Another Reason Why 2021 NBA Playoffs Are Crazier Than Ever

Published 06/07/2021, 2:21 PM EDT

The 2021 NBA playoffs have been very interesting so far. The defending champions, Los Angeles Lakers, are out, and along with them, the other 2020 NBA Finalist, Miami Heat, are also out. For the first time since 2016, a team from the Eastern Conference could win the title.

However, the most interesting aspect of the 2021 playoffs is that there is a 62% chance, we will have a first-time NBA champion. There are eight teams remaining in the hunt for the 2021 NBA title. Five of them: Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz, have never won the title.

Only three of those five teams have been to the NBA Finals before. The Nets were the most recent team to do it, when they reached back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. The Jazz also had back-to-back Finals losses in 1997 and 1998. The Suns have also reached two NBA Finals, once in 1976 and in 1993, and lost both.

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None of the eight teams still alive in the NBA playoffs have won a title since the playoffs expanded to 16 teams in 1984. pic.twitter.com/1XN3vYRcw3
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 7, 2021

The Nets are the favorites to win the title this season, so they could finally break their barren run and bring silverware to the Barclays Center. The Clippers will be top dogs in the West now since rivals Lakers are out. Kawhi Leonard and co will be hoping to break their duck too.

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There is another fun fact about the remaining three teams. The 76ers last won the title in 1983, the Bucks last won it in 1971, and the Hawks last won it in 1958. So for the first time since 1984, the NBA will see a new team lift the Larry O’Brien trophy.

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When the Bucks won the title in 1983, they had Kareem Abdul Jabbar leading them. It is now almost 40 years since they last won it, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be eager to end this title drought for them. They are also among the favorites to win it but are currently down 1-0 in their Conference Semifinals.

The 76ers are in a similar situation as the Bucks. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are currently in their prime, and all eyes are on them as they finally aim to complete the Process. But they are down 1-0 currently, and need to improve immediately to be in the running for the title.

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver may be disappointed with the lack of Stephen Curry and LeBron James in the upcoming Finals. But fans will be overjoyed to see new teams win a ring.

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Written by:

Aaron Mathew is a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Mass Media from Xavier’s College, Aaron has been a part of EssentiallySports since May 2020 where he covers both NBA and NCAA basketball news, and has also covered NBA 2K. In the past, Aaron has worked at the Sports Desk of Mumbai Mirror.

Another Reason Why 2021 NBA Playoffs Are Crazier Than Ever

NBA Playoffs 2021: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid win a ring?

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