NBA Finals: What are the champions of lower classification?

ByDavid Mitchell
NBA Finals: What are the champions of lower classification?

Since 1984, only seven teams that were not serial heads No. 1 or No. 2 won the NBA finals. What are they?

The NBA He began to classify his teams for his postseason format of 16 teams and four rounds in 1984. Since then the Houston Rockets, sown No. 6 in the 1995 playoffs, are the least classification team to win the NBA finals and the championship.

Only seven teams not sown first or second since 1984 have won the title in the NBA finals. In the NBA 2025the Indiana Pacerssown No. 4 at the Eastern Conference, they face No. 1 of the West Oklahoma City Thunder And they seek to join this list as the second team with the lowest classification to win the championship.

With the help of AM850 Resarch, consult the List of the lowest sown teams to win the finals since the NBA began to classify the 16 teams in 1984.

More: all about the finals of the NBA 2025 Pacers vs Thunder

NBA: lower classification teams that the finals won

• He won the first round of the West Conference (3-2) against Utah Jazz
• He won the semifinals of the West Conference (4-3) against Phoenix Suns
• He won the final of the West Conference (4-2) against San Antonio Spurs
• Win the NBA finals (4-0) against Orlando Magic

The Rockets They surprised everyone when they repeated as NBA champions in 1995, a journey from the number 6 to the throne. Hakeem Olajuwon (33 ppj in the playoffs), memorably, won duels to Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal To clear doubts about who was the best player during the first retirement of Michael Jordan. As the coach Rudy Tomjanovich said: “Never Underestimate The Heart of A Champion “(never underestimate the heart of a champion).

• He won the first round of the West Conference (3-0) against Portland Trail Blazers
• He won the semifinals of the West Conference (4-1) against San Antonio Spurs
• won the final conference finals (4-3) against Sacramento Kings
• won the NBA finals (4-0) against the New Jersey Nets

Although they arrived at the playoffs as twice defenders, the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant Lakers They did not seem to have enough to achieve tricampeonato. However, with its stars dominating the action (Shaq 28.5 PPJ, Kobe 26.6 PPJ in the playoffs), the Lakers they advanced strongly in the playoffs phase and They ended up sweeping the New Jersey Nets in the finals to win their third consecutive championshipall with O’Neal as MVP of the finals.

• He won the first round of the East Conference (4-1) against Milwaukee Bucks
• He won the semifinals of the East Conference (4-3) against New Jersey Nets
• He won the East Conference finals (4-2) against Indiana Pacers
• won the NBA finals (4-1) against Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers added to Karl Malone and Gary Payton Prior to the season with a view to winning his fourth championship in five years. They came from favorites to the finals, but They were surprised by the collective game of some solid Pistons and their core of Chancey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace. It was the first title of the Pistons since 1990.

• He won the first round of the West Conference (4-1) against Denver Nuggets
• He won the semifinals of the West Conference (4-2) against Phoenix Suns
• Win the finals of the West Conference (4-1) against Utah Jazz
• won the NBA finals (4-0) against Cleveland Cavaliers

The Spurs conquered their third championship in five seasons with a dominant sweep of LeBron James and the Cavaliers After opening the postseason as third parties of the West. San Antonio He had a dominant defense and a rising offensive when he less than more in a transition campaign, with the base Tony Parker winning the MVP of the finals instead of the stellar wing Tim Duncan.

• He won the first round of the West Conference (4-2) against Portland Trail Blazers
• He won the semifinals of the West Conference (4-0) against Los Angeles Lakers
• He won the final of the West Conference (4-1) against Oklahoma City Thunder
• Win the NBA finals (4-2) against Miami Heat

LeBron James He agreed to his second and first with the Heat as a broad favorite, but Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and the Puerto Rican José Juan Barea had other ideas. The Mavs surprised via the two -time Defensores Lakers champions In the second round, and later The Big 3 party of the Heat in six games of the finalscrowning a memorable journey in the postseason with its first championship.

• He won the first round of the East Conference (4-0) against Miami Heat
• He won the semifinals of the East Conference (4-3) against Brooklyn Nets
• He won the East Conference finals (4-2) against Atlanta Hawks
• won the NBA finals (4-2) against Phoenix Suns

After closing the previous two seasons such as No. 1 of the East, and being eliminated before the finals in both cases, the Bucks finally returned to the NBA throne as a third planted, winning their first championship since 1970-71. Milwaukee lost the first two games of the finals against the Suns, but recovered to win the next four, with Giannis Antetokoumpo of hero. Had one of the most memorable blockages of the finals in game 4 and One of the best performances in history in game 6 decisive: 50 points, 14 rebounds and five caps.

• He won the first round of the West Conference (4-1) against Denver Nuggets
• He won the semifinals of the West Conference (4-2) against Memphis Grizzlies
• He won the Western Conference Finals (4-1) against Dallas Mavericks
• Win the NBA finals (4-2) against Boston Celtics

The dynasty of Steph Curry and the Warriors It seemed that he had come to an end for 2022 after missing the playoffs in the previous two seasons. However, Golden State It improved 39 to 53 victories to end third parties in the west, and by the best shooter of all time, He embarked on a journey through the playoffs that culminated with his fourth title in eight seasons. Curry won his first MVP of the finals in what could be the culminating moment of his career.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.