Ranking the Best Playoffs' since 2000

[ArbitraryWater]

So the talk about how the playoffs suck in the GT (which they do), got me thinking about the best playoffs since the Millenium. This isn't TOO thought out, pretty much right off the bat, so I could be swayed into other directions with more info on the years.

Basically, as always, this means best like in terms of drama, whats at stake, superstars (names that go down in the books), excitement, quality of play...

2006 playoffs > 2011 playoffs > 2003 playoffs > 2014 playoffs > 2004 playoffs > 2005 playoffs > 2013 playoffs > 2002 playoffs > 2012 playoffs > 2000 playoffs > 2008 playoffs > 2009 playoffs > 2015 playoffs > 2001 playoffs > 2010 playoffs > 2016 playoffs

In terms of tiers (first tier=epic, second tier=near epic, third tier=great, fourth tier=nice, fith tier=meh, underwhelming)

2006 playoffs
2011 playoffs
2003 playoffs

2014 playoffs
2004 playoffs
2005 playoffs
2013 playoffs

2002 playoffs
2012 playoffs
2000 playoffs
2008 playoffs
2009 playoffs
2015 playoffs

2001 playoffs

2010 playoffs
2016 playoffs

I get the descriptions for each tier could use some refinment... also '01 standing there alone looks kinda weird but thats just off the top of my head.

2016 haven't even just been underwhelming so far. Just straight up trash.

[ScalsFan21]

2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2013 all really stand out to me. That early to mid 2000s era was very underrated with a lot of elite teams and unpredictable finishes throughout all four rounds, I felt like.

I tend to agree that 2006 was the best.

[tpols]

no surprise this fakkit put all of bran's runs up top and kobes at the bottom .. :facepalm


smdh.

[ArbitraryWater]

no surprise this fakkit put all of bran's runs up top and kobes at the bottom .. :facepalm


smdh.

I hardly noticed that.. maybe I did it subconsciously. Convince me otherwise :)

I also included his meltdown finals as #2... it aint that.

[tpols]

I hardly noticed that.. maybe I did it subconsciously. Convince me otherwise :)

I also included his meltdown finals as #2... it aint that.

sure .. but ok.

Why would 2006 be so many spots over 2010? The East and the West were both good in 2010 (this year and 2009 the only time this has happened since the 90s), and the Finals was an epic 7 game slugfest between the two most storied franchises in NBA history .. and it was a rematch of a series that had taken place just two years prior.


you have a clear bias in which youre putting all the runs dirk and bran had that were successful near the top, and most of the runs they flopped in near the bottom (notice, you did not even list 2007 here lol .. wonder why ..). And then on the flipside all the runs where kobe or curry won are at the bottom.



Youre basically just telling us what playoff runs you liked based on who you were rooting for and their level of success.

[Lebronxrings]

no surprise this fakkit put all of bran's runs up top and kobes at the bottom .. :facepalm


smdh.
you realize OPs not a lebron fan right?


Try again kid.

[Spurs m8]

LOL we're what, 1 or 2 games into round 2, jesus christ

Biggest knee jerk reaction forum ever hahah

Are most of you 16 or something?

[brownmamba00]

you realize OPs not a lebron fan right?


Try again kid.
pretty sure he is, kid.

[tpols]

and then you put 2011 as number two as a reason you can claim to be unbiased, but it still gives a nice boost to your countryman lol.. its see through man, your whole plan. :banana:

[ArbitraryWater]

Of course, this all depends on what 'you like'....

but here isnt why this is just for my 'favorites'.

Samurai Swish as '06 as best as well I believe, and he hates Dirk...

In 2012 you get the Spurs coming as a gelled machine...

sweep through the first 2 rounds, in the mean time OKC does a quick one on the defending Champions (3 close games), and swoop in the next era with their 5-game series over the old dogs in Kobe/Gasol, with another game winner...

they come to head, OKC wins out in 6 with breakout performances on all sides.... they're the next Dynasty.

Heat go through the #5 seeded Pacers in a heated series where they were down and seemingly out, you had the Wade/Spoelstra coming to head thing, the two turning it around with one of the best duo performances ever, Bird having to see it from the stands...

the Celtics ECF. The last bow from Boston. The LeBron Game 6 Massacre.

