Latrinsorm
11-20-2014, 04:25 PM
I'm cleaning out an old folder and came across a half-way completed little research project: how well did NBA champions do the year prior? As it turns out we have exactly 30 who played in the 16-team bracket system the year before, so that's a handy period...
11 were champions
6 were eliminated in the Finals
4 were eliminated in the Conference Finals
7 were eliminated in the second round
1 was eliminated in the first round (Dallas 2010)
1 didn't make the playoffs (Boston 2007)
Thus we can look at those teams that won at least one playoff round last year for instance and see...
Spurs
Heat
Pacers, Thunder
Wizards, Nets, Clippers, Trailblazers
...as the contenders. The best outlier parallel is obviously Cleveland for Boston, the best parallel to Dallas might be Dallas. You might think Chicago for the return of a former MVP, but Dirk played a full season in 2010. The only real difference between Dallas 10 and 11 was Tyson Chandler, and Pau doesn't fit the Chandler mold as well as Chandler does either.
11 were champions
6 were eliminated in the Finals
4 were eliminated in the Conference Finals
7 were eliminated in the second round
1 was eliminated in the first round (Dallas 2010)
1 didn't make the playoffs (Boston 2007)
Thus we can look at those teams that won at least one playoff round last year for instance and see...
Spurs
Heat
Pacers, Thunder
Wizards, Nets, Clippers, Trailblazers
...as the contenders. The best outlier parallel is obviously Cleveland for Boston, the best parallel to Dallas might be Dallas. You might think Chicago for the return of a former MVP, but Dirk played a full season in 2010. The only real difference between Dallas 10 and 11 was Tyson Chandler, and Pau doesn't fit the Chandler mold as well as Chandler does either.