Teaming with Harden in 2017, Paul led the Rockets to a 3-2 West Finals lead over Golden State in 2018, then a hamstring injury ended the dream.
The 2018 West Finals went seven games; Houston led 3-2 before Durant carried the offense in Game 7 to advance. That round became a key footnote to his title run.
In 2011, Nowitzki avenged OKC in the West finals and then beat the Miami Big Three — tearing off the "soft" label and completing his self-vindication.
A 2-0 lead blown by Phoenix in 2006 and a first-round "black eight" as the 67-win top seed in 2007 — two wounds forged the toughness of 2011.