OKC going into the finals as betting favorites... 4 out of 5 close games, ending with a shellacking, and LeBron getting a historic MVP/FMVP.

Just a great post-season, great storylines...

In 2013 you have the even better Grizzlies putting a number on the Paul/Griffin Clippers... and you had a Paul Buzzer Beater (numerous close games).

The Warriors coming out party!!

Steph with UNCONSCIOUS 3rd quarters.... taking the Spurs who came off a Laker BEATDOWN that saw Tim smirk as Howard went off in game 4, to consecutive close games in SAS, an Overtime, a Manu game winner, and still come out to take game 2, in what resulted in a great 6 game series...

Grizzlies/Thunder without Westbrook, ALL 5 games contested... multiple GW's, Grizz pull out... Spurs win WCF, 2 Overtimes.

Meanwhile East poorer in the 2R this time, but another heated and tension filled Pacer battle....

and one of the best finals ever with narratives all around, game winners, clutch shots, beatdowns, historic 3 point shooting and a closeout performance for the ages.....


2006 has everything...

drama in the Kobe/Suns series, a 50 piece, multiple game winners/buzzer beaters, overtimes, Suns go 7 against Clippers, WCF of Dirk/Nash, 6 games, a 50 pointer by Dirk...

LeBron playoff breakout, first playoff rookie ever to start with a triple double, multiple game winners, 40 pt games against the Wiz scoring big 3... good series.

Pistons/Cavs going the distance, Sheed/Rip/Billups, the '05 group...

oh.... Wade/Shaq in South Beach? NICE!

ECF Heat's revenge for the previous year (story angle), and an epic finals/comeback finals, championship decided at the buzzer, and an historic individual performance with PLENTY of big names (Shaq, Mourning, GP)....

Kobe and the Lakers had their part time fun, Nash as MVP, Dirk and the Mavericks, LeBron doing big things, the Pistons, Wade's historic year... 50 pointers, tons of game winners, overtimes... fun fun fun.

These playoffs, objectively, were clearly better than whatever 2009-2010 or 2000-2002 offered... I dont even see it as an argument, tbh.

Spurs/Mavs/Wolves weren't up to par yet '00-'02, and the epic WCF's were evened out by the weak East finals crop.

[ArbitraryWater]

LOL we're what, 1 or 2 games into round 2, jesus christ

Biggest knee jerk reaction forum ever hahah

Are most of you 16 or something?

All this because I included 2016? Who cares, its so far... at best these playoffs will create for a great WCF and Finals. Ignore it if it helps you.

[ArbitraryWater]

and then you put 2011 as number two as a reason you can claim to be unbiased, but it still gives a nice boost to your countryman lol.. its see through man, your whole plan. :banana:

How could you not like 2011?

Again, it had everything, 2006 like :confusedshrug:

[ArbitraryWater]

Youre right though, Im probably too harsh on 2010

edit: I should also take 2012 over 2002, most likely though

[ArbitraryWater]

seing some good ass posters online posting right now cmon guys :coleman:

[tpols]

Of course, this all depends on what 'you like'....

.......


These playoffs, objectively, were clearly better than whatever 2009-2010 or 2000-2002 offered... I dont even see it as an argument, tbh


you're not making much sense, pal.


your agenda is sad. :(

[feyki]

All seems very similar to me but 2009 was the best ever imo .

[ArbitraryWater]

you're not making much sense, pal.


your agenda is sad. :(

...."IMO".

Thats just my opinion after offering you an explanation and letting it go through my head more. I shouldnt have to spill out the "IMO" for you, thats a known.

In a previous thread you asked for YEAR-TO-YEAR CONTEXT, apply it yourself here this time... even if you wont like the outcome because of your personal preference, thats where bias kicks in.

[ArbitraryWater]

All seems very similar to me but 2009 was the best ever imo .

thats a new one..

I could see it in terms of conference finals I guess.

