Since 2019, no defending NBA champion has gotten past the second round…

[x-factor7]

Raptors win 2019 title
2020: Lose to the Celtics 4-3 in the 2nd round

Lakers win 2020 title
2021: Lose to the Suns 4-2 in the 1st round

Bucks win 2021 title
2022: Lose to the Celtics 4-3 in the 2nd round

Warriors win 2022 title
2023: Lose to the Lakers 4-2 in the 2nd round

Nuggets win 2023 title
2024: Lose to the Timberwolves 4-3 in the 2nd round

Celtics win 2024 title
2025: Down 0-2 to the Knicks

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

It shows how hard it is to repeat. One year all the breaks you get don't come around 2x in a row.

 

[Jplaya2023]

It shows how hard it is to repeat. One year all the breaks you get don't come around 2x in a row.

Do you think the knicks are better than the celtics or are the celtics choking like.dogs

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Do you think the knicks are better than the celtics or are the celtics choking like.dogs

This is the most talented team the Knicks have ever had, so I expected the series not to be as straight-forward, but yes, Boston being up comprehensively in both games and still losing is them choking.

It's bewildering how they've lost their heads like this.

But then again, this postseason has thrown a lot of curveballs at reality. Cavs are down 0-2 too. Nobody saw this coming.

 

[murksiderock]

This parity has been great for The League, personally...

 

[Dem313wayz]

The league is so deep with talent

 

[bigde09]

It shows how hard it is to repeat. One year all the breaks you get don't come around 2x in a row.

Is this your way of saying Mike is the goat?

 

[HandyWithTheSteel]

Is this your way of saying Mike is the goat?

It means he played in the most watered down era in NBA history.

 

[Canada Goose]

Parity

 

[Reggie]

The league is better when multiple teams have a real chance to win a title.

 

[KFBF]

Celtics fans on here were acting like they were locked up for a threepeat.

 

[inndaskKy]

It's the Knicks brehs...

Realistically, Celtics in 6

 

[FTBS]

I said years ago that the NBA would become more like baseball due to the dependence on and inconsistency of the 3. Its actually happening faster than I thought. Health has always been a thing. So thats not new. And I think the new aprons are gonna help it to stay this way. Teams aren't gonna be able to stay together or rather owners arent gonna be willing to pay.

 

[UpNext]

Maybe it's just me but all this shyt correlates to gambling becoming legal and more mainstream. No more repeat easy to call champions and we're in a league where 20 point leads no longer mean anything. It's definitely some funny shyt going down to create this.

 

[Cladyclad]

I said years ago that the NBA would become more like baseball due to the dependence on and inconsistency of the 3. Its actually happening faster than I thought. Health has always been a thing. So thats not new. And I think the new aprons are gonna help it to stay this way. Teams aren't gonna be able to stay together or rather owners arent gonna be willing to pay.

The 3 not the issue

Talent is so spread out. Its no one dominant team.

All eyes are on OKC imo. They possibly could ruin all the parity with their assests and possibly draft luck