NBA playoffs teams gear up for each season with championship aspirations. With some teams developing over the course of time by drafting players and seeing them emerge as superstars, others engaged in active trades and offseason moves to boost roster strength.
These approaches to creating stronger teams led to the creation of superteams, often spearheaded by the presence of more than three superstars in the starting lineup.
While the concept of a team with maximum star power should effectively produce titles for the franchise right off the bat should be true, such is not the case. With concerns appearing in the form of ego issues and complacency, super teams have a history of coming up short in their attempts at title runs.
Bearing a stacked team’s potential for failure in mind, we take a look at five NBA teams with high-profile players that failed to win a championship.
#1 The 1968-69 LA Lakers
Prior to the start of the 1968-69 season, the LA Lakers were coming off another disappointing NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. With the Lakers star pair of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor struggling to produce against the behemoth that was the Celtics franchise, Lakers ownership decided to make some moves.
The acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain by the LA Lakers was an unprecedented move. With one of the most dominant big men to ever play the game joining the team, success should have been assured.
Securing a 55-27 record in the regular-season, the Lakers looked like favorites to win it all. Facing the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals just seemed like an opportunity to overcome their failing record against them.
Unfortunately, their trail of misery would continue. As the series went into a Game Seven, Wilt Chamberlain would leave the game with an injury, and even with Jerry West’s heroics throughout the series, the Lakers would fall short.
West was named Finals MVP, the only time a player on the losing side has been given the accolade. Elgin Baylor retired shortly after in the 1971-72 season without winning a ring.NBA History@NBAHistoryDespite the 1969 #NBAFinals loss, the @Lakers’ Jerry West averaged 37.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG & 7.4 APG to earn NBA Finals MVP honors. #NBAVault
#2 The 1992-93 Phoenix Suns
The 1992-93 season was the last time the Phoenix Suns had reached the NBA Finals before their most recent championship run in the 2020-21 season. The Suns team at the time consisted of names such as Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle and their most recently acquired superstar, Charles Barkley.
Barkley’s acquisition from the Philadelphia 76ers was an iconic move for the Suns and it paid off immediately. Phoenix ended the regular-season with a league-best record of 62-20 with Barkley being named NBA MVP.
The Phoenix Suns had a tough journey to the NBA Finals. Early struggles against the Lakers in the first round and a six-game win against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals had them expending a lot of momentum.
A grueling seven-game series against the Seattle Supersonics would see them head into the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the two-time defending champion Chicago Bulls.ESPN Stats & Info@ESPNStatsInfoOn this date in 1993, the Phoenix Suns downed the Chicago Bulls 129-121 in triple-overtime in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, only the 2nd triple-OT game in Finals history.
Charles Barkley had 24 pts and 19 rebs in the win for the Suns, while Michael Jordan had 44 pts for the Bulls.
Charles Barkley put up some amazing numbers in the finals, a 40 point double-double in Game 2 and a 30 point triple-double in a Game Four loss. However, the Bulls would emerge as champions, recording their third consecutive NBA title.
#3 The 2010-11 Miami Heat
The 2010-11 season for the Miami Heat ushered in the start of their “Big Three” era. With the acquisition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join their superstar, Dwyane Wade, the Heat had effectively created the next superteam of the modern era.
With all three players at the height of their powers, the Heat were primed to make a championship run. LeBron and Wade emerged as a menacing duo. With Bosh supporting them on the rebounding end and offering valuable scoring, the Heat were title favorites.
Miami started the season slowly but soon found their rhythm, ending the regular season with a 58-24 record heading into the playoffs. A smooth Eastern Conference run saw the Heat face the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Dallas, in 2010-11 led by Dirk Nowitzki, had one of the greatest NBA playoff runs of all time. The icing on that run was beating the Miami Heat superteam in six games after being down 2-1 in the NBA Finals.ESPN Stats & Info@ESPNStatsInfoOn this date in 2011, the @dallasmavs came back from 15 points down in the 4th quarter to beat the Heat, 95-93 in Game 2 of the @NBA Finals.
The Mavericks would win the series, 4-2 and claim their 1st world championship.
#4 The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors were one of the greatest regular-season teams in NBA history. Coming off a championship, the Warriors looked to repeat titles and were in the process of doing so in stunning fashion.
With a regular-season record of 73-9, the best in NBA history, the Warriors looked unbeatable with their trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Curry was named the NBA’s first unanimous MVP while also winning the scoring title and making an NBA record- 402 three-pointers in a single season.
Golden State looked invincible coming into the playoffs. The Warriors tore through the first two rounds, winning each series in five games. In the Western Conference Finals, they faced some difficulty against the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, they would overcome the Thunder in seven games.
The Warriors faced LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. After taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Finals, the Warriors were on track to win their second consecutive NBA title.
In one of the greatest upsets in modern sports history, the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals in Game Seven. While there have been 13 instances of NBA teams overcoming these odds, this was the only one that has been in the NBA Finals.ESPN Stats & Info@ESPNStatsInfoFriday is the 4th anniversary of the Cavaliers completing their comeback from 3-1 down in the 2016 NBA Finals with a 93-89 win over the Warriors in Game 7 in Oakland.
LeBron James had 27 pts & 11 rebs and Kyrie Irving had 26 pts as the Cavs claimed their 1st-ever NBA title.
#5 The 2012-13 LA Lakers
The 2012-13 was supposed to be a storied season for the LA Lakers. With the acquisition of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, the Lakers starting five consisted of All-Stars Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace.
With one of the most decorated lineups in NBA history, the Lakers were favorites to win the NBA championship in 2013. However, the team looked poised to underperform from the start.
After firing head coach Mike Brown and replacing him with Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers went on to have a 15-21 record, their worst start since the 1993-94 season.
A host of injuries suffered by their star players saw the Lakers suffer in establishing any chemistry. With Kobe Bryant suffering a season-ending achilles tear in the 80th game, the Lakers ended the season with a 45-37 record, squeaking into the playoffs.DEEP3@DomFlournoyNBAThe Lakers in 2012-13 started the season 18-25 and was hampered by injuries. They finished that season 26-12 with Kobe averaging 25.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists on 46% FG and 27% from 3.
Kobe for that stretch had the most insane clutch numbers EVER for that stretch
With their primary superstar out of the rotation, the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Dwight Howard was traded the following season itself.
Chemistry issues and injuries took their toll on this Lakers team, but in the overall scheme of things, for all its potential, the 2012-13 LA Lakers were an utter letdown. And for more news click here.
