Playoffs are the best part of the season for many people, as they see their favorite teams and players fight their way to the NBA finals and try to win the glorious ring. There can be surprising wins and devastating losses which can affect the team’s future. NBA legends have led their teams to many championships but have also been swept out also.
LeBron James
1. 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Spurs 0-4 Finals
2. 2017-18 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Warriors 0-4 Finals
LeBron James has now won 3 NBA titles averaging 28.9 points, 7.1 assists, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a block per game. One of the greatest of all-time has been swept by the Spurs and one of the greatest teams assembled, the 2017-18 Warriors.
LeBron’s roster made a significant difference when it came down to the 2006-07 Spurs, many considered he had one of the worst rosters ever in the finals. The King couldn’t do it all himself as it was an easy sweep and championship for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Gregg Popovich.
This year, LeBron couldn’t beat the superteam of Golden State and has now decided to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers to start his new chapter.
Michael Jordan
1. 1985-86 Chicago Bulls vs. Celtics 0-3 First Round
2. 1986-87 Chicago Bulls vs. Celtics 0-3 First Round
Michael Jordan is considered the Greatest of All time by many NBA fans with his iconic 6-0 finals record. A playoff average of 33.4 points, 5.7 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game has cemented his legacy in the Hall of Fame.
Even the greatest have been swept twice in the first round.
In the first seasons of his career, Jordan had to face Larry Bird, Kevin Mchale, Robert Parish of the great Celtics team that finished 1st in the eastern conference both times with 67 and 59 wins. A very hard matchup for the Bulls and easy sweeps for Bird to make a successful run at the championship.
Magic Johnson
1. 1982-83 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 76ers 0-4 Conference Finals
2. 1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Pistons 0-4 Finals
Magic Johnson finished his career with 5 championships under his belt. Averaging 19.5 points, 12.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Even though he led the Lakers to many championships, he still got swept twice by the 76ers and Pistons.
The 65 win 76ers team led by Julius Erving and Moses Malone swept Magic Johnson in the NBA finals and take out the Championship with ease. Malone averaged 26 points and 15.8 rebounds and is fair to say he dominated the flawless series.
Magic Johnson and the Lakers were swept again in the Finals, now by the Pistons. Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumars and many more. They were definitely the favorites to take it out and the Lakers had no match against the ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons.
Tim Duncan
1. 2000-01 San Antonio Spurs vs. Lakers 0-4 Conference Finals
2. 2009-10 San Antonio Spurs vs. Suns 0-4 Second Round
Tim Duncan was a big part of the Spurs winning culture in the 2000’s taking out 5 championships. In his 18 playoff runs, he averaged 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. The Spurs historic big man also got swept twice by the Lakers and Suns.
With such a winning record, you wouldn’t think Duncan was swept. However, the dynamic duo of Kobe and Shaq destroyed the Spurs and made a name for themselves as one of the best duos of all time.
The 2x MVP Steve Nash was one the best point guards in the league at this time and ran the offense to great lengths. One of the average seasons of the Spurs as their core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker showed signs of old age and got swept.
Larry Bird
1. 1982-83 Boston Celtics vs. Bucks 0-4 Second Round
2. 1988-89 Boston Celtics vs. Pistons 0-3 First Round
Larry Bird won 3 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 assists, 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game but he is one of the superstars who also got swept twice by the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks.
The 1982-83 Milwaukee Bucks being one of the underrated teams had talent in Sidney Moncrief, Bob Lanier and Dave Cowens. A 0-4 loss to Bird was a devastating one for the highly anticipated Celtics.
The 1988-89 Pistons had a dominating playoff series sweeping both Larry Bird in the First Round and Magic Johnson in the finals. Only losing 2 games for the series, it was an expected turn out for Pistons and another sweep on Larry Bird’s career.
Kobe Bryant
1. 1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Jazz 0-4 Conference Finals
2. 1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Spurs 0-4 Conference Finals
3. 2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Mavericks 0-4 Second Round
Kobe Bryant spent his whole career with the Lakers, bringing them 5 championships. He averaged 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He was an idol to many basketball fans and the face of Los Angeles. However, not many will know he got swept 3 times in the playoffs.
Kobe Bryant in his sophomore season was teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal at Lakers but it was far from their iconic duo presence with Stockton and Malone’s Jazz team taking out the conference finals in a sweep.
The next season trying to bounce back, Kobe again got swept in the conference finals by the infamous Spurs with a dominant performance by Tim Duncan taking out the NBA championship.
Kobe’s first time getting swept without Shaquille O’Neal. Although he won the NBA finals both previous seasons, a sweep like this barely gets noticed. Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks would then go on to win the finals against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
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Shaquille O’Neal
1. 1993-94 Orlando Magic vs. Pacers 0-3 First Round
2. 1994-95 Orlando Magic vs. Rockets 0-4 Finals
3. 1995-96 Orlando Magic vs. Bulls 0-4 Conference Finals
4. 1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Jazz 0-4 Conference Finals
5. 1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Spurs 0-4 Second Round
6. 2006-07 Miami Heat vs. Bulls 0-4 First Round
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best Centres to ever play and many would have him in their top 10 players of all-time. He won 4 rings in his career, 3 with the Lakers and one with the Heat. 24.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game are monster numbers to say the least, making him a force down low. However, he has been swept 6 times in the playoffs. Whether it affects his legacy or not, it’s up to you to decide.
