Fansided

The most satisfying series finales in NBA history

By Jonathan Macri

LeBron James, left, and Dirk Nowitzki jockey for position under the basket during Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on June 12, 2011. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
LeBron James, left, and Dirk Nowitzki jockey for position under the basket during Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on June 12, 2011. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 5: 1995 Houston Rockets

We had nonbelievers all along the way, and I have one thing to say to those nonbelievers: Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion!

As far as famous sports quote, this one isn’t particularly original. In fact, nothing about this Rockets team was very original. It followed a formula used by several champions throughout history: surround a top 15 all-time great with a top 50-ish Hall of Famer and a really good, extremely complimentary core, and reap the rewards.

The narrative wasn’t even that special, because for as great as Clyde Drexler was, no one would have been that heartbroken if he retired without a ring, a noble ignominy suffered by several of his peers at the hands of the GOAT. Other than him, everyone on this team had just gotten their chip twelve months prior.

So why do they kick off this list? Simple: with all due apologies to the ’69 Celtics, the ’95 Rockets are the greatest underdog story in NBA history.

Like Houston, that Boston squad was a defending champ, but also had a tad more pedigree, coming off nine rings in 10 years. They were also a No. 4 seed that tied for the fifth-most wins in a 14-team league, had one less round of playoffs to contend with, and avoided the top seed in their own conference thanks to a cooky format.

The Rockets were a No. 6 seed, joining the Celtics as the only teams below third in their conference to win it all, and beat the top three seeds in their own conference and the East-leading Magic in the Finals. Best of all, their road included victories over Malone, Stockton, Barkley, Robinson and Shaq, all future Hall of Famers in their primes who made the All-NBA First or Second teams that season.

A Finals sweep capped off the unlikeliest tour de force in NBA history. By the time Rudy T said his famous quote, any Houston fatigue was overridden by simple awe. They were hard not to like.

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