Hoops Habit
Fansided

What are the greatest NBA teams to fall just short?

By Rahul Raja

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 02: Tony Allen #9 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes up for a shot on Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on November 2, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 02: Tony Allen #9 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes up for a shot on Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on November 2, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Make it out of the First Round: 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks (67-15)

The 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks damaged Dirk Nowitzki’s reputation all the way until he redeemed himself in the 2011 playoffs. Coming off a finals run where they lost to a Miami Heat led by a very young Dwyane Wade and an aging Shaquille O’Neal, they looked great in the regular season. Dirk Nowitzki even won an MVP after leading them to a 67-15 record. They had an excellent all-around team too, with an All-Star Josh Howard, Jason Terry at point, and Jerry Stackhouse as the 6th Man.

In the first round, they faced a Golden State Warriors team that was filled to the brim with scrappy underdogs like Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Monta Ellis, and Baron Davis. Although they didn’t have any All-Stars on their roster, Baron Davis averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and led the league in steals that season. Plus, they had a secret-not-so-secret weapon. Their coach, Don Nelson, had been the Mavericks coach for a long time and knew Dirk’s play like the back of his hand.

They lost in a quick six-game series becoming the third first-seeded team in NBA history to be eliminated by an eighth-seeded team. This is often considered one of the greatest chokes in all sports.

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