LeBron James and Stephen Curry are gone, but NBA playoffs still offer plenty of star power
For a decade, fatigue set in among some fans weary of seeing the same players and same teams in the NBA Finals.
For the past 10 seasons, it’s been LeBron James and his Miami and Cleveland teams. Or it’s been Golden State’s dynasty with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Then last season it was James again and the Los Angeles Lakers, who won their record-tying 17th NBA championship.
This season, the NBA has four teams in the Eastern and Western Conference finals that either haven’t won a title or haven’t won in at least five decades.
The Milwaukee Bucks last won a title in 1971. The Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns have never won a title, and the Atlanta Hawks have never won a title since the franchise moved to Atlanta from St. Louis where the Hawks won a title in 1958.
Since 1980, 12 NBA franchises have a won a title but eight franchises have won 37 of those 41 titles.
A different franchise will be added to that list this season, and all four teams have the potential to get back next season.
Whether it’s a true changing of the guard or just a placeholder until LeBron, Steph, KD, Klay and Kyrie are healthy again is immaterial today.
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The Bucks feature Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who is trying to get to his first Finals. The Hawks have Trae Young, excelling in his playoffs debut. Chris Paul also has a chance to reach his first Finals. Paul George, who played in the Eastern Conference finals twice, is seeking his first NBA title, too.