We've had 30 NBA Finals matchups since the NBA-ABA merger, so we at ESPN.com decided it would be a good time to rank all 60 teams that have played on the NBA's biggest stage in the modern era.
(We also have to thank Page 2 for the idea, since they did something similar for the Super Bowl.)
Of course, that means we're sorting out the greatest of the great, and you can find those teams listed below.
But it also means that we have to find a place for an NBA Finals team that finished the season with a 40-42 record, believe it or not -- you can find them here.
And, yes, we've figured out the worst NBA champions of the past 30 years -- no, it's not the 2006 Miami Heat, though they were close.
As you might have guessed, I devised a little formula to help me get through this task. My premise is we want to look at three factors in rating greatness: regular-season performance, postseason performance, and finally, whether the team won a championship. See the box to the right for all the gory details.
As you'll see, the way the numbers shook out produced a ranking that conformed very much with conventional wisdom, with a few interesting exceptions.
In other words, the list below is how I'd rank them even without a formula, more or less, but it's nice to know the numbers have my back.
Now, on to the list:
1. 1996 Chicago Bulls Score: 327.9
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 72-10
Postseason record: 15-3
Avg. scoring margin: +12.2
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +10.6
Finals result: Beat Seattle, 4-2
LEADERS (regular-season stats)
Scoring: Michael Jordan, 30.4 ppg
Rebounds: Dennis Rodman, 14.9 rpg
Assists: Scottie Pippen, 5.9 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
Hands down, the greatest team of all time. How can you choose another when these guys won 72 regular-season games and 14 of their first 15 in the postseason? The Bulls were so good they were first in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and outscored their opponents by 12.2 points per game -- I believe that record may never be broken.
With names like Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Toni Kukoc, not to mention a coach like Phil Jackson, this team was pretty much unbeatable -- in fact, seven of its playoff wins were by 17 points or more. The only nit to pick was the Bulls' consecutive losses to the Sonics in the Finals, but they were up 3-0 by then and seemingly bored with how good they were.
2. 1987 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 301.5
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 65-17
Postseason record: 15-3
Avg. scoring margin: +9.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +11.4
Finals result: Beat Boston, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Magic Johnson, 23.9 ppg
Rebounds: A.C. Green, 7.9 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 12.4 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
Fittingly, the great Lakers and Celtics teams are in a virtual dead heat for second place. (You'll note that I just call the Lakers "Los Angeles" in this list -- no risk of confusing them with the Clippers here.) This L.A. team nudged ahead of Boston by virtue of winning 65 games in the regular season and then trashing the West -- 11 wins in 12 games -- to make the Finals. The Lakers beat the Celtics in six, and for the playoffs as a whole outscored their opponents by 205 points -- the best of any team on this list. Seven different players averaged double figures, led by Magic with 23.9 points per game.
3. 1986 Boston Celtics Score: 301.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 67-15
Postseason record: 15-3
Avg. scoring margin: +9.4
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +10.3
Finals result: Beat Houston, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Larry Bird, 25.8 ppg
Rebounds: Larry Bird, 9.8 rpg
Assists: Larry Bird, 6.8 apg
Coach: K.C. Jones
Finals MVP: Larry Bird
The Celtics won 67 games in '86 behind the best frontcourt ever assembled -- Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Bill Walton -- and followed it up by stampeding through the playoffs in 15 games. They rank behind L.A. mostly because their victory margin wasn't as strong in the playoffs. On the other hand, this isn't a bad list to be No. 3 on. And few teams will ever have five players averaging at least 15 a game in the playoffs, as Boston's legendary quintet did in this postseason.
4. 1991 Chicago Bulls Score: 294.5
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 61-21
Postseason record: 15-2
Avg. scoring margin: +9.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +11.6
Finals result: Beat Los Angeles, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Michael Jordan, 31.5 ppg
Rebounds: Horace Grant, 8.4 rpg
Assists: Scottie Pippen, 6.2 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
The Bulls' first championship team "only" won 61 games, but had a very impressive victory margin (plus-9.1 per game, the sixth best on the list) and absolutely romped in the playoffs. Chicago's 15-2 mark in the postseason was amazing considering it knocked off a two-time champion in four games (Detroit) followed by a four-time champion in five (the Lakers). The Bulls' plus-11.6 playoff victory margin ranks second among the 60 teams. Only three players averaged double figures, but I guess that's not a problem when one of them scores 34.0 per game.
5. 1997 Chicago Bulls Score: 287.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 69-13
Postseason record: 15-4
Avg. scoring margin: +10.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +5.5
Finals result: Beat Utah, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Michael Jordan, 29.6 ppg
Rebounds: Dennis Rodman, 16.1 rpg
Assists: Scottie Pippen, 5.7 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
So much for championship hangovers. The '96 Bulls were the best ever, but their successors weren't exactly chopped liver. Chicago won 69 games -- which would have tied the record were it not for the 72 wins the previous season -- and the Bulls' plus-10.8 average victory margin was also second only to the '96 edition. Their longest losing streak was two games, for crying out loud. They weren't quite as strong in the playoffs, needing six tough games to outlast the Jazz in the Finals and dropping two other postseason games, but they were plenty good. Amazingly, Jordan and Pippen were the only Bulls to average more than eight points a game in the postseason -- but 11 guys saw regular action.
6. 1985 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 280.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 15-4
Avg. scoring margin: +7.4
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +10.7
Finals result: Beat Boston, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 22.0 ppg
Rebounds: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 7.9 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 12.6 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Finals MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Lakers were so good in '85 and '87 that it's hard to fathom how they lost in five games to Houston in the year between. This edition won 62 games, went on an 11-2 romp through the Western Conference playoffs, then slew the leprechauns by winning Game 6 in Boston Garden to claim the title.
For the postseason, L.A.'s average scoring margin narrowly missed topping the list -- amazing considering the Lakers lost the "Boston Massacre" 148-114 in Game 1 of the Finals. But 10 of their 15 playoff wins came by 16 points or more -- including a win by 24 points or more in every round -- showing just how dominant these Lakers were.
