If any of you are anything like me, every now and then you look at a team that’s gets a chip and ask yourself “How???!!!!!????”. So I’ve created a list of the ten “worst” teams to win a championship. Now don’t get me wrong these teams aren’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, they just get the puzzled look when they won the title. I feel like they were really good, just weren’t powerhouses. This is why a few teams won’t show up on this list (i.e. Showtime Lakers, 90’s Bulls, Celtics. You get the idea.) This is a collection of the “worst of the best” so to speak. Alright enough talking, let’s get to it.
10: 2004 Detroit Pistons
Starting Lineup:
PG: Chauncey Billups
SG: Richard Hamilton
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Rasheed Wallace
C: Ben Wallace
Head Coach: Larry Brown
This team made the list for two reasons: who they beat in the Finals and how they beat them. No one expected the Lakers to lose and even less expected the 4-1 trouncing they received. The Pistons were a good team but didn’t have a superstar. Definitely unlikely champions.
9: 1994 Houston Rockets
Starting Lineup:
PG: Kenny Smith
SG: Vernon Maxwell
SF: Robert Horry
PF: Otis Thorpe
C: Hakeem Olajuwon
Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
The Rockets secured their spot on the list mainly because of timing. There seemed to be a feeling (at least I had this feeling) that the title was vacated because of MJ’s unexpected retirement. The Bulls didn’t really lose it. It’s even compounded by the Bulls dominance after Jordan’s return. Nevertheless, Dream and Co. jumped at their chance to claim a piece of the title pie. I chose this Rockets team as opposed to the 94-95 team because they upgraded considerably at SG with the addition of Clyde Drexler.
8: 2008 Boston Celtics
Starting Lineup:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
I’m sure many won’t agree but I don’t really consider these Celtics a great team. Sure they had the “Big 3” but those guys were 30, 31 and 32 yrs old. They were outstanding defensively but were pretty average on the other end. I can’t possibly be in the minority in thinking that they were unlikely champions. Also, I’d bet any amount of money no one saw that 39 pt a** kicking that took place in Game 6.
7: 2015 Golden State Warriors
Starting Lineup:
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Harrison Barnes
PF: Draymond Green
C: Andrew Bogut
Head Coach: Steve Kerr
Another team that probably surprised you when they hoisted the Larry O’ Brien trophy at the end of the season. They lived at the 3 pt line, they were doubted every step of the way (the Dubs are probably the least respected champ ever) and their “best” player weighs 170 lbs soaking wet. Somehow they got it done and continue to get it done. People are still talking about what might have happened if the Cavs (and every other team they faced for that matter) were healthy. Also, the fact that they faced a fully weaponized Cavs team the following season and lost only adds fuel to the “what if” fire from the previous championship matchup.
6: 2007 San Antonio Spurs
Starting Lineup:
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Manu Ginobli
SF: Bruce Bowen
PF: Fabricio Oberto
C: Tim Duncan
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
I know it may seem weird to see a Spurs team here (if it is then you’re not gonna like the next team on the list) but I don’t think this is one of their better teams in recent memory. They were not a bad team by any means. Great defensively, middle of the road offensively. Won a 4-0 snoozer in the Finals against a young LeBron James and the Cavs.
5: 2014 San Antonio Spurs
Starting Lineup:
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Tim Duncan
C: Tiago Splitter
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
They’re back. This was supposed to be OKC’s year. KD won MVP and they were healthy heading into the postseason. The Spurs didn’t care. Duncan, Manu and TP had slowed down by this point but Kawhi and Danny Green had continued to get better. Sent OKC packing in 6 games and completely embarrassed the Heat in the Finals. Kawhi was probably the most unlikely Finals MVP ever, well until Iguodala the following year (Thanks LeBron lol).
4: 1978 Washington Bullets
Starting Lineup:
PG: Tom Henderson
SG: Phil Chenier
SF: Bob Dandridge
PF: Elvin Hayes
C: Wes Unseld
Head Coach: Dick Motta
The Bullets were afterthoughts in the East. The 76ers had just come off a Finals appearance and the Spurs (before anyone says anything yes, the Spurs were in the Eastern Conference back then) were dominant as well. The Bullets were not lacking in talent at all but as the other teams on the list, they weren’t the logical choice to pop bottles in the locker room in June.
3: 1979 Seattle Supersonics
Starting Lineup:
PG: Gus Williams
SG: Dennis Johnson
SF: John Johnson
PF: Lonnie Shelton
C: Jack Sikma
Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens
This lame team but the lame team they lost to in the Finals the previous year.
2: 2006 Miami Heat
Starting Lineup:
PG: Jason Williams
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: Antoine Walker
PF: Udonis Haslem
C: Shaquille O’ Neal
Head Coach: Pat Riley
I have a soft spot for this squad because they got two of my favorite players of all time a ring (White Chocolate & GP) but nevertheless they were still an unlikely champion. It took a heroic effort from D Wade and a monumental collapse from the Mavericks to pull this one off. I guess Dirk took it personal because………………
1: 2011 Dallas Mavericks
Starting Lineup:
PG: Jason Kidd
SG: Deshawn Stevenson
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tyson Chandler
Head Coach: Rick Carlisle
The crown jewel of “How did they win?” teams. No one thought they would come out of their Finals matchup with a win. This was definitely supposed to be the beginning of the Heat dynasty with their newly formed Big 3. The Mavs came back from a 2-1 deficit thanks to Dirk’s magnificent performance and some charitable work from a certain person (LeBron so generous). Dirk took advantage of what most likely would be his last chance at a championship.
And that’s a wrap. Is this list accurate? Any teams here need to be replaced? Let me know what you think.