Inspired by the 2021 Utah Jazz, the Over & Back Podcast examines the biggest one-season jumps in NBA history where the team didn’t have a fundamental change.
This week on the Over and Back Classic NBA Podcast, Jason and Rich take a deep dive into teams with big one-season jumps where the team didn’t have a major fundamental change like a new star or new head coach.
The show concept is inspired by the 2021 Utah Jazz who are currently on a 63-win pace after only winning 44 games the prior year.
Our criteria:
- At least a 10-game improvement and have to be a winning team the second season
- No coaching change between seasons
- No major stars added between seasons
- Some of this is subjective — sorry if we missed your favorite team!
Discussions:
- Two big season-to-season jumps for the Cleveland Cavaliers in both 1988 to 1989 and 1991 to 1992 aided by consistent play from Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, Craig Ehlo, Hot Rod Williams, and Mark Price.
- The still-fledgling Dallas Mavericks become real contenders from 1986 to 1987 led by Derek Harper, Detlef Schrempf, Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman and Sam Perkins.
- The woeful Detroit Pistons finally give the Motor City something to be happy about with a huge jump from 1973 to 1974 including great seasons from Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Don Adams, Chris Ford, Curtis Rowe and more.
- Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell propel the Milwaukee Bucks back to their glory days with a huge leap forward from 2000 to 2001.
- After years of disarray in Vancouver, the Memphis Grizzlies find a new home and new life as they improve from 2003 to 2004 thanks to Pau Gasol‘s emergence, the acquisitions of James Posey and Bonzi Wells and the return of Hubie Brown.
- The last hurrah for the Seattle SuperSonics as Rashard Lewis emerges as a star and Seattle makes one last run to the playoffs with a huge turnaround from 2004 to 2005.
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