Most Underachieving Teams in NBA History
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Nothing is certain in the NBA except one thing — no player or team is immune to an upset. History has shown us as much in the league's 70-plus years of existence.
But what teams and players have suffered the most stunning upsets in NBA history? Which squads underachieved on such an epic level that their names are etched in infamy forever? Who wasted the most talent?
In many cases, they’re the same teams and players considered among the greatest of all time. And when they failed? They got back up. But we still can't forget those choke jobs.
These are the most underachieving teams in NBA history.
25. 2012-13 New York Knicks
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Regular-season record: 54-28, first in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to Indiana Pacers in Eastern Conference semifinals (4-2)
Coach: Mike Woodson
Notable players: Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Tyson Chandler
Points per game: 100.0 (11th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 95.7 (7th of 30)
Key stat: The Knicks averaged 19,033 fans per game at Madison Square Garden and ranked seventh in the NBA in attendance.
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Bottom Line: 2012-13 New York Knicks
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For the $125.3 million the Knicks paid Carmelo Anthony over six seasons, they received exactly one legitimately good season, and this was it.
Anthony won the NBA scoring title, the Knicks won the Atlantic, and they still lost in the second round of the playoffs.
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24. 2000-01 Miami Heat
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Miami Heat forward Anthony Mason (14) attempts to drive past Philadelphia 76ers forward Tyrone Hill, right, in the first quarter Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, in Miami.Regular-season record: 50-32, second in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to Charlotte Hornets in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs (3-0)
Coach: Pat Riley
Notable players: Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Anthony Mason, Eddie Jones
Points per game: 88.9 (27th of 29)
Opponent points per game: 86.6 (2nd of 29)
Key stat: The Heat had five players average double digits in scoring: Jones, Mason, Grant, Hardaway and Mourning.
Bottom Line: 2000-01 Miami Heat
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Miami went big in the offseason, trading for Anthony Mason, Eddie Jones, Ricky Davis and Brian Grant. It was a team built to complement the team's stars, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.
Two weeks before the season opener, Mourning announced he had a kidney disease that would keep him out indefinitely, and he only played 13 games that season.
The rest of the Heat were unable to pick up the slack.
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23. 2018-19 Boston Celtics
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Regular-season record: 49-33, third in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to Milwaukee Bucks in Eastern Conference semifinals (4-1)
Coach: Brad Stevens
Notable players: Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward
Points per game: 112.4 (14th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 108.0 (8th of 30)
Key stat: Kyrie Irving ranked 11th in the NBA with 6.9 assists per game.
Bottom Line: 2018-19 Boston Celtics
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The Celtics got a pass in 2018 after Gordon Hayward’s devastating injury in the season opener, and still made the conference finals.
They don't get that pass for the 2019 season after finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference.
To not even be in the top three in the East was a matter of chemistry and coaching — and why they spent so much money for so little return. The curse of Kyrie Irving continued.
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22. 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers
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Regular-season record/finish: 66-16, first Central Division
Season finish: Lost to Orlando Magic in Eastern Conference semifinals (4-2)
Coach: Mike Brown
Notable players: LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mo Wiliams, Delonte West
Points per game: 100.3 (13th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 91.4 (1st of 30)
Key stat: LeBron James was the NBA Most Valuable Player, and Brown was the NBA Coach of the Year.
Bottom Line: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers
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Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James holds his head after being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, in Milwaukee.The Cavaliers, behind NBA MVP James, crushed the franchise record for regular-season wins, grabbed the East’s No. 1 seed and seemed destined to face Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
The problem? Orlando center Dwight Howard decided to play the best basketball of his career, and the Magic sent the Cavs packing.
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21. 1998-99 Miami Heat
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Regular-season record: 33-17, first in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to New York Knicks in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs (3-2)
Coach: Pat Riley
Notable players: Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Jamal Mashburn, Dan Majerle
Points per game: 89.0 (23rd of 29)
Opponent points per game: 84.0 (2nd of 29)
Key stat: Alonzo Mourning was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Bottom Line: 1998-99 Miami Heat
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The Heat finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference during a strike-shortened season.
But coach Pat Riley faced his former Knicks team in the playoffs, and they used the matchup as motivation.
New York proved to be too much for Miami and made a stunning run all the way to the NBA Finals, where the Knicks lost to the Spurs.
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20. 2011-12 Chicago Bulls
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Regular-season record/finish: 50-16, first in Central Division
Season finish: Lost to Philadelphia 76ers in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs (4-2)
Coach: Tom Thibodeau
Notable players: Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer
Points per game: 96.3 (18th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 88.2 (1st of 30)
Key stat: Joakim Noah ranked second in the NBA with 242 offensive rebounds.
Bottom Line: 2011-12 Chicago Bulls
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Left to right, Chicago Bulls' Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Kyle Korver react during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Chicago, Monday, May 2, 2011.More than a decade after Michael Jordan left town, the Bulls looked poised to get back on top.