7. 1992 Chicago Bulls Score: 277.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 67-15
Postseason record: 15-7
Avg. scoring margin: +10.4
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +6.2
Finals result: Beat Portland, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Michael Jordan, 30.1 ppg
Rebounds: Horace Grant, 10.0 rpg
Assists: Scottie Pippen, 7.0 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
These Bulls had a great regular-season run, winning 67 games and joining the '96 and '97 editions as the only teams on the list to have an average scoring margin of plus-10 or more in the regular season. The playoffs were a different story, however -- the Knicks nearly knocked them off in Round 2, and they lost by 26 at home to Cleveland in the conference finals before righting their ship and winning the title. Their seven postseason losses are the most of any team in the top 15. As with the '97 team, everyone got involved -- the Bulls used 11 players regularly and clinched the title in Game 6 against Portland when 12th man Bobby Hansen led a huge fourth-quarter rally.
8. 1999 San Antonio Spurs Score: 268.2
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 37-13
Postseason record: 15-2
Avg. scoring margin: +8.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +7.2
Finals result: Beat New York, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Tim Duncan, 21.7 ppg
Rebounds: Tim Duncan, 11.4 rpg
Assists: Avery Johnson, 7.4 apg
Coach: Gregg Popovich
Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
A forgotten great team because of the lockout, the Spurs began the year 6-8 … and then went 46-7 the rest of the way, with nary a losing streak. An awesome defensive squad led by big men David Robinson and Tim Duncan, San Antonio's 84.7 points allowed per game is far and away the least of any of these 60 squads. That 15-2 postseason mark ain't too shabby either, including sweeps of the Blazers and Lakers. So stingy was the defense that only twice in 17 playoff games did San Antonio's opponent muster 90 points.
9. 1983 Philadelphia 76ers Score: 265.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 65-17
Postseason record: 12-1
Avg. scoring margin: +8.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +7.2
Finals result: Beat Los Angeles, 4-0 LEADERS
Scoring: Moses Malone, 24.5 ppg
Rebounds: Moses Malone, 15.3 rpg
Assists: Maurice Cheeks, 6.9 apg
Coach: Billy Cunningham
Finals MVP: Moses Malone
The famous "fo', fo', fo'" team of Moses Malone had one of the all-time great playoff runs, winning 12 times in 13 games to give both Moses and Dr. J their only NBA title rings. Malone's playoff numbers were freakish: 26.0 points, 15.8 boards and 54 percent shooting.
The regular season wasn't too shabby either, with 65 wins, but Philly's victory margin in both the regular season and the playoffs wasn't quite on par with some of the other teams on this list, which is why the Sixers ended up a few spots lower than I suspect most folks would rank them.
10. 1989 Detroit Pistons Score: 262.7
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 63-19
Postseason record: 15-2
Avg. scoring margin: +5.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +7.7
Finals result: Beat Los Angeles, 4-0 LEADERS
Scoring: Adrian Dantley, 18.4 ppg
Rebounds: Bill Laimbeer, 9.6 rpg
Assists: Isiah Thomas, 8.7 apg
Coach: Chuck Daly
Finals MVP: Joe Dumars
The Pistons' first championship team came with something of an asterisk, since all the Lakers' players got hurt in the Finals. Still, Detroit put together a 15-2 finishing kick to get the rings, and that came on the heels of a 63-win regular season -- six games better than any other team that season. The Pistons didn't have a 20-point scorer, but went nine deep and played great defense. Of the 30 championship teams, only six made it through the tournament with two losses or fewer, and only four did so while winning at least 15 games. Speaking of which …
11. 2001 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 258.9
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 56-26
Postseason record: 15-1
Avg. scoring margin: +3.4
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +12.8
Finals result: Beat Philadelphia, 4-1
LEADERS (regular season stats)
Scoring: Shaquille O'Neal, 28.7 ppg
Rebounds: Shaquille O'Neal, 12.7 rpg
Assists: Kobe Bryant, 5.0 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal
L.A.'s regular season wasn't anything worth stopping the presses over -- 56 wins with a weak victory margin -- but their postseason run was one for the ages. Led by the unstoppable combo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, L.A. won 15 times in 16 postseason games (that streak becomes 23 of 24 if you include their last eight regular-season contests). The Lakers only playoff defeat came in Game 1 of the Finals to Philadelphia.
Several of the wins were routs -- including wins by 39 and 29 to close out a conference finals sweep of a 58-win San Antonio team -- leading to a +12.8 average Avg. scoring margin, the best of any club on the list. By the way, L.A.'s opponents included the other three teams with the best records that season -- San Antonio, Philadelphia (56) and Sacramento (55). Shaq was an absolute terror, averaging 30.4 points and 15.4 boards on 56 percent shooting for the postseason.
12. 1998 Chicago Bulls Score: 253.4
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 15-6
Avg. scoring margin: +7.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +6.5
Finals result: Beat Utah, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Michael Jordan, 32.4 ppg
Rebounds: Dennis Rodman, 11.8 rpg
Assists: Scottie Pippen, 5.2 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
The "Last Dance" Bulls hadn't lost much by the time they were claiming title No. 6. Sure, they needed seven and six games to beat Indiana and Utah, respectively, but some of that was luck -- Indy's wins were by a combined seven points, and the Bulls had enough in the tank to win Game 3 of the Finals 96-54. All this came after an early-season injury to Scottie Pippen and an 8-7 start that had Michael Jordan comparing his club to an expansion team.
13. 1990 Detroit Pistons Score: 246.6
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 59-23
Postseason record: 15-5
Avg. scoring margin: +6.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +7.0
Finals result: Beat Portland, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Isiah Thomas, 18.2 ppg
Rebounds: Dennis Rodman, 9.7 rpg
Assists: Isiah Thomas, 9.4 apg
Coach: Chuck Daly
Finals MVP: Isiah Thomas
The Bad Boys' second title team didn't have the 15-2 playoff run that the first one did, but you could argue what they did was just as impressive. Detroit won 59 games in the regular season and went 11-2 in playoff games that didn't involve Michael Jordan. But in the conference finals, the rising Bulls gave the Pistons all they could handle in a best-of-seven series that was essentially the "real" Finals. From there, Detroit easily dismissed Portland in five.
