The 30 Biggest Fails in NBA Playoff History

Whenever you tune into an NBA Playoff game, you can expect to see some truly amazing moments. A guy hits a clutch three to tie or win the game, or an incredible scoring output in one quarter to lead his team back from the impossible. And, at the same time, you can also see some of the biggest choke performances ever.

Whether it's a star player that just loses his shine or an entire team just unraveling before your very eyes, there needs to be that player(s) that struggle when the lights are the brightest to balance everything out in professional sports. In honor of those goats who would prefer to remain nameless, we highlight them in the 30 Biggest Fails in NBA Playoff History.

RELATED: The Worst NBA Playoff Performances by Great Players

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

Real talk? It's probably even odds at this point that Kobe Bryant goes down as one of the greatest of all time. Another dose of real talk? The Lakers weren't gonna win this series (they were down 3-1 going into this game). Kobe, first-year teenagers aren't supposed to jack up two airballs in the playoffs, much less four. Which leads us to our last bit of real talk (what is this, 2005?): Hey Rook: Stop shooting the effin' ball!

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

For whatever reason, Wilt Chamberlain decided to not shoot the ball in Game 7 of the '68 Eastern Divisional Finals vs. his old foe Bill Russell. Averaging around 22 shots per game, Chamberlain took only four shots (one in the second half). Although he pulled down 34 boards, the 76ers holding on for dear life they could've used Wilt's dominance in the paint. Thanks to his passiveness, Boston became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit.

Goat: Scottie Pippen, Bulls
Game: Game 7 @ Pistons, 1990 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 6/3/1990
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Most of us remember Scottie Pippen as the greatest second-banana that ever lived. Michael Jordan, being the "competitive" guy he is, probably remembers him as the reason he doesn't have seven championship rings. We kid. However, MJ used to consider his sidekick a bit "soft." So did the Detroit Pistons (for the record, he wasn't). While the focus of their defense was "The Jordan Rules", they also made sure to intimidate his teammates lest they got any ideas about contributing. Especially Scottie.

For the second year in a row, the Bulls challenged the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, reaching a Game 7 in Detroit. And for the second year in a row, MJ and his supporting cast didn't have enough to get the Bulls past the Bad Boys, with Pippen coming down with a migraine before the crucial deciding game. It probably wasn't a coincidence that he got an ouchy before the biggest game of his life (up to that point).

Goat: Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
Game: Game 5 vs. Spurs, 2005 NBA Finals
Date: 6/19/2005
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Rasheed Wallace played hard during his 16-year career. Despite his outbursts, he was also a smart player. So, Rasheed should've known the most dangerous man on an inbounds play is the passer and he definitely should've known not to leave "Big Shot Rob" Horry open with a championship on the line. Tell 'em Hubie!

Goat: Gilbert Arenas, Wizards
Game: Game 6 vs. Cavs, 2006 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Date: 5/5/2006
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Washington was in the playoffs for just the second time since becoming the Wizards and LeBron James was in his first playoff series ever. After exchanging victories in the first four games, Cleveland took Game 5 and things came down to this: At the line with a chance to put the Wiz up by three, Gil missed the first free throw. Then LeBron walks up and reminds Gil that missing the second would all but guarantee a loss. Now with Arenas being the crazy dude he is, maybe he dared Bron to make good on that threat. Or maybe the pressure got to him and he just missed. Either way, he lost.

Goat: Miami Heat
Game: 2011 NBA Finals vs. Mavericks
Date: 6/2/2011
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How's that saying go, it isn't over until it's over? The Miami Heat were cruising towards an easy victory and a 2-0 Finals lead over the Mavericks when Dwyane Wade started showboating and LeBron James joined in with some taunting of his own. Could you blame them? How could Miami have known that Dallas was about to stage an incredible 15-point comeback and steal the game away from them? Pretty much no one. Like, we're sure even Dallas fans tuned out after that three by Wade. But again, it's never over until it's over.

