The 30 Biggest Fails in NBA Playoff History

Image via Complex Original

Goat: Michael Jordan, Bulls
Game: Game 1 @ Magic, 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/7/1995

We all remember Jordan's greatest moments, whether it was his acrobatic lay-up in the 1991 Finals against the Lakers, or his final shot against the Utah Jazz in 1998. However, what history has often forgotten is his less-than-spectacular series against the Orlando Magic during the 1995 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals. Many want to attribute Jordan's missteps to rust following his time off to pursue a career in baseball. However, it can't be ignored that Jordan blew Game 1 of this series for Chicago when he allowed Nick Anderson to steal the ball away from him in the closing seconds of the game and give the Magic a one-point victory.

Even His Airness could look human every now and then. Of course, he'd later make up for this by winning three titles, so it's safe to say he's gotten this monkey off of his back.

Goat: Carmelo Anthony, Knicks
Game: Game 6 @ Pacers, Eastern Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/18/2013

If you're looking for bad omens that would've predicted New York's collapse this season, perhaps you can look at this moment during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, when Carmelo Anthony was completely denied by Pacers center Roy Hibbert in a crucial Game 6. The block stands out as a low-point in Carmelo's undistinguished playoff career, and was something of a game-changer for this decisive match-up, keying the Pacers' victory over New York, and allowing them to close out the upset.

The Knicks were the two-seed in 2013, with a roster ready to win a title. Unfortunately, Indiana had other plans.

Goat: Indiana Pacers
Game: Game 7 @ Heat, Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 6/3/2013

It's Game 7, a classic do-or-die moment in sports where the six games you've played will finally culminate in a concrete result. Which means it's time to show up, right? Apparently, the Indiana Pacers missed the memo last year when they went up against LeBron and the Miami Heat during the last game of the Eastern Conference Finals, losing by a score of 99-76. The lead culprit in this fiasco?

Paul George, Indiana's star small forward who had previously been enjoying a breakout performance throughout the series. Instead of finishing out the season strong, George could only manage a measly seven points for the Pacers.

Goat: Tracy McGrady, Magic
Game: 2003 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Pistons
Date: 4/20-5/4/2003

After falling to the Miami Heat in the 2013 Finals, Tracy McGrady finally decided to hang it up, retiring after an illustrious 17-year career in the NBA. While McGrady was a seven-time All-Star, he often failed to make an impact in the playoffs, a trend which reached its apex in 2003, when T-Mac's Orlando Magic fell in seven games to the Detroit Pistons. With a 3-1 series lead, McGrady felt that he and his teammates had it in the bag, and he even went so far as to say that, "It feels good to get into the second round," after the team's Game 4 victory.

Not so fast, dude. The Magic would drop the next three games by a combined 61 points. It wasn't until McGrady joined the Spurs last season that he finally made it to the second round of the playoffs.

Goat: Portland Trail Blazers
Game: Game 7 @ Lakers, 2000 Western Conference Finals
Date: 6/4/2000

The Lakers were a legendary dynasty in the early 2000s, but it wasn't just talent that propelled them to multiple championships. In 2000, luck also played a big part, as Los Angeles went down to the wire with the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Though the Lakers had been up 3-1 in the series, they blew the next two games, and were in danger of doing so with the third before Portland tripped up. In the fourth quarter of Game 7, the Blazers had a 15-point lead, seemingly enough to assure their spot in the Finals, and put Kobe and Shaq away.

However, Portland would end up missing 13 consecutive shots in the last quarter, letting the Lakers back into the game, and eventually giving it to them altogether. In terms of team shooting performances, it doesn't get much worse than this moment.

Goat: Patrick Ewing, Knicks
Game: Game 7 vs. Pacers, 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/21/1995

In the history of heartaches that has become the New York Knicks franchise, this moment is always one of the most painful to watch. It's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Pacers and the Knicks. There are five seconds left, and New York needs a bucket. Ewing gets the ball near the top of the key, makes a move, drives into the lane, and...clanks a finger-roll off the rim. It's unbelievable to think about: a 7-footer like Ewing actually decided that he would be better off trying a lay-up than going up for the dunk. Unfortunately, that's just not how it works, big guy.