14. 2000 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 241.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 67-15
Postseason record: 15-8
Avg. scoring margin: +8.5
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.3
Finals result: Beat Indiana, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Shaquille O'Neal, 29.7 ppg
Rebounds: Shaquille O'Neal, 13.6 rpg
Assists: Kobe Bryant, 4.9 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal
You might be surprised to a see a 67-win team ranked only 15th, but L.A.'s playoff run paled beside that of their peers on this list. The Lakers needed the full five games to beat Sacramento in the first round, and were the only team to win a title despite being outscored in both the conference finals (by Portland) and NBA Finals (by Indiana). The Lakers lost one game by at least 13 points in every round, and of course were dead to rights before Portland's infamous collapse in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.
15. 1993 Chicago Bulls Score: 240.0
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 57-25
Postseason record: 15-4
Avg. scoring margin: +6.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +5.8
Finals result: Beat Phoenix, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Michael Jordan, 32.6 ppg
Rebounds: Horace Grant, 9.5 rpg
Assists: Scottie Pippen, 6.3 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
By any other team's standards, these guys were great. By the Jordan Bulls' standards, they were mediocre. Their 57 regular season wins were the worst of the six Bulls' champions, although they righted themselves in the postseason. Chicago swept a 54-win Cleveland team in the second round and after dropping the first two to New York in the conference finals, rallied to win the next four. The Bulls won three games on Phoenix's home floor to win the title, capping a three-year run in which they went 8-1 in Finals road games. See if anybody tops that any time soon.
16. 2005 San Antonio Spurs Score: 239.4
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 59-23
Postseason record: 16-7
Avg. scoring margin: +7.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.5
Finals result: Beat Detroit, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Tim Duncan, 20.3 ppg
Rebounds: Tim Duncan, 11.1 rpg
Assists: Tony Parker, 6.1 apg
Coach: Gregg Popovich
Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
A deceptively strong 59-win team -- their victory margin ranks ninth-best on this list -- San Antonio showed its strength in the conference finals by steamrolling a 62-win Phoenix team in five games. San Antonio didn't fare as well in the Finals, though, barely holding off a 54-win Detroit team in seven after trailing in the second half of the decisive game.
Coincidentally, the Spurs won the first round in five, the second in six, and the conference finals in five -- just like they did this year. Both times they beat Denver in the first round, and if not for a guy named LeBron, they would have met Detroit in the finals both times.
17. 2002 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 236.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 58-24
Postseason record: 15-4
Avg. scoring margin: +7.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.8
Finals result: Beat New Jersey, 4-0
LEADERS
Scoring: Shaquille O'Neal, 27.2 ppg
Rebounds: Shaquille O'Neal, 10.7 rpg
Assists: Kobe Bryant, 5.5 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal
I'm still not sure how they beat Sacramento in the conference finals, but L.A. was good enough in the other three rounds to secure the No. 17 spot on this list. The Lakers did it despite the second-worst playoff average scoring margin of any champion at plus-54, though they did manage to go 8-1 in games that didn't involve the Kings, and closed things out with a four-game sweep of New Jersey in the Finals. Thirteen of their 15 playoff wins were by eight points or less, including all four victories over the Kings -- by 7, 4, 1 and 6 in overtime in Game 7.
18. 1981 Boston Celtics Score: 235.9
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 12-5
Avg. scoring margin: +5.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +5.5
Finals result: Beat Houston, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Larry Bird, 21.2 rpg
Rebounds: Larry Bird, 10.9 rpg
Assists: Tiny Archibald, 7.7 apg
Coach: Bill Fitch
Finals MVP: Cedric Maxwell
As with the Lakers above, the Finals were an afterthought; getting there was the problem. Boston trailed Philadelphia 3-1 in the conference finals before rallying to win the final three games by a combined five points to reach the finals. Once there, the Celtics beat a 40-42 Houston team in six easy games to win the first title of the Bird era. Although they won 62 games, the Celtics only had the victory margin of a 56-win team, which is what prevents them from ranking higher.
19. 2003 San Antonio Spurs Score: 231.8
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 60-22
Postseason record: 16-8
Avg. scoring margin: +5.4
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +5.5
Finals result: Beat New Jersey, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Tim Duncan, 23.3 ppg
Rebounds: Tim Duncan, 12.9 rpg
Assists: Tony Parker, 5.3 apg
Coach: Gregg Popovich
Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
The weakest of the Spurs' three championship teams, this one was a sentimental favorite since the win allowed David Robinson to retire as a champion. San Antonio won 60 games in the regular season but didn't exactly motor through the playoffs -- the Spurs lost two games in every round, to tie for the second-most playoff losses by a champion with eight. Their closest escape came in the second round against the defending champion Lakers, when they nearly blew a huge lead in Game 5 and eventually took the series in six.
20. 1982 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 230.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 57-25
Postseason record: 12-2
Avg. scoring margin: +4.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +6.1
Finals result: Beat Philadelphia, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 23.9 ppg
Rebounds: Magic Johnson, 9.6 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 9.5 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
L.A.'s regular-season didn't overwhelm, with 57 wins and the sixth-worst victory margin of any champion (plus-399). But they blew through an inferior Western Conference field without dropping a game and then kept their mojo going through the Finals, dropping a 58-win Philadelphia team in six games … though they were blown out of the building in both losses. Thrust in as coach from the broadcast booth after 11 games, Pat Riley won his first NBA championship.
21. 2004 Detroit Pistons Score: 230.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 54-28
Postseason record: 16-7
Avg. scoring margin: +5.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +6.4
Finals result: Beat L.A. Lakers, 4-1
LEADERS (regular-season stats)
Scoring: Richard Hamilton, 17.6 ppg
Rebounds: Ben Wallace, 8.4 rpg
Assists: Chauncey Billups, 5.7 apg
Coach: Larry Brown
Finals MVP: Chauncey Billups
Larry Brown's "play the right way" gang won only 54 games, but that's misleading. The team caught fire after a midseason trade for Rasheed Wallace and overcame a brief hiccup against New Jersey in Round 2 to win the title.
