List of champions in last 15 years Code: 1998 Utah Jazz 2–4 Chicago Bulls [b]1999 San Antonio Spurs 4–1 New York Knicks [*][/b] 2000 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Indiana Pacers 2001 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 Philadelphia 76ers 2002 Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 New Jersey Nets 2003 San Antonio Spurs 4–2 New Jersey Nets 2004 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Detroit Pistons 2005 San Antonio Spurs 4–3 Detroit Pistons 2006 Dallas Mavericks 2–4 Miami Heat 2007 San Antonio Spurs 4–0 Cleveland Cavaliers 2008 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics 2009 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 Orlando Magic 2010 Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 Boston Celtics 2011 Dallas Mavericks 4–2 Miami Heat [b]2012 Oklahoma City Thunder 1–4 Miami Heat [*][/b] * Abbreviated seasons Source: Basketball Almanac http://www.amazon.com/FreeDarko-Presents-Macrophenomenal-Basketball-Almanac/dp/1596915617 Make whatever excuses you want, but his hymen still hasn't been penetrated. The cherry is fully luscious and untouched. When you get inside a pro player's psyche, you know there are seasons where you play out of contractual obligations, and seasons where to really put your heart and talents on the line. We all know this season was just about going through the motions; it is what it is. This isn't about the reigning MVP Rose getting injured before the Heat could play him. Injuries happen - that's a part of the game. But creating an illegitimate environment that isn't in accord with the natural balance of a full season is like making love to a girl who isn't fully developed. It's wrong. Here's to hoping he can pop it some time in his career, and when he does, people don't write it off because he had to personally collude with 2 other franchise players.
Hells to the no. I was the one who has hated LeBron to hell and back since The Decision, but the only thing this playoffs has proven to me is that LeBron knows how to shut up and let his game show what's up. I have respect for him and the Heat team really earned it, specially with the Thunders showing their inexperience (Westbrook's foul at the end of Game 4). This year's playoffs is one of the more memorable ones for me, the lockout did not have as much an effect as people are claiming it to be and anybody who would like to put an asterik next to this trophy is stupid.
Excellent thread -but you must also add... Derrick Rose injured and Dwight Howard injured which allowed the Heat to even make the finals.
You conveniently fail to remember the Spurs tanking to get the #1 pick...having Robinson sit out for an "injury".
BURN Stop embarrasing yourself. I thought you would have known better after that pathetic thread you made about Kobe. OMG...what is a girl gonna do now that Kobe is out of the playoffs? Like I said, go back to playing with your Kobe and err...Tom Cruise dolls. LMAO.
Look, I was rooting for anyone other than the Heat to win but they won fair and square. They are champions and no one is able to take that away from them. Good for them.
Haha everyone is mad because Lebron won MVP, Finals MVP, the championship, and had multiple finals triple doubles. You would think with the short season and grueling schedule the Thunder would have an even bigger advantage over the Heat with their younger fresher legs but no, Lebron and the Miami Heat DOMINATED them and claimed what was theirs. The only asterisk should go next to your posts to let us know we're reading the comments of someone who knows goose egg about this sport. Now it's obvious Lebron made a GREAT decision by leaving Cleveland. He is unquestionably the greatest player on the planet and if you truly disagree you know nothing about basketball period. Lebron has now solidified his place in the top 10 players of all time and he's not going to stop there
I'm implying that Rockets fans have had to defend their titles. Everyone on this board knows our titles were legit, yet we still defend it. Reading comprehension is important btw.
The only bad thing about this championship is that Wade got another one. Now time to fulfill the other 6+ championships he promised. a *shortened season shouldn't decrease the value of a championship.
This isn't even an argument. Tanking is a part of the game and you're not guaranteed anything by having the worst record. Regardless, there is an asterisk next to Duncan's first championship because it was in a shortened season; so he went about making his legend after that. Likewise, it's a fact that LeBron is the best all around player in the game. But the question with him is... can he win it all when the stakes are high, as a player of his natural talent and size is expected to? And he still hasn't shown that he can, despite running away to Miami. 2011-12 was a trial run - players are still brushing off the cobwebs. Players were still warming up and doing their stretches and all of a sudden the playoffs are here and DRose is injured. If you're the kind of guy who high fives your friend for hooking up with a 14 year old, you're not going to get this. But it doesn't really count unless she's 18. If you understood the nuances of performing at the highest level, you'd feel me on this one. Next season. 82 games. The journey for salvation begins.