Goat: James Harden, Thunder
Game: 2012 NBA Finals vs. Heat
Date: 6/12-6/21/2012

During his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden was a sparkplug off the bench, voted as the NBA's top 6th man in 2012, and generally feared as the type of player who could wreak havoc against your second rotation. However, during the biggest moment of his career, Harden was nowhere to be found. It was the 2012 NBA Finals, with Harden and his Thunder going up against the Miami Heat. That season, Harden had averaged a career-high 16.8 PPG as the team's third scoring option, serving as the back-up plan when Kevin Durant and/or Russell Westbrook needed to be spelled.

Unfortunately, Harden couldn't maintain his strong play during the final series, as his scoring average fell to a more pedestrian 12.4 PPG, and he shot just 37.5 percent.

Goat: Bill Russell, Celtics
Game: Game 7 vs. 76ers, 1965 Eastern Division Finals
Date: 4/15/1965

If not for John Havlicek, Bill Russell would've been remembered as the goat of the playoffs in 1965. Up against Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers, Russell and his Celtics found themselves with a one-point lead in the final five seconds during Game 7 of the Eastern Division Finals. All they needed to do was inbound the ball, and run out the clock. However, in a strange twist of fate, Russell's pass would end up hitting a guide wire that was supporting the basket, giving the ball back to the Sixers with no time elapsed on the clock.

Thankfully, Havlicek was around to save the day. When Philadelphia's Hal Greer inbounded the ball, Havlicek quickly swooped in and stole it, sealing the series for the Celtics.

Goat: Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
Game: Game 5 vs. Spurs, 2005 NBA Finals
Date: 6/19/2005

Robert Horry is a clutch-shot artist, having made countless crucial buckets throughout the course of his career with seven NBA championships to show for his efforts. So you have to wonder what Rasheed Wallace was thinking in 2005, when he left Horry open in the last nine seconds of Game 5 to hit the game-winner. It was NBA Finals, and the Detroit Pistons were taking on the San Antonio Spurs. For their part, Detroit showed that the championship they had won in 2004 was no fluke, taking the Spurs to seven, hard-fought games.

However, they may have been the ones to end up with another championship had Sheed been able to get a hand in Horry's face here.

Goat: Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Game: Game 5 @ Jazz, 1997 Western Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/12/1997

We'll remember Kobe Bryant for a number of great moments throughout his career, but his rookie playoff performance in Game 5 against the Utah Jazz will not be one of them. Even in his first year in the league, Bryant wanted to be a hero. Just 18 years old, the young gun jacked up six shots at the end of regulation and in overtime, attempting to will the Lakers to a much-needed victory. Amazingly, he made just one, air-balled on others, and ended up shooting his team out of the playoffs.

Down 3 games to 1, the Lakers would lose this match-up and end the series. Clearly, the Mamba had not yet been born.

Goat: David Robinson, Spurs
Game: 1995 Western Conference Finals vs. Rockets
Date: 5/22-6/1/1995

David Robinson was an all-time great center for the San Antonio Spurs, but he was by no means the best of his generation. Up until the 1995 Western Conference Finals, The Admiral may have had a legitimate claim to that title. He was, after all, the league MVP that year, and the Spurs had earned the best record in the NBA during the regular season. However, after getting eviscerated by Hakeem Olajuwon, Robinson was quickly put in his place. Throughout the series, the sixth-seeded Rockets had their way with San Antonio, largely because Hakeem the Dream was Robinson's worst nightmare.

Their final stat lines for the six-game series say it all. Robinson: 23.8 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 SPG. Olajuwon: 35.3 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 4.1 BPG, 1.3 SPG. It was a thorough domination on Hakeem's part.

Goat: Magic Johnson, Lakers
Game: 1984 NBA Finals vs. Celtics
Date: 5/27-6/12/1984

Magic Johnson will always be remembered as one of the best point guards to ever grace the hardwood, but even he had some tough moments. Consider Exhibit A: the 1984 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics when a string of bad games from Magic contributed to Los Angeles' defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals. First, we saw him dribble out the clock at the end of Game 2 when the score was tied. The Lakers would lose in OT. After that, he ended up giving the ball away at the end of Game 4, eventually saddling L.A. with another OT loss.

Finally, in Game 7, Johnson once again turned the ball over, this time in the final minute, giving Boston the ball, and soon the series.