The Pistons did it with suffocating defense -- 12 times in 23 playoff games, their opponent scored 80 or fewer points. That included holding Shaq and Kobe & Co. to 68 in Game 3 of the Finals and keeping Indiana to 67 or below three times in six games in the conference finals.
In their final 47 games, the Pistons went 36-11.
22. 1980 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 229.7
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 60-22
Postseason record: 12-4
Avg. scoring margin: +5.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.3
Finals result: Beat Philadelphia, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 24.8 ppg
Rebounds: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 10.8 rpg
Assists: Norm Nixon, 7.8 apg
Coach: Paul Westhead
Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
The Lakers' first championship team of the Magic-Kareem era won 60 games and went 12-4 in the postseason. So why is this squad this low? Because L.A.'s victory margin in both the season and the playoffs was pretty unimpressive by the standards of this list. In fact, until Magic's heroic effort as a fill-in center in the clinching Game 6 of the Finals, the Lakers had only one playoff win by more than 10 points.
Overall, L.A.'s plus-69 postseason scoring margin was the fifth-worst among champions.
23. 1984 Boston Celtics Score: 228.8
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 15-8
Avg. scoring margin: +6.6
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.7
Finals result: Beat L.A. Lakers, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Larry Bird, 24.2 ppg
Rebounds: Robert Parish, 10.7 rpg
Assists: Larry Bird, 6.6 apg
Coach: K.C. Jones
Finals MVP: Larry Bird
The Celtics won 62 games and ripped through the East pretty easily to make the Finals. Even their one "tough" series wasn't really that tough -- New York took them to seven games in the second round, but all four Boston wins were by at least 14 points.
The Finals were another story, however, as the Celtics stole the title from the Lakers (literally, if you factor in Gerald Henderson's steal and layup in Game 2) in seven to claim their second Bird era championship.
24. 1997 Utah Jazz Score: 220.7
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 64-18
Postseason record: 13-7
Avg. scoring margin: +8.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.3
Finals result: Lost to Chicago, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Karl Malone, 27.4 ppg
Rebounds: Karl Malone, 9.9 rpg
Assists: John Stockton, 10.5 apg
Coach: Jerry Sloan
If you're looking for the honorary "best team never to win a title," I'll go with the Stockton-to-Malone Jazz. This unit was their best team, winning 64 games by going 41-6 over its final 47 regular-season games, then knocking out the Barkley-Olajuwon-Drexler Rockets in six games in the conference finals.
Unfortunately, their opponent in the Finals was a 69-win Bulls team with Michael Jordan. Despite that, the Jazz played them incredibly tough -- they were outscored by a mere four points over the course of the series, and two of their four losses were on last-second shots.
25. 1988 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 214.2
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 15-9
Avg. scoring margin: +5.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.5
Finals result: Beat Detroit, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Byron Scott, 21.7 ppg
Rebounds: A.C. Green, 8.7 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 11.9 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Finals MVP: James Worthy
The Lakers became the first team in two decades to make a successful title defense, but did it by the skin of their teeth. Although L.A. won a league-best 62 games and didn't face an opponent with more than 54 wins during the postseason run, the Lakers set a record for a champion with nine postseason losses.
Each of their final three series went seven games, and L.A. held off Detroit in the Finals only by winning the final two games by a combined four points.
26. 1977 Portland Trail Blazers Score: 209.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 49-33
Postseason record: 14-5
Avg. scoring margin: +5.6
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.7
Finals result: Beat Philadelphia, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Maurice Lucas, 20.2 ppg
Rebounds: Bill Walton, 14.4 rpg
Assists: Lionel Hollins, 4.1 apg
Coach: Jack Ramsay
Finals MVP: Bill Walton
Remembered fondly because of team-oriented play, Portland had just 49 wins -- third-fewest by a champion -- but the Bill Walton-led Blazers stepped it up in the playoffs with a 14-5 run. Portland swept the top-seeded Lakers in the conference finals and, after dropping the first two games in the Finals, rallied to win the next four and claim the franchise's only title.
The Blazers beat the teams with the NBA's three best records (L.A., Philadelphia and Denver) to claim the crown.
27. 1994 Houston Rockets Score: 204.8
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 58-24
Postseason record: 15-8
Avg. scoring margin: +4.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.1
Finals result: Beat New York, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Hakeem Olajuwon, 27.3 ppg
Rebounds: Hakeem Olajuwon, 11.9 rpg
Assists: Vernon Maxwell, 5.1 apg
Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
Finals MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon
The champion of the league's most forgettable playoff season, Houston survived a pair of seventh games to win its first championship. The Rockets lost the first two games at home against Phoenix but rallied to win that series with four double-digit wins in the last five games.
They had a tough time in the Finals, too, as they trailed the Knicks 3-2 and had to win a pair of squeakers at home to claim the title. Among champions, they rate as the fifth-worst.
28. 1996 Seattle SuperSonics Score: 204.5
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 64-18
Postseason record: 15-6
Avg. scoring margin: +7.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.0
Finals result: Lost to Chicago, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Shawn Kemp, 19.6 ppg
Rebounds: Shawn Kemp, 11.4 rpg
Assists: Gary Payton, 7.5 apg
Coach: George Karl
If Utah wasn't the best runner-up ever, the Sonics were. A 64-win team in the regular season -- tied with Utah for the most by any runner-up -- Seattle managed to take two games off the greatest team ever assembled in the Finals.
Led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, the Sonics handed the Bulls two of the four double-digit defeats they'd suffer the entire season. Speaking of the Jazz, the Sonics needed seven games to knock them out in the conference finals, surviving 90-86 in Game 7 after nearly blowing a 3-1 lead.
