Is 2020 Miami the worst Finals team

[WhiteKyrie]

Maybe ever? Or at least in recent memory?

And I know it's just COVID bubble basketball. Not really the same thing as normal.

But this is a 5th seed Miami team, not easily one of the worst Finals teams of all time?

I like them. But good lord. Their best player is Jimmy Butler. A guy who normally would at best be a 3rd option on a championship team. Miami has an amazing coach in Spo, but the elite talent discrepancy between LA and Miami is absurd. Not to mention experience.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Those 2k Nets team were worse. The 09 Magic while good for their time weren't all that either.

I think of Miami as 2004 Detroit. Not quite that level of defense, but they got a lot of dogs on their team.

If Bron has a great series against this perimeter defense it'll be impressive.

[Gudo]

Iverson’s sixers easily. And the early 2000s nets and pacers.

[Gudo]

I would add the knicks in 99. And dwights magic against kobe.

[WhiteKyrie]

Those 2k Nets team were worse. The 09 Magic while good for their time weren't all that either.

I think of Miami as 2004 Detroit. Not quite that level of defense, but they got a lot of dogs on their team.

If Bron has a great series against this perimeter defense it'll be impressive.
They are not 2004 Detroit level :oldlol: defensively, or talent wise top to bottom. They have some scrappers, and shooters. But hell no. Those Nets teams weren't great, but I don't think this Miami team is more significant than them at all. 09 Magic pushed LeBron's 60 win Cav's shit in ... and made a couple games right against the Lakers. Not great. Not worse than this Miami team. 2009 Dwight > 2020 Jimmy Butler, dude.

[LAmbruh]

2020 Heat = 2004 Pistons


Let's see if Lakers can adjust

[Airupthere]

the heat outperformed their true value in the bubble. the heat really isnt much and this should be an easy win for the lakers. i agree that the heat are probably one of the worst to be in the finals along with kidd's net and dwight's magic.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

They are not 2004 Detroit level :oldlol: defensively, or talent wise top to bottom. They have some scrappers, and shooters. But hell no. Those Nets teams weren't great, but I don't think this Miami team is more significant than them at all.

I didn't say they were on that level. There are similarities in playstyle though. Like Bam/Ben being undersized "centers", both having scrappy perimeter defense etc. And on offense, different players come through depending on the matchup.

What makes 2k Jersey better than Miami? They had poor shooting and their best player on O was mainly known for his passing.


09 Magic pushed LeBron's 60 win Cav's shit in ... and made a couple games right against the Lakers. Not great. Not worse than this Miami team. 2009 Dwight > 2020 Jimmy Butler, dude.

The 09 Cavs were trash outside of LeBron. Not sure how that's an argument in Orlando's favor. 20 Miami knocked off Milwaukee who were better top to bottom than Cleveland.

[Duderonomy]

worse recent finals teams
1.1999 Knicks
2.2001 sixers
3. 2007 Cavs
4.2020 heat
5. 2002 Nets

[bullettooth]

I would add the knicks in 99. And dwights magic against kobe.

I dont remember the 99 finals... but did the Knicks have a chance if Ewing played?

[Shogon]

2007 Cavs and I don't see how it's close.

[Gudo]

I dont remember the 99 finals... but did the Knicks have a chance if Ewing played?

Lockout year. If I remember correctly I think the knicks were 8th seed and they upset everyone going into the finals until they lost to the spurs with young duncan.

They had allan houston and sprewell. I think they had past prime ewing and LJ as well.

[999Guy]

2018 Cavs easily.

Miami would sweep that team most likely.

[1987_Lakers]

2018 Cavs easily.

Miami would sweep that team most likely.

Surprised how long it took someone to mention this team even though it was only 2 years ago that we saw them in the Finals.

[pandiani17]

I dont remember the 99 finals... but did the Knicks have a chance if Ewing played?

No, the Spurs went 11-1 in a loaded West, they were the typical team who has the momentum and wins almost every game. Also, IIRC the Knicks had a better record without Ewing than with himin the 99 play-offs.