Goat: Gilbert Arenas, Wizards
Game: Game 6 vs. Cavs, 2006 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Date: 5/5/2006

Everyone always knew that Gilbert Arenas' ego was bigger than his game, but we received proof for this fact when Agent Zero blew two crucial free throws for the Wizards in the first round of the 2006 Eastern Conference playoffs. With the series at 3-2 in Cleveland's favor, and just 15.1 seconds left in OT, the Wizards were up 113-112, and Arenas was at the line for two free throws. If he had made them, he virtually guaranteed another overtime period at the very least. Most likely, the Wizards would've won the game.

However, Arenas bricked the first one. After the miss, LeBron came over and said to Arenas, "You miss both of these free throws, y'all goin' home." And how did Arenas respond? Visibly shook, he clanked on the second, giving Cleveland a shot to win the game in the final seconds. Obviously, the Cavs pulled it out.

Goat: John Starks, Knicks
Game: Game 7 @ Houston Rockets, 1994 NBA Finals
Date: 6/22/1994

John Starks was under constant scrutiny as the shooting guard for the New York Knicks, and it's difficult to say that all of this criticism was deserved. However, there was one moment in which the bad press Starks received was warranted, and unfortunately for him, it couldn't have come at a worse time. Game 7 of the 1994 Finals saw the New York Knicks take on the Houston Rockets in a match-up for all the marbles.

But Starks was just unable to make it happen on this day, as he went 2-18 throughout the entire game, including 0-10 in the fourth quarter. On basketball's biggest stage, Starks submitted a performance that was truly for the ages. Just not in the good way.

Goat: Scottie Pippen, Bulls
Game: Game 7 @ Pistons, 1990 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 6/3/1990

Before the Chicago Bulls were a dynasty, they were just like any other team struggling to get through the playoffs. Even with Michael Jordan, the Bulls were anything but invincible, and a tough Eastern Conference, packed with teams like the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, made it especially difficult to get to the promised land. However, the Bulls also shot themselves in the foot in 1990, when they were matched up against the Detroit Pistons and going to a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Chicago should've been ready for this match-up, as the game gave them a chance to take their spot atop the conference. Unfortunately, it was basically over before it started. Scottie Pippen came down with a migraine before the game, and was scratched from the contest, leaving the Bulls without their No. 2 star. Unsurprisingly, they lost.

Goat: Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 7 Celtics @ Lakers, 1969 NBA Finals
Date: 5/5/1969

Never ever count your chickens before they hatch—especially in sports. The Los Angeles Lakers learned this lesson the hard way in 1969 when they faced a tough Game 7 match-up against the Boston Celtics. The indomitable destiny of the Celtics was supposedly on its way out with Bill Russell, who was reaching the end of his career. Meanwhile, Los Angeles was led by a Hall of Fame trio in Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain. If not now for the Lakers, when else would they win? With the decisive game being played in Los Angeles, the Lakers and owner Jack Kent Cooke thought they had the series in the bag, even going so far as to have leaflets printed in their arena detailing what would happen when the Lakers won the championship.

However, the Celtics were having none of it. In his final NBA game, Russell snagged 21 rebounds, sealing his 11th title with Boston, and showing the Lakers that they were nothing but talk.

Goat: Seattle SuperSonics
Game: 1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. Nuggets
Date: 4/28-5/7/1994

In 1994, the Seattle SuperSonics were the best team in the NBA, having finished 63-19. With Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton leading the way, Seattle appeared poised to take over the league in Michael Jordan's absence. Unfortunately for them, they weren't even able to make it out of the first round. After winning the first two games of their five game series against the Nuggets, the Sonics looked ready to cruise to a sweep, and move on to the next round. However, they may have gotten ahead of themselves and lost focus of that final, crucial victory.

Led by Dikembe Mutumbo, the Nuggets fought back, eventually taking the series to Game 5, where they would prevail in OT. Mutumbo finished with eight blocks and 15 rebounds in the game, while Seattle failed to do enough to edge out their opponent. It was the first time a No. 8 seed had taken down a No. 1 seed in NBA history.

Goat: Scottie Pippen, Bulls
Game: Game 3 vs. Knicks, 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/13/1994

When Michael Jordan had left the Bulls after the 1993 season, it was Scottie Pippen's turn to the be the man in Chicago. Long the sidekick to Jordan, Pippen was finally the first option for his team, ready to lead them in the absence of their superstar. However, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the difference between Pippen and Jordan was revealed when Pippen refused to come into the game for the final 1.8 seconds. And what was the hold-up? Phil Jackson hadn't drawn up the final shot for Pippen, but instead Toni Kukoc.

