[B-dizzle97Participant]

 I was watching the 2002 Western Conference Finals today on YouTube and the question came to my mind "who is the best team to never win a championship?" Obviously the 2002 Kings have to be in the discussion. They really should’ve won the championship that year if not for Tim Donaghy fixing the game. Another team that comes to my mind was the 2007 Suns. They were a very exciting team to watch at a time when I was just getting into the NBA. With Steve Nash running the show and young Amare scoring at will, they were a very exciting team to wach. What are your guys thoughts?

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

The only thing getting in Malone and Stockton’s way of multiple titles was MJ. Put them in an MJ-free league, and they’d have been champs at some point in the mid 90’s. 

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

The only thing getting in Malone and Stockton’s way of multiple titles was MJ. Put them in an MJ-free league, and they’d have been champs at some point in the mid 90’s. 

[HitsterParticipant]

The Suns under Nash sprang to mind when I read the forum topic.

The Kings won a title way back in circa 1951 so I assume we aren’t just restricting this to a team who has never won the title.

The recent Thunder team must come into consideration and some of the Jerry West Laker era teams who always came up against Red Auberbach’s Celtics also come to mind.

The Shawn Kemp era Sonics took the Bulls close on a couple of occasions and the early 2000 Kings are legit contenders too.

[HitsterParticipant]

The Suns under Nash sprang to mind when I read the forum topic.

The Kings won a title way back in circa 1951 so I assume we aren’t just restricting this to a team who has never won the title.

The recent Thunder team must come into consideration and some of the Jerry West Laker era teams who always came up against Red Auberbach’s Celtics also come to mind.

The Shawn Kemp era Sonics took the Bulls close on a couple of occasions and the early 2000 Kings are legit contenders too.

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Sonics in the 90’s with Payton, Kemp and Coach Karl

Utah Jazz in the 90’s that ran into MJ and them

Charles Barkley Phoenix team also

 

 

[Taylor Gang MikeParticipant]

 Sonics in the 90’s with Payton, Kemp and Coach Karl

Utah Jazz in the 90’s that ran into MJ and them

Charles Barkley Phoenix team also

 

 

[Toronto16Participant]

Whew, plethora of teams you can mention here. The aforementioned 2002 Kings are up there as well at the 97 Jazz, 98 Jazz, 96 Sonics, 2007 Suns, 2000 Blazers.

[Toronto16Participant]

Whew, plethora of teams you can mention here. The aforementioned 2002 Kings are up there as well at the 97 Jazz, 98 Jazz, 96 Sonics, 2007 Suns, 2000 Blazers.

[Toronto16Participant]

And the 2007 Mavs.

[Toronto16Participant]

And the 2007 Mavs.

[abyers22Participant]

In my mind, the best team to never win a championship has to be the 04 Lakers. They had the core of Shaq, Kobe, and Derek Fisher from their past championship teams still very much in their primes, and with the additions of karl malone and gary payton that team should have been champions. Of all the teams mentioned so far, they have by far the most talent and that, along with all of their finals experience, should have brought the lakers yet another title.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Im a Lakers fan, but if Minnesota had a healthy Sam Cassell, they would have beat us. We were super talented, but Gary couldnt fit in the offense, Malone was a bit of a liability defensively, Fox went down. KG, Spree and Cassell trio really had no holes.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Im a Lakers fan, but if Minnesota had a healthy Sam Cassell, they would have beat us. We were super talented, but Gary couldnt fit in the offense, Malone was a bit of a liability defensively, Fox went down. KG, Spree and Cassell trio really had no holes.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 That team was much better on paper than in reality. There was a disconnect all season. Shaq was still a dominant player at that point but he wasn’t shaq from their championship years. Malone was old and injured for a good portion of the season and Payton never bought into the triangle offense and was no longer an elite pg by that time anyway. Their bench was pretty suspect overall. If that Fisher miracle shot doesn’t go down, I actually doubt that they would have got by San Antonio in the conference semis. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 That team was much better on paper than in reality. There was a disconnect all season. Shaq was still a dominant player at that point but he wasn’t shaq from their championship years. Malone was old and injured for a good portion of the season and Payton never bought into the triangle offense and was no longer an elite pg by that time anyway. Their bench was pretty suspect overall. If that Fisher miracle shot doesn’t go down, I actually doubt that they would have got by San Antonio in the conference semis. 

[abyers22Participant]

In my mind, the best team to never win a championship has to be the 04 Lakers. They had the core of Shaq, Kobe, and Derek Fisher from their past championship teams still very much in their primes, and with the additions of karl malone and gary payton that team should have been champions. Of all the teams mentioned so far, they have by far the most talent and that, along with all of their finals experience, should have brought the lakers yet another title.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Orlando with Shaq and Penny. Two young studs entering their prime with Horace Grant as a vet and Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott on the wing.

In ’95 they beat the MJ Comeback Bulls then lost to the Rockets in the Finals after losing Game 1 when Nick Anderson couldn’t buy a free throw.  In ’96 they lost to the 72 win Bulls team.

