Discovering the Best NBA Playoff Record in Basketball History
2025-11-21 14:00
You know, when I first started diving deep into NBA history, I was absolutely fascinated by playoff records. I mean, we all love a good underdog story or a dominant dynasty, but figuring out how to actually discover the best NBA playoff record in basketball history? That’s a whole different ball game. Let me walk you through how I approach it, step by step, with some personal insights and a few pitfalls I’ve learned to avoid along the way.
First off, you’ve got to start with the basics: understanding what makes a playoff record stand out. It’s not just about win-loss ratios; it’s about context, like the era, team dynamics, and sheer endurance. I remember spending hours sifting through old stats, and let me tell you, it’s easy to get lost in numbers. One method I swear by is breaking it down by decades. For instance, the 1990s Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, are legendary for their six championships, but did you know their best playoff run in ’96 had a 15-3 record? That’s a whopping 83.3% win rate! But here’s the thing—comparing across eras can be tricky. Back in the ’60s, the Boston Celtics had an insane run, but the playoff format was different, so you’ve got to adjust for that. I always recommend using reliable databases like Basketball-Reference; they’ve saved me from countless errors. Oh, and a little tip: don’t just focus on teams; individual players’ contributions can reveal hidden gems. Like, I once stumbled upon how role players in the 2010s, say, from teams with solid contracts, impacted those records. Speaking of contracts, it reminds me of how team stability plays a role—think about those with existing deals, like Calvin Abueva or Joshua Munzon; they bring consistency that can push a team deeper into the playoffs. On the flip side, when key players are expirees, like Jio Jalalon or Jerrick Balanza, it can shake things up. I’ve seen teams crumble in the playoffs because of contract uncertainties, so always factor in roster changes when analyzing records.
Now, onto the nitty-gritty: gathering and comparing data. I can’t stress this enough—accuracy is key, but let’s be real, sometimes you have to work with estimates. For example, I once calculated the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers’ best playoff record as 15-2 in ’87, which is about 88.2%, but later found out it might’ve been slightly off. No biggie; the point is to get a clear picture. Start by listing all NBA champions and their playoff wins, then narrow it down by win percentage. I use a simple spreadsheet for this, color-coding teams by era to spot trends. One method that’s worked wonders for me is comparing regular season performance to playoff surges—teams that peak at the right moment often have the best records. Take the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers; they weren’t dominant all year, but LeBron James led them to a 16-5 playoff record, which is solid. But here’s a caution: don’t ignore teams that didn’t win it all. The 2020 Miami Heat, for instance, had a gritty run but fell short; their record still deserves a shout-out. Personally, I lean toward dynasties because they show sustained excellence, but underdogs? They’re my guilty pleasure. I mean, who doesn’t love a Cinderella story? When you’re deep in research, it’s easy to overlook details, so I always double-check sources. And hey, if you’re like me, you might get sidetracked by fun facts—like how role players from teams with stable contracts, say Cade Flores or Evan Nelle, can quietly boost those records. Conversely, when expirees like Sidney Onwubere or Avan Nava are in flux, it adds drama to the analysis. Just last week, I was crunching numbers and realized how a single injury or contract renewal could swing a playoff series. So, my advice? Keep a notebook handy for those “aha” moments.
Finally, wrapping it all up and drawing conclusions. After all that digging, I’ve found that the best NBA playoff record isn’t just a number—it’s a story of resilience and teamwork. For me, the 2017 Golden State Warriors stand out with a near-perfect 16-1 run, a 94.1% win rate that’s hard to beat. But hey, that’s just my take; you might have your own favorite. Remember, the journey of discovering the best NBA playoff record in basketball history is as much about the process as the result. So, grab your stats, learn from my mishaps, and dive in. Who knows? You might uncover something that changes how we see the game forever.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