Feeling snubbed, Pippen decided that he just wouldn't play at all. It wasn't what anyone would call the finest example of leadership. And guess what? Kukoc made the game-winner.

Goat: Spike Lee
Game: Game 5 Pacers @ Knicks, 1994 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 5/30/1994

Reggie Miller and Spike Lee had a well known beef during Miller's heyday with the Pacers, when Indiana and Lee's New York Knicks would square off in the playoffs every other year. One of the most memorable moments that came from these interactions was when Lee and Miller were jawing back and forth during Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. With the Pacers down big throughout the game, Miller steadily pulled his team back into the contest, hitting one big three after another. All the while, Miller was talking at Lee, making sure he let him know what was up after every made bucket.

However, it might have been better off if Lee had just shut his mouth, because the backtalk seemed to be fueling Reggie's fire. Though the Knicks would go on to win this series, they lost this one because of Miller's heroics, and Lee's big mouth.

Goat: Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Game: Game 7 @ Suns, 2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Date: 5/6/2006

With a 3-1 series lead against the Phoenix Suns, and Kobe Bryant leading the way, the 2006 Los Angeles Lakers appeared ready to finish out their first round upset against the second-seeded Suns. However, Phoenix also had Steve Nash on their side, as well as a high-octane offense that could keep them in any game. Eventually, the Suns fought back, tying the series at 3-3, despite a 50-point outburst from Bryant in Game 6. However, in Game 7, Kobe was inexplicably absent, as the high-scoring shooter from the previous games was nowhere to be found Perhaps he was sick of being called selfish—this was, after all, the same season in which he scored 81.

Whatever the case, Kobe went from attempting 35 shots in Game 6 to just 16 in Game 7. Something was clearly up, and it couldn't have happened at a worse time for the Lakers. They would fall to the Suns in the deciding game by a score of 121-90.

Goat: Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Game: Game 6 @ Warriors, 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Date: 5/4/2007

When the Golden State Warriors upset the Dallas Mavericks in 2007, it was shocking for a number of reasons. Firstly, Dallas was the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, having won 67 games throughout the season. Secondly, they were led by Dirk Nowitzki, who was crowned the league MVP for a stellar regular season performance in which he averaged 24.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and shot 41 percent from three-point range. Unfortunately for the Mavs, the Big German couldn't show up when the team needed him most.

In a decisive Game 6 match-up against the Dubs, Nowitzki finished the game with a 2-13 shooting performance, and Dallas fell to the upstart Warriors in a historic upset.

Goat: Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 4 vs. Celtics, 2008 NBA Finals
Date: 6/13/2008

In the 2008 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered two distinct low points throughout the series. In Game 6, the team lost by a Finals-record 39 points, losing the series in an ignominious fashion. Worse yet, it was to the hands of their biggest rivals. However, Game 4 wasn't too pretty either, as the Lakers completely choked away a 24-point lead to hand the Celtics a 3-1 series lead. Los Angeles had been up 35-14 after the first quarter, but after a 21-3 run in the third by Boston, the Lakers began to crumble under the pressure.

With 4:07 left in the fourth quarter, Boston grabbed their first lead of the game when Eddie House made a clutch 18-footer. From their, the team never looked back, winning the game by a score of 97-91.

Goat: Manu Ginobili, Spurs
Game: Game 6 vs. Heat, 2013 NBA Finals
Date: 6/18/2013

Manu Ginobili has always been a rock for the San Antonio Spurs, serving as a third-option to Tony Parker and Tim Duncan on a number of championship teams. However, Ginobili had nothing to hang his hat on during the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat when he submitted one of his worst playoff performances ever. Though Ginobili had been able to shake off criticism during Game 5 of the series after he tallied 24 points and 10 assists, he completely blew it during Game 6, as the Spurs guard turned the ball over eight times, and finished with just nine points.

San Antonio was up 3-2 in the series, but with the chance to take the title, they lost Game 6 by a score of 103-100. If Ginobili had played even just incrementally better, who knows what could've happened?

