Top 5 NBA Finals Series of All Time

Since the beginning of the NBA, there have been several nail biting Finals games. When it gets to the final series of the season, and down to the two best teams in the entire league, you can almost be ensured that the games will be amazing. This makes for some great basketball, but trying to narrow these series to the best five in history is a difficult chore. There have been so many upsets and buzzer beating, game winning shots that the list is way to long to include in this article. The upset of a dynasty and transition to a new one also adds some spice to these games. A true testimony to a great series is multiple overtime games and a series that can last all 7 games. Here is my take on the top 5 series in the history of the NBA Finals (listed in chronological order, not necessarily greatness).

1955 Syracuse Nationals vs. Fort Wayne Pistons

The 1955 Finals series between the Nationals and the Pistons was one of the most hard fought and impressive games in the history of the game. This game was made even more interesting by the addition of the shot clock. This was the first Finals series with this addition, and it made things a little more dicey. This series was won by the home team at every step. It seemed like the home team advantage would be the deciding factor in the series. The series came down to game 7 with the game tied at 91 in the final seconds. That is when George King was fouled. With his 61% free throw stats, he was able to sink the second one. When the ball was put back in play by the Pistons, the Nat's Seymore kept nudging Andy Phillip and opened the opportunity for the King to steal the ball and waste the last few seconds so that the Nationals could win the first shot clock era Series.

1957 Boston Celtics vs. St. Louis Hawks

Just two years later, the Celtics launched their claim to the NBA Finals and started their first reign of the league. This series was no gift though. The Hawks put up one of the best fights in any post season game in the history of basketball. This entire series came down to the final minute of game 7. This was one of the most tense moments of all as the Hawks led 101-100 after the Celtics sank three free throws. As the Hawks Coleman put it up to seal the deal, Russell from the Celtics was able to block the shot and race down court to give the Celtics the lead. The Hawks couldn't score in their next possession and the frustrated Hawks fouled Cousy. Luckily, Cousy only sank one of the shots. The Hawks now trailed by two with seconds left. The Celtics fouled Pettit and he was able to tie it up from the line with his two shots. This started the first of two overtimes in this game. In the second overtime, the Celtics Jim Loscutoff sank two foul shots to put Boston up 125-123. With the seconds winding down, the Hawks player coach, Alex Hannum made his series debut. He attempted a bounce pass off the backboard to Pettit for an easy tip in. The tip rolled off the rim and the Celtics rolled to a victory.

1962 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

The 1962 series between the Lakers and Celtics was not only one for the history books, but the record books as well. With names like Baylor, Selvy, and Russell battling each other, this game was sure to be one of the best in history. This was also the second time that the Lakers and Celtics faced each other in this situation to start a rivalry that still lasts today. Almost this entire series was a highlight reel with many of the records for a Finals game being set here. Some of those records still stand to this day. With several lead changes and upsets throughout the series, this game did not rely on game 7 to get interesting, but these two teams decided to battle to the end. It all came down to the Lakers choking in overtime, as the Celtics were able to build a five point lead and maintain it through the extra minutes. There were some controversial fouls and a little shoving involved, but that is the nature of the sport. Game 7 was a nail biter until the Lakers buckled in overtime to loose, but the rivalry was born and still burns like a fire deep in the souls of these two teams to this very day.

1976 Phoenix Suns vs. Boston Celtics

While this series didn't technically make it to the seventh game, a triple overtime game six did get it close enough to be considered one of the best series ever. The fact that such an underdog team like Phoenix could even dream of contending with the Celtics in the Finals is a true testimonial for all underdogs, everywhere. I think that it was the heart and zeal of the Suns team that truly makes this game stand out in my mind. The final game was truly amazing. To see a team fight their way to the dance is one thing, but to see them take a game to the third overtime in a battle to upset the Finals is a joy to watch any day. The Suns were a relatively new team that no one would have expected to see get a playoff berth, let alone an invite to the Finals. They looked to prove everyone right in the first two games as they struggled to get started. After an exciting game three where the Suns were able to win a game, people began to take notice. It was during this game that the fouls started to fly and there was even a fist fight. This game was purely brutal. This led to the Ref's expected display in Game 4 that yielded over 20 foul calls in the first ten minutes. Tensions were high and tempers were beginning to flare as these teams started to battle for the title. Game six of this series has been touted by many to be the most exciting basketball game in history. This triple overtime battle royale is one game that everyone should see. The game started with Boston walking all over the Suns, but after a late game push, Phoenix was back in it. The last four seconds of the second overtime were some of the most intense moments the sport will ever see. With lead changes, premature victories called, technical fouls to gain court position, and so many miracles, this was the most exciting quarter that many of us will ever see. Game six was intense in the beginning, but the Suns seemed to sputter out as the Celtics marched on to their thirteenth championship. The Suns did not go down without a fight though, and made this a great series to watch.

1984 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

This was the first Bird-Magic showdown series, and was one of the top five NBA Finals. After being able to avoid each other for four years, other than the two games per season they had to face off, the inevitable happened; Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would compete for the NBA crown. The first of three Finals series to be played by these two legends, this series was, by far, the best of the three. The Celtics were a rebuilt team that had to prove they were still capable of winning a title, and the Lakers had to show the world that they were not about to lay down and get walked on again. Bird did not take the previous season's loss to Milwaukee very lightly either. He had to prove that he could win the title so he spent all off season preparing. He was able to hoist the team on his back and easily trot into the Finals. This was a truly epic battle of two teams trying to prove their ability in the last game of the season. There was so much non stop action and suspense to this game that one would think Stephen King were directing it. By Game three, the Celtics looked to be a flat team that was ready to go home. When the Los Angeles papers started printing the MVP winners and the results to the series before they happened, the Celtics got angry. This was the turning point to the series and the Celtics came back with a vengeance. There were all sorts of hard feelings and deep emotions being let out in this series. It got so bad that the Lakers needed police escorts to get to the Boston arena. The Celtics finally locked this one away, but it was a painful and bloody fight to the death for both of these teams.

As you can see, there are a lot of very intense moments in the sport of basketball. These five series are just the tip of some of the amazing battles that have been fought to win the NBA title. This coveted position can only be given to one team each year, so every season brings a new contestant to the "best of the best" competition. It makes you wonder what this season will bring.