Our Favourite NBA Finals Series in History
Here we are: the NBA Finals. The culmination of an entire season worth of blood, sweat, and tears and the pinnacle of basketball excellence. Over the years, there have been many epic Finals series where champions were made and legacies were cemented. In this blog post, we will take a look at the four best NBA Finals series of all time that were not just great basketball games, but also a testament to the human spirit, perseverance, and resilience.
2016 NBA Finals: LeBron James finally wins one for Cleveland
The 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors will go down in history as one of the greatest Finals of all time. Down 3-1 in the series against the team that set the regular-season record with 73 wins, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to an improbable comeback, winning the last three games, including Game 7 on the road in Oakland. LeBron James was named Finals MVP after averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game, becoming the first player in NBA history to lead all players on both teams in all three categories in a Finals series.
1998 NBA Finals: Michael Jordan's Last Dance
The 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz was a fitting end to Michael Jordan's legendary career in Chicago. In Game 6, with the game tied at 86, Jordan stole the ball from Karl Malone, dribbled past Bryon Russell, and hit a buzzer-beater with 5.2 seconds left to give the Bulls their sixth championship in eight years. Jordan finished with 45 points and his last-ever shot in a Bulls jersey is etched in basketball history.
1984 NBA Finals: Magic vs. Bird
The 1984 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics marked the start of the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird rivalry that defined basketball in the 1980s. In Game 4, with the series tied at 1-1, Magic Johnson famously played center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and scored 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out seven assists to lead the Lakers to victory. The Lakers went on to win the series in seven games, and Magic Johnson was named Finals MVP.
1970 NBA Finals: The Willis Reed Game
The 1970 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers is best remembered for Game 7, also known as the Willis Reed game. Reed, the Knicks' captain and best player, was battling a torn thigh muscle all series and was considered doubtful to play in Game 7. However, just before tip-off, Reed emerged from the tunnel and limped onto the court to an uproarious ovation from the Madison Square Garden faithful. Reed scored the Knicks' first two field goals of the game, went back to the locker room, and watched the rest of the game on crutches. The Knicks won the game and the championship, and Reed's heroic effort has become a part of NBA folklore.
The NBA Finals are not just basketball games, but also tests of courage, heart, and willpower. The four series mentioned above are prime examples of why the NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. Whether it's LeBron James bringing a championship to Cleveland, Michael Jordan hitting the last shot of his career, Magic Johnson playing center and dominating the Celtics, or Willis Reed limping onto the court to inspire his team to victory, the NBA Finals have produced some of the most memorable moments in basketball history.