Goat: Miami Heat
Game: Game 2 vs. Mavericks, 2011 NBA Finals
Date: 6/2/2011

It ain't over until it's over, and the Miami Heat had to learn that lesson the hard way in Game 2 of the 2011 NBA Finals. Up 15 in the fourth quarter, LeBron & Co. began to get cocky, letting up on defense, showing off on offense, and eventually letting the Mavs back into the game. With just under a minute left, Dallas tied it at 90. Then, after trading threes, the teams were knotted at 93 with 11 seconds to play. It was Dallas ball, and Dirk wanted it.

Taking it from the top of the key, Nowitzki completely worked Chris Bosh, making a nice move to get to the basket for a lay-in. Final score: 95-93, Mavericks.

Goat: Isiah Thomas, Pistons
Game: Game 5 vs. Celtics, 1987 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 5/26/1987

It's hard to say who this moment belongs to more: Larry Bird for his phenomenal steal or Isiah Thomas for giving the ball away at all? In any case, with the Pistons up by one during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, Isiah Thomas let a key inbound pass come into Bird's possession, who quickly gave the ball to Dennis Johnson for a lay-in. It gave the C's a one-point lead with just one second left, giving them a crucial victory in a series they'd eventually clinch in Game 7.

Goat: LeBron James, Cavs
Game: Game 5 vs. Celtics, 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/11/2010

In what many have dubbed his most disappointing game ever, LeBron James saw his team blown out of the gym by the veteran Boston Celtics during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Though the Cavaliers had gone up 2-1 in the series, three straight losses would follow, including this embarrassment, in which they lost 120-88. During the game, James shot just 21 percent, finishing with only 15 points. In Game 6, Cleveland fell once again, and later that summer, James jumped ship from the Cavaliers.

Goat: Charles Smith, Knicks
Game: Game 5 vs. Bulls, 1993 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 6/2/1993

There were 20 seconds left, and the final moments of a crucial Game 5 match-up between the Bulls and Knicks had arrived. With the chance to take a 3-2 lead in the series, and possibly usurp Jordan's Bulls, New York needed a bucket to put Chicago away. Unfortunately for them, the Bulls were having none of it. Under the basket with multiple opportunities, Charles Smith was blocked four times by the Bulls, unable to either get a lay-up or a draw a foul.

After having gone up two games to none in the series, New York was suddenly down 3-2, completing their collapse with a Game 6 loss in Chicago.

Goat: Nick Anderson, Magic
Game: Game 1 vs. Rockets, 1995 NBA Finals
Date: 6/7/1995

Missing free throws is one of those things that fans love to complain about. They're unguarded shots, they come from the same spot, and they can be practiced a million times over. How does a player miss that? So, just imagine the reaction from Orlando Magic fans when their guy Nick Anderson missed four consecutive free throws at the end of regulation during Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets. Four! It's a legendary choke-up, and though the Magic were already up three, these missed free throws ended up being the difference.

Houston quickly marched back down the court, hit a game-tying three and ended up winning in overtime. Orlando would follow up the performance with three more losses, losing in the Finals in four.

Goat: Karl Malone, Jazz
Game: Game 1 vs. Jazz, 1997 NBA Finals
Date: 6/1/1997

Karl Malone, like many great players who had to play during the same era as Michael Jordan, will forever be remembered as one of the best who never won an NBA title. However, it's not as though the Mailman didn't have his chances. Malone's Utah Jazz managed to make the Finals twice against the Bulls, falling both times in heart-breaking losses at Jordan's hands. But it wasn't just Jordan who won the games for Chicago; in some instances the Jazz gave away victories.

Consider Game 1 of the 1997 Finals when with nine seconds remaining in the contest, Malone missed two key free throws that could've won the game for the Jazz. Instead, Utah had to let one slip away, eventually losing the series in six games.

Goat: Wilt Chamberlain, 76ers
Game: Game 7 vs. Celtics, 1968 Eastern Division Finals
Date: 4/19/1968

If Game 7 of the 1968 Eastern Division Finals isn't the most mind-boggling games in NBA history, then it's at least top 5. During the regular season, star center Wilt Chamberlain had averaged 22 shots a game for the Philadelphia 76ers, largely serving as the team leader in most statistical categories. However, for whatever reason, Wilt opted to take just four shots during this deciding game, including just one in the second half. That's right: one of the most powerful offensive forces in NBA history attempted just one shot in the final two quarters of a Game 7. Does that make sense to anyone?

Though Wilt would collect 34 rebounds during the game, his absence on offense was glaring, and the Sixers fell to the Celtics, blowing a 3-1 series lead in the process.