Trottier contributed no goals and no assists, his first playoff failure in 13 seasons.

But his level of success in October has been out of character for a pitcher who was noted for playoff failure.

Manning's playoff failures and Brady's playoff triumphs have already become legend.

The corporate owners, seemingly changing with every playoff failure, did not want to hear about blueprints for the future.

But then, there is not a lot about the Spurs this season that resembles the passive team of past playoff failures.

They may be just as likely to continue their playoff failure in the post-Elway era.

Checketts said the Garden has built a cushion against being dramatically hurt by the playoff failures of one or both teams.

In preparing for Saturday's game, Kidd said his playoff failures have sharpened him.

Each team, finally, brings its unique lineage of playoff failure.

He is not haunted by playoff failures or hung up about playing under pressure.