[SwayDizzle]

09 playoffs were some of the most exciting. i'd put it top 3.

bulls/celtics first round series might just be the best series of all time.

you had the whole world craving a lebron vs kobe finals which means each step of the way was exciting, watching both cleveland and the lakers closely.

the rockets were a legit team, so were the blazers, magic, nuggets.

the defending champs, celtics, went out in a 7 game series. the lakers ended up winning after losing the finals the year before.

so many storylines, we had intense buzzer beaters, overtime games. 09 had it all.

[ArbitraryWater]

09 playoffs were some of the most exciting. i'd put it top 3.

bulls/celtics first round series might just be the best series of all time.

you had the whole world craving a lebron vs kobe finals which means each step of the way was exciting, watching both cleveland and the lakers closely.

the rockets were a legit team, so were the blazers, magic, nuggets.

the defending champs, celtics, went out in a 7 game series. the lakers ended up winning after losing the finals the year before.

so many storylines, we had intense buzzer beaters, overtime games. 09 had it all.

It didnt really have a great finals, and every Celtics close series came knowing that it only was one because KG was out for the year.. that kind of hindered it. Kobe/Bron finals storyline was reaching Everest heights though :applause: I like the post though.. great playoffs :cheers:

[tpols]

...."IMO".

Thats just my opinion after offering you an explanation and letting it go through my head more. I shouldnt have to spill out the "IMO" for you, thats a known.

In a previous thread you asked for YEAR-TO-YEAR CONTEXT, apply it yourself here this time... even if you wont like the outcome because of your personal preference, thats where bias kicks in.

you say of course it depends on what you like ... and then throw the word objective in there lol.


Im not going to go into detail on every playoff run for the past 20 years with exclamation points and name drops on years where the teams I wanted to win won.. like you just did. Thats not objective.


Objective is seeing where ratings were for those years.. for instance, the mid 2000s had some of the worst playoff TV ratings out of any year post 2000, yet you have all those runs as above average..

2003 which you inexplicably have near the top, drew some of the lowest TV ratings ever.. was laced with injuries to key guys and featured a pretty shitty Finals from a basketball competition standpoint.

From the mid 2000s to the late, specifically from 2008 to 2010 the NBA saw a significant jump in ratings.. which continued w/ popularity generated through the decision /collusion into the early 10s.


2001 and 2002 were both great years for the NBA from a competitive standpoint.. classic NBA on NBC.. complete w/ theme song and everything, Kings-Lakers matchups alone SHIT on any of the series you propped between the Heat and the paul george led pacers, rose bulls, etc



If you made an "objective" list based on what everyone liked and how many people tuned in.. it wouldnt look anything like what you laid out.

[ArbitraryWater]

Well, like I said, I could easily be swayed.. maybe I overrated '03 and did a short one on the previous 2 years :confusedshrug:

But don't give me your appea to authority bullshit with ratings lol...


This isnt about ratings or mass opinion (especially since it would be pretty hard to find one for this topic, and going by ratings is flat out boring, were here for different opinions).


'03 brought an extremely interesting dynamic with the Dirk/Finley/Nash Mavs, and it had Duncan peaking, and plenty of drama in LA.

People love competiton. A blowout gets older quicker than a tight epic.

2001 is epic in the sense of the Lakers crushing, but opponents were lacking a bit. Id be more in the '02 > '03' camp than '01 > '03' camp...

I did my explanations, feel free to do a write up for yours prefered years any time now, and see if it measures up :cheers:

[FKAri]

I didn't get a chance to follow all of them very closely but 2011 was my fav (also the one where I watched the most games ever I think). The West was fun that year. Grizz/OKC and all the Mavs' series especially.

[tpols]

dirk got hurt in 03 and was knocked out of the WCFs and youre propping that matchup :biggums:


no way you seen half the playoff runs youre talking about here, possibly more smh

[tpols]

alright I was too harsh on you aw.. lets play game of 2k, I will pick an oldschool team from one of the shitty playoff runs, you pick cavs or heat or whatever.

Let's settle this.

