With Miami's Game 4 loss to Chicago, they became the first team in 50 years to be the NBA Champions one season, and then be swept in the opening round of the playoffs the next.

The 1957 Philadelphia Warriors were the last defending champion to be swept in a first-round playoff series, losing to the Syracuse Nationals.  However, back then, the series was best-of-three, not the best-of-seven that it is today.

Chicago also became the first team to oust a defending champion in the first round since Phoenix did it to San Antonio in 2000.