The 10 Worst NBA Finals of the Modern Era

By Andrew Fisher

Counting Down the Worst NBA Finals In Recent History

2013 NBA Finals - Practice Day And Media Availability
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The NBA Finals are great. In theory, fans get the best two teams from each conference. However, the action on the court doesn't always pan out. While some fan bases may have fond memories of some of these Finals series because their team won a lopsided battle, most fans would like to forget them.

Here are the 10 worst NBA Finals of the modern era (1979-present):

10. Bulls vs. Lakers - 1991

1991 NBA Finals - Game 5: Chicago Bulls v Los Angeles Lakers
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10. Bulls vs. Lakers - 1991

1991 NBA Finals - Game 5: Chicago Bulls v Los Angeles Lakers

Bulls fans will always remember this series as MJ's first championship run. However, the series itself was a big time dud. The Bulls downed the much older Lakers 4-1.

9. Thunder vs. Heat - 2012

Oklahoma City Thunder v Miami Heat – Game Five
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9. Thunder vs. Heat - 2012

Oklahoma City Thunder v Miami Heat – Game Five

Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James sounds real nice on paper. But this series didn't play out the way many thought it would. Miami was clearly the better team and won easily in five games.

8. Lakers vs. Magic - 2009

NBA Finals Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers v Orlando Magic
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8. Lakers vs. Magic - 2009

NBA Finals Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers v Orlando Magic

This was Kobe's first ring without Shaq, but overall it was a forgettable Finals. The D12/Stan Van-Magic had no chance against Phil Jackson's bunch.

7. Rockets vs. Magic - 1995

1995 NBA Finals Game 4: Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets
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7. Rockets vs. Magic - 1995

1995 NBA Finals Game 4: Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets

Looking back it's hard to believe this series was so awful. The Rockets swept the up-and-coming Magic to win their second straight NBA championship.

6. 76ers vs. Lakers - 1983

1983 NBA Finals Game 4: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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6. 76ers vs. Lakers - 1983

1983 NBA Finals Game 4: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

This early 80s series was special because Dr. J finally got an NBA ring, but because the Lakers failed to win a game, it makes the top 10 worst Finals list.

5. Pistons vs. Trail Blazers - 1990

Detroit Pistons vs. Portland Trail Blazers
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5. Pistons vs. Trail Blazers - 1990

Detroit Pistons vs. Portland Trail Blazers

The Bad Boys of Detroit were not about to be denied their second title in 1990 against Clyde Drexler and company. The Pistons won easily in five games.

4. Lakers vs. Pistons - 1989

Detroit Pistons v Los Angeles Lakers

4. Lakers vs. Pistons - 1989

Detroit Pistons v Los Angeles Lakers

The Pistons make the countdown again at No. 4 on account of the Lakers getting their butts whipped in 1989. This was the year Detroit finally got over the hump after making it to the conference finals in each of the previous two seasons.

3. Lakers vs. Nets - 2002

Jason Kidd dribbles
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3. Lakers vs. Nets - 2002

Jason Kidd dribbles

The Nets had some pretty solid teams in the early 2000s, but nowhere close to the teams the Lakers were putting on the floor. Kobe and Shaq swept the Nets in easy fashion.

2. Spurs vs. Knicks - 1999

1999 NBA Finals Game 5: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
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2. Spurs vs. Knicks - 1999

1999 NBA Finals Game 5: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks

1999 was just a bad year for the NBA. It was a lockout/shortened season and the first season without Michael Jordan. The Spurs finally made it to the mountain top, but not after a snoozer of a series against the Knicks (who were without Patrick Ewing due to injury).

1. Spurs vs. Cavaliers - 2007

NBA Finals Game 4: San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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1. Spurs vs. Cavaliers - 2007

NBA Finals Game 4: San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers

When it comes to the worst Finals series of the modern era, look no further than 2007. A young LeBron James made his first Finals appearance, only to be denied by Tim Duncan and company in four games. To this day the '07 Finals remain the lowest rated in history (6.2).

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