[red1]

01 sixers
02 nets
03 nets
07 cavs
18 cavs

[pandiani17]

worse recent finals teams
1.1999 Knicks
2.2001 sixers
3. 2007 Cavs
4.2020 heat
5. 2002 Nets

The 2002 Nets and the 2007 Cavs are the worst, in my opinion, also supported by the fact they were swept. The 2002 Nets had a nice little roster with Kidd, Kittles, Van Horn, Martin and rookies Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brian Scalabrine (who was the 12th man, I think), but they lacked heart and consistency big-time. It was curious the difference between the Lakers and them, they seemed like two teams from different leagues. That type of difference could also be felt in the Spurs-Cavs series of 2007, the Cavs were young Lebron, Ilgauskas and then Gooden, Daniel Gibson, etc., names that lot of people here will not even know. At least the Knicks in 99 and the Sixers in 2001 won games and make the series somewhat competitive. Also, despite I want the Lakers to win, lol at you for putting the 2020 Heat there, when they haven't started playing yet.

[DoctorP]

Iverson’s sixers easily. And the early 2000s nets and pacers.

This

[CelticBaller]

2018 Cavs

Almost lost to a team led by a dude who couldn’t even legally drink

[Gougou]

00 Pacers, Nets I think.

07 Cavs is kinda weak, LBJ is the only thing on that team and he is not in his absolute prime yet.

[Axe]

2012 thunder? The only chipless western champ from the nw division in the last decade. Defeated some former champions along the way tho.

[Duderonomy]

The 2002 Nets and the 2007 Cavs are the worst, in my opinion, also supported by the fact they were swept. The 2002 Nets had a nice little roster with Kidd, Kittles, Van Horn, Martin and rookies Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brian Scalabrine (who was the 12th man, I think), but they lacked heart and consistency big-time. It was curious the difference between the Lakers and them, they seemed like two teams from different leagues. That type of difference could also be felt in the Spurs-Cavs series of 2007, the Cavs were young Lebron, Ilgauskas and then Gooden, Daniel Gibson, etc., names that lot of people here will not even know. At least the Knicks in 99 and the Sixers in 2001 won games and make the series somewhat competitive. Also, despite I want the Lakers to win, lol at you for putting the 2020 Heat there, when they haven't started playing yet.

Idk about that the Nets were a good team with chemistry just not championship level talent wise. I believe they would beat the other 4 teams mentioned.

[NBAGOAT]

miami's better than they seem on paper because they dont have a go to guy and have young guys who improved with the break. jimmy even with his flaws is a top 10-15 guy something I dont think you can even say the 04 pistons had. bam's still underrated with like an middle class draymond impact wise. dragic's been a surprise and playing like an all star in the playoffs. herro's broken out since this is closer to a second year for him and looks like a future 20/5 guy. Plenty of teams would take duncan/crowder as starters and they play really well together on both sides. iggy/olynyk can contribute as rotation pieces.

they're still not a good finals team since a finals team is usually an elite team but they shouldnt be in any conversation for worst finals team and just have to be somewhat competitive vs the lakers not to drop into that convo. they beat very good teams in the bucks and celtics pretty convincingly. Could see them getting like the 3 seed 55+wins next year.

[TheCorporation]

Worst Finals teams, in order

1998 Jazz
1997 Jazz
1992 Blazers
1996 Sonics
1991 Lakers
2007 Cavs
2001 Sixers
2002 Nets
2003 Nets

Next question 2020 account rookie

[Axe]

The first six teams are kinda intriguing, slick.

[TheCorporation]

2020 Heat = 2004 Pistons


Let's see if Lakers can adjust

+1

I trust in LeBron, but it will be tough

[TheCorporation]

The first six teams are kinda intriguing, slick.

I'm doing my best to educate newbie 2020 accounts.

They don't know better. Still learning.

OP, the 1998 Jazz had the LOWEST Finals #2 scoring option in NBA HISTORY

10.7 ppg

Worst. Ever.

[jayfan]

Is this a joke?

Only someone who's either clueless to basketball, or not paying any attention, would ask such a question.

The Heat may well beat LA. They're a heck of a team, definitely the best in the east, and their chemistry is real. The comparisons to the '04 Pistons are warranted.

[Turbo Slayer]

2007 and 2018 Cavs come to mind.

[L.Kizzle]

worse recent finals teams
1.1999 Knicks
2.2001 sixers
3. 2007 Cavs
4.2020 heat
5. 2002 Nets

Those guys are all led by Hall of Famers. Is Jimmy Butler a Hall of Famer?
2004 Detroit Pistons currently don't have Hall of Famer.

