Best Team Never to Win and NBA Championship

[PierceMVP08]

One of the very best things that happened to this generation of Celtics (that isn't talked about)is getting the championship monkey off their backs before there was even a monkey there.  I'm glad we never had to deal with talks about "this is a great team, but they haven't won a championship."  As we now know, had they not won in 2008, injuries would have more than likely conspired to keep them from winning one at all.  Because they were able to put it all together so quickly, they never faced that type of pressure and anything beyond that ring was gravy.  Think about how you would've felt if this past year was our last run and we couldn't say "at least we got one in 2008?" 

Miami was facing those talks after just one year and people were ready to blow it up.  OKC is very young and should be back in the thick of things for years to come... but you never know what will happen with injuries, free agency, etc.

This got me thinking, what are the best teams to never win a championship.  I've been watching the NBA since 1995 so I have 17 years of experience to pick from, but I know lots of you have many more and I'd love to hear from you.  So the question is, what is the best team to never win a championship in your time?

Here are my candidates:

Indiana Pacers of the mid to late 90's
Phoenix Suns (Charles Barkley years)
New York Knicks of the mid 90's
Utah Jazz of the mid to late 90's
Seattle Supersonics of the mid 90's
Orlando Magic of the mid 90's
Sacramento Kings of the early 2000's
Boston Celtics (2002)... Just kidding 

My winner?

Tough choice for me between NYN, IND and SAC... but for some reason I have to go with SAC.  Maybe it's because of the way they were jobbed in 2002, but they really just seemed to be the better team that year while NYN and IND just couldnt seem to get over the hump.  What are your thoughts?

[CelticsFan9]

2009 Celtics.  If KG doesn't go down, there was a possibility to become one of the greatest teams of all time.

[Donoghus]

Not the best team to never win an NBA championship but I've always felt that the Milwaukee Bucks of the early to mid-80s were a heckuva team that had the misfortune of playing in the same conference as the Bird Celtics & Dr. J Sixers.

[Kane3387]

Another testament to Jordan's greatness. Look at all those mid to late 90s teams.

[ederson]

I`ll go with Utah. They were in the condenders group for too many years

[indeedproceed]

The Suns during 2007.

They would've torched the Jazz and faced that weaksauce Cavs team and demolished them.

[BballTim]

  Drexler's Blazers teams were very good as well.

[Fafnir]

I'd have to go with Webber's Kings teams based on teams I watched extensively. With the 2007 Suns second.

[PierceMVP08]

2009 Celtics.  If KG doesn't go down, there was a possibility to become one of the greatest teams of all time.

I agree completely, although i didn't include them in the list because i've looked at the past year as one era.  Therefore I've counted them as a team that has won a ring, but i think you're absolutely right.

[Boris Badenov]

I vote for those Jazz teams. They were a few baskets away from taking down a 69-win team featuring the best player of all time.

[PierceMVP08]

Another testament to Jordan's greatness. Look at all those mid to late 90s teams.

Very true... although it could also be a testament to me coming up during the mid to late 90's lol.

[PierceMVP08]

  Drexler's Blazers teams were very good as well.

Before my time, but from what i've heard, read and seen definitely should be up there as well.

[StartOrien]

I can't say I really agree with the Knicks being high on the list. Very good team, but not a team I'd call 'great.'

[StartOrien]

Can't pick one - I'd just say Nash's Suns in general.

[wdleehi]

Blazers would be high on my list.


The Orlando team with Shaq and Penny.