5 Worst Title defenses in NBA History

4. Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls

1997-98 (NBA Champions)

1998-1999 (did not qualify for playoffs, earned 1st round pick)

If you've watched Michael Jordan's recent documentary, The Last Dance, it was obvious the Bulls' dynasty would be over when Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson departed from the franchise after their 1998 NBA Championship win.

The final chapter of the Bulls dynasty. The 1998 NBA Finals start tonight on NBC Sports Chicago. Game 1 tips at 7 PM. Stream: https://t.co/4yu5JPEUuH pic.twitter.com/KDFY9lhXQj

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) May 8, 2020

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5. Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Chicago Bulls, Game 2

2005-06 (NBA Champions)

2006-07 (Swept by Bulls in 1st round)

After the Miami Heat's 2006 NBA Championship win against the Dallas Mavericks, outside Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem, the rest of the roster was near the end of their careers or out the door. To make things worse, big man Shaquille O'Neal was 35 and slowing down.

#OTD: 2.2.2006 #NBA Legends @DwyaneWade & @SHAQ teamed up w/ the sick handle and thunderous alley-oop to bring the house down for the @MiamiHEAT pic.twitter.com/ymn6Md6gxe

— NBA Alumni 🏀 (@NBAalumni) February 2, 2021

The following year, the team would suffer a devastating 42-point loss against the Chicago Bulls in their first game since winning the NBA Finals. Speculation was rife that the Miami Heat were not going back to the finals and the whispers appeared more truthful as the season progressed.

Dwyane Wade suffered a major shoulder injury and Shaq sustained injuries that saw him at the breaking point of his career. That Miami Heat unit, until LeBron James and Chris Bosh came later on, would never be the same after their 2006 NBA Championship win.