[bullettooth]

Worst Finals teams, in order

1998 Jazz
1997 Jazz
1992 Blazers
1996 Sonics
1991 Lakers
2007 Cavs
2001 Sixers
2002 Nets
2003 Nets

Next question 2020 account rookie

It's a good thing the entire forum knows you're an idiot and doesn't take you seriously at all. Thanks for the chuckle.

FYI; worst finals team were the 2016 Warriors.

[red1]

It's a good thing the entire forum knows you're an idiot and doesn't take you seriously at all. Thanks for the chuckle.

FYI; worst finals team were the 2016 Warriors.

He's a great and unbiased poster unlike you. :eek:

[bullettooth]

He's a great and unbiased poster unlike you. :eek:

Nobody asked you Rajesh.

[Lakers Legend#32]

2007 Cavs

[AlternativeAcc.]

Those guys are all led by Hall of Famers. Is Jimmy Butler a Hall of Famer?
2004 Detroit Pistons currently don't have Hall of Famer.

Heat have 3 future Hall of Famers in Butler, Bam, and Herro. Iggy is borderline. Dragic is a not so former all-star


Nice try I guess?

[KD7]

They have 5 guys that can go off on any given night (Butler, Dragic,Bam,Herro,Duncan)

+ Borderline HOF like Iggy

This is one of the deepest finals teams I have ever seen

[sbw19]

Miami has one advantage. Namely the Lakers can't afford to lose a star player (or have him hobbled) against them. If the Lakers lose LeBron or AD they are done. If they lose someone like Rondo or Howard they can scrape by but will have a glaring depth disadvantage that will be exploited. This can become 2004 Pistons redux when Malone got injured and the deeper, more cohesive and more balanced team won the title.

[red1]

Nobody asked you Rajesh.

rajesh? what are you talking about *****. :oldlol:



dont get mad because you get called out for being a retard. snaggletooth.

[Reggie43]

The battle tested veteran laden 56 win 2000 Pacers had a few mentions as the worst Finals team ever? Do you guys even watched basketball back then? That group had a ton of experience and had series wins in prior years against the best players in the 90s, guys like Shaq/Penny, Ewing, Iverson, Ray/Glenn/Sam etc. They reached the conference finals five times till they broke through in 2000.

[Gudo]

The battle tested veteran laden 56 win 2000 Pacers had a few mentions as the worst Finals team ever? Do you guys even watched basketball back then? That group had a ton of experience and had series wins in prior years against the best players in the 90s, guys like Shaq/Penny, Ewing, Iverson, Ray/Glenn/Sam etc. They reached the conference finals five times till they broke through in 2000.

They have been a contender for a long time but the east was just weak that year. The winner of the wcf in 2000 would have been shoe in champions regardless if it was the pacers or heat or some other team from the east. The pacers were certainly no better than the lakers, blazers, spurs, and jazz and arguable against the wolves.

[guy]

The 02 and 03 Nets are pretty bad. I'd go with them, then followed by the 01 76ers. People mention the 07 Cavs, who were pretty bad, but they at least had Lebron who's alot better then Kidd or Iverson.

But yes, the Heat aren't that impressive. I don't even think the 06 Heat that actually won a title was that strong of a Finals team either.

[guy]

Those guys are all led by Hall of Famers. Is Jimmy Butler a Hall of Famer?
2004 Detroit Pistons currently don't have Hall of Famer.

He might get there. He's for sure going to get there if they actually win this series. HOF is results-based alot of the time, which is why the HOF argument here is kinda flawed given the circularity here.

[Reggie43]

They have been a contender for a long time but the east was just weak that year. The winner of the wcf in 2000 would have been shoe in champions regardless if it was the pacers or heat or some other team from the east. The pacers were certainly no better than the lakers, blazers, spurs, and jazz and arguable against the wolves.

How does all of this make them one of the worst finals teams of all time?

Out of the teams you mentioned only the Lakers are definitely better while the rest is arguable. The Pacers actually swept the Blazers and the Jazz during the regular season while splitting games with the Spurs, Wolves and the Lakers.

[ArbitraryWater]

They're a bit like the 2014 Spurs

An ATG team for sure

They way they destroyed the Pacers/Bucks/Celtics..

crazy good.

