Jordan's Bulls were sensational in the first round. They wiped the floor with everyone. I think the swept every first round series they played en route to their 6 titles.
That is abnormal though.
How many times did Tim Duncan sweep the first round?
He didn't in 1998. Or in 1999. In 2000 he was injured. Did not sweep in 2001. Or in 2002 (pushed to the limit by a mediocre Sonics team). Nor in 2003 when Marbury's Suns took them to 6. First sweep in 2004. No sweep in 2005. Artest and Bonzi gave them a rough ride in 2006, no sweep. No sweep in 2007. Spurs have just won their 4th Championship at this point and have only 1 first round series sweep to show for it. None in their title years.
Don't in 2008. Lose in 2009. Tough 6 gamer in 2010. 6 gamer again in 2011 which they lose. Sweep in 2012. Yay, a 2nd sweep. The 2nd in what 13-14 years. Another one in 2013 against the Kobe-less Lakers. A 7 game knockdown series against Dirk & Monta Ellis in 2014 when they beat MIA's Big Three in the Finals for their 5th title. A 7 game slugout which they lose to CP3's Clippers in 2015. A sweep in 2016. 4th sweep in Duncan's first round career.
So Tim Duncan one of the greatest winners of all-time playing on a team in San Antonio that had one of the greatest runs of all-time for 16 years including 5 title runs, they only had 4 first round sweeps in all that time. None in their title winning years.
Jordan's dominance in the first round with Chicago was extraordinary but it was abnormal. It doesn't mean much whether your team dominates the first round or not.
Topic: Celtics (1-1) at Heat (1-1) Round 1 Game #3 4/27/24 (Read 10160 times)