That was until Derrick Rose tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the first game of the playoffs.
Then, the No. 1 seed Bulls bowed out in the first round.
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19. 1970-71 New York Knicks
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Regular-season record: 52-30, first in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to Baltimore Bullets in Eastern Conference finals (4-3)
Coach: Red Holzman
Notable players: Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere
Points per game: 110.1 (14th of 17)
Opponent points per game: 105.0 (1st of 17)
Key stat: Walt Frazier averaged 43.2 minutes per game, fourth in the NBA.
Bottom Line: 1970-71 New York Knicks
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The Knicks were chasing back-to-back NBA titles and seemed like a lock to make the Finals when they faced the average Bullets in the conference finals.
The series ended up being a nail-biter, with two games decided by two points or less, and Knicks legends Willis Reed and Walt Frazier were left stunned.
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18. 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers
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Regular-season record: 56-26, first in Pacific Division
Season finish: Lost to Detroit Pistons in NBA Finals (4-1)
Coach: Phil Jackson
Notable players: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Gary Payton, Karl Malone
Points per game: 98.2 (3rd of 29)
Opponent points per game: 94.3 (16th of 29)
Key stat: Shaq and Kobe were All-NBA First Team.
Bottom Line: 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers
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The Lakers were heavy favorites to win the NBA title after adding Gary Payton and Karl Malone, but offseason drama, beginning with Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault arrest, set the tone for the year.
The Lakers were little match for the defensive-minded Pistons and suffered a stunning upset in the NBA Finals.
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17. 1969-70 Los Angeles Lakers
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Regular-season record: 46-36, second in Western Division
Season finish: Lost to New York Knicks in NBA Finals (4-3)
Coach: Joe Mullaney
Notable players: Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West
Points per game: 113.7 (12th of 14)
Opponent points per game: 111.8 (2nd of 14)
Key stat: Jerry West made the All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive Team and ranked first in the NBA free-throws made (647) and free-throw attempts (785).
Bottom Line: 1969-70 Los Angeles Lakers
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The Lakers tried to wipe the slate clean from the previous year’s failure with a new head coach in Joe Mullaney.
Injuries to Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West defined the regular season. But they all were back and healthy for Game 7 of the NBA Finals and Willis Reed’s iconic, out-of-the-tunnel moment.
In the end, the Knicks got the glory.
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16. 2010-11 San Antonio Spurs
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Regular-season record: 61-21, first in Southwest Division
Finish: Lost to Memphis Grizzlies in first round of Western Conference playoffs (4-2)
Coach: Gregg Popovich
Notable players: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker
Points per game: 103.7 (6th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 98.0 (14th of 30)
Key stat: Matt Bonner ranked first in the NBA in 3-point field-goal percentage at .457.
Bottom Line: 2010-11 San Antonio Spurs
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Three seasons after their last NBA title, the Spurs were poised for another run with the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed.
They stumbled out of the gate and lost Game 1 (and home-court advantage) to Memphis without injured guard Manu Ginobili.
Then, they lost the series in six games.
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15. 1994-95 Orlando Magic
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Regular-season record: 57-25
Season finish: Lost to Houston Rockets in NBA Finals (4-0)
Coach: Brian Hill
Notable players: Shaquille O’Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, Horace Grant
Points per game: 110.9 (1st of 27)
Opponent points per game: 103.8 (19th of 27)
Key stat: Shaquille O'Neal led the NBA in scoring with 29.3 points per game.
Bottom Line: 1994-95 Orlando Magic
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The Magic seemed destined to be the NBA’s next dynasty behind Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway.
Immaturity hit first, as they partied like they won the title after beating the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals.
An epic Game 1 meltdown at the free-throw line by Nick Anderson finished the job against the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals.
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14. 1996-97 Utah Jazz
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Regular-season record: 64-18, first in Midwest Division
Season finish: Lost to Chicago Bulls in NBA Finals (4-2)
Coach: Jerry Sloan
Notable players: Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek
Points per game: 103.1 (2nd of 29)
Opponent points per game: 94.3 (8th of 29)
Key stat: Karl Malone was the NBA's Most Valuable Player and made the NBA All-Defensive Team, along with John Stockton.
Bottom Line: 1996-97 Utah Jazz
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Not too many teams had a real shot at disrupting the Bulls' dynasty. But the Jazz were one of them.
Tied 2-2 in the NBA Finals with Game 5 in Salt Lake City, Michael Jordan pulled off one of the more iconic performances in pro sports history — "The Flu Game."
The rest is forgettable history for Utah.
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13. 1993-94 New York Knicks
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Regular-season record: 57-25, first in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to Houston Rockets in NBA Finals (4-3)
Coach: Pat Riley
Notable players: Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley
Points per game: 91.5 (1st of 27)
Opponent points per game: 84.0 (2nd of 29)
Key stat: Patrick Ewing averaged 2.7 blocks per game.
