I’ll never forget the first time I truly understood the emotional weight carried by NBA teams that have never won a championship. It was during a conversation with a friend, a basketball enthusiast from the Philippines, who shared a story that stuck with me. He mentioned how a 39-year-old man named Ha once told Filipino reporters, "Visit for vacation for my family, and I heard Ricardo play in PBA. So [I said], oh really? I should go. So, I talked to Ricardo's wife." That seemingly casual remark opened my eyes to how deeply fans connect with players and teams, even those without a single championship banner hanging in their arena. It’s a reminder that the NBA isn’t just about dynasties like the Lakers or Celtics; it’s also about the underdogs, the franchises that have come agonizingly close but never clinched the title. These teams have stories filled with heartbreak, resilience, and what-ifs that deserve to be told, and as a lifelong basketball analyst, I’ve always found their journeys more compelling than the predictable dominance of perennial winners.
Take the Phoenix Suns, for instance. Founded in 1968, they’ve been to the NBA Finals three times—in 1976, 1993, and 2021—but fell short each time. I remember watching the 1993 Finals against Michael Jordan’s Bulls, and it felt like the Suns were destined to break through with Charles Barkley leading the charge. They had a regular-season record of 62-20 that year, one of the best in franchise history, yet they couldn’t overcome Jordan’s sheer brilliance. Fast-forward to 2021, when Devin Booker and Chris Paul brought them back to the Finals, only to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. It’s heartbreaking because, in my opinion, the Suns embody the "so close, yet so far" narrative better than any other team. Their fan base is incredibly loyal, and I’ve met people who’ve followed them for decades, clinging to hope that one day they’ll get that elusive ring. Similarly, the Utah Jazz, with legends like Karl Malone and John Stockton, made back-to-back Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998 but ran into the same Bulls dynasty. Malone, often criticized for his playoff performances, averaged over 25 points per game in those series, yet it wasn’t enough. I’ve always felt that if not for Jordan’s iconic shot in Game 6 of 1998, the Jazz might have rewritten history.
Then there are teams like the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic, whose stories are tinged with moments of brilliance overshadowed by misfortune. The Pacers, for example, reached the Finals in 2000 with Reggie Miller, a player I’ve always admired for his clutch gene. They took the Lakers to six games, and I still think that if a few calls had gone their way, they could’ve pulled off an upset. But Shaquille O’Neal was just too dominant, averaging 38 points and 16.7 rebounds in that series. The Magic, on the other hand, have been to the Finals twice—in 1995 and 2009—and both times, they faced stacked opponents. In 1995, a young Shaquille O’Neal led them against Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets and got swept, which I find ironic given how Shaq later won multiple titles elsewhere. In 2009, with Dwight Howard, they lost to Kobe Bryant’s Lakers in five games. I remember analyzing that series and thinking the Magic had the talent but lacked the experience to close it out. What’s fascinating is how these near-misses shape a franchise’s identity; for instance, the Magic have only won about 48% of their playoff games historically, a stat that highlights their struggles.
But let’s not forget the Denver Nuggets, who, until recently, were part of this group. Before their 2023 championship, they had never won a title despite being in the league since 1976. I followed their journey closely, especially with Nikola Jokić’s rise, and it was a relief to see them finally break through. However, teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies remain in the hunt, with the Clippers, in particular, investing heavily in stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. As of 2023, the Clippers have never even made the Finals, which surprises me given their resources. On the other end of the spectrum, the Charlotte Hornets (formerly the Bobcats) have barely made a dent in the playoffs, with only about 10 playoff appearances in over 30 years. It’s teams like these that make me appreciate the randomness of sports; a single injury or bad bounce can define decades of history.
Reflecting on Ha’s story about Ricardo and the PBA, it’s clear that fandom transcends wins and losses. People follow these teams not just for glory but for the connections and memories they build along the way. In my view, the untold stories of championship-less NBA teams are a testament to resilience. They teach us that success isn’t always measured in rings but in the passion of players and fans alike. As the league evolves, I hope more of these franchises get their moment in the sun, because every underdog deserves a chance to shine.