NBA Finals History: Memorable Sweeps

Dominant Performances

The NBA Finals have witnessed some of the most dominant performances in basketball history. One such feat occurred in the 2002 NBA Finals when the iconic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 4-0 sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Legendary Lakers Sweep

This sweep marked the Lakers' third NBA championship under Bryant and O'Neal's leadership. Both players showcased their incredible talent, with Bryant averaging 26.8 points per game and O'Neal dominating the paint with 36.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.

Historical Sweeps

The Lakers' sweep in 2002 was not the only time a team has dominated the NBA Finals. Throughout the league's history, there have been numerous memorable sweeps, including:

• 1959: Boston Celtics defeat Minneapolis Lakers
• 1970: New York Knicks defeat Los Angeles Lakers
• 1989: Detroit Pistons defeat Los Angeles Lakers
• 1995: Houston Rockets defeat Orlando Magic
• 2007: San Antonio Spurs defeat Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2017: Golden State Warriors defeat Cleveland Cavaliers