[SwayDizzle]

It didnt really have a great finals, and every Celtics close series came knowing that it only was one because KG was out for the year.. that kind of hindered it. Kobe/Bron finals storyline was reaching Everest heights though :applause: I like the post though.. great playoffs :cheers:
true, the finals was the least exciting of the playoffs. if it were more competitive i would put 09 in the number 1 spot. i wish the cavs had made it. it felt like the magic got insanely hot from 3 vs the cavs.

[ArbitraryWater]

alright I was too harsh on you aw.. lets play game of 2k, I will pick an oldschool team from one of the shitty playoff runs, you pick cavs or heat or whatever.

Let's settle this.

I would if I had online

so how epic of a sports year was 2006 actually.. :biggums:

best Playoffs since the Millenium
best World Cup since the Millenium (and a good bit before)

Pretty bleak tennis wise though...

[ArbitraryWater]

This SAS/OKC series is TENSE and could shoot these playoffs up a bit... desperately needed.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Yeah, the 2009 playoffs which featured the GOAT series ranks at the bottom of the list :oldlol: :oldlol:

[riseagainst]

you realize OPs not a lebron fan right?


Try again kid.


:roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

Yeah, the 2009 playoffs which featured the GOAT series ranks at the bottom of the list :oldlol: :oldlol:

Don't know about GOAT, but it's definitely up there.

[ArbitraryWater]

This one is shaping up nicely with the OKC / SAS, OKC / GSW, CLE / TOR, and incoming CLE / OKC series, which will be epic (7 games!)...

I know this WCF is filled with blowouts, but OKC's play is amazing, and seing them finally getting it all together and clicking, is beautiful to watch.

[SpaceJam]

Gotta agree with the posters saying 2009

In fact, 2009 is the greatest season since 2000 imo, possibly ever

My all time favorite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLkTnWF32iQ

And watching that gets me HYPE every time

[ImKobe]

hard to rank them

in terms of Finals series, 2010, 2013 and 2006 were the most entertaining.

Conference Finals-wise you had great series almost every year

Have to go with 2010 overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=henTzv7P5oc

:kobe: :kobe: :kobe:

[ArbitraryWater]

hard to rank them

in terms of Finals series, 2010, 2013 and 2006 were the most entertaining.

Conference Finals-wise you had great series almost every year

Have to go with 2010 overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=henTzv7P5oc

:kobe: :kobe: :kobe:

dont see it... game 7 was the only down to wire game... plenty of low shooting... one semi close game (game 3 )...

[SexSymbol]

2010
2009
2001
2006
2012
2011

[ImKobe]

dont see it... game 7 was the only down to wire game... plenty of low shooting... one semi close game (game 3 )...

All games were close with the exception of Game 1 and 6 :facepalm

[ArbitraryWater]

All games were close with the exception of Game 1 and 6 :facepalm

negro are you serious :oldlol:

Game 5 was at 10 points through the third and 4th quarter, the Lakers cut it to 6 in the final 2 mins.. the game was never in doubt.

Game 4 was over with 5 mins left.

[ImKobe]

negro are you serious :oldlol:

Game 5 was at 10 points through the third and 4th quarter, the Lakers cut it to 6 in the final 2 mins.. the game was never in doubt.

Game 4 was over with 5 mins left.

Game 5 it was a 5 point game with 1:30 left after Kobe made 3 straight FTs and Ron Artest missed two free throws that would have cut it to 3 with 40 seconds to go

Game 4 was close as well, Kobe again cut it to 6 points with with 2 mins left and they had the ball but Pau turns it over after Kobe gets the steal :facepalm

how is a 2-possession game not a close one? how is that not in doubt? Didn't the Spurs give up a 6 point lead in 28 seconds to Miami?

[SexSymbol]

negro are you serious :oldlol:

Game 5 was at 10 points through the third and 4th quarter, the Lakers cut it to 6 in the final 2 mins.. the game was never in doubt.

Game 4 was over with 5 mins left.
Did you really just say that 10 points is not in doubt?
How long have you been watching basketball man?
Game 5 was very close, Kobe kept it close.

