Fansided

The best NBA playoff team of all-time at every seed

By Ian Levy

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) James Harden #13, Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand on the court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 25, 2011 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) James Harden #13, Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand on the court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 25, 2011 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 7: Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Houston Rockets boxes out againt Shaquille O’Neal #34 of the Orlando Magic during Game One of the 1995 NBA Finals played on June 7, 1995 at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. Houston won the game 120-118 and the swept the series 4-0 to win the 1995 NBA Championship. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 7: Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Houston Rockets boxes out againt Shaquille O’Neal #34 of the Orlando Magic during Game One of the 1995 NBA Finals played on June 7, 1995 at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. Houston won the game 120-118 and the swept the series 4-0 to win the 1995 NBA Championship. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The best No. 6 seed ever: Houston Rockets, 1994-95

There are certainly No. 6 seeds who put together more impressive regular seasons than the 1994-95 Rockets. The defending champions, Houston won just 47 games and with an inspiring plus-2.5 scoring differential per 100 possessions. They struggled with injuries and swung for the fences by trading for a 32-year-old Clyde Drexler midseason, but still limped to an 18-18 finish after the All-Star Break.

Then the playoffs started and they reminded everyone exactly what their ceiling was. In the postseason, Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 33.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, thoroughly outplaying David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal in the Conference Finals and NBA Finals to secure back-to-back titles. Along the way, the Rockets offered a vision of the future putting three perimeter shooters and a stretch big around Olajuwon and bombing away from the outside. Robert Horry, Kenny Smith, Mario Elie and Sam Cassell all shot better than 40 percent on 3s in the playoffs as they razed the competition.

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