The NBA has entered a new era of parity, where multiple teams have a chance to compete for the championship each season. Despite some structural changes that suggest this trend will continue, the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are favored by Vegas to dominate their respective conferences. This rise in parity can be attributed to a variety of factors, including revolving champions, less in-season dominance, more playoff randomness, a “fat middle” of teams winning between 40 and 52 games, and a bottom quarter of the league that is struggling.
The new collective bargaining agreement has also played a role in promoting parity by implementing rules that limit the financial advantage of high-spending teams over their smaller-market counterparts. However, this may result in a short-term decrease in parity as only a few teams are able to build elite rosters under the new constraints. Boston and Oklahoma City have managed to craft competitive rosters that work under the new rules, but even they will face challenges due to the restrictions imposed by the CBA.
Overall, the trend towards more parity in the NBA is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. While there may be some fluctuations in any given season, the league’s efforts to promote competitive balance are having a noticeable impact. Fans can expect to see a diverse range of teams competing for the championship each year, creating an exciting and unpredictable environment for basketball enthusiasts.
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