Bottom Line: 1993-94 New York Knicks
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With Michael Jordan playing baseball, the NBA title seemed like it was the Knicks’ for the taking. Up 3-2 in the NBA Finals, star guard John Starks’ had an epic meltdown over the final two games and the Knicks lost to the Rockets in seven games.
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12. 2013-14 Miami Heat
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Regular-season record: 54-28, first in Southeast Division
Season finish: Lost to San Antonio Spurs in NBA Finals (4-1)
Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Notable players: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh
Points per game: 102.2 (12th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 97.4 (5th of 30)
Key stat: LeBron James ranked third in the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.1 points per game.
Bottom Line: 2013-14 Miami Heat
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The Heat’s "Big Three" dynasty didn’t end with a third straight NBA title.
Instead, Miami went out with a whimper in the NBA Finals, falling in just five games to the San Antonio Spurs.
It was James’ last year with the Heat.
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11. 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks
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Regular-season record: 67-15, first in Southwest Division
Season finish: Lost to Golden State Warriors in first round of Western Conference playoffs (4-2)
Coach: Avery Johnson
Notable players: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse
Points per game: 100.0 (9th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 92.8 (4th of 30)
Key stat: Michael Finley had the highest salary on the team at $16,141,999.
Bottom Line: 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks
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Fresh off a loss to Miami in the 2006 NBA Finals, the Mavericks seemed primed for another shot at the title.
They had the best record in the league, and Dirk Nowitzki was the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
But the Warriors, a ragtag bunch led by Baron Davis, snuck into the playoffs with a No. 8 seed and needed just six games to send the No. 1 seed Mavs packing in the first round.
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10. 2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers
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Regular-season record: 57-25, first in Pacific Division
Season finish: Lost to Dallas Mavericks in Western Conference semifinals (4-0)
Coach: Phil Jackson
Notable players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest
Points per game: 101.5 (9th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 95.4 (8th of 30)
Key stat: Lamar Odom was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, while Kobe Bryant led the NBA in missed field goals with 899.
Bottom Line: 2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers
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The Lakers were trying to "three-peat" and win a third consecutive title for the third time in franchise history.
The team had "trust issues," all along, according to center Andrew Bynum, and they lost by 30-plus points to the Mavericks in the final game of a playoff sweep.
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9. 1980-81 Los Angeles Lakers
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Regular-season record: 54-28, second in Pacific Division
Season finish: Lost to Houston Rockets in first round of Western Conference playoffs (2-1)
Coach: Paul Westhead
Notable players: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, Jamaal Wilkes
Points per game: 111.2 (5th of 23)
Opponent points per game: 107.3 (13th of 23)
Key stats: Norm Nixon ranked second in the NBA with 8.8 assists per game.
Bottom Line: 1980-81 Los Angeles Lakers
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The defending NBA champions fell apart from within.
Magic Johnson’s knee injury kept him out for 45 games, but he was back for the playoffs.
For some reason, the Lakers didn’t all welcome him back with open arms, including Paul Westhead, who was fired the next season.
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8. 1992-93 Phoenix Suns
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Regular-season record: 62-20, first in Pacific Division
Season finish: Lost to Chicago Bulls in NBA Finals (4-2)
Coach: Paul Westphal
Notable players: Charles Barkley, Danny Ainge, Dan Majerle, Kevin Johnson
Points per game: 113.4 (1st of 27)
Opponent points per game: 106.7 (18th of 27)
Key stats: Charles Barkley was the NBA's Most Valuable Player, and Jerry Colangelo was the NBA Executive of the Year.
Bottom Line: 1992-93 Phoenix Suns
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This team was built to win an NBA title, starting with a blockbuster offseason trade for Charles Barkley.
Phoenix finished with an NBA-best 62-20 record, but the team was out of steam by the NBA Finals after a brutal run through the Western Conference playoffs.
And Michael Jordan and the Bulls got the best of the Suns and his good friend Barkley.
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7. 1968-69 Los Angeles Lakers
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Regular-season record: 55-27, first in Western Division
Season finish: Lost to Boston Celtics in NBA Finals (4-3)
Coach: Butch van Breda Kolff
Notable players: Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West
Points per game: 112.2 (6th of 14)
Opponent points per game: 108.1 (4th of 14)
Key stats: Wilt Chamberlain led the NBA with 1,712 total rebounds, averaging 21.1 rebounds per game.
Bottom Line: 1968-69 Los Angeles Lakers
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The modern-day "Super Teams" had nothing on this Lakers’ squad, who brought Wilt Chamberlain in during the offseason to team with Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.
An aging Boston squad, led by player/coach Bill Russell, still won the NBA Finals in seven games and Russell retired afterward.
