Sweet Sixteen (I): Warriors & Bulls escape madness in 7 games

After all the season, this is when things get really serious. Teams were now heading to a traditional playoff competition. Only 16 remained from the original 248, so that being considered, it wasn't rare to think that every series would be tough and long. And so they were.

Looking at the first side of the bracket, that was simply true: 3 out the 4 series reached game 7 (the other one was Reggie Miller rolling over an underdog 02' Sacramento Kings, to whom we pay respect for making this far and lifting the name of a disregarded franchise). 

Michael Jordan scoring on Trevor Ariza, as the 15' Rockets push to Game 7

(1) 1997 Chicago Bulls 4-3 (16) 2015 Houston Rockets

They tried so hard... But in the end, it didn't really matter. Houston, lead by James Harden and Dwight Howard, made a big shock in the championship after beating Michael Jordan and his Bulls in Game 1.  The Beard scored 27 points while MJ struggled to make 14. After three more games, the series were tied 2-2. But if Houston had any possibility, it just crumbled under their feet: James Harden injured in Game 4, missing the rest of the series. Somehow, Houston arrived to Game 7, hoping for the pressure to be too much for the clear favorites, the Bulls. However, Jordan and Pippen set the court on fire, combining for a total of 54 and giving the Bulls a comfortable 19 difference win in the last game.

(8) 1995 Houston Rockets 3-4 (9) 2017 Golden State Warriors

The Warrios came all the way from the ABA-NBA Wild Card, hidden from the spotlight of the other greatest teams in the tournament. Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry, were ready to claim their spot though. It didn't came without suffering, as the Rockets blew a 3-1 lead. In Game 5, which could have been the most important game of their path in the tournament so far, Clyde Drexler did not show up, even if he had scored 41 points in Game 2; and Olajuwon was not enough to overcome an on fire Kevin Durant. From there, the Warriors won Game 6 in the clutch and Game 7 easily. Strength, at least for the moment, is still in numbers.

Goodrich and Garnett in Game 6

(6) 1972 Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 (11) 2004 Minnesota Timberwolves

The first upset in the final phase of the championship. The legendary Lakers, lead by Goodrich, Jerry West, and Chamberlain; were the last representatives of the 70s. However, the Timberwolves were one of those underdogs that weren't ready to leave. Kevin Garnett showed why he had been named MVP of the 2003 season, and got Minnesota to the quarterfinals putting up a 20 points + 1 rebounds game in Game 7, where the Wolves beat Los Angeles by 20. In Los Angeles, fingers point at one guy: Chamberlain. Even though his historic dominance, Wilt disapointed being owned by Garnett. Lakers fans feel like he was the missing piece that could have formed a completely unstoppable machine, as West and Goodrich combined for +50 points in several games of the series.

(4) 2000 Indiana Pacers 4-1 (13) 2002 Sacramento Kings

Reggie Miller eliminated Larry Bird. The Pacers' star threw a message that would ressonate in the entire community. After that, his Pacers became the team that had the easiest series in this side of the bracket. Shortly, Indiana was too much for Stojakovic, Bibby, and Chris Webber; who in spite of everything managed to beat the 2002 Lakers, and take revenge in some way. For the following series, Indiana will face Minnesota, which means one of these teams will be in the semifinals, among the top 4 teams in the league history. Series look great, as two of the best 2000s stars will try their best to add the championship to their legacy, as the last chance to make up for their ringless teams (as Kevin Garnett wouldn't get it until he got to Boston).