[SouBeachTalents]

Not even close :oldlol: You really picking the '01 Sixers, Kidd Nets or '07 Cavs over this team in a series?

[AirTupac]

rajesh? what are you talking about *****. :oldlol:



dont get mad because you get called out for being a retard. snaggletooth.

Nothing like a 5'6 punjab from Canada talking shit online. Stfu prajeet. You smelly fukwit.

[ArbitraryWater]

Not even close :oldlol: You really picking the '01 Sixers, Kidd Nets or '07 Cavs over this team in a series?

Miami would probably sweep those teams Im not even joking lol

[tpols]

Not even close :oldlol: You really picking the '01 Sixers, Kidd Nets or '07 Cavs over this team in a series?

The Nets could definitely take this Heat team. They took peak duncan and manu to 6. This Heat team is nowhere near as talented, and spurs defense was better as well with DROB and Timmy twin towers. They only got swept by the Lakers because they had absolutely nobody to guard Shaq, unlike a lot of the teams out west ~ spurs, kings, blazers did. Those nets teams used to bully the now widely reputed Detroit Pistons and barely lost to them even in 2004.

[SouBeachTalents]

The Nets could definitely take this Heat team. They took peak duncan and manu to 6. This Heat team is nowhere near as talented, and spurs defense was better as well with DROB and Timmy twin towers. They only got swept by the Lakers because they had absolutely nobody to guard Shaq, unlike a lot of the teams out west ~ spurs, kings, blazers did. Those nets teams used to bully the now widely reputed Detroit Pistons and barely lost to them even in 2004.
The 8 seed Marbury Suns took that Spurs team to 6 games, the Mavs without Dirk were on the verge of taking them to 7. I get on paper Parker/Manu/Robinson looks like a stacked squad, but none of those guys were even close to playing at a star level in '03.

I'll give them credit for sweeping the Pistons in '03 without HCA, but that was not truly the Pistons yet. They didn't have Sheed or Larry Brown while Prince was a rookie, not to mention they needed a 3-1 comeback just to beat a Magic team that outside McGrady was absolutely garbage.

And true, they nearly beat the Pistons in '04, but so did the '08 Cavs against Boston, I've never been a huge fan of using specific series to argue which teams were better, that's how you end up down the rabbit hole of '08 Hawks > '08 Lakers

[pandiani17]

The battle tested veteran laden 56 win 2000 Pacers had a few mentions as the worst Finals team ever? Do you guys even watched basketball back then? That group had a ton of experience and had series wins in prior years against the best players in the 90s, guys like Shaq/Penny, Ewing, Iverson, Ray/Glenn/Sam etc. They reached the conference finals five times till they broke through in 2000.

I was also surprised to see that team in the list. That team was almost every year in the Conference Finals, I think they even deserved more finals appearences.

[Kblaze8855]

Not even bottom 5 of the post Jordan era.

People are just really attached to the idea that a title team has to be led by someone they think is elite when teams full of really good players can play with anyone. The “ ____ can’t be the best player on your team...” line of thinking really ****s some of you up team evaluation wise.

[tpols]

Not even bottom 5 of the post Jordan era.

People are just really attached to the idea that a title team has to be led by someone they think is elite when teams full of really good players can play with anyone. The “ ____ can’t be the best player on your team...” line of thinking really ****s some of you up team evaluation wise.

Name the last time a team won with their best player being jimmy butler level.

It's happened 2/22 times since 1998.

[Stephonit]

In terms of players billed as stars this is probably the worst team. Who was a worse best player than Jimmy Butler on a finals team? Billups maybe?


Not even bottom 5 of the post Jordan era.

People are just really attached to the idea that a title team has to be led by someone they think is elite when teams full of really good players can play with anyone. The “ ____ can’t be the best player on your team...” line of thinking really ****s some of you up team evaluation wise.

I still remember the discussions last year regarding the Celtics and if they could win without a superstar despite a team full of above average players.

[eliteballer]

Not even bottom 5 of the post Jordan era.

People are just really attached to the idea that a title team has to be led by someone they think is elite when teams full of really good players can play with anyone. The “ ____ can’t be the best player on your team...” line of thinking really ****s some of you up team evaluation wise.


Name the 5 worse ones post-Jordan. I'm guessing you'll go with 02 Nets, 07 Cavs, 15 Cavs, maybe the 99 Knicks or 09 Magic?