29. 1989 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 203.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 57-25
Postseason record: 11-4
Avg. scoring margin: +7.2
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.7
Finals result: Lost to Detroit, 4-0
LEADERS
Scoring: Magic Johnson, 22.5 ppg
Rebounds: A.C. Green, 9.0 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 12.8 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
The Lakers had a bizarre postseason in trying for Riley's trademarked three-peat. L.A. swept through the Western playoffs in 11 straight games, becoming the only team in the 16-club format to make the Finals without dropping a game. But when they got there, Magic Johnson and Byron Scott got injured and the Lakers were swept in four by the Pistons.
Despite the sweep in the Finals, L.A.'s 11-4 postseason mark is the best of any runner-up on the list, which is why the Lakers rank third among bridesmaids.
30. 1985 Boston Celtics Score: 200.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 63-19
Postseason record: 13-8
Avg. scoring margin: +6.6
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.7
Finals result: Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Larry Bird, 28.7 ppg
Rebounds: Robert Parish, 10.6 apg
Assists: Dennis Johnson, 6.8 apg
Coach: K.C. Jones
When the Lakers and Celtics met in the Finals, somebody had to lose. In 1985, it was Boston's turn. The Celtics won 63 regular-season games, jogged through the East while dropping only four contests and blasted L.A. 148-114 in Game 1 of the Finals. After that, however, it was all Lakers. L.A. won four of the final five to send the Celtics into the "great runner-ups" category.
31. 2006 Miami Heat Score: 199.3
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 52-30
Postseason record: 16-7
Avg. scoring margin: +3.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.8
Finals result: Beat Dallas, 4-2
LEADERS (regular-season stats)
Scoring: Dwyane Wade, 27.2 ppg
Rebounds: Shaquille O'Neal, 9.2 rpg
Assists: Dwyane Wade, 6.7 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Finals MVP: Dwyane Wade
Miami was an odd champion. The Heat did nothing particularly impressive in a 52-win regular season until finding themselves in the conference finals thanks to the Eastern Conference vacuum. From there, they took care of business, knocking off a pair of 60-win teams in six games en route to the Heat's first-ever championship.
Dwyane Wade did all the heavy lifting, including putting the team on his back to overcome a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit in Game 3 and turn the series around.
32. 2006 Dallas Mavericks Score: 198.3
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 60-22
Postseason record: 14-9
Avg. scoring margin: +6.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.1
Finals result: Lost to Miami, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Dirk Nowitzki, 26.6 ppg
Rebounds: Dirk Nowitzki, 9.0 rpg
Assists: Jason Terry, 3.8 apg
Coach: Avery Johnson
The Mavs were one of only six runners-up to have a 60-win season; of those, only they and the '85 Celtics weren't felled by Michael Jordan. That puts them into the upper tier of runners-up, especially since they had the fourth-best playoff victory margin of the bunch.
In fact, Dallas nearly outrated Miami even with the 15-point bonus given to champions; the rest of their season was that much better than the Heat's. Unfortunately, the controversial overtime loss in Game 5 may have nixed the Nowitzki gang's best shot at a championship.
33. 1984 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 197.9
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 54-28
Postseason record: 14-7
Avg. scoring margin: +3.8
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +6.9
Finals result:Lost to Boston, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 21.5 ppg
Rebounds: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 7.3 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 13.1 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Another contender for "best runner-up," Pat Riley's Lakers weren't a great regular-season team that year, winning only 54 games. But they had the best postseason victory margin of any non-champion, finishing at +144. In the Finals, they outscored Boston by 16 points but lost a seven-game heartbreaker thanks to close-shave losses in Games 2 and 4.
Before then, L.A. breezed through the Western playoff draw, winning seven times by double figures and dropping only three games.
34. 1998 Utah Jazz Score: 197.9
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 13-7
Avg. scoring margin: +6.5
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.1
Finals result: Lost to Chicago, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Karl Malone, 27.0 ppg
Rebounds: Karl Malone, 10.3 rpg
Assists: John Stockton, 8.5 apg
Coach: Jerry Sloan
Another strong runner-up from the Jazz, this one again lost to the Bulls in six games but wasn't quite as impressive on other fronts. As a big "for instance," the Jazz lost Game 3 to the Bulls by 42 points. Utah also went the distance with a No. 8-seeded Houston team in Round 1, though the Jazz rebounded to breeze through the next two rounds in nine games.
After all that, they had Game 6 in their pocket until Michael Jordan took over in the final minute; if they had won, Game 7 would have been on their home floor.
35. 1992 Portland Trail Blazers Score: 190.1
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 57-25
Postseason record: 13-8
Avg. scoring margin: +7.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.4
Finals result: Lost to Chicago, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Clyde Drexler, 25.0 ppg
Rebounds: Buck Williams, 8.8 rpg
Assists: Clyde Drexler, 6.7 apg
Coach: Rick Adelman
Yet another in a long line of strong Western teams that had the misfortune of being great at the same time as Michael Jordan, the Blazers survived a blowout loss in Game 1 to make it a competitive series before the Bulls' bench engineered a massive fourth-quarter comeback to steal Game 6 and the title.
Before that, Portland won 57 games and trampled a fairly strong Western playoff field in the postseason, dropping only four games prior to the Finals.
36. 1988 Detroit Pistons Score: 187.3
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 54-28
Postseason record: 14-9
Avg. scoring margin: +5.2
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.6
Finals result:Lost to Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Adrian Dantley, 20.0 ppg
Rebounds: Bill Laimbeer, 10.1 rpg
Assists: Isiah Thomas, 8.4 apg
Coach: Chuck Daly
Detroit won "only" 54 games in the regular season and went the distance with a 38-win Washington team in the first round, but the Pistons peaked at the right time. They knocked Boston out in six in the conference finals and then gave the Lakers a much tougher time than most expected in the Finals, taking a 3-2 lead back to L.A. and dropping the last two by a total of four points.
In truth, they were probably the better team, and a year later they'd prove it.
37. 1979 Seattle SuperSonics Score: 186.4
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 52-30
Postseason record: 12-5
Avg. scoring margin: +2.7
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.8
Finals result: Beat Washington, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Gus Williams, 19.2 ppg
Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 12.4 rpg
Assists: John Johnson, 4.4 apg
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
Finals MVP: Dennis Johnson
One of the lesser champions on this list, the Sonics got revenge on the Bullets in a Finals rematch by pounding them in five games. Until that point, they had done little to impress the judges.
