Hardest paths to an NBA Finals/Championship

[Brankles]

Me and my homer Magic friend were talking on our way back from Game 6 about how tough the road has been for the Magic this season to make it to the Finals. We played a very tough, unconventional 6 seed in the Philadelphia 76ers. We follow that up by playing the Celtics, who have the 3rd best record in the league and then the Cavs who had the best. Now we're playing the Lakers who have the second best record. We've had home court advantage exactly one time, in the first round, and had lost it by Game 2.

Obviously, the Celtics weren't at their best and the Sixers aren't exactly a team our kids will be talking about in 20 years, but I still feel the Magic have taken one of the hardest recent paths to the Finals, especially out of the Eastern Conference. Tough losses via buzzer beaters, road wins, unorthodox opponents and the underdog in almost every series so far.

How do the Magic and their road to the Finals stack up against other Finals teams in recent years?

[Bornindamecca]

Meh...Sixers were gobbige. Boston didn't have KG. Cavs are a good team, but Orlando's inconsistencies and lead dropping extended the first two series.

[ex carrabba fan]

Great question, I'll be back in a few minutes.

ORL definitely didn't have that tough of a road though IMO.

CLE is their only saving grace even though they were a juggernaut.

Edit: Looks like I'd go with one of the Spurs' or Lakers' title runs

Besides the Spurs, LA had to go up against the early 2000 Kings/Blazers-- which could be argued to be the most talented teams of those years

Besides the Lakers, SA had to go up against the Mavs w/Dirk and the Suns-- yes it's still a shame what happened that year.

[Cebby]

Given that the Magic got the Celtics and Sixers without arguably each team's best player (and certainly top 2-3), I don't really think it stands above any of the Western Conference teams of the 2000s aside from this year's Lakers. The 87 Celtics also seem to be a pretty good candidate.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Gimme a few minutes but I do know that the Magic shouldn't even be mentioned for having the "toughest" road to the Finals.

[ex carrabba fan]

BTW I just went as far back as the lockout season because I honestly can't say I watched the entire playoffs before that year.. or I simply don't remember them that well.

[Brankles]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

Gimme a few minutes but I do know that the Magic shouldn't even be mentioned for having the "toughest" road to the Finals.

haha Keep in mind it was me and my homer friend having this discussion. I'm not going to defend the Magic too much, because I honestly believe we should have run Philly and Boston out of the arena and they were not complete teams. It was more of an example to bring up.

On paper it does look rough, though. By the time the Finals are over, we will have played the 1st, 2nd and 3rd best regular-season teams in the NBA.

[ex carrabba fan]

Yep on paper

Even on paper it might not look that great if on that same paper there was a * by Boston's record