s release, the Celtics broke a 22-year championship drought with a six-game victory over the Lakers.
For the most part, this good fortune is the result of Game 4.
Boston came in with a 2-1 lead in the series, but the Lakers had the lead in the area for the game. They rose to 35-14 merit in the first quarter and led in 20 problems in the third quarter. Los Angeles would tie the series before the fifth game at home.
The Celtics, however, achieved a 21-3 race to enter the last quarter 73-71. Boston took the lead by a jump shot from Eddie House with 4:07 for playing in regular time.
Although the Lakers won Game 5, the Celtics won the championship with a dominant 131-92 win in Game 6.
The Starless Pistons returned to the NBA Finals in 2005 with a brain-on-back trial. If it hadn’t been for Robert Horry in the fifth game, it would have happened too.
From the last shot of the third quarter to overtime, Horry scored his 21 points with less than 10 seconds to play in the period, Big Shot Bob lived up to his nickname and buried a winning trio to give the Spurs a 3-2 lead. in the series.
“The darkest day of my professional career when Horry hit that shot in the fifth game opposite us,” Billups said years later on the Lowe Post podcast. “Oh, man, it’s brutal. “
Detroit forced a Game 7, but Tim Duncan led the Spurs to a win, his name of moment in the NBA in three seasons. Horry joined John Salley as players with three-team championships.
During the 1990s, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had a pair of “3 rounds” or three consecutive NBA titles. After MJ retired in 1998, Bulls coach Phil Jackson headed to the Lakers.
Apparently, two rounds of 3 weren’t for him.
Led by Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles defeated the Indiana Pacers (2000), 76ers (2001) and New Jersey Nets (2002). In a Nets sweep, the Lakers added their names to the history books throughout 1952. -54 Minneapolis Lakers, 1959-66 Celtics and 1991-93 and 1996-98 Bulls.
While the 2008-10 Lakers, 2011-14 Miami Heat, 2015-18 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2015-19 Warriors have made the impression in at least 3 consecutive NBA Finals, the 2000-02 Lakers remain the last 3.
While the clock was marking the end of Game 6, the star-filled Heat recorded a deficit of 94-89. Behind the Spurs 3-2 in the series, Miami had 28. 2 seconds for a comeback.
One or the other, the Heat did just that.
LeBron threw a three, then Kawhi Leonard split a couple of loose shots for a 95-92 lead; LeBron missed a three, Chris Bosh took the offensive rebound and discovered Ray Allen in the corner; he hit a triple of the tie with 5. 2 seconds to play. , and Miami ended up winning 103-100 in overtime.
“This is by far the game I’ve played,” LeBron told reporters afterwards.
Allen’s shot stored Miami in the 2013 series and nevertheless triggered a new point of determination for the Spurs, which dismantled the Heat in the upcoming NBA Finals.
Without a LeBron chase blockade, the Cavaliers could have lost; If Kyrie Irving’s triple pointer doesn’t fall, the Warriors score and diminish the importance of James’ defensive effort.
The story of the 2016 NBA Finals is told without games, and they took position just 58 seconds apart.
LeBron covered a tray of Andre Iguodala on the board with 1:51 to follow the rules, preventing Golden State, the protective champions, from breaking an 89-89 slum. Then, with 53 seconds to play, Kyrie hit a soft 3 over Stephen Curry.
Between the succession of those games, the strength of the star in question and Cleveland that has been breaking the city championship drought for 52 years, there has been no more iconic moment in the NBA Finals since 2000.