Seattle won just 52 games, tied for the fourth-worst among champions, though that led a parity-ravaged West in which all but one team won at least 38 games. They lost the middle three games of the conference finals to Phoenix before rallying to win a pair of .
38. 1991 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 181.2
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 58-24
Postseason record: 12-7
Avg. scoring margin: +6.7
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +1.1
Finals result: Lost to Chicago, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: James Worthy, 21.4 ppg
Rebounds: Vlade Divac, 8.1 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 12.5 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
The last gasp of the Magic and Worthy era in L.A., this club won 58 games and surprised many when it took out a 63-win Portland team in the conference finals. L.A. then took Game 1 of the Finals before reality set in, and Chicago swept the next four. A short time later Magic announced he had HIV, and the Lakers weren't the same for the rest of the decade.
39. 1980 Philadelphia 76ers Score: 179.1
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 59-23
Postseason record: 12-6
Avg. scoring margin: +4.2
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +1.7
Finals result: Lost to Los Angeles, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Julius Erving, 26.9 ppg
Rebounds: Caldwell Jones, 11.9 rpg
Assists: Maurice Cheeks, 7.0 apg
Coach: Billy Cunningham
One of the better runners-up in recent history, the Sixers stormed to a 59-win regular season and lost only two playoff games in winning the Eastern Conference -- including putting a 4-1 beating on Boston in the conference finals. Alas, Magic Johnson's incredible Game 6 performance put the Sixers' title hopes on ice for another three years.
40. 2005 Detroit Pistons Score: 179.0
KEY FACTS
Regular season record: 54-28
Postseason record: 15-10
Avg. scoring margin: +3.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +4.5
Finals result: Lost to San Antonio, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Richard Hamilton, 18.7 ppg
Rebounds: Ben Wallace, 12.2 rpg
Assists: Chauncey Billups, 5.8 apg
Coach: Larry Brown
Detroit's 2005 finalists were ho-hum in many respects -- they won 54 games in the regular season and needed to survive a tense fourth quarter of Game 7 against Miami, helped by a rib injury to Dwyane Wade, in order to make the Finals. But they played San Antonio brutally tough once they got there, outscoring the Spurs on the series and nearly stealing a second title before succumbing in the second half of Game 7.
41. 1993 Phoenix Suns Score: 176.7
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 62-20
Postseason record: 13-11
Avg. scoring margin: +6.7
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +0.8
Finals result: Lost to Chicago, 4-2
LEADERS (regular-season stats)
Scoring: Charles Barkley, 25.6 ppg
Rebounds: Charles Barkley, 12.2 rpg
Assists: Kevin Johnson, 7.8 apg
Coach: Paul Westphal
Sir Charles had a great regular season -- featuring a league-best 62 wins and an MVP award -- but only a so-so playoffs. Phoenix needed OT in Game 5 to beat a horrid 39-43 Lakers team in the first round -- after dropping the first two games at home -- and survived the conference finals in seven against Seattle.
The Suns bounced back to give the Bulls a run for their money in the Finals before losing on John Paxson's jumper in Game 6.
42. 2003 New Jersey Nets Score: 176.4
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 49-33
Postseason record: 14-6
Avg. scoring margin: +5.2
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.4
Finals result: Lost to San Antonio, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Jason Kidd, 18.7 ppg
Rebounds: Kenyon Martin, 8.3 rpg
Assists: Jason Kidd, 8.9 apg
Coach: Byron Scott
The Nets didn't win as many games as their finalist team in 2002 -- in fact their 49 is the fourth-worst among runners-up. But by any other standard they were a far better team. Jersey had a better victory margin than its '02 entry, swept Boston and Detroit in succession in the playoffs, and then took two games off San Antonio in the Finals before succumbing.
Of all the bridesmaids, only the 1989 Lakers had a better postseason record than the Nets' 14-6.
43. 1994 New York Knicks Score: 174.1
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 57-25
Postseason record: 14-11
Avg. scoring margin: +7.0
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +1.0
Finals result:Lost to Houston, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Patrick Ewing, 24.5 ppg
Rebounds: Charles Oakley, 11.8 rpg
Assists: John Starks, 5.9 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
Arguably the best defensive team ever, the Knicks lost in seven tough games to Houston in perhaps the hardest-on-the-eyes Finals in memory.
The Knicks won 57 games with a strong victory margin in the regular season, but they went the distance in three of their four playoff rounds -- including coming back from a double-digit deficit in Game 7 of the conference finals to beat back Indiana's upset bid.
44. 1982 Philadelphia 76ers Score: 173.1
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 58-24
Postseason record: 12-9
Avg. scoring margin: +5.7
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +1.4
Finals result: Lost to Los Angeles, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Julius Erving, 24.4 ppg
Rebounds: Caldwell Jones, 8.7 rpg
Assists: Maurice Cheeks, 8.4 apg
Coach: Billy Cunningham
The Sixers won 58 games and became one of the rare few to win a seventh game in Boston Garden to advance to the Finals, but lost in six to the Lakers. That was a fine effort and all, but it got Philly to thinking -- if they were this good without Moses Malone, how good could they be with him? The rest was history.
45. 1995 Houston Rockets Score: 171.9
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 47-35
Postseason record: 15-7
Avg. scoring margin: +2.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.8
Finals result: Beat Orlando, 4-0
LEADERS
Scoring: Hakeem Olajuwon, 27.8 ppg
Rebounds: Hakeem Olajuwon, 10.8 rpg
Assists: Sam Cassell, 4.9 apg
Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
Finals MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon
The second-worst champion on the list, the Rockets scraped their way through the Western Conference playoffs before peaking late and sweeping Orlando in the Finals. Houston won only 47 games in the regular season and barely survived the first round -- it had to win Game 5 on the road at Utah after trailing at halftime.
Then the Rockets lost the first two games in the second round to Phoenix by a combined 46 points before rallying from 3-1 down to steal the series -- with two of the last three wins coming on the road. The Rockets became the only team ever to beat four 50-win teams in the playoffs.
