Every NBA team’s arch-nemesis
Thunder: Salary cap
Ever since the Sonics were hijacked from Seattle and moved to Oklahoma City, the front office mismanaged the cap. They got ahead of themselves and preemptively dealt James Harden before the team could truly grow together. From there, they made a string of signings and trades, doubling down on each decision and digging further into the hole.
The Thunder’s enormous commitment to Russell Westbrook could prove devastating since they’ve perennially failed to surround him with the right complementary pieces. As it stands, Oklahoma City has the highest payroll in the NBA for next season — a staggering $39.6 million over the cap — and the casual fan can’t name more than three of their players.
Trail Blazers: Choosing big men over GOATs
Every team makes draft mistakes, but Portland’s what-ifs hold enough weight to crumble the foundational integrity of a franchise. The Trail Blazers’ enamorment with selecting big men instead some of the best to ever lace ’em up will always hang like a shadow over them. First came Mychal Thompson over Larry Bird. Most famously was Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. And most recently was Greg Oden over Kevin Durant.
Their ability to surpass transformative, generational superstars turned into a series of unfortunate events. Who knows how the wrinkles of history would have changed with different selections. Alternate timelines of multiple championships disappeared like ripples in a stream.
An honorable mention goes to Jennifer.
Nuggets: Mile-high hex
Most think their altitude adaptation gives Denver an advantage over opponents whose thicker blood is merely acclimated to near-sea level conditions. But what if this just ultimately sets the Nuggets up for failure?
Think about it, what they lack in barometric pressure they gain in psychological pressure to defend their home court. It increases two-fold for a playoff series. The idea of blowing their golden opportunity gets planted in the back of their heads after any loss.
Any time they lose at home during a playoff series, they get If they can’t win in their natural mountain habitat, they’re clearly inferior. Confidence gets lost and confidence is everything.
Don’t agree? Name your favorite Nuggets championship team then.
Wolves: Failing their prodigy
After years of futility followed their expansion genesis in 1989, a franchise centerpiece fell gracefully in the Timberwolves’ laps in 1995. Kevin Garnett, the lanky, multi-dimensional, ahead-of-his-time, wraith bounded across the hardwood for 12 seasons in Minnesota.
In that span, with their generational talent at the forefront, the T’Wolves only made it past the first round once. Over those dozen years, the front office infamously bungled the Joe Smith signing, drafted poorly and generally made bad decisions.
The worst part was Garnett actually wanted to be there and the team couldn’t put it together. Fast forward to the present, and Minnesota looks to be following a similar path of wasting high-end talent through woeful mismanagement.
Next. Kawhi Leonard holds the NBA in his hands. dark
Jazz: Michael Jordan, Game 6
The Jazz existed, in one form or another, since 1974. They made two Finals appearances in that time, only to be foiled in both instances by one Michael Jeffrey Jordan in Game 6s in back-to-back years.
His Airness eviscerated pretty much anyone who stood in his way during the peak of his powers. Jordan found pleasure in casting others to ruin and could be the answer for so many of these. However, the Jazz haven’t been close to claiming a title before or since clashing with those 90s Bulls. The quasi-push off of Bryon Russell will live on loop in the brains of Utah fans for eternity.