Goat: David Robinson, Spurs
Game: 1995 Western Conference Finals vs. Rockets
Date: 5/22-6/1/1995
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It was the most dominating performance against a top-seeded MVP we'd ever seen. The Spurs, boasting the league's best record, were knocked off by the sixth seeded Rockets in the kind of beating that parents threaten their wayward kids with. Robinson's numbers for the series: 23.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals. Hakeem's? 35.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.1 blocks, 1.3 steals. If you happen to be near The Admiral while he's reading this, give him a hug.

Goat: Atlanta Hawks
Game: 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Magic
Date: 5/4-5/10/2010
Watch It Here

The Hawks won 53 games in 2010, and after beating the Bucks in seven, Atlanta seemed primed for a matchup with Orlando. Until it started, that is. Swept, showered with boos, and losing by more than 25 points per game (including a 43-point loss in Game 1), Joe Johnson had a solution for embarrassed Hawks fans. The franchise player said of the paying customers: "We could care less if they show up." How did management respond? By giving Joe $120 million, of course. Well, at least he's BK's problem now.

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

A 3-1 series lead is generally insurmountable. A 3-1 series lead with Kobe Bryant, who scored 81 points that year, was more than enough to get the Lakers to the second round. It didn't happen. After scoring 50 in a Game 6 loss, Bryant attempted to play the facilitator in Game 7. But when his teammates were in trouble, Kobe stuck to the script. Really? For someone who's never been afraid to shoot, he certainly picked a curious time to stop.

Goat: Bill Russell, Celtics
Game: Game 7 vs. 76ers, 1965 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 4/15/1965
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Everyone with two ears and a passing interest in basketball remembers Johnny Most's legendary call of "Havlicek steals the ball!", but the preceding play is hardly ever mentioned. With the Celtics protecting a one point lead over rival Wilt Chamberlain and the 76ers, all Boston needed to do was inbound the ball and advance to another championship. But Russell's inbound pass bounced off the guide wire, giving Philly one more shot at the W. Of course, Hondo would save the day and Russell's mistake was largely forgotten. Until now.

Goat: Tracy McGrady, Magic
Game: 2003 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Pistons
Date: 4/20-5/4/2003
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In 2003, Tracy McGrady was the man. He led the league in scoring, dunked on everyone in sight, and was regarded by many as the league's best player. Of course, those unwilling to give T-Mac his due cited his poor playoff record. He hadn't advanced to the second round once in six years in the league (he finally did this season as a member of the Spurs).

So, when he carried a lowly Magic squad to the playoffs and took a commanding 3-1 lead on the top-seeded Pistons, McGrady was relieved to finally have that monkey off his back. "It feels good to get in the second round," he said. Not so fast, Tracy. Orlando failed to close out the series and dropped the next three games, losing by 31 in Game 5 and 15 in Games 6 and 7.

Goat: Bennett Salvatore (NBA referee)
Game: Game 5 Mavericks @ Heat, 2006 NBA Finals
Date: 6/18/2006

Dwyane Wade is unquestionably one of the most exciting players in league history. It's not so exciting to watch him shoot free throws, though. Wade went to the line 25 times in Game 5. So did the Mavericks. All of them. But like Dad always said, "Don't hate the player, hate the ref." Dad also said you're better than that, Mark.

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

Courtside seats for an NBA game might be the best vantage point in sports. They really are close enough to feel like part of the action. But no one had actually become such a part of the action before Spike. In a nutshell, Spike Lee's mouth wrote some checks the Knicks couldn't cash, and Reggie Miller sent both their asses to collections. New York would go on to win the series in seven, but unfortunately, Spike didn't receive any votes for Sixth Man of the Year.

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

Prior to the start of the 2012 NBA Finals, fans were looking forward to the Miami Big 3 vs. the Oklahoma City Big 3. But at the conclusion of the series, it was more like three on two, thanks to James Harden. While he did have one good game, racking up 21 points in Game 2 on 7-11 shooting, Harden was back to his struggling ways, going a combined 4-20 in Games 3 and 4, mustering just 17 points.

