This week, ESPN commentator Vincent Goodwill argued that parity in the league is a problem.In his view, the NBA championship has become a "participation trophy.""Dynasty is better for the sport," Goodwill said.
"I like to know that greatness is validated.How do we know that any of the last eight champions are actually validated because they have not done it again? Giannis is itching to get out, Boston is thinking about trading Jaylen Brown, they don’t believe in their one championship.
LeBron’s one championship in LA was not enough.So why would it be enough for us?"For context, eight different franchises have won the past eight NBA titles.
The Warriors were the last team to repeat as champions in 2018.JEMELE HILL CLAIMS SHE'D HAVE A JOB SHE'S 'UNQUALIFIED FOR' AND A HIGHER SALARY IF SHE WERE WHITENew York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates with teammates after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026.(Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)For decades, championship runs in the NBA were defined by sustained dominance.
The Lakers and Celtics combined for eight championships in the 1980s.The Bulls won six titles in the 1990s.
The Lakers and Spurs combined for 10 championships from 1999 to 2014.The Heat and Warriors accounted for six of the next eight titles.Fans and media expected another team to follow that pattern this decade.
At different points, the Bucks, Nuggets and Thunder each looked like candidates.Instead, every would-be dynasty has stalled before it could begin.Which raises the question: Is the NBA weaker without dynasties?Put simply, it depends on the dynasty.The NBA was most popular during Michael Jordan's run in Chicago.
It regained some of that interest when LeBron James' Cavaliers and Steph Curry's Warriors met in four consecutive Finals from 2015 through 2018.By contrast, the Tim Duncan Spurs won five championships across 15 seasons but were never box off...