[Shooter]

Name the 5 worse ones post-Jordan. I'm guessing you'll go with 02 Nets, 07 Cavs, 15 Cavs, maybe the 99 Knicks or 09 Magic?

03 Nets as well
19 Warriors (no KD, Klay) ?

[WhiteKyrie]

The Nets could definitely take this Heat team. They took peak duncan and manu to 6. This Heat team is nowhere near as talented, and spurs defense was better as well with DROB and Timmy twin towers. They only got swept by the Lakers because they had absolutely nobody to guard Shaq, unlike a lot of the teams out west ~ spurs, kings, blazers did. Those nets teams used to bully the now widely reputed Detroit Pistons and barely lost to them even in 2004.
Bingo

[kawhileonard2]

2020 in the sense they didn't even have a top 10 MVP candidate but already beat two teams favorite over them.

[WhiteKyrie]

As I was saying ... :oldlol: ... a 5th seed.

Without a championship caliber MVP alpha or even beta (Jimmy is a 3rd option) and a bunch of scrappers, shooters and rookies. This is a chump Finals squad. Worse than 2007 Cavs, 2003 Nets, 2002 Nets. And the comparison to the 2004 Pistons is asinine.

The oddity and wonders of pickup err bubble basketball. It’s an entirely different thing. Way less pressure. Way less variables and circumstances to affect performance.

[BasedTom]

As I was saying ... :oldlol: ... a 5th seed.

Without a championship caliber MVP alpha or even beta (Jimmy is a 3rd option) and a bunch of scrappers, shooters and rookies. This is a chump Finals squad. Worse than 2007 Cavs, 2003 Nets, 2002 Nets. And the comparison to the 2004 Pistons is asinine.

The oddity and wonders of pickup err bubble basketball. It’s an entirely different thing. Way less pressure. Way less variables and circumstances to affect performance.

Or perhaps it's the fact that 3 of their starters are injured.

You are an utter subhuman, no surprise you rep kyrie. Kill yourself

[WhiteKyrie]

Or perhaps it's the fact that 3 of their starters are injured.

You are an utter subhuman, no surprise you rep kyrie. Kill yourself
They were getting wrecked before that as well. Kyrie is a beast, go play in a busy street kid.

[BasedTom]

They were getting wrecked before that as well. Kyrie is a beast, go play in a busy street kid.
lol the white in your username must be cvm in your eyes because you're blind in addition to being a smoothbrain retard.

[TheGoatest]

I was told they were the 2004 Pistons reincarnated.

[WhiteKyrie]

I was told they were the 2004 Pistons reincarnated.

:oldlol:

So retarded.

That Pistons team didn’t have an alpha MVP type but basically all star caliber players at EVERY position.

[WhiteKyrie]

Bump for a fifth seed, led by Jimmy Butler, taking Anthony Davis AND LeBron to 6 games. When it should've been a sweep.

:facepalm

[SouBeachTalents]

Thus proving they're not the worst Finals team

[3ball]

All the 1-star teams that won the East in the 2000's are equally-bad, aka the 01' Sixers, 03' Nets, 07' Cavs, and 09' Magic

The East is routinely won by 1-star teams, which is what made lebron's super-team formation so egregious.. stacked deck.. manufactured resume

[TheCorporation]

https://media.giphy.com/media/lIzx9jbyY38tO/giphy.gif

Let it all out my guy

[Real14]

Definitely the worst team plus they have 3 rookies

[Lebron_James]

No. They had a good mix/combination of young & veteran players.
Veterans: Crowder, Iggy,Dragic, Haslem,Butler
Young: Herro, Adebayo,robinson.

[Lebron23]

2020 miami heat are basically a younger version of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs.

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

KD/Curry/Klay/Green or Lebron/Dwade/Bosh, which team is more stacked?

Yet its Lebron had to play with **&?#%$ to win a ring ect.

[Real14]

2020 miami heat are basically a younger version of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs.

Reported for stupidity.

[bullettooth]

2020 miami heat are basically a younger version of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs.

Every day you provide more evidence of how big of a retard you are.

No further comments needed.

[Lebron23]

Every day you provide more evidence of how big of a retard you are.

No further comments needed.

Watch some games. Miami beat giannis and tatum in the playoffs.