Being labeled as the favorites to win the NBA Finals could potentially be more of a curse than a blessing for the Milwaukee Bucks. They are aiming to become the first team in five years to enter the postseason as consensus favorites and clinch the championship. However, history has shown that this designation doesn’t guarantee success, and the Golden State Warriors are a prime example. After winning three NBA titles with their core players, they entered the following playoffs in 2019 with the expectation of capturing a third consecutive championship. However, they were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, a team that wasn’t even considered a top contender at the start of the postseason. The Bucks must remain vigilant and focused if they don’t want to fall victim to the “favorite curse” and suffer the same fate as the Warriors.
The NBA has seen a shift towards parity in recent years, with a wider range of teams competing for the championship title. This trend began in 2015 when Golden State, Cleveland, and Toronto battled for the NBA Finals. From 2020-2022, six different teams reached the finals, a clear indication of the league’s newfound competitiveness. In the 2020 bubble playoffs, there was no clear favorite, with the Bucks, Lakers, and Clippers all being contenders. However, the Milwaukee Bucks ultimately emerged victorious in 2021, winning their first title since 1971. The Bucks entered the postseason with only the sixth-best odds of winning, proving that anything can happen in the NBA playoffs. The league’s newfound parity has made for an exhilarating viewing experience, with fans eagerly anticipating each game to see which team will come out on top.
The NBA playoffs always bring a level of excitement and unpredictability. As we look back at last season, Golden State was unexpectedly crowned the champions, proving that anything can happen in the postseason. However, this year, there seem to be a few clear-cut favorites vying for the title. The Bucks, Celtics, Suns, and Warriors are the top four teams with the best odds, all having made recent appearances in the NBA Finals. But with long shots like the 76ers and Nuggets not too far behind, it’s anyone’s game to win. Will we see another underdog like the Raptors take home the trophy or will the favorites come out on top? Only time will tell as the battle for the championship begins.
The NBA is full of uncertainty and surprises, and the 2023 season is no exception. While the Bucks are the clear favorite to take home the title, there are plenty of other teams that deserve our attention. The Philadelphia 76ers have Joel Embiid, who many consider a top pick for the MVP award, while the Denver Nuggets feature the two-time defending MVP Nikola Jokic and boast the number one seed in the western conference. But the other young and exciting teams shouldn’t be overlooked either. Teams like Memphis, Sacramento, and Cleveland may not have as much star power or experience, but they have recently shown that they can compete with some of the league’s best. So let’s not write them off just yet, because anything can happen in the NBA.