46. 1995 Orlando Magic Score: 166.8
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 57-25
Postseason record: 11-10
Avg. scoring margin: +7.1
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +1.3
Finals result:Lost to Houston, 4-0
LEADERS
Scoring: Shaquille O'Neal, 29.3 ppg
Rebounds: Shaquille O'Neal, 11.4 rpg
Assists: Penny Hardaway, 7.2 apg
Coach: Brian Hill
Shaq and Penny seemed to be the next great tandem when they entered these Finals, but the two would end up never winning an NBA Finals game together. Orlando blew a 20-point lead in Game 1 thanks to Nick Anderson's four straight misses from the line at the end, and from there the Rockets completed a four-game sweep.
The Magic had struggles in earlier rounds too -- they needed seven games to dispose of Indiana and lost at home to a 35-win Boston team that was the worst playoff team in history.
47. 2000 Indiana Pacers Score: 165.7
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 56-26
Postseason record: 13-10
Avg. scoring margin: +4.6
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +2.2
Finals result:Lost to Los Angeles, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Jalen Rose, 18.2 ppg
Rebounds: Dale Davis, 9.9 rpg
Assists: Mark Jackson, 8.0 apg
Coach: Larry Bird
A team that gets a bit forgotten because it lacked a true superstar, the Pacers were so deep in B-level talent (Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Mark Jackson, Jalen Rose, Dale Davis, Chris Mullin, Derrick McKey, Sam Perkins) that they won 56 games and nearly tripped up the Lakers in the Finals.
On the other hand, they could just as easily have lost in the first round -- Indy needed to win squeakers in Games 1 and 5 to knock out the 42-40 Bucks.
48. 1983 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 164.5
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 58-24
Postseason record: 8-7
Avg. scoring margin: +5.5
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +0.5
Finals result: Lost to Philadelphia, 4-0
LEADERS
Scoring: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 21.8 ppg
Rebounds: Magic Johnson, 8.6 rpg
Assists: Magic Johnson, 10.5 apg
Coach: Pat Riley
This team would rate higher if it had put up a fight in the Finals. But after a 58-win regular season, the Lakers were powerless to stop Moses and Dr. J in the Finals and lost in four relatively easy games. As a result, L.A.'s final postseason tally shows an 8-7 record and a plus-0.5 average scoring margin, both near the bottom of the charts for NBA finalists.
49. 1986 Houston Rockets Score: 163.8
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 51-31
Postseason record: 13-7
Avg. scoring margin: +2.6
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.7
Finals result: Lost to Boston, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Hakeem Olajuwon, 23.5 ppg
Rebounds: Hakeem Olajuwon, 11.5 rpg
Assists: John Lucas, 8.8 apg
Coach: Bill Fitch
The "Twin Towers" lineup of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson never quite lived up to its potential … except for a glorious one-month stretch of 1986. After winning 51 regular-season games, Houston tore past Golden State and Denver in the playoffs before surprising the Lakers in five games in the conference finals -- with the clincher coming on an amazing jump, catch, twist and shoot by Sampson at the buzzer.
Unfortunately, the Rockets ran into the Boston buzz saw in the Finals and lost in six.
50. 1987 Boston Celtics Score: 162.7
KEY STATS
Regular-season record: 59-23
Postseason record: 13-10
Avg. scoring margin: +6.6
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: -1.1
Finals result: Lost to Los Angeles, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Larry Bird, 28.1 ppg
Rebounds: Robert Parish, 10.6 rpg
Assists: Larry Bird, 7.6 apg
Coach: K.C. Jones
The Celtics won 59 games in the regular season and seemed poised to make a strong run at a second straight championship, but by this point their veterans were running on fumes thanks to a short bench and a foot injury to Kevin McHale.
The Celtics barely made it out of the East -- needing tight Game 7 wins to beat Milwaukee and Detroit -- and L.A. shoved them off in six games to reclaim the title
51. 1978 Washington Bullets Score: 162.6
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 44-38
Postseason record: 14-7
Avg. scoring margin: +0.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +3.7
Finals result: Beat Seattle, 4-3
LEADERS (regular-season stats)
Scoring: Elvin Hayes, 19.7 ppg
Rebounds: Elvin Hayes, 13.3 rpg
Assists: Tom Henderson, 5.4 apg
Coach: Dick Motta
Finals MVP: Wes Unseld
The weakest champion on the board, the Bullets lost 38 games in the regular-season -- the most of any of the 30 champs -- before stepping it up in the playoffs. Washington surprisingly knocked off both the Sixers and Spurs -- the only two teams in the conference to win more than 50 games -- and found themselves in the Finals against a 47-win Sonics team.
Washington overcame a 3-2 deficit to win Game 7 on Seattle's home court, making the Bullets perhaps the league's most unlikely champions.
52. 2004 Los Angeles Lakers Score: 157.3
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 56-26
Postseason record: 13-9
Avg. scoring margin: +3.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +1.4
Finals result: Lost to Detroit, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Kobe Bryant, 24.0 ppg
Rebounds: Shaquille O'Neal, 11.5 rpg
Assists: Gary Payton, 5.5 apg
Coach: Phil Jackson
With Gary Payton and Karl Malone joining Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers began the year being discussed as one of the greatest teams of all time. They fell far short of that, although they did win 56 games despite losing Malone for much of the year.
In the playoffs, they were fortunate with Derek Fisher's 0.4 shot in the second round against the Spurs and Sam Cassell's injury in the conference finals allowed them to get to the Finals. Despite being heavy favorites, they were obliterated in five games by Detroit, and the Laker dynasty was never heard from again.
53. 1990 Portland Trail Blazers Score: 155.0
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 59-23
Postseason record: 12-9
Avg. scoring margin: +6.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: -2.2
Finals result: Lost to Detroit, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Clyde Drexler, 23.3 ppg
Rebounds: Buck Williams, 9.8 rpg
Assists: Terry Porter, 9.1 apg
Coach: Rick Adelman
The Blazers had a very strong regular season for a team ranked this low, winning 59 games. But like many of the others down here, their postseason was unimpressive by the standards of this list.