[ArbitraryWater]

Game 5 it was a 5 point game with 1:30 left after Kobe made 3 straight FTs and Ron Artest missed two free throws that would have cut it to 3 with 40 seconds to go

Game 4 was close as well, Kobe again cut it to 6 points with with 2 mins left and they had the ball but Pau turns it over after Kobe gets the steal :facepalm

meh.. sure, after double digit leads they cut it close for like 1 min of the game... but the Lakers werent exactly the current Warriors that cut erase those leads withing 1-2 possessions with a few 3's.

So they were close for a minute or so.


Did you really just say that 10 points is not in doubt?
How long have you been watching basketball man?
Game 5 was very close, Kobe kept it close.

No, I said 'down to the wire'

As for your assertion, nah, 10 pts isnt exactly close... is it able to get back from? Of course, but im talking switching leads, close.. not double digit games, rook.

[Im Still Ballin]

For drama and intensity, all the LeBron playoff runs pretty much

Especially the big three era

2010-2012 was the best era

No athlete has ever been under as much pressure as LeBron was in 2012..

The story wrote itself
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bSq8WoTXoE/T9F0qVDnfmI/AAAAAAAAJzo/uBXBk3dODMQ/s1600/dad%2527s%2Bback%2Band%2Bbrought%2Bhis%2Bbelt.jpg

[ImKobe]

meh.. sure, after double digit leads they cut it close for like 1 min of the game... but the Lakers werent exactly the current Warriors that cut erase those leads withing 1-2 possessions with a few 3's.

So they were close for a minute or so.



No, I said 'down to the wire'

As for your assertion, nah, 10 pts isnt exactly close... is it able to get back from? Of course, but im talking switching leads, close.. not double digit games, rook.

but it wasn't a double digit game

By your logic Game 7 wasn't close either since the Lakers didn't give up the lead at the end :facepalm it was a 6 point game with 1 minute to go like in Games 4 and 5 :facepalm

[ArbitraryWater]

but it wasn't a double digit game

By your logic Game 7 wasn't close either since the Lakers didn't give up the lead at the end :facepalm it was a 6 point game with 1 minute to go like in Games 4 and 5 :facepalm

exactly, thats the close minute Im taling about :facepalm before that, it was a double digit game, both times, in the middle of the quarter...

[SexSymbol]

For drama and intensity, all the LeBron playoff runs pretty much

Especially the big three era

2010-2012 was the best era

No athlete has ever been under as much pressure as LeBron was in 2012..

The story wrote itself
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bSq8WoTXoE/T9F0qVDnfmI/AAAAAAAAJzo/uBXBk3dODMQ/s1600/dad%2527s%2Bback%2Band%2Bbrought%2Bhis%2Bbelt.jpg
He had zero pressure, nobody expected anything from him in the finals after the horrific 11 experience, don't overwrite the history that's still so fresh in people's minds.

[ArbitraryWater]

He had zero pressure, nobody expected anything from him in the finals after the horrific 11 experience, don't overwrite the history that's still so fresh in people's minds.

lol

[Im Still Ballin]

He had zero pressure, nobody expected anything from him in the finals after the horrific 11 experience, don't overwrite the history that's still so fresh in people's minds.
Are you serious? He literally had the most pressure that any NBA player let alone athlete has ever had on themselves.... Not even joking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqEoRYTOX0g

Can't believe you even asked that

NOBODY has had that much pressure on themselves like that

NOBODY

[Im Still Ballin]

LeBron's legacy was literally on the line

[SamuraiSWISH]

2010
2008
2006
2001
2011
2009
2012
2013
2014
2015
2004
2007
2003
2005
2002

[rmt]

2006 was the best year for me. My personal favorite series is still 2006 Mavs-Spurs even though my Spurs lost :(

[SexSymbol]

Are you serious? He literally had the most pressure that any NBA player let alone athlete has ever had on themselves.... Not even joking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqEoRYTOX0g

Can't believe you even asked that

NOBODY has had that much pressure on themselves like that

NOBODY
Revisionist history at it's best.
The fact was that the majority of the people put all the pressure on bron in 11. Then after he failed they sort of expected it to happen in 12. That didn't happen and he played great, but not many people expected that from him. This isn't pressure and it never was.
He had much more pressure in 13, and then close to none in 14 again, then absolutely zero pressure in 15