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Orlando with Shaq and Penny. Two young studs entering their prime with Horace Grant as a vet and Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott on the wing.

In ’95 they beat the MJ Comeback Bulls then lost to the Rockets in the Finals after losing Game 1 when Nick Anderson couldn’t buy a free throw.  In ’96 they lost to the 72 win Bulls team.

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 They were the Only team to beat Jordan & Pippen in the playoffs after their Title run started when they Destroyed a Healthy & rested Jordan in the 95′ playoffs… And when the 70 win Bulls beat them in 96′ Haroce Grant of the Magic was injured in the first minute of game 1 & Never returned…. Even more though, think about how the Entire NBA would have been different had Penny remained Healthy & if Shaq stayed…. Penny was every bit of an All Time great & he & Shaq were close to the same age… Jordan & Pippen’s Bulls beat them in 96 but I think the Magic win in 97 & 98 so it’s Very possible that there is No 2nd Chicsago Bulls 3peat…. AND Shaq Never goes to L.A. & that Lakers 3peat Never happens…. Penny’s injury actually solidified the Bulls legacy & Created the Lakers 2000 – 2002 3peat…. Incredible to think about the role of "Karma" in pro sports…..

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 They were the Only team to beat Jordan & Pippen in the playoffs after their Title run started when they Destroyed a Healthy & rested Jordan in the 95′ playoffs… And when the 70 win Bulls beat them in 96′ Haroce Grant of the Magic was injured in the first minute of game 1 & Never returned…. Even more though, think about how the Entire NBA would have been different had Penny remained Healthy & if Shaq stayed…. Penny was every bit of an All Time great & he & Shaq were close to the same age… Jordan & Pippen’s Bulls beat them in 96 but I think the Magic win in 97 & 98 so it’s Very possible that there is No 2nd Chicsago Bulls 3peat…. AND Shaq Never goes to L.A. & that Lakers 3peat Never happens…. Penny’s injury actually solidified the Bulls legacy & Created the Lakers 2000 – 2002 3peat…. Incredible to think about the role of "Karma" in pro sports…..

[Robb_CParticipant]

Late 80s Denver Nuggets teams were very underappreciated, they had the fastest teams the NBA has ever seen.. The Lakers just had way to much fire power for them to get to the Finals..

[Robb_CParticipant]

Late 80s Denver Nuggets teams were very underappreciated, they had the fastest teams the NBA has ever seen.. The Lakers just had way to much fire power for them to get to the Finals..

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 The late 80s early 90s blazers had some extremely deep and talented teams. They made it to the finals twice but never got over the hump. 

If we’re talking about teams that were consistently really good for a long time but never won a title it has to be the 90s jazz. From roughly 88 to 2000 they were always among the elite teams every year. Those 97-98 teams were definitely championship caliber teams but mj just wasn’t gonna let it happen. 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 The late 80s early 90s blazers had some extremely deep and talented teams. They made it to the finals twice but never got over the hump. 

If we’re talking about teams that were consistently really good for a long time but never won a title it has to be the 90s jazz. From roughly 88 to 2000 they were always among the elite teams every year. Those 97-98 teams were definitely championship caliber teams but mj just wasn’t gonna let it happen. 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 The late 80s early 90s blazers had some extremely deep and talented teams. They made it to the finals twice but never got over the hump. 

If we’re talking about teams that were consistently really good for a long time but never won a title it has to be the 90s jazz. From roughly 88 to 2000 they were always among the elite teams every year. Those 97-98 teams were definitely championship caliber teams but mj just wasn’t gonna let it happen. 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 The late 80s early 90s blazers had some extremely deep and talented teams. They made it to the finals twice but never got over the hump. 

If we’re talking about teams that were consistently really good for a long time but never won a title it has to be the 90s jazz. From roughly 88 to 2000 they were always among the elite teams every year. Those 97-98 teams were definitely championship caliber teams but mj just wasn’t gonna let it happen. 

 

[T Rex]

 Lakers and Celtics in the 80s in the years they lost to each other.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Lakers and Celtics in the 80s in the years they lost to each other.

 

 

[bayabyaParticipant]

I’m a big fan of Utah basketball and belive me I cried when my Jazz lost in the finals in 97 and 98. I wish they won at least one championship. However I just wonder if my 98 Jazz would beat 98 Pacers in 7 games. 

That Indiana team  played really well against Chicago, the series ended up in 7 games. 

I risk a statement that in 90s 98 Indiana team was the closest to beat Chicago with Jordan playing basketball (not baseball) in a best of 7 series.

 

[bayabyaParticipant]

I’m a big fan of Utah basketball and belive me I cried when my Jazz lost in the finals in 97 and 98. I wish they won at least one championship. However I just wonder if my 98 Jazz would beat 98 Pacers in 7 games. 

That Indiana team  played really well against Chicago, the series ended up in 7 games. 