Portland was outscored in both the second round (by San Antonio) and conference finals (by Phoenix), but managed to squeeze by in both series by going 6-0 in games decided by six points or less. They eventually fell in five games to Detroit, and Portland's minus-47 playoff scoring margin is the worst of any team in the past 30 years.
54. 2001 Philadelphia 76ers Score: 141.9
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 56-26
Postseason record: 12-11
Avg. scoring margin: +4.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: -0.1
Finals result: Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Allen Iverson, 31.1 ppg
Rebounds: Dikembe Mutombo, 12.4 rpg
Assists: Eric Snow, 7.4 apg
Coach: Larry Brown
The Sixers had a banner regular season, winning 56 games, but their playoff performance left a lot be desired -- they needed seven games to put away a Milwaukee team that itself was among the worst conference finalists in recent history, and also went the distance a round earlier against Toronto.
Despite their easy Eastern Conference slate, they were one of only five teams on this list to be outscored in the postseason. The Sixers' playoff "run" finished with a mark of 12-11 after the Lakers pushed them aside in five.
55. 1977 Philadelphia 76ers Score: 138.6
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 50-32
Postseason record: 10-9
Avg. scoring margin: +3.9
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +0.2
Finals result: Lost to Portland, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Julius Erving, 21.6 ppg
Rebounds: George McGinnis, 11.5 rpg
Assists: Doug Collins, 4.7 apg
Coach: Gene Shue
The Sixers had Dr. J and George McGinnis, but they still lost 32 regular-season games and squeaked out a 10-9 mark in the playoffs. Philly needed seven games to get by a 44-win Boston team in Round 1, and the Sixers were beaten by a combined 54 points in the middle two games of the Finals against Portland.
It was a weak conference too -- Philly earned the top seed with just 50 wins.
56. 2002 New Jersey Nets Score: 137.5
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 52-30
Postseason record: 11-9
Avg. scoring margin: +4.2
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: -0.1
Finals result: Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-0
LEADERS
Scoring: Kenyon Martin, 14.9 ppg
Rebounds: Keith Van Horn, 7.5 rpg
Assists: Jason Kidd, 9.9 apg
Coach: Byron Scott
The 2002 East was one of the worst conferences in memory, with the Nets winning because the rules said somebody had to. Although this team is remembered fondly because of Jason Kidd's instant turnaround of a moribund franchise, this was probably only the sixth-best team in the league.
New Jersey was eviscerated in four games by the Lakers in the Finals, but before then the Nets barely made it out of the first round, needing overtime in the deciding fifth game to survive against Indiana.
57. 1979 Washington Bullets Score: 136.6
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 54-28
Postseason record: 9-10
Avg. scoring margin: +5.0
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: -1.3
Finals result: Lost to Seattle, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Elvin Hayes, 21.8 ppg
Rebounds: Elvin Hayes, 12.1 rpg
Assists: Tom Henderson, 6.0 apg
Coach: Dick Motta
The only finalists in the past 30 years to post a losing record in the postseason, the defending champion Bullets had the league's best regular-season record. But they couldn't hold off the younger, hungrier Sonics a second time and were dropped in five games.
In truth, they were lucky to topple the Spurs in the conference finals, as San Antonio choked away a 3-1 advantage and a fourth-quarter lead in Game 7. The Bullets also needed seven games to dispose of Atlanta a round earlier.
58. 1978 Seattle SuperSonics Score: 126.6
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 47-35
Postseason record: 13-9
Avg. scoring margin: +1.5
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: +0.4
Finals result: Lost to Washington, 4-3
LEADERS
Scoring: Gus Williams, 18.1 ppg
Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 12.6 rpg
Assists: Slick Watts, 4.2 apg
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
Perhaps this was a better team than this ranking showed, as the Sonics turned the corner after a miserable 5-17 start when Lenny Wilkens took over and started playing all his young guys. They even had a 3-2 lead in the Finals, before getting blown out in Game 6 and then suffering through Dennis Johnson's legendary 0-for-14 nightmare in Game 7.
On the other hand, they probably only made it that far because of all of Portland's injuries -- the Blazers had been the class of the league to that point.
59. 1999 New York Knicks Score: 113.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 27-23
Postseason record: 12-8
Avg. scoring margin: +1.0
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: 0.0
Finals result: Lost to San Antonio, 4-1
LEADERS
Scoring: Patrick Ewing, 17.3 ppg
Rebounds: Patrick Ewing, 9.9 rpg
Assists: Charlie Ward, 5.4 apg
Coach: Jeff Van Gundy
The only No. 8 seed to reach the NBA finals, the Knicks were overmatched against San Antonio and lost in five games. New York was just 27-23 in the regular season (only 50 games were played due to a lockout) and ranked fourth from the bottom in offensive efficiency, but shocked Miami with Allan Houston's Game 5 buzzer-beater in Round 1. After Houston's heroics, New York swept an injury-riddled Hawks team and then beat Indiana in six tough games in the conference finals.
The Knicks only had four players average in double figures and none who scored more than 17.3 ppg, but survived on defense and depth.
60. 1981 Houston Rockets Score: 100.1
KEY FACTS
Regular-season record: 40-42
Postseason record: 12-9
Avg. scoring margin: +0.3
Avg. scoring margin, playoffs: 0.0
Finals result: Lost to Celtics, 4-2
LEADERS
Scoring: Moses Malone, 27.8 ppg
Rebounds: Moses Malone, 14.8 rpg
Assists: Allen Leavell, 4.9 apg
Coach: Del Harris
No surprise here. The only team with a losing record to make the Finals since the merger, the Moses Malone-led Rockets actually managed to split the first four games with the Celtics before faltering in the final two.
To get to the Finals, Houston stunned the defending champion Lakers and division champion Spurs. They also were benefactors of a miraculous run by the Kansas City's Kings, who upset Portland and top-seeded Phoenix. The Kansas City-Houston matchup was the worst conference final in league history, as both teams finished with 40-42 regular-season records.
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