Parity is at an all-time high in the NBA. With the Boston Celtics losing in six games to the New York Knicks, this will be the seventh different champion in seven NBA seasons. This is the longest without back-to-back champions in league history. The last team to repeat as champions was the Kevin Durant-Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
Even though there have been no back-to-back champions for seven seasons, the teams have not come remotely close to defending their titles on many occasions. The Golden State Warriors lost in the NBA Finals following Kevin Durant tearing his Achilles. They were the only team to advance as far as even the conference finals when attempting to defend their title.
The Toronto Raptors lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals trying to defend their championship, the Lakers lost in the 1st round, the Milwaukee Bucks lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Golden State lost in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Denver Nuggets lost in the Western Conference Semifinals, and the Celtics lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Is this level of parity good for the NBA?
Is Parity Good In the NBA?
Parity is something every league strives for. Each season, there should be a small group of teams with viable championship aspirations. The National Basketball Association fits that bill precisely. What has also made this NBA Playoffs so exciting, and will continue to keep fans engaged, is the teams left in the postseason field.
With the Oklahoma City Thunder drubbing the Denver Nuggets in Game 7, the final four teams are set. Those teams are the Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers. Virtually no one expected these to be the last teams standing when the postseason tipped off.
Final Thoughts
The conclusion of the NBA Playoffs should be exhilarating. Three of the four teams(Thunder, Timberwolves, and Pacers) do not have a title in franchise history. The New York Knicks are the only team left standing with a championship in their past. They won their last NBA title in 1973. Whichever team lifts the Larry O’Brien Trophy in approximately a month will make history in the process.
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