Losing in the semifinals after a championship run isn't the most common ending, but it has been of recently. Lost in the Semifinals (13 teams)ġ950-51 Minneapolis Lakers, 1966-67 Boston Celtics, 1976-77 Boston Celtics, 1977-78 Portland Trailblazers, 1993-94 Chicago Bulls, 1995-96 Houston Rockets, 2003-04 San Antonio Spurs, 2005-06 San Antonio Spurs, 2008-09 Boston Celtics, 2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers, 2019-20 Toronto Raptors, 2021-22 Milwaukee Bucks, 2022-23 Golden State Warriors Most of the teams in this category were either upset in the first round or were dealing with injuries. Lost in the first round (8 teams)ġ956-57 Philadelphia Warriors, 1980-81 Los Angeles Lakers, 1983-84 Philadelphia 76ers, 1999-2000 San Antonio Spurs, 2006-07 Miami Heat, 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks, 2014-15 San Antonio Spurs, 2020-21 Los Angeles LakersĬhampionship-winning teams are usually good enough to get past the first round the succeeding year after they brought home the Larry O'Brien Trophy as well, as first-round losses are the second least common thing to happen to defending champions. Bill Russell and Michael Jordan gave their franchises everything that they had, and they couldn't dominate the league forever. Both the Celtics and Bulls dynasties ended when their mega star player retired. Missing the playoffs altogether after winning a championship is a rarity, and it makes sense, as usually, superstars don't want to leave their team after collecting a ring. Do the Nuggets have a chance to repeat as champions this year? Defending champion results the year after winning Missed the playoffs (2 teams)ġ969-70 Boston Celtics, 1998-99 Chicago Bulls The Denver Nuggets won the NBA Finals for the first time in their franchise's history last season. In this article, we will look at how teams have followed up their championship performance in the following season. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City)Ħ0.Winning a championship in the NBA is hard, but defending that title and going back-to-back is much harder, although it is far from impossible. New Orleans Hornets (from Dallas via Washington)ĥ8. Portland Trail Blazers (from Houston via Minnesota)Ĥ6. Denver Nuggets (from Golden State via New York)Ĥ0. Cleveland Cavaliers (from New Orleans via Miami)ģ5. Houston Rockets (from New York Knicks)Ģ4. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn)ġ6. draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The selection order for Thursday’s 5 p.m. But when he actually plays for the Nuggets is another story. No matter what the Nuggets decide to do in the draft, they likely will have at least one new player. And I’ll come in trying to defend, put pressure on the ball full court.” 38, and Teague, who starred in the NCAA Tournament for Kentucky.Īsked how he could fit in with the Nuggets’ fast-paced style, Teague said: “I’ll just try to come in and push the tempo as much as I can. They have worked out Kansas’ Tyshawn Taylor, who might be available at No. He can bang inside - and shoot midrange jumpers.Īndre Miller isn’t guaranteed to return, so the Nuggets could draft a point guard. Bonaventure’s Andrew Nicholson is a 6-10 power forward who played four years of college basketball. The Nuggets could keep him overseas and grow their asset, without needing him to play right away. Miller needs to add muscle but is a gritty player who isn’t afraid to play outside or inside.Įvan Fournier, a Frenchman, is a fascinating prospect. He led the Southeastern Conference in scoring the last two seasons - and led the nation in 3-pointers made last season while leading Vandy to the SEC Tournament title.īaylor’s Quincy Miller is an intriguing 6-9 forward who’s only 19 and finally 100 percent healthy after playing with a rehabilitated knee last season. So far, Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins is the only player to work out twice for the Nuggets. The Nuggets have worked out a couple dozen players - Denver also has the 38th and 50th picks overall - and will host prospects Monday and Tuesday. I think we’re in a good position because it could be the best talent available.” “We value our young guys, we value development with our coaches, we hope we can do a good job in the draft to get a good player. “But in the draft, historically, there are only a certain amount of guys who make it,” Ujiri said of later picks. That allowed them to move in the draft and acquire Hamilton, a sharpshooter from Texas.īut Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri said “we feel it’s a pretty deep draft,” meaning teams might have a better chance at finding a Faried in the 20s this year. Last summer, the Nuggets made a smart deal by trading Raymond Felton to Portland for Miller. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu
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