Thinking back to some of the greatest NBA playoff runs by underdogs, it's impossible not to mention the 1994-95 Houston Rockets. They entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference, sporting a 47-35 record. Despite being underdogs throughout, they managed to capture the championship. The Rockets faced elimination five times during their journey and came out victorious each time. Hakeem Olajuwon, their star player, averaged an impressive 33.0 points per game during the Finals. You're looking at a team that overcame incredible odds.
Another remarkable moment comes from the 2006-07 Golden State Warriors, who, as the eighth seed, shocked the basketball world by upsetting the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round. The Mavericks had won 67 games that season, and many thought they were unstoppable. However, the Warriors, led by Baron Davis, played with unmatched heart and grit. I remember watching Davis' electrifying dunks and clutch performances; he averaged 25.3 points per game in that series. They became the first 8th seed to defeat a 1st seed in a seven-game series in NBA history. Can you imagine the sheer emotion and euphoria in that locker room?
The Detroit Pistons in the 2003-04 season also deserve a mention. Although they were not a low-seeded team, facing the highly-favored Los Angeles Lakers made them underdogs in the Finals. The Lakers had a star-studded lineup with Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. However, the Pistons' defense, orchestrated by Ben Wallace, held the Lakers to just 81 points per game. Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups were offensive dynamos, contributing critical buckets when needed. Their team-oriented play crushed the mighty Lakers in five games. What a shock that was.
Do you remember the New York Knicks' 1998-99 run? As the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, they stunned everyone by reaching the Finals. The regular season was shortened to 50 games due to a lockout, and the Knicks finished with a 27-23 record. Led by Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston, they managed to upset the top-seeded Miami Heat in a five-game first-round series. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Larry Johnson’s four-point play in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers is unforgettable. Though they eventually fell to the San Antonio Spurs, their run was nothing short of miraculous.
Then there's the 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks. Yes, they were a third seed, but few gave them a chance against the Miami Heat's “big three” in the Finals. Dirk Nowitzki was the heart and soul of that team, and his performance was legendary. He averaged 26.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in the series. The Mavericks demonstrated exceptional teamwork, especially on defense, effectively neutralizing LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Jason Terry's clutch shooting in Game 5 and 6 was a joy to watch. They defied the odds, taking down the Heat in six games to win their first championship in franchise history.
Don’t forget the 1998 Utah Jazz. Though not an underdog in the traditional sense, their defeat of the heavily-favored Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals deserves a spotlight. The Rockets had acquired Charles Barkley to join Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, forming a powerful trio. Karl Malone and John Stockton played some of their best basketball, and Stockton’s game-winning shot to send them to the Finals is one of the iconic moments in NBA history. However, they ran into Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, but their journey was something to behold.
Speaking of the Bulls, let’s talk about the 1988-89 run before they became a dynasty. The Chicago Bulls, led by a young Michael Jordan, were the 6th seed but they went on an impressive run. Jordan was phenomenal, averaging 34.8 points, 7.2 assists, and 7.0 rebounds per game. They upset the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, thanks to Jordan’s iconic shot, famously called “The Shot,” over Craig Ehlo. They went on to defeat the New York Knicks and eventually pushed the Detroit Pistons to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although they didn't win it all, it marked the arrival of a team that would dominate the NBA for years to come.
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