The Cleveland Cavaliers are only the sixth team in NBA history to begin a season 13-0. Let’s check on how those seasons ended for their peers.
The first sip
One year before the Basketball Association of America (BAA) became the NBA, legendary coach Red Auerbach led the 1948-49 Washington Capitols to a 15-0 start. They cooled off significantly after this — going just 23-22 the rest of the way. Still, the Capitols reached the BAA Finals, losing to the Minneapolis Lakers in six games. Jack Nichols led Washington in scoring with 14.2 points per game in the finals while opponent George Mikan led all scorers at nearly 30 a game.
The 1957-58 Boston Celtics mark Auerbach’s second entry to this list. With Hall of Famers scattered across the roster (Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, Arnie Risen, Bill Sharman, and Frank Ramsey) the Celtics began the season 14-0. Again, this team fell short of winning the championship — losing in six to the St. Louis Hawks.
Finally, a team that won the title. The 1993-94 Houston Rockets opened their season 15-0, eventually improving to 22-1 before finishing the year with the best record in the NBA. Hakeem Olajuwon won the regular season MVP and Finals MVP.
The 2002-03 Dallas Mavericks are the first time on our list to win 60 games after beginning the year 14-0. Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash were a dominant duo that fell just short of reaching the NBA Finals together. Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs stopped them in six games in the Western Conference Finals.
I’d assume we all know the story of the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. Still, it’s wild to reflect on their 24-0 start to the season. A generational run that ended in a Cleveland Cavalier championship. Hopefully, that happens again.
While only one of our listed teams won the title — it should be noted that four of five reached the NBA Finals. Teams that begin the year this hot tend to be legit contenders. Regardless of how some may still doubt the Cavaliers, history is (mostly) on their side.
Касаткина о выступлении за сборную Австралии: «Это вопрос, который Tennis Australia должна решать с ITF – это уже совсем другой разговор, и я не буду в нем участвовать»
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