When it was all said and done, Harden shot a woeful 18-48 from the field (7-22 from three-point range). Maybe Harden should've seriously considered chopping off the beard as a way to reverse his bad shooting luck. Yeah, we know. Blasphemy!

Goat: Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Game: Game 6 @ Warriors, 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Date: 5/4/2007
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Feeling that they were cheated out of a title in '06, the Dallas Mavericks went through the 2007 season like a team possessed. Winning a league best 67 games, the Warriors—who hadn't even been to the playoffs since 1994—should've been an afterthought. Instead, they became the first eighth seed ever to win a seven-game first round series. Dirk Nowitzki, who went 2-13 in the decisive Game 6, was awarded the MVP a week later. Whoops.

Goat: LeBron James
Game: 2011 NBA Finals vs. Mavericks
Date: 5/31-6/12/11
Watch It Here: Watch It Here

What separates the good players from the great ones? Their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Early in his run with the Heat, a then-ringless LeBron James was expected to lead his team to the mountaintop. But for whatever reason he played complacent for most of the series. The Mavericks capitalized on James' disappearing act and eventually won the title.

After that loss, which many pinned on LeBron simply because he is LeBron, LBJ went into hiding, worked harder in the offseason, coming back the very next postseason with a renewed focus. In the end, he got the monkey off of his back and finally captured his first NBA title in 2012.

Goat: Jack Kent Cooke (Lakers owner)
Game: Game 7 Celtics @ Lakers, 1969 NBA Finals
Date: 5/5/1969

The Celtics were supposed to be done. On their last legs, up against the Lakers' trio of Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor, who had home court advantage for the first time. There was supposed to be a party! No, really. There was a program in every seat of the Forum before Game 7. "When, not if, the Lakers win the title, balloons will be released from the rafters, the USC marching band will play 'Happy Days Are Here Again' and broadcaster Chick Hearn will interview Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain in that order."

Bill Russell told Jerry West what was on the Celtics program. "Those fucking balloons are staying up there." As usual, Russell got his way.

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

Final seconds, game and series on the line with your star seven-footer driving the open lane. Gotta be feeling pretty confident, right? Sorry. Dunk the damn ball, Pat!

Goat: Magic Johnson, Lakers
Game: 1984 NBA Finals vs. Celtics
Date: 5/27-6/12/1984
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By 1984, Magic Johnson wasn't new to this anymore. He was already a Finals MVP and playing in his third consecutive Finals. His first matchup with Larry Bird should've brought out the best, but instead of another trophy, he just got a new nickname. Why? He inexplicably dribbled out the clock when Game 2 was tied and the Lakers lost in overtime. He committed a costly turnover that sent Game 4 to overtime and missed two free throws that would've tied the score. Somehow, the Lakers still made it to Game 7...where Johnson lost the ball with just under a minute remaining and sealed a title for the Celtics.

Goat: Omer Asik, Bulls
Game: Game 6 vs. 76ers, 2012 First Round
Date: 5/10/2012
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With the Bulls up by one with seven seconds left, Omer Asik needed to just hit at least one free-throw to give Chicago a comfortable two-point lead and possibly extend the series to a Game 7. However, Asik didn't just miss one free throw, he missed both attempts and to make matters worse, he fouled a streaking Igoudala, who managed to make both shots from the stripe to give the Sixers the lead and the series win.

But don't feel bad for Asik, fast forward to this past offseason where he snagged a nice three-year, $25.1 million contract with the Rockets. You see, failing has it's rewards.

Goat: Isiah Thomas, Pistons
Game: Game 5 and 7 vs. Celtics, 1987 Eastern Conference Finals
Date: 5/26 & 5/30/1997
Watch It Here

The young Pistons battled in their first Eastern Conference Finals with the Celtics. But Isiah Thomas showed he still had a bit of growing to do. After literally throwing away the victory in Game 5 (to be fair, he'd just hit a tough shot to put them up by 1), and eventually losing in seven games to the Celtics, Thomas said: "If Larry Bird were black, he'd be just another good guy." If Larry Bird were black, he still would've seen that pass coming from a mile away, Zeke.

