It used to be the norm. Now it would be the outlier.
We are in the midst of the NBA’s era of parity. The league, through the current collective bargaining agreement, has implemented rules that make it increasingly difficult for teams to repeat as champions and to build dynasties.
The past eight seasons have had eight different champions. There are favorites, of course, but every season feels more wide open than it did in the previous two decades, giving fans across the league hope and genuine reason to buy into their teams.
Right now, the Knicks are much like the previous seven champions — riding high off their title with confidence that this was not a one-time moment of glory, but rather the start of a dominant reign. But those previous seven champions should serve as a lesson in just how quickly things can change.
