I don't think that's true. It's certainly true for every other sport, but one player has such a disproportionate influence on a basketball game that if you look back through the history of the sport, all the greatest players eventually at least win 1. Even Wilt did. I feel confident saying Jordan was always going to win at least one championship, he was too good not to at some point in his career. I'll agree there are other scenarios where he would have been less successful and not looked at the greatest ever though.

Not a problem. Also why I said this a few days ago:

None of those guys will be in a finals game again.

Agree FF?

What are the years that didn't have those players?

Without googling, all I can remember is Detroit/Portland in 1990.

The Warriors will look different next season so I wouldn't count LeBron out yet

What are the years that didn't have those players?

Without googling, all I can remember is Detroit/Portland in 1990.

Agree FF?

What are the years that didn't have those players?

Without googling, all I can remember is Detroit/Portland in 1990.

Spurs and Nets or Pistons in the 2000's

Uhm, you sure about that????? I'd say you should probably re-read the OP, but it was your OP post so try a little harder.

Threads like this invite people to conveniently ignore that it's been the fastest growing sport over that same period, and has become the most international sport other than soccer.

That doesn't mean that a little parity wouldn't be good for the sport.

That doesn't mean that a little parity wouldn't be good for the sport.

You could replace Shaq with anyone from that 2006 Heat team and that graphic would still be true. It would be funny if, instead of Shaq, they had Michael Doleac between Kobe and Duncan.

The New England Patriots have dominated the NFL over the past 17 years and no one seems particularly bothered by it.

You forget his '95 Finals with the Magic?

The Patriots are not comparable to the NBA anyway. It's not a foregone conclusion that the Patriots will be in the Finals or win them. They manage to get there a lot, which is why they are so great, but every year, it's a different struggle and a different way they get there. They're not just the most talented team in the league by a wide margin.

Not bothered by it? People all over the country absolutely HATE the Patriots. No way you can say no one is bothered by it

The New England Patriots have dominated the NFL over the past 17 years and no one seems particularly bothered by it.

They are about to play in their 9th Super Bowl in 17 seasons. That doesn't even take into all of the Conf Finals games that they have lost.

I want to see a little more parity also but once you get it then guys on here will be moaning about the quality of play.

I'd rather see good basketball as opposed to parity.

To be honest last years Conf Finals were mostly decided by injuries to elite players.

Houston probably wins with Paul and Boston would have bounced Cleveland with Irving and Hayward.

Thus its difficult to make the argument that the outcome was "predetermined". Really wasn't.

The Patriots making it to the SB with the system the NFL has is entirely different than knowing that you have no shot unless you have 3 or 4 players.

I'll still enjoy the NBA no matter what but it's hard watching the Bulls this season.

I don't disagree with you about last season but MANY of us penciled in the Finals teams last season before the season started.

The Patriots are not comparable to the NBA anyway. It's not a foregone conclusion that the Patriots will be in the Finals or win them. They manage to get there a lot, which is why they are so great, but every year, it's a different struggle and a different way they get there. They're not just the most talented team in the league by a wide margin.