Goat: Michael Jordan, Bulls
Game: Game 1 @ Magic, 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/7/1995
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"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career, I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over in my life. And that's why I succeed!" You forgot getting ripped by Nick Anderson! But considering this little mishap probably inspired three more championships, the man may have a point. So it was a good thing then, right?

Goat: Karl Malone, Jazz
Game: Game 1 vs. Jazz, 1997 NBA Finals
Date: 6/1/1997
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The 1997 MVP ballot (986-957) was the closest race in the award's history, but it was obvious why Karl Malone won. The voters got tired of giving it to Michael Jordan. The two would meet in that year's Finals and Malone all but demanded a recount. At the line, nine seconds remaining, with a chance to give Utah the lead and steal home court advantage, he missed two free-throws. Then Michael did that thing he does and so began a pattern of Sketchers Finals performances for 'ol Karl. Whoops. Sketchy.

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

Yeah, yeah, they're called free-throws for a reason. But as we've learned by now, standing up there all alone can be harder than facing the toughest defense. Still, up three points and only needing to make one of four freebies to ice the game should be a bit easier, right? Right, Nick? Shit. Would Orlando have still lost the series had he made them? Probably. Was it an all-time choke job? You bet.

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

This was their year. Tortured by the Bulls for what seemed like ages, New York was finally the preseason favorite to escape the East. Winning the first two games of the Conference Finals inched them that much closer to destiny. Back at the Garden with a shot at a commanding 3-2 lead, all Charles Smith had to do was either make the layup or draw a foul. You know what happened...

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

The Lakers were up 3-1 over an upstart Blazers team before it all fell apart. Forced into a Game 7, they stumbled through the first three quarters and found themselves facing another summer of questions about Kobe and Shaq. But he who chokes last, chokes best. Missing 13 consecutive shots, the Blazers 15-point lead evaporated and L.A.'s duo etched themselves into the history books with the greatest fourth quarter comeback of all time. The Lakers would go on to three-peat. Portland would become the "Jail Blazers."

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

Scottie Pippen's first season without Big Brother went better than most folks expected. The Bulls finished with just two fewer wins than the previous year, and Pip finished third in the MVP voting. But down 0-2 to the hated Knicks, with 1.8 seconds remaining, Scottie sat in the huddle and did something no one expected: He didn't get up, because Phil Jackson didn't draw up the final shot for him. Guess he didn't think Toni Kukoc would make the shot, huh? Hater.

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

The 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers were another supposed team of destiny. For the second straight year, they owned the league's best record, had the league's MVP, and set their sights on their first championship in franchise history. But in a pivotal Game 5 against their Celtic nemeses, LeBron James...well, who the hell knows? No one can say for sure that he quit, but jetting for South Beach two months later didn't do much to change anyone's mind.

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

John Starks' story is one of persistence. He played for several community colleges before making it to Oklahoma State. He was undrafted and journeyed the CBA before becoming the Knicks second leading scorer. He never gave up. Sadly, that meant he didn't know when to stop either, shooting 2-18 in Game 7, including 0-10 in the fourth quarter.

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

Two decades after the last classic Boston vs. L.A. Finals matchups, we were blessed with another chapter in the storied Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Except this chapter was kind of short and shitty. Boston held home court through the first two games, but the Lakers suffered an epic collapse in Game 4. With a chance to tie the series, LA took a 35-14 first quarter lead, the largest in Finals history. The lead grew to 24 in the second half.

And then...the wheels fell off the bandwagon. Fueled by a 21-3 third quarter run, Boston took their first lead late in the fourth and the Lakers were stunned. What was a sure 2-2 tie, became a 3-1 series deficit. Adding insult to injury, the Celtics won the series clinching Game 6 by a Finals-record 39 points.