“They Should’ve Been a Dynasty” NBA Edition

One of the best talent bases in NBA history, Serege Ibaka, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Kevin Durnat only played three seasons together, reaching the NBA Finals once in 2012 (Credit: Yahoo Sports)

In this edition of “They Should’ve Been a Dynasty,” we explore recent NBA teams that should have won more than they ultimately did.

Remember the rules, I see a dynasty as the following: a team that has won at least three championships in a 10-year window. It can be a smaller window (i.e. a three-peat), but I think the simplest barometer is winning three championships within a certain window of time, showing that you were the best of your sport, and you showed it repeatedly.

Ranges of time are flexible depending on the eye of the reader, but this is how I view them.

Celtics Post All-Star Break History

David Butler – USA Today Sports

The Celtics have been under the microscope in the East ever since they emerged as potential contenders again under Brad Stevens. They were obviously in a rebuilding stage when the Celtics parted ways with long time coach Doc Rivers, who saw only one championship with them in 2008. It did not come as a surprise when Brad Stevens, the former Butler head coach that brought the team to their first Final Four in school history, went 25-57 in his first year. The actual surprise was the Celtics never missing the playoffs every season after that. Brad Stevens is remarkable at utilizing the players he has and setting them up to succeed through well-crafted play calling. As his roster grew each year with more and more talent, he was able to improve their playoff success. With the All-Star break over and the playoff push in full effect, I wanted to see how the Celtics have fared in the past five years during this time; the pattern is surprising.

These are not the Boston Celtics I know

A lot has been made about the constant media attention surrounding Kyrie Irving this season.  Is is his own fault, or are others creating a narrative for him? (Credit: Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports)

Consider these two teams: one started this season 10-10, while the other started 12-8.  Both teams were top 3 seeds in their respective conferences last season, so needless to say, they started off this year slower than expected.

After some bumps in the road those two teams have very similar records.  One team is 37-24, while the other is 37-23.  Both teams look set to make the playoffs, and after the first 20 games of their season, look to have righted the ship.  Yet after last night, it’s only safe to make that argument for one of those teams.

The Anthony Davis Saga

Anthony Davis’ request of a trade from New Orleans caused a lot of drama the past two weeks in the NBA; is this just the beginning? (Credit: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and Anthony Davis is still a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. After asking for a trade January 28, ten days of drama ensued as Davis was immediately connected to the Los Angeles Lakers.  We heard endless amounts of information (as well as misinformation) from the main parties involved, and the hurricane of madness even hit the shores of Boston, instilling doubts about the future of Kyrie Irving.  My favorite part? LaVar Ball came out of the cave Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka (must have) paid him to stay in, and told the world LeBron James is nothing without his son Lonzo!

808s and Ankle Breaks: Episode 36

Jonathan Kermah and Trevor Wilson are joined by UMass junior Christopher Iacobucci in an NBA trade deadline special. The boys talk all things trade deadline related including the Anthony Davis trade that never was.

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