I risk a statement that in 90s 98 Indiana team was the closest to beat Chicago with Jordan playing basketball (not baseball) in a best of 7 series.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Actually Orlando beat Chicago with jordan in 1995. I see your point though.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Actually Orlando beat Chicago with jordan in 1995. I see your point though.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I imagine the Twin Towers Rockets teams should have had at least one title.

Ralph Sampson’s prime was way too short, but looking at his stats and highlights they guy was a BEAST.  Then you have Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best two way players ever, and either the 4th or 5th best center ever.

I read up on that team and Robert Reid was a pretty good small forward then they had some guys who got busted for drugs like Mitchell Wiggins and John Lucas (too) and some other guy.

In ’86 they beat the Lakers out West right during the prime Showtime Lakers.  They went on to lose to the great ’86 Celtics team in 6 games.

So, TWO young athletic HOF centers, beating one mega dynasty team then losing to another mega dynasty team in the Finals in 6 games.

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I imagine the Twin Towers Rockets teams should have had at least one title.

Ralph Sampson’s prime was way too short, but looking at his stats and highlights they guy was a BEAST.  Then you have Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best two way players ever, and either the 4th or 5th best center ever.

I read up on that team and Robert Reid was a pretty good small forward then they had some guys who got busted for drugs like Mitchell Wiggins and John Lucas (too) and some other guy.

In ’86 they beat the Lakers out West right during the prime Showtime Lakers.  They went on to lose to the great ’86 Celtics team in 6 games.

So, TWO young athletic HOF centers, beating one mega dynasty team then losing to another mega dynasty team in the Finals in 6 games.

 

 

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 1993-4 NY Knicks

Greg Anthony, Hubert Davis, Patrick Ewing, Derek Harper, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Herb Williams, John Starks, even Doc Rivers was on that team.

Lost to Houston in the finals in 7 games.

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 1993-4 NY Knicks

Greg Anthony, Hubert Davis, Patrick Ewing, Derek Harper, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Herb Williams, John Starks, even Doc Rivers was on that team.

Lost to Houston in the finals in 7 games.

 

 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Twin Towers Rockets, I think.  Stupid cocaine.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Twin Towers Rockets, I think.  Stupid cocaine.

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 @Glen… The Rockets were in the Jazz way for a few years. People forget Michael left for a year and a half, and it was the Rockets not the Jazz who won both years… I know what your saying, but the Rockets knocked the Jazz out, just as much, and were in some ways a way better matchup…  I got the 2002 Kings… they played the right way and had so much depth. The 2000 Blazers too. In reality though, it would proably be a celtics or lakers team that lost to the other, something like the 1985 celtics.. 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 @Glen… The Rockets were in the Jazz way for a few years. People forget Michael left for a year and a half, and it was the Rockets not the Jazz who won both years… I know what your saying, but the Rockets knocked the Jazz out, just as much, and were in some ways a way better matchup…  I got the 2002 Kings… they played the right way and had so much depth. The 2000 Blazers too. In reality though, it would proably be a celtics or lakers team that lost to the other, something like the 1985 celtics.. 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 2004 lakers on paper

 

 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 2004 lakers on paper

 

 

[llperez]

Lol at Tim dinghy fixing a game that he didn’t even ref.

[llperez]

Lol at Tim dinghy fixing a game that he didn’t even ref.

[llperez]

And best teams I’ve seen that didn’t win were probably 94 sonics who were deep played defense and had tons of weapons but lost in first rd and 2002 kings who were deep and one of most offensively talented teams I’ve seen. They just need a more physical inside presence, vlade and Webber were finesse/skill guys and pollard wasn’t good enough

[llperez]

And best teams I’ve seen that didn’t win were probably 94 sonics who were deep played defense and had tons of weapons but lost in first rd and 2002 kings who were deep and one of most offensively talented teams I’ve seen. They just need a more physical inside presence, vlade and Webber were finesse/skill guys and pollard wasn’t good enough

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

I did’nt know the exact year but with Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen Sam Cassell Tim Thomas they had a good core 

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

I did’nt know the exact year but with Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen Sam Cassell Tim Thomas they had a good core 

[DirkChampParticipant]

 They had 3 superstars on the team until one checked out early. Before that season I told my friend that if they got a defensive center, there wouldnt be any reason why they couldnt get a ring. So, they get Perkins and he did ok but wasnt what he was in Boston. They had Thabo, who couldnt stop Wade but could give him problems so Westbrook could do the damn thing and the KD and Lebron match-up was great. But with the lack of ball movement and being prodictable they couldnt stop the King from getting his first crown.

[DirkChampParticipant]

 They had 3 superstars on the team until one checked out early. Before that season I told my friend that if they got a defensive center, there wouldnt be any reason why they couldnt get a ring. So, they get Perkins and he did ok but wasnt what he was in Boston. They had Thabo, who couldnt stop Wade but could give him problems so Westbrook could do the damn thing and the KD and Lebron match-up was great. But with the lack of ball movement and being prodictable they couldnt stop the King from getting his first crown.

[Author]

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