The Spurs had a three-year gap between their first and second titles and have now gone two years without a crown. But they're not the only multiple-title winner to go through such a dry spell.
Los Angeles Lakers Titles: '80, '82, '85, '87, '88
The gap: After winning it all in 1982, Magic Johnson's Lakers went back to the Finals in 1983. But Moses Malone and Julius Erving led Philadelphia to a sweep of L.A., and the next year the Lakers lost in seven games to Larry Bird's Celtics.
Closing the gap: In 1985, the Lakers had their revenge and beat Bird's Celtics in six games.
Chicago Bulls
Titles: '91, '92, '93, '96, '97, '98
The gap: Following the Bulls' 1993 title, Michael Jordan left Basketball for baseball. He missed the 1994 playoffs but returned late the next season. Chicago lost in the first round to Orlando.
Closing the gap: Jordan played entire 1995-96 season and led Chicago to the first of three straight titles.
Boston Celtics
Titles: '81, '84, '86
The gap: After leading Boston to the '81 title, Bird fell to Erving's 76ers in the '82 East finals. In '83, Milwaukee swept Boston in the East semifinals.
Closing the gap: Bird's Celtics beat Magic's Lakers in their first Finals meeting.
New York Knicks
Titles: '70, '73
What happened? In 1970, Willis Reed's Game 7 heroics helped the Knicks win it all. In '71, the Knicks missed a return trip to the Finals by three points, falling to the Baltimore Bullets by two points in Game 7 of the East finals. The next season, Wilt Chamberlain's Lakers beat New York in the Finals.
Closing the gap: The Knicks met the Lakers in the Finals for the third time in four years in 1970 and won.
SOURCE: EXPRESS-NEWS RESEARCH
