No Guarantees
Paul Pierce, RayAllen and Kevin Garnett of the new-look Celtics each has a career scoringaverage of more than 20 points. In NBA history 16 teams have had three playersaverage more than 20 points in the same season. Fifteen of those teams reachedthe postseason, but not one won a championship. Here is how each of thosehigh-octane triumvirates fared. (The players are listed by scoring average thatseason.)
LOST IN NBA FINALS |   |   |
Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagen, Clyde Lovellette | 1959–60 | Hawks |
Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagen, Clyde Lovellette | 1960–61 | Hawks |
Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain | 1968–69 | Lakers |
LOST IN CONFERENCE FINALS |   |   |
Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Bailey Howell | 1966–67 | Celtics |
Dale Ellis, Tom Chambers, Xavier McDaniel | 1986–87 | SuperSonics |
Tom Chambers, Eddie Johnson, Kevin Johnson | 1988–89 | Suns |
ADVANCED TO SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS |   |   |
Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe, Dan Issel | 1982–83 | Nuggets |
Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway | 1990–91 | Warriors |
LOST IN FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS |   |   |
Jeff Mullins, Nate Thurmond, Rudy LaRusso | 1968–69 | Warriors |
Chet Walker, Bob Love, Clem Haskins | 1969–70 | Bulls |
Connie Hawkins, Dick Van Arsdale, Gail Goodrich | 1969–70 | Suns |
Jeff Mullins, Cazzie Russell, Nate Thurmond | 1971–72 | Warriors |
Alex English, Dan Issel, Kiki Vandeweghe | 1981–82 | Nuggets |
Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Andrew Toney | 1983–84 | 76ers |
Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel, Tom Chambers | 1987–88 | SuperSonics |
FAILED TO REACH PLAYOFFS |   |   |
David Thompson, Alex English, Dan Issel | 1980–81 | Nuggets |
PHOTO
NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Hardaway, Richmond and Mullin