NBA Champions Fared

Friday, May 30, 1997 | 11:44 a.m.

How NBA champions have fared the year following their championship:

Year Won - Next Season

1969-70 - Celtics didn't make playoffs.

1970-71 - Knicks lost to Bullets in 7 in conference finals.

1971-72 - Bucks lost to Lakers in 6 in conference finals.

1972-73 - Lakers lost to Knicks in 5 in league championship.

1973-74 - Knicks lost to Celtics in 5 in conference finals.

1974-75 - Celtics lost to Bullets in 6 in conference finals.

1975-76 - Warriors lost to Suns in 7 in conference finals.

1976-77 - Celtics lost to 76ers in 7 in conference semifinals.

1977-78 - Blazers lost to Sonics in 6 in conference semifinals.

1978-79 - Bullets lost to Sonics in 5 in league championship.

1979-80 - Sonics lost to Lakers in 5 in conference finals.

1980-81 - Lakers lost to Rockets in 3 in miniseries.

1981-82 - Celtics lost to 76ers in 7 in conference finals.

1982-83 - Lakers lost to 76ers in 4 in league championship.

1983-84 - 76ers lost to Nets in 5 in first round.

1984-85 - Celtics lost to Lakers in 6 in league championship.

1985-86 - Lakers lost to Rockets in 5 in conference finals.

1986-87 - Celtics lost to Lakers in 6 in league championship.

1987-88 - Lakers defended title, defeating Pistons in 7.

1988-89 - Lakers lost to Pistons in 4 in league championship.

1989-90 - Pistons defended title, defeating Trail Blazers in 5.

1990-91 - Pistons lost to Bulls in 4 in conference finals.

1991-92 - Bulls defended title, defeating Trail Blazers in 6.

1992-93 - Bulls defended title, defeated Suns in 6.

1993-94 - Bulls lost to Knicks in 7 in conference semifinals.

1994-95 - Rockets defended title, defeated Magic in 4.

1995-96 - Rockets lost to SuperSonics in 4 in conference semifinals.

1996-97 - Bulls play Jazz in league championship.

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