LeBron James gets real on Anthony Davis’ greatness, Lakers championship hopes, Year 21 motivation 2012* – Champions: Miami Heat *Lockout + Derrick Rose injury At that point, there was no longer any doubt that that particular Duncan-led Spurs side was one of the greatest teams in league history. If that wasn't enough proof, this team did it again in 2005, 2007, and finally, for a fifth time in 2014. Throughout that playoffs series, the Spurs amassed a record of 15 wins versus just two losses.ĭuncan would prove all doubters wrong not long after, with the Spurs winning the championship again four years later. San Antonio made easy work of the Knicks, taking the series in just five games. The Spurs faced off against the Knicks in the Finals. However, the fact that this team played a grand total of just 67 games - including the playoffs - makes some believe that that 1999 title doesn't really count. Moreover, more than a few stars started the season in terrible shape, which in reality, is certainly not San Antonio's fault. The season didn't officially start until February, and all teams ended up playing just 50 games in a significantly condensed format. It came in a pretty contentious manner, though, with the 1998-99 NBA season mired by an extended lockout. San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan won his first out of five championships with the Spurs in 1999. 1999* – Champions: San Antonio Spurs *Lockout Getty Images

After all, the Bulls won another three titles between 19, and there has been some belief that Chicago could have done eight straight if MJ stayed in the NBA. 2.Īt this point we will never know if the Rockets would have still won the title in both years if Jordan never retired. Shaq and company ailed to mount a significant challenge against the defending champs, however, with the Rockets sweeping the Magic en route to title No. The same was the case the following season, with Olajuwon now pitted against a young Shaquille O'Neal and the Orlando Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals. Houston defeated the New York Knicks in a thrilling seven-game series as Olajuwon faced off with another legendary big man in Patrick Ewing. The 7-foot Hall of Famer was also a dominant force during his prime, so taking away those titles from him and the Rockets would be totally unfair. The Rockets went on to win the title in both seasons, with legendary big man Hakeem Olajuwon leading the way for Houston. He sat out the entirety of the 1993-94 campaign, prior to returning late in the 1994-95 season. The main reason why these titles were somewhat contentious is because of the simple fact that Michael Jordan went on a hiatus from basketball.Īfter winning his first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan retired in the summer of 1993 at the peak of his powers.

It comes in the form of the Houston Rockets, who won back-to-back champions in 19. We have a bit of a double whammy for our first asterisk championship on our list today. 1994* & 1995* -Champions: Houston Rockets **Micheal Jordan was busy playing baseball ClutchPoints

Below are three of the biggest asterisks in NBA Finals history. The 2019-20 campaign certainly falls in this category, but there are a few others that are even more contentious, so to speak. That is, the eventual champion of the said season may or may not have won the title had it not been for a series of unfortunate events. This is not the first time the NBA has had an asterisk season, which by its loose definition, is a rather contentious season that may or may not have ended differently under normal circumstances. For the most part, the coronavirus-hit campaign is anything but a “normal” season. It's obviously due to the fact that an unprecedented pandemic literally put the season on hold for a good four months. Many consider the 2019-20 season to be another asterisk year for the NBA finals.

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