Pick your top 3 or so, it doesn't have to be in any particular order, I can really only add modern day series', because I don't know much about others. I know I'll miss some 80's eastern conference series' but I'm sure you guys can fill those in.Suns vs. Rockets 1995- The defending champion 6th seeded Rockets overcome a 3-1 lead to win this series, and eventually the championship, all capped by Mario Elli's infamous "Kiss of Death"Raptors vs. 76ers 2001- Vince vs. Iverson. This series goes the full 7 games, filled with unforgettable performances, such as Iverson's 53 point explosion in Game 2, followed by Carters' 50 point outburst in Game 3. The series goes the full 7, and comes down to a final shot, which Vince just can't hit. The Raptors lose by 2.Spurs vs. Lakers 2004- Yeah, this is biased, but it was still one hell of a series. The Spurs jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and it looked like the aged Lakers (most namely Gary Payton) were two steps behind the young Spurs. But the team buckled down on D, add in back to back 40 point games from Kobe and the series was tied. Game 5 was a classic, the Lakers jumped out to a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter, but the Spurs slowly chipped away. In the closing minute, the Spurs finally regained the lead. The Lakers had the ball with 20 seconds left, down by 1. Kobe hits over Bowen (which was the real game winner since TD's and Fish's answered prayers were nothing more than luck) to put the Lakers up. The Spurs imbound the ball, LA takes their foul to give. With 5 seconds left, uncharacteristically, Tim Duncan takes a falling sideways, heavily guarded, 20 footer, amazingly it goes in. Lakers fans everywhere hear their heart skip a beat, but wait, there's still 4 tenths of a second left. With everyone in a Spurs' uniform looking for Mr. Bryant, Derek Fisher is somehow able to get the ball, throw it up. Ball goes in, game over, Lakers win Game 6 coming home and the series.
Okay, I'm going to be a little biased and go with the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Sacramento Kings in 2003. That series was just great. It went to a game 7. Lots and lots of scoring and no defense. There were plenty of heroes in the series, Nick Van Exel in paticular for the Dallas Mavs. One of the clutchest players in the league at the time. 5 of the 7 games, NVE scored over 20 points including a 40 point game. All of that was coming off the bench. Just incredible. In the series, you had some of the greatest players of the last 10 years, and some of the greatest bench players.Just look at the rosters for the teamsMavericks-C-Shawn BradleyC-Raef LaFrentzF-Dirk NowitzkiF-Walt WilliamsF-Eddie NajeraF-Adrian GriffinG-Raja BellG-Steve NashG-Michael FinelyG-Nick Van ExelKingsC-Vlade DivacC-Keon ClarkF-Scot PollardF-Peja StojakovicF-Chris WebberF-Jim JacksonG-Mike BibbyG-Doug ChristieG-Hedo TurkogluG-Bobby JacksonThere was 1 double overtime game. I remember lot of the games went right to the end. Just 2 teams that were really great at the time. This was back when neither team played defense at all. It was up and down basketball the whole time. I remember being on the edge of my seat the whole time. I remeber Nash and Bibby dueling the whole time. Both Bobby Jackson and NVE coming off the bench trying to outplay eachother. Dirk and Webber went at eachother during the series until Webber got the injury. Back starting linups were stacked. Mavs-Nash, Finley, Dirk, LaFrentz, Najera or Griffin. Kings-Webber, Bibby, Divac, Peja, Christie. Just in my opinion the greatest 2nd round series ever. Its really something that neither team made it to the finals since the Mavs were beat in 6 against the Spurs. I'd add more, but i think ya'll get the point. Here is a link to look at the box scores and recaps if you want. RIGHT HERE
My favorite second round series of all-time has to be the Sixers vs. Raptors in 2001. That was one of the greatest head-to-head match-ups over an entire series that I have ever seen. Iverson dropping 50 one night, Vince responding with 50 the next night... back and forth. Classic.And Vince missed the shot, and the Raps lost the game by 1 point... I love Tyrone Hill for that defense!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ May 12 2006, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My favorite second round series of all-time has to be the Sixers vs. Raptors in 2001. That was one of the greatest head-to-head match-ups over an entire series that I have ever seen. Iverson dropping 50 one night, Vince responding with 50 the next night... back and forth. Classic.And Vince missed the shot, and the Raps lost the game by 1 point... I love Tyrone Hill for that defense!</div>Same, I loved Vince when he was on the Raps, and I was rooting for them to win. It's too bad they didnt, but it was a crazy series.
I also liked that VC much, much more than I like the current VC. That was the climax to his career with the Raptors. After he attended his graduation on the morning of that Game 7, and then missed the series-winning shot, his troubles in Toronto began.
This years Spurs/Mavs is making a run up my list...if it goes 7 it won't even be close for me...Mainly because of all the chesslike head games going on. Avery makes a move, then Pop...TD scores crazy, Dirk doesn't...but changes his style of play...crazy.
