What do you think are the most devastating losses in NBA history

[coastalmarker99]

For me personally here is my list of the most devastating losses in NBA history from 1 to 10.

1 Kings game seven 2002

2 Rockets game seven 2018

3 Lakers game seven 1969.

4 76ers game seven 1965.

5 Jazz game six 1998

6 New york game seven 1994

7 76ers game seven 1981

8 GSW game seven 2016.

9 Spurs game six 2013.

10 suns game seven 2022.

[coastalmarker99]

Had that 2018 Rockets team won that game seven and afterwards the title so many narratives would have been shifted.

CP3 and Harden now have a ring while taking down the most stacked team ever in the process.

Harden is now ranked as a top 20 to 15 player ever.

KD now has only one ring.

D'Antoni would be now considered an all-time coach

Daryl Morey would be viewed as a genius

[Axe]

Lol portland game 7 in the 2000 wcf doesn't get any mention?

[Full Court]

If you're talking a series, the 2011 Heat in the finals stand alone.

[SouBeachTalents]

There are so many choices you could put for this, I’d prob go

Spurs Game 6 2013 Finals

Pistons Game 6 1988 Finals

Lakers Game 7 1969 Finals

Blazers Game 7 2000 WCF

Warriors Game 7 2016 Finals

OKC Game 6 2016 WCF

76ers Game 7 1965 ECF

Kings Game 4 2002 WCF

Lakers 1984 Finals Game 4

Magic Game 1 1995 Finals

[TheGoatest]

In terms of a series that exposes and destroys an entire legacy, it's hands down the favorites Bulls losing to the Magic in the 1995 2nd round. That Grant/Rodman-less series sticks out like a sore thumb in the ocean of otherwise stacked Bulls teams from the 90s.

[ArbitraryWater]

Your top 3 should indeed top the list, but 8 and 9 should be much higher.

[MrFonzworth]

Sixers Raptors game 7 deserves a mention.

[1987_Lakers]

I don't think 2018 game 7 Rockets-Warriors deserves to be on the list, it was basically Harden vs Curry, Durant, Klay & Dray, I don't think anyone expected them to win that game with CP3 out.

[pandiani17]

Lol portland game 7 in the 2000 wcf doesn't get any mention?

This. They lost a 15 point lead in the last quarter, and after that loss the team's confidence went downhill and they went out in the first round the following years. Had they won that ring, things could be very, very different for them, and of course, for the Lakers.

[TheMan]

2011 Finals and it's not even close.

We have a supposed GOAT in his prime colluding to win 8 chips at least, stacking the deck with a top 5 All NBA former FMVP along with a perennial All Star from another East team. Essentially consolidating 3 EC contenders into one...all for shitting the bed so horribly the effects of that bad performance still has ramifications to this day. I was a LeBron believer, like I think most NBA fans were, we wanted to see someone eclipse MJ as the GOAT but those Finals were an eye opener. Sure we saw Bran shit the bed before but we all believed he either didn't have the maturity nor the right pieces around him. Alas we were all duped by the NBA media propaganda machine and now even to this day, a player who has been out of the league going on 20 years is still viewed as the GOAT by a vast majority of fans...and it's all because of the 2011 Finals.

You simply cannot be outscored by a bench scrub like Jason Terry in the prime of your career while surrounded by top talent (no excuses) and be seriously considered GOAT. Sorry Bran stans, but facts are facts.

[Round Mound]

For me Rockets vs Suns Game 7 1994-95. Mario Elie's Kiss Of Death. That was Chuck's last change at a ring as a superstar. :cry:

[ShawkFactory]

Magic game 1 in 1995 has got to be it. That game might have changed the second half of the 90s.

[Full Court]

The Jazz loss to the Bulls in the '98 finals with a score of 96-54 has to be up there with most devastating losses. They haven't been the same team since.

[Lakers Legend#32]

Blazers lose to Lakers in Game 7 of 2000 Western Conference Finals, when they went into the fourth quarter with a 17 point something lead.

Blazers organization has still not recovered from that loss.

[PerkinsFor3]

OKC vs Portland Game 5, 1st round 2019 playoffs, and have to admit I'm a Dame fan and don't like OKC - but he Leonidased the Thunder into a rebuild, which was fun.

[jayfan]

Pistons Game 5 1987 ECF


.

