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The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers four games to one.

This was the 76er's first appearance in the championship round since Moses Malone and Julius Erving led the 1983 squad to the NBA championship (coincidently, last defeating the Lakers) in the famous "'fo, fo', fo'" year (which ended up being "fo', fi', fo", as Philadelphia lost one second-round game that year).

However, this was the Laker's turn to put together the most dominant postseason in league history, finishing 15-1 with their only setback being an overtime loss to the Sixers in Game 1 of the championship round. The Lakers set a multitude of playoff records, including going undefeated in both regulation and on the road (finishing an unprecedented 8-0 in the latter category). They were the second NBA champion to defeat 4 successive 50-win or better teams on their way to the title as the Houston Rockets did it first in 1995. This team is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time along with the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers, 1986 Boston Celtics, 1996 Chicago Bulls, 1983 Philadelphia 76ers, and 1987 Los Angeles Lakers.

The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the surprise teams of the playoffs, winning a playoff series for the first time since 1989 and advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1986. As of 2009, however, they have been unable to duplicate this feat.

The Dallas Mavericks also ended years of futility in the 2001 playoffs, making the postseason for the first time since 1990. Along the way they had had several abysmal seasons including back-to-back years with only 11 and 13 wins. By stunning the Utah Jazz in the first round, the Mavericks won their first playoff series since 1988.

The Sacramento Kings won their first playoff series since 1981 (when they were then known as the Kansas City Kings)and first since the franchise moved to Sacramento.

The Toronto Raptors won their first playoff series in franchise history with a 3-2 series win over the New York Knicks, but fell in seven games to the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The total of number of playoff games in the NBA Playoffs is 72, including the NBA Finals.

For the first time since 1991, the New York Knicks failed to win a first round playoff series (losing to the Toronto Raptors 3 games to 2).

Bracket

Playoff qualifying

Western Conference

Best record in NBA

The San Antonio Spurs clinched the best record in the NBA, and earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when San Antonio lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals.

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:

1. San Antonio Spurs (clinched Midwest division)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (clinched Pacific division)
3. Sacramento Kings
4. Utah Jazz
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Eastern Conference

Best record in conference

The Philadelphia 76ers clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, and had home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:

1. Philadelphia 76ers (clinched Atlantic division)
2. Milwaukee Bucks (clinched Central division)
3. Miami Heat
4. New York Knicks
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Charlotte Hornets
7. Orlando Magic
8. Indiana Pacers

Western Conference

Champion: Los Angeles Lakers

First Round

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves

(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers

(3) Sacramento Kings vs. (6) Phoenix Suns

Conference Semifinals

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Sacramento Kings

Conference Finals

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers

Eastern Conference

Champion: Philadelphia 76ers

First Round

(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Indiana Pacers

(4) New York Knicks vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (7) Orlando Magic

(3) Miami Heat vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets

Conference Semifinals

(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Charlotte Hornets

Conference Finals

(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Milwaukee Bucks

In 2001, the Milwaukee Bucks played the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The small-market Bucks (who had not even been featured on NBC that year prior to the second round of the playoffs) did not have any "big-time" stars, with the exception of Ray Allen (who, despite being popular, was not in the upper-echelon of NBA players in terms of endorsements). Their opponent that year, the Philadelphia 76ers had the polarizing and popular Allen Iverson, who had a multitude of shoe deals and mainstream recognition. The Sixers also featured that year's winners of the MVP award in Iverson[45], Defensive Player of the Year award in Dikembe Mutumbo[46], Sixth Man of the Year award in Aaron McKie[47], and Coach of the Year award in Larry Brown[48].

The series had several calls deemed dubious by the Bucks and their fans. Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and George Karl joined Allen in complaining about the officiating and hinting that the league was against them. Karl and Allen were both fined for their comments[44]. In Game 6 of the tensely-fought series, Bucks forward Scott Williams threw an elbow at Iverson and was subsequently suspended for the deciding Game 7. After Milwaukee lost Game 7 on the road, Sports Illustrated columnist Marty Burns insinuated that the suspension may have been a form of payback by the league:

“Williams elbow to Iverson's chin warranted the flagrant 2 ruling, which kept Williams out of Game 7, but the Bucks public airing of such potentially damaging charges to the NBA probably didn't help their case.[49]”

2001 NBA Finals

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

External links

• NBA.com's 2001 Playoffs coverage