West was named NBA Finals MVP in the losing effort after averaging 37.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds in the series.
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6. 1983-84 Philadelphia 76ers
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Regular-season record: 52-30, second in Atlantic Division
Season finish: Lost to New Jersey Nets in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs (3-0)
Coach: Billy Cunningham
Notable players: Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones
Points per game: 107.8 (16th o 23)
Opponent points per game: 105.6 (5th of 23)
Key stats: Jones and Cheeks made the NBA All-Defensive Team, and Malone led the league with 13.4 rebounds per game.
Bottom Line: 1983-84 Philadelphia 76ers
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The 76ers were the defending NBA champions after sweeping the Lakers in the 1983 NBA Finals.
With Philadelphia's entire roster returning, this seemed like a team primed for a repeat.
But the 76ers were swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Nets, who had never won a playoff series.
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5. 1993-94 Seattle Supersonics
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Regular-season record: 63-19, first in Pacific Division
Season finish: Lost to Denver Nuggets in first round of Western Conference playoffs (3-2)
Coach: George Karl
Notable players: Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schrempf, Kendall Gill
Points per game: 105.9 (5th of 27)
Opponent points per game: 96.9 (6th of 27)
Key stat: Nate McMillan ranked first in the NBA with 216 steals, and Gary Payton, who made the NBA All-Defensive Team, ranked seventh with 188.
Bottom Line: 1993-94 Seattle Supersonics
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Seattle set the franchise record for regular-season wins and earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
The Sonics then became the first No. 1 seed to lose to the No. 8 seed in NBA history, falling to the Denver Nuggets in five games despite taking a 2-0 series lead.
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4. 2010-11 Miami Heat
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Regular-season record: 58-24
Season finish: Lost to Dallas Mavericks in NBA Finals (4-2)
Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Notable players: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade
Points per game: 102.1 (8th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 84.0 (2nd of 29)
Key stat: LeBron James made the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive Team, and Pat Riley was NBA Co-Executive of the Year.
Bottom Line: 2010-11 Miami Heat
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LeBron James became perhaps the most celebrated free-agent signing in history when he picked the Heat and teamed with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
Then he promptly guaranteed six championships. The loss to the Mavs in the NBA Finals came as James uncharacteristically imploded on the court.
Although James went on to win two titles in Miami, he fell four rings short of his guarantee.
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3. 1974-75 Washington Bullets
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Regular-season record: 62-20, first in Central Division
Season finish: Lost to Golden State Warriors in NBA Finals (4-0)
Coach: K.C. Jones
Notable players: Elvin Hayes, Phil Chenier, Wes Unseld
Points per game: 104.7 (5th of 18)
Opponent points per game: 97.5 (2nd of 18)
Key stats: Wes Unseld (1,077) and Elvin Hayes (1,004) ranked third and fifth in the NBA, respectively, in total rebounds.
Bottom Line: 1974-75 Washington Bullets
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The Bullets seemed like a virtual lock to win it all this year behind Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld.
The final result was another sweep in the NBA Finals, this time at the hands of the Warriors.
The Bullets finally won a title — in 1978.
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2. 2018-19 Los Angeles Lakers
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Lakers' LeBron James (23) and Ivica Zubac (40) defend against Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles.Regular-season record: 37-45, 4th in Pacific Division
Season finish: 10th in Western Conference, missed playoffs
Coach: Luke Walton
Notable players: LeBron James, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Rajon Rondo
Points per game: 111.8 (16th of 30)
Opponent points per game: 113.5 (21st of 30)
Key stat: Opened the season 20-14 and went 17-31 the rest of the season.
Bottom Line: 2018-19 Los Angeles Lakers
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Sure, LeBron fills up the seats.
But it's tough to justify a four-year, $154 million contract and no playoffs when it comes to the basketball side of things.
No one expected the Lakers to make the Finals in the 2019 season, but a franchise-record six straight seasons with no playoffs is baffling.
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1. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors
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Regular-season record: 73-9, first in Pacific Division
Season finish: Lost to Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA Finals (4-3)
Coach: Steve Kerr (Luke Walton served as head coach from Oct. 27, 2015, to Jan. 20, 2016, while Kerr recovered from back surgery and led the team to a 39-4 start)
Notable players: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
Points per game: 114.9 (1st of 30)
Opponent points per game: 104.1 (19th of 30)
Key stats: Steph Curry was the NBA's Most Valuable Player, Steve Kerr was the NBA Coach of the Year, and the team broke 25 NBA single-season records.
Bottom Line: 2015-16 Golden State Warriors
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Golden State set the NBA regular-season wins record as they pursued a second consecutive NBA title.
The Warriors then became the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, in no small part to the suspension of Draymond Green for Game 5.
The city of Cleveland won its first pro sports title since 1964.
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