[pandiani17]

Blazers lose to Lakers in Game 7 of 2000 Western Conference Finals, when they went into the fourth quarter with a 17 point something lead.

Blazers organization has still not recovered from that loss.

I think the team was affected by it for some years afterwards. However, after drafting Aldridge, Roy, Webster, etc. they had a nice little roster by the 2010s, if it wasn't for injuries they would have been a very strong team in a decade ago. Also, they have had some great times with Lillard as the franchise player.

[Im so nba'd out]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afz7lz7KGM

Literally screamed out "NO!!!!!!!"

https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.5d70c2e79ff9f382c4dc10965a3bbc84?rik=GFeWfC62Cfx EPQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2f31.media.tumblr.com%2ftumblr_m1m2 d0SsSI1r5t3meo2_500.gif&ehk=LPKhu%2fAN2%2fc%2fyHS0TMTw0hVg4xARVa8nqVmYgd2% 2fxLA%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0


even the kawhi shot didnt do that to me. it hurt so much more because i never seen a team win a game when i was 100% sure it was over

[MadDogg]

2011 Finals. Has there ever been a more favored team to collapse like that? Well in all fairness it was mostly LeBron :oldlol: Other series are Game 7 of the 2000 and 2002 WCF. Game 7 of the 2016 Finals was another collapse, albeit with injuries and suspension.

[pandiani17]

2011 Finals. Has there ever been a more favored team to collapse like that? Well in all fairness it was mostly LeBron :oldlol: Other series are Game 7 of the 2000 and 2002 WCF. Game 7 of the 2016 Finals was another collapse, albeit with injuries and suspension.

The Heat were favored to win, but not by much. Their team cohesion was very weak and the Mavs were a very deep and talented team, contrary to popular belief (Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson, Jason Terry, Barea, apart from Dirk of course.) They had a way better player rotation.

[Axe]

Who still remembers this?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ynOpt2VXw

[MadDogg]

The Heat were favored to win, but not by much. Their team cohesion was very weak and the Mavs were a very deep and talented team, contrary to popular belief (Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson, Jason Terry, Barea, apart from Dirk of course.) They had a way better player rotation.

I get what you're saying, and agree with most of it, but Miami was at -180 to win the series. The Mavs were +160. That's a pretty big difference.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/5/31/2198658/nba-finals-2011-odds-miami-heat-dallas-mavericks

[Round Mound]

Pistons Game 5 1987 ECF


.

Good example!

[Da_Realist]

Knicks Game 1 1995 ECSF (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc-OOsSsBCs)

[2much_knowledge]

My vote goes to ralph sampson sending the champs home in 1986.

For me as a fan. The 2001 Vc graduation game 7. That one hurt bad

[Baller789]

The 2014 Finals is up there. It made the NBA's best player run home to his momma.

[Full Court]

The 2014 Finals is up there. It made the NBA's best player run home to his momma.

:lol Yep, that one too. Another epic choke job.

[Hey Yo]

2011 Finals. Has there ever been a more favored team to collapse like that? Well in all fairness it was mostly LeBron :oldlol: Other series are Game 7 of the 2000 and 2002 WCF. Game 7 of the 2016 Finals was another collapse, albeit with injuries and suspension.

The 2004 Lakers were 10x the favorite (most predicted sweep) against the Pistons than the 2011 Heat.

By far the biggest upset the NBA Finals has ever seen.

[pandiani17]

The 2004 Lakers were 10x the favorite (most predicted sweep) against the Pistons than the 2011 Heat.

By far the biggest upset the NBA Finals has ever seen.

Agree. That was a big, big surprise, given the fact that the East hadn't crowned a champ since 1998. In addition, Raptors beating Warriors in 2019 was another one for the ages, albeit without injuries it would surely be very different.

[pandiani17]

:lol Yep, that one too. Another epic choke job.

Lots of Heat players were injured. I agree that 2011 was a big choke-job. However, in 2014 the Spurs were basically better and the Heat had an aging and injury-proned roster.

[jlip]

Nick Anderson missing four consecutive free throws at the end of game 1 of the 1995 finals contributing to the Magic's loss was probably the most devastating loss experienced by an individual player in recent memory (If you consider 27 years to be "recent memory"). While he had some solid seasons after that, he simply never recovered.