OT: Best NBA team in history to never win a title

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Since it's the lull time of the NBA off-season, who do you think is the best NBA team in history to never win an championship?

I'm going to go with the early 00's Sacramento Kings. I really thought they deserved the title in 2002. Maybe the best passing I've ever seen as a complete team. And Bibby was absolutely clutch (arguably one of the best players ever to never be an all-star).

 

[clonetrooper264]

2004 Lakers have to be up there

 

[Scoot26]

95 Orlando Magic

92 Portland Blazers

96 Seattle Sonics

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

2004 Lakers have to be up there

I might put them at #1 if we are talking purely about single season teams that had hiccups but did win a championship at a certain point with their main core intact.

For the criteria I was thinking of for this are teams that never got over the hump. Malone/Stockton/Sloan and the Jazz peaked in 1998 and never got over the hump, while the Shaq/Kobe/Phil Lakers did get over the hump despite losing a couple of years, for example.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

95 Orlando Magic

92 Portland Blazers

96 Seattle Sonics

The Blazers have a couple of teams worth mentioning. That 1999-00 bunch that went to Game 7 of the WCF was STACKED.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Not sure if it fits your criteria but the Durant/Westbrook/Harden Thunder team might qualify

 

[Scoot26]

Not sure if it fits your criteria but the Durant/Westbrook/Harden Thunder team might qualify

I think it will as if injuries dont kill any of their careers you have three potential HOF players on one team.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Not sure if it fits your criteria but the Durant/Westbrook/Harden Thunder team might qualify

It would. That team never won a title at any point either.

 

[clonetrooper264]

It would. That team never won a title at any point either.

I was thinking more in the sense that they weren't together for that long...but they had a few years and made it to the Finals so yeah. Lot of talent on that team...too bad Harden seems to put up duds in the playoffs or the Heat might have one less ring.

 

[clonetrooper264]

The current age Clippers and the SSOL Suns teams may also fit the bill depending on whether or not you think they were actually title contenders.

Run TMC Warriors? Not a whole lot on that team outside of those 3 though.

94 Bulls perhaps?

 

[Scoot26]

The current age Clippers and the SSOL Suns teams may also fit the bill depending on whether or not you think they were actually title contenders.

Run TMC Warriors? Not a whole lot on that team outside of those 3 though.

94 Bulls perhaps?

None of those teams were "great" in the scheme of things though.

The Suns provide a case as they at least went to a bunch of WCF's and overall had great talent. But the Clippers haven't made it past the 2nd round nor ever put up 60+ win season..and the Run TMC Warriors were only a 1st round team if I recall.

 

[clonetrooper264]

None of those teams were "great" in the scheme of things though.

The Suns provide a case as they at least went to a bunch of WCF's and overall had great talent. But the Clippers haven't made it past the 2nd round nor ever put up 60+ win season..and the Run TMC Warriors were only a 1st round team if I recall.

Which is why I said depending on whether you think they were title contenders or not. I think the Suns have the best argument of that bunch.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

The current age Clippers and the SSOL Suns teams may also fit the bill depending on whether or not you think they were actually title contenders.

Run TMC Warriors? Not a whole lot on that team outside of those 3 though.

94 Bulls perhaps?

The current Clippers and Nash-led Suns are somewhere up there for me. There is a lot to be said about the '94 Knicks and '98 Pacers, as well.

 

[clonetrooper264]

That Sixers team Barkley was on his rookie year was pretty darn good. Dr. J, Moses, Andrew Toney, Mo Cheeks...

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

I was thinking more in the sense that they weren't together for that long...but they had a few years and made it to the Finals so yeah. Lot of talent on that team...too bad Harden seems to put up duds in the playoffs or the Heat might have one less ring.

If Harden plays like he did last year in the 2012 Finals, and the Spurs get one more defensive rebound in 2013, LeBron still has no rings.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

That Sixers team Barkley was on his rookie year was pretty darn good. Dr. J, Moses, Andrew Toney, Mo Cheeks...

True, but the Sixers won one in '83 before Chuck. So... that one is sketchy for me.

 

[clonetrooper264]

True, but the Sixers won one in '83 before Chuck. So... that one is sketchy for me.

Yeah I remembered that right after I posted. Technically, the core of that team won a title so I guess they are invalid.

 

[Scoot26]

Yeah I remembered that right after I posted. Technically, the core of that team won a title so I guess they are invalid.

Yeah, if that Sixers team hadn't won in 83, they'd be my pick for best team to never win. They had some epic ECF's with the Celtics then.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Yeah I remembered that right after I posted. Technically, the core of that team won a title so I guess they are invalid.

That team really could've won any year though. I think you thought of one that I'd definitely give the edge to over the 2004 Lakers.

 

[SilenceS]

I agree with Scoot's teams. Also, don't get it twister. Those Utah Jazz teams y'all beat were some pretty great teams. They just happened to walk into the buzz saw that was the Bulls.