The Best Championship Rounds in NBA History - AlexBrady's Blog

AlexBrady's Blog

The Best Championship Rounds in NBA History

Posted on May 31, 2017 at 12:29 PM.

With the Finals starting up tomorrow I thought I would rank the best Championship rounds in the game's history. This was based on the quality of the teams, players, and overall competitiveness. The longer the better so I only ranked those rounds which went the full seven games.

5. 1974 Boston 4 Milwaukee 3

A memorable series which pitted finesse (Milwaukee) against strength (Boston). Dave Cowens, the 6-9 center, used his strength to wear down a young Kareem as the series wore on. Oscar Robertson was on his last legs and put in a rough peformance. Boston's backcourt totally outplayed the injured and old Bucks' guards. Most observers thought Boston would romp but the Bucks played with courage throughout. Ultimately the Celtics won game seven on the Bucks home court.

4. 1970 New York 4 Los Angeles 3

The team-oriented Knicks versus the individual talents of the Lakers. Jerry West vs Walt Frazier was a scrumptious matchup with Walt's power prevailing. Seismographs from coast to coast used to shake when Willis Reed and Wilt Chamberlain tangled. In game seven Reed came out of the locker-room on a badly damaged leg to hit two mid-range jumpers. This was the most amazing sequence I ever saw in NBA action.

3. 1984 Boston 4 Los Angeles 3

This was the Celtics Big Three in their primes. Larry Bird was wondrous. Kevin McHale and James Worthy was a terrific matchup. Dennis Johnson was the only guard who could make Magic Johnson turn his back to the basket bringing the ball up. Kareem was a monster as usual. These clubs were very unselfish and played together beautifully. Boston was simply too much on their home-floor in game seven.

2. 1962 Boston 4 Los Angeles 3

The golden age of the NBA . Bill Russell was at the top of his game, simply a monster. Jerry West and Elgin Baylor formed the most explosive scoring duo in NBA history. The classic offense (Lakers) against defense (Boston) matchup. Boston was in danger of losing game seven on their home-floor when Frank Selvy got an open jumper from short-range. Too bad Selvy missed and Boston took the game in overtime. Why rank this series over the famed 84 round? Because Russell's teams were better than Bird's and because game seven went to OT.

1. 1957 Boston 4 St. Louis 3

A brutal series to begin the Russell dynasty. Power and fundamentals would rule above all. Russell's quickness and defensive impact had never been seen before in history. He revolutionized the game. Bob Pettit was hitting his jumpers and driving to the basket like a tank. Slater Martin and Bob Cousy orchestrated their respective club's attacks in fine fashion. The games were competitive throughout with game seven going to double-overtime. In fact, that game seven was so well-played under extreme pressure that it remains the best game in NBA history.