For the first time since Michael Jordan retired in 1998, Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade, or Kobe Bryant won’t play in the NBA Finals.
In the first 12 seasons after Jordan’s retirement, the trio won six NBA Finals MVPs. Wade’s Heat and Duncan’s Spurs faced off the past two seasons.
A last second shot by fellow Wake Forest alum Chris Paul eliminated Duncan Saturday. Kobe and his Lakers aged, broke up, and didn’t come close to making the playoffs. Wade, like Bryant, scored over 20 points per game this year. Wade, like Kobe, missed a huge chunk of the season. Wade’s Heat, like Kobe’s Lakers, missed the playoffs.
Stephen Curry will be announced Monday as MVP this year. It marks a true changing of the guard. LeBron James will have to battle for more MVPs and titles against Curry, the Rockets’ James Hardin and the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis as these new stars seem on the verge of an era of their own.
| Year | Duncan | Series won, elim by | Bryant | Series won, elim by | Wade | Series won, elim by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 17.9 | 0 – Clippers 4–3 | DNP | Missed Playoffs | NA | 0 – Missed Playoffs |
| 2013–14 | 16.3 | 4 – BEAT HEAT | DNP | Missed Playoffs | 17.8 | 3 – Spurs 4–1 |
| 2012–13 | 18.1 | 3 – Heat 4–3 | DNP | 0 – Spurs 4-0 | 15.9 | 4 – BEAT SPURS |
| 2011–12 | 17.4 | 2 – Thunder 4–2 | 30.0 | 1 – Thunder 4-1 | 22.8 | 4 – BEAT THUNDER |
| 2010–11 | 12.7 | 0 – Grizzlies 4–2 | 22.8 | 1 – Mavs 4-0 | 24.5 | 3 – Mavericks 4–2 |
| 2009–10 | 19.0 | 1 – Suns 4–0 | 29.2 | 4 – BEAT CELTICS | 33.2 | 0 – Celtics 4–1 |
| 2008–09 | 19.8 | 0 – Mavericks 4–1 | 30.2 | 4 – BEAT MAGIC | 29.1 | 0 – Hawks 4–3 |
| 2007–08 | 20.2 | 2 – Lakers 4–1 | 30.1 | 3 – Celtics 4-2 | NA | 0 – Missed Playoffs |
| 2006–07 | 22.2 | 4 – BEAT CAVS | 32.8 | 0 – Suns 4-1 | 23.5 | 0 – Bulls 4–0 |
| 2005–06 | 25.8 | 1 – Mavericks 4–3 | 27.9 | 0 – Suns 4-3 | 28.4 | 4 – BEAT MAVS |
| 2004–05 | 23.6 | 4 – BEAT PISTONS | DNP | 0 – Missed playoffs | 27.4 | 2 – Pistons 4–3 |
| 2003–04 | 22.1 | 1 – Lakers 4–2 | 24.5 | 3 – Pistons 4-1 | 18.0 | 1 – Pacers 4–2 |
| 2002–03 | 24.7 | 4 – BEAT NETS | 32.1 | 1 – Spurs 4-2 | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |
| 2001–02 | 27.6 | 1 – Lakers 4–1 | 26.6 | 4 – BEAT NETS | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |
| 2000–01 | 24.4 | 2 – Lakers 4–0 | 29.4 | 4 – BEAT 76ers | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |
| 1999–2000 | DNP | 0 – Suns 3–1 | 21.1 | 4 – BEAT PACERS | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |
| 1998–99 | 23.2 | 4 – BEAT KNICKS | 19.8 | 1 – Spurs 4-0 | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |
| 1997–98 | 20.7 | 1 – Jazz 4–1 | 8.7 | 2 – Jazz 4-0 | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |
| 1996-97 | NA | 0 – Not in NBA | 8.2 | 1 – Jazz 4–1 | NA | 0 – Not in NBA |