2011 NBA Playoffs: Why Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks Must Win Dallas a Championship
Which city is most in need of an NBA title?
In truth, the answer is probably Cleveland.
The last time a Cleveland professional sports team won a championship was in 1964, when the Browns won a title in the pre-Super Bowl era.
The Indians last won the World Series in 1948, and the Cavaliers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in their lone Finals appearance in 2007.
But the Cavs aren’t in the playoffs, and they won’t be anytime soon which begs the following question: Which of this year’s 16 postseason contenders is most in need of an NBA Championship?
Some, like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, expect nothing less than the ultimate prize. It’s written in their constitution.
Others, like the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets, are relatively new in town. An NBA title would be proof that the franchise belongs in the city.
Some, like the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, reside in America’s more distinguished sporting localities. They must keep pace with their fellow “big four” residents.
Others, like the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks are simply desperate to break franchise-long droughts.
From 16 to one, here are the cities most in need of an NBA Championship this June.
16. Oklahoma City
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The Thunder are the sole representative of the Big Four North American sports leagues in Oklahoma, and they’ve only been there for two full seasons.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are well placed to put the Thunder in contention for the next decade, but for now, anything more than postseason experience is a pleasant bonus.
15. Los Angeles
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In productivity terms, the Los Angeles Lakers are the most successful NBA franchise in history.
With no fewer than five championships in the past decade, another this June would be nothing more than trivial for the folks at Staples.
So much so that only two questions remain.
Just how many rings will Phil retire with?
And can Kobe equal Michael?
14. San Antonio
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Only the Lakers, Celtics and Bulls own more championship hardware than the four titles Tim Duncan and the Spurs collected between 1999 and 2007.
In fact, San Antonio remains the most productive of all cities, with teams in at least one major sport.
Home to only the Spurs, the Texas powerhouse has been collecting titles at over three times the league rate since their 1973-74 inception.
While a 61-21 season ought not to go to waste, a titleless campaign wouldn’t exactly spell doom for the franchise.
13. Memphis
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The Grizzlies have been a disappointment ever since their 1995–96 inception in Vancouver.
With nine full seasons under their belt at their new Memphis home, it took until the Game 1 victory over the Spurs to register a single postseason victory.
While the minor leagues are well represented in Memphis, the Grizzlies are the only professional franchise, and another playoffs victory should be enough to satisfy the masses.
At least for now.
12. Portland
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Again, the Trailblazers are the only “big four” representative in the city.
While generally very competitive, only one championship in 40 starts could be considered a gross underachievement.
The Blazers haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 1992 and a return in 2011 looks highly unlikely.
After another injury-plagued season, the Blazers still hold hopes of at least making it through to the second round.
11. Denver
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Without a title in 36 seasons, the Nuggets are far from the city’s sporting poster boy.
Back in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, anything better than last year’s first-round exit to the Jazz should be enough to silence the pro-‘Melo cynics.
Though it doesn't look likely.
10. Orlando
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The NBA’s Superman franchise.
The Magic may have been to the Finals just twice in its 21 seasons, but postseason success is critical to its hopes of retaining the game’s most dominant big man.
Dwight Howard is simply too good to not have his name preceded with the words “championship-winning center.”
A repeat of the Shaq-to-Lakers deal would spell disaster for the city, which should have more hardware to show for their regular-season dominance.
Drafting the NBA’s best two centers of the last 20 years is one thing.
Winning championships is another.
9. New Orleans
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The city’s only other “big four” representative is the 2009 Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.
While the Hornets have only been in town eight years, postseason success is a must in order to show professional basketball belongs in the city.
While the Louisiana Superdome has hosted the Super Bowl a record six times, the NBA remains more of a sideshow.
Keeping Chris Paul in town is a must as well.
8. Indianapolis
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For all their regular season success in the late '90s and early '00s, the Pacers went to the NBA Finals just once (2000).
The Pacers are the most successful team in ABA history, with three ABA Championships in just four years.
Postseason success is a must for the Pacers to be relevant again in the NBA, though season 2010-11 looks likely to wrap up soon.
Since 2006, the Colts have been the city’s shining light, reaching two of the last six Super Bowls.
7. Chicago
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The Cubs aside, Chicago is a city among the most successful in pro-sports history.
The Bulls had the Jordan-era, the White Sox took the World Series in 2005 and the Blackhawks are defending their NHL Championship.
It’s time for the Derrick Rose-era.
Anything less than a trip to the NBA Finals would be a disappointment for the 62-20 Bulls.
6. Boston
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Hold on. Weren’t the Celtics World Champions just two years back?
How could they possibly need another title?
When you assemble the kind of outfit Danny Ainge fashioned in the summer of 2007, one ring is simply not enough.
We’re talking three future Hall of Famers here. And Rajon Rondo.
The dynasty needs to avenge last year’s Finals loss to the Lakers.
5. New York City
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Basketball is relevant once more in the Big Apple.
Fans have started to dream about what Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony could do to defenses in the postseason.
Though perhaps prematurely.
The Knicks haven’t been back to the NBA Finals since 1999, and the city needs a championship.
Right now, it can probably wait.
The Knicks will be all the hype this summer.
But until then, New Yorkers have always got the Yankees.
4. Atlanta
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Atlanta might just be America’s worst sporting city.
The Hawks haven’t ever been to the NBA Finals in 42 years, the Falcons have been to the Super Bowl just once in 45 and the Thrashers have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs just once in their 10 seasons of existence.
And in 44 seasons, the Braves possess the city’s only sporting title.
Wow.
3. Philadelphia
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All four of Philly’s major league sports teams have been to their respective finals in the past decade.
The Flyers in 2010.
The 76ers in 2001.
The Phillies in 2008 and 2009.
The Eagles in 2004.
The 76ers won't overcome the Miami powerhouse in the first round, but the city badly needs its first NBA Championship since 1983.
Excellence is the benchmark in the City of Brotherly Love.
2. Miami
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When you convince three of the best basketballers on the planet to join forces, success is simply a necessity.
In fact, multiple championships are probably needed to justify last summer’s trades.
Time is likely on the South Beach trio’s side, but don’t try telling LeBron James that.
James wants a legacy of his own, and championship rings are the only currency he can afford to deal in.
1. Dallas
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No franchise needs an NBA Championship like the Dallas Mavericks do in 2011.
The Mavs have just posted their 11th straight 50-plus win season but have little to show for their success.
A lone conference title in 2006.
Division titles in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
These Texans have surely underachieved.
The Cowboys have long been the city’s sporting darling, collecting Super Bowls at nearly three times the league rate.
Meanwhile, the Mavs have a sole 2006 Finals appearance to show for their 30 seasons in the NBA.
Even the Rangers went to the World Series last year.
It’s not as if the Mavs have been short of talent either.
Both Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki are 10-time NBA All-Stars. The latter the 2007 league MVP.
For all their accolades and achievements, neither have a championship ring.
These stalwarts, and this city, need an NBA Championship to show for its success
