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10 Recent NBA Dynasties That Never Were

By Jamal Williams

Basketball: Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal (C) happy and pointing with Anfernee Penny Hardaway (R) on bench during game vs Denver Nuggets at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 12/14/1994 CREDIT: Ben Van Hook (Photo by Ben Van Hook /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X47547 )
Basketball: Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal (C) happy and pointing with Anfernee Penny Hardaway (R) on bench during game vs Denver Nuggets at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 12/14/1994 CREDIT: Ben Van Hook (Photo by Ben Van Hook /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X47547 ) /
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Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Aerial view of Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) and Dave Corzine (40) in action vs Cleveland Cavaliers Chris Dudley (22) at Richfield Coliseum. Game 4. Richfield, OH 5/5/1988 CREDIT: John Biever (Photo by John Biever /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X36532 TK3 R4 F15 )
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Aerial view of Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (23) and Dave Corzine (40) in action vs Cleveland Cavaliers Chris Dudley (22) at Richfield Coliseum. Game 4. Richfield, OH 5/5/1988 CREDIT: John Biever (Photo by John Biever /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X36532 TK3 R4 F15 ) /

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (1988-89)

It was almost the end of the decade and the Cleveland Cavaliers were on the brink of experiencing one of their best regular seasons ever. It was a roster of unique and complementary players that could probably rival this years team.

Brad Daugherty was the man in the middle. Mark Price controlled the point like the floor general he was. And Larry Nance combined with John “Hot Rod ” Williams made this team a formidable bunch to try to match up with. Posting a 57-25 record was good enough to get them a third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately, their first test in the starting rounds of the playoffs would be their last. Unbeknownst to them, they would soon meet up a sixth seeded Chicago Bulls team and a player the world would never soon forget. Michael Jordan set the world by storm and was out to prove he was one of the best players in the world. His Bulls and the Cavaliers battled for five grueling games and it all came down to one final game in The Coliseum.

Back and forth these teams went, neither giving each other an inch to breathe and seemingly working for every shot they took. It all came down to one final play forever known as “The Shot.” Jordan caught the ball baseline and shot over Craig Ehlo, almost as if he were posing in the air. It would be that final pose that would win his team the game and knock the Cavaliers out of the playoffs.

The Bulls would go on to lose to the Detroit Pistons, but would eventually own most of the 1990s and win six NBA championships. As for the Cavs, they posted a 42-40 record the next season and only manage to make Eastern Conference Finals appearances. It’s unfortunate a nucleus like theirs couldn’t win at least one championship, let alone make it to one NBA Finals in the 1990s.

Next: The First Super Team