Why Are Some Playoff Runs Forgotten?
Constantly, fans are talking about what they think are the greatest playoff runs of all time. Many names dominate this conversation: Michael Jordan, his perfect finals record, LeBron James, his historic comeback, etc. For every playoff run that is remembered as one of the greatest, there’s a playoff run that gets forgotten and fades into the background.
Playoff performances are frequently overlooked because they did not result in a championship ring or a defining Finals highlight that lives on in promotional reels. In an era when sports discussions often revolve around clear outcomes and measurable stakes, as fans track statistics, compare performances, or even explore entertainment options such as play 88 fortunes, nuance can sometimes be lost.
What Makes a Playoff Run Underrated?
Firstly, we have to define what an underrated playoff run really is. In this context, it isn’t just about losing a game in the finals or failing to obtain a ring. Instead of this, it’s about players and teams exceeding expectations from before the playoffs arrived, players that carried heavily flawed rosters deep into the postseason, or maybe even producing great performances against historically significant competition.
No matter what, due to timing or the marketability of a team or a championship team overshadowing their run, these runs are forgotten.
1993-1994 Houston Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon’s 1994 playoff run is mainly remembered due to his winning a championship. Nevertheless, we need to understand that he had very little room for error, as they entered the postseason without a second superstar, and Olajuwon had to face the titans Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, and Karl Malone. This gauntlet of superstars induced immense pressure on Hakeem Olajuwon, forcing him to perform at his absolute best.
Throughout the postseason, Olajuwon wasn’t only the best player on the floor, but he ran his team’s whole system. He led all players in points, rebounds, blocks, and minutes, anchoring his team not only on defence but on offence as well. The 90’s was an era dominated by powerful and strong, hall-of-fame, big-men tested Hakeem when it mattered the most, and he powered through; therefore, many view this as one of the best two-way performances in the history of the NBA.
2001 Philadelphia 76ers
In Allen Iverson’s 2001 playoff run, many remember it for one iconic moment where Allen Iverson steps over Tyronn Lue in the NBA Finals. However, reducing that postseason to a singular highlight undervalues the burden that Allen Iverson had to carry. The 76ers built themselves on defence and grit; this left Iverson responsible for nearly all of the offence.
Allen Iverseon led the postseason in scoring, despite being constantly double and triple-teamed. His offensive efforts dragged the 76ers through playoff rounds against the Raptors and the Bucks, just before delivering a legendary Game 1 performance in the NBA Finals against the Lakers. Despite not winning the title, Iverson handed LA their only playoff loss in that run and delivered a performance that many believe is one of the greatest performances ever by an underdog star.
2006 Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki’s 2011 championship ring is one of the main discussions surrounding Dirk’s legacy. However, this causes many to overlook his 2006 and playoff run, despite it setting out the framework for everything that followed it. That very postseason was when Nowitzki transformed from an elite scorer into an unstoppable postseason force. As a result, this led the Dallas Mavericks all the way to the NBA Finals, where they faced Miami, unfortunately being handed a loss.
Over this playoff run, Dirk averaged over 25 points and consistently delivered during clutch situations where he was needed the most. Although the ending is disappointing, we shouldn’t let this take away from the fact that Dirk’s Mavericks had an incredible playoff run, especially since he defeated two of the strongest Western Conference teams of that era.
2020 Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler’s 2020 playoff run exists in a unique place in NBA history. This playoff run was played inside of the NBA bubble, where there were no fans in person to watch the game live. Many treat this post-season as an asterisk, not considering anything achieved within it a triumph. Nevertheless, what Jimmy Butler achieved was far above any expectations and was legendary by anybody’s standards.
Butler elevated his play on both sides of the court, carrying his underdog team through challenging games against teams that were bursting with star power. Butler’s leadership, physical abilities, and refusal to lose transformed Miami into a competitive team in the postseason, carrying them all the way to the finals against the Lakers. Although he has no championship to show for it, this will go down in history as one of the most legendary playoff runs of all time.
Why Do These Runs Matter More Than You Think?
These forgotten playoff runs can remind us that greatness isn’t only defined by championships, as there’s always some context that can explain the outcome of the situation; we also have to acknowledge that some playoff runs are just more difficult than others. These runs can represent the NBA at its highest levels, where it’s the most demanding. Revisiting these legendary runs will help preserve an honest history of the league, which values resilience and beating expectations just as much as it values a ring.
Giving Credit Where It’s Due
Despite what some of the NBA playoffs’ more famous moments may suggest, the NBA’s playoff history is richer than it may seem to be. Rightfully, championships carry an immense weight on a team or player’s legacy, yet sometimes these can overshadow the most difficult and compelling battles fought by players who didn’t have the luxury of a great roster or easier circumstances.
Fans remembering these playoff runs can deepen our understanding and appreciation of the game and the players who carried their team and themselves to a high standard when odds were stacked against them. The chances are, there are still many unforgettable runs, which aren’t on this list; yet they’ll still be overlooked by the NBA community.