The NBA is the premier professional basketball league in the world. It has produced some of the greatest players and coaches in the sport’s history. But one of the most infamous moments in the history of the league is when a coach has blown a 3-1 lead in the playoffs. The phrase “3-1 lead” has become shorthand for a monumental collapse, and it has become one of the most infamous phrases in the NBA. So, how many NBA coaches have blown a 3-1 lead?
How Many Coaches Have Blown A 3-1 Lead?
The answer is simple: four. Four coaches have blown a 3-1 lead in the NBA Playoffs. Those four coaches are: Byron Scott, Doc Rivers, Mike Brown, and Tyronn Lue.
Byron Scott
Byron Scott is the first coach on the list. He is best known for his time as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers from 2014 to 2016. In 2015, he led the Lakers to a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. However, the Rockets came back to win the series in seven games.
Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers is the second coach on the list. He is most known for his time as the head coach of the Boston Celtics from 2004 to 2013. In 2010, he led the Celtics to a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat. However, the Heat came back to win the series in seven games.
Mike Brown
Mike Brown is the third coach on the list. He is most known for his time as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2010. In 2007, he led the Cavaliers to a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs. However, the Spurs came back to win the series in seven games.
Tyronn Lue
Tyronn Lue is the fourth coach on the list. He is most known for his time as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, he led the Cavaliers to a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. However, the Warriors came back to win the series in seven games.
The Curse Of The 3-1 Lead
The phrase “3-1 lead” has become synonymous with failure in the NBA. It has become a curse for NBA teams and coaches, and it is a phrase that has been used to describe a monumental collapse. The phrase has become so well-known that it has been used in popular culture, such as in a 2016 episode of The Simpsons, in which Homer Simpson references a team blowing a 3-1 lead.
The Impact Of Blowing A 3-1 Lead
Blowing a 3-1 lead has a huge impact on a team and its coaches. It can be devastating to a team’s morale, and it can be a huge blow to a coach’s reputation. It can also have long-term effects on a team’s performance, as teams that have blown a 3-1 lead tend to struggle the following season.
The Future Of Blowing A 3-1 Lead
As the NBA continues to evolve, it is unlikely that teams and coaches will continue to blow 3-1 leads. Teams are becoming more disciplined and coaches are becoming more experienced, which should lead to fewer 3-1 leads being blown in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, four NBA coaches have blown a 3-1 lead in the playoffs. Those four coaches are Byron Scott, Doc Rivers, Mike Brown, and Tyronn Lue. Blowing a 3-1 lead has become a curse for teams and coaches, and it has a huge impact on a team’s morale and a coach’s reputation. However, with teams and coaches becoming more disciplined and experienced, it is unlikely that teams and coaches will continue to blow 3-1 leads in the future.