NBA Finals Sweeps

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 15, 2007

NBA Finals Sweeps

1958-59 Boston Celtics (4-0 over Minneapolis)

Here's a look at the eight NBA champions who used the broom on their opponents, beginning with the Boston Celtics. In becoming the first team in league history to sweep the Finals, the Celtics backed up the words of coach Red Auerbach, who months earlier called them "the greatest team ever assembled." His starting lineup comprised Bill Sharman, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, Bill Russell and Frank Ramsey, with Sam Jones, Jim Loscutoff, Gene Conley, K.C. Jones and Bennie Swain coming off the bench.

1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (4-0 over Baltimore)

In his first season with the Bucks and Lew Alcindor, Oscar Robertson finally captured an NBA title. The Bucks, who had the best record in the league, dropped just two of 14 playoff games.

1974-75 Golden State Warriors (4-0 over Washington)

Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld were supposed to dominate the series, but were upstaged by Rick Barry and the Warriors' full team effort. Said Golden State coach Al Attles: "There aren't any old ladies going to churches making novenas for us to win. This team is good. That's why we're winning."

1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers (4-0 over LA Lakers)

Moses Malone was only slightly off when he predicted his 76ers would sweep every series in the 1983 playoffs. Julius Erving, Malone and the 76ers were 12-1 in the playoffs.

1988-89 Detroit Pistons (4-0 over LA Lakers)

Series MVP Joe Dumars and fellow guard Isiah Thomas successfully broke down the Lakers' defense. The task got even easier for the "Bay Boys" when Magic Johnson went down with an injured thigh.

1994-95 Houston Rockets (4-0 over Orlando)

Shaquille O'Neal, then 23, had led the league in scoring and was already being compared to Wilt Chamberlain, but he and his teammates couldn't stop the Rockets, who became the first team to defend a title with a sweep. O'Neal later said after the sweep that he cried for only the fourth time in his life.

2001-02 L.A. Lakers (4-0 over New Jersey)

Shaquille O'Neal's record 145 points in a four-game series resulted in the third straight championship for L.A. and the third straight Finals MVP for Shaq.

2006-07 San Antonio Spurs (4-0 over Cleveland)

Tony Parker and the Spurs needed only 20 playoff games (16-4 record) to claim the franchise's fourth title in nine years. Parker, who averaged nearly 25 points and shot 57 percent in the Finals, would edge teammate Tim Duncan for MVP honors.