Who Is the Duke of the NBA? Pro Teams and Their NCAA Doppelgangers

If you had to compare one NBA team to the Duke Blue Devils, which one would you choose? 

Well, I'd have to go with the...team that you'll find out by reading the rest of this article. 

The following 30 slides take each team in the NBA and find their NCAA doppelgangers. The reasons for the selections vary, so feel free to suggest your own in the comment section. 

Read on and enjoy!

Atlanta Hawks: Cincinnati Bearcats

Back in the days of Bob Pettit, the Hawks (then located elsewhere) were one of the most dominant teams in the entire NBA.

And really, it was almost entirely due to the greatness of Pettit. 

It was thanks to Pettit that the Hawks were able to win the first and only title in franchise history by taking down the Boston Celtics in 1958.

Since then, they've had their ups and downs and are experiencing a modern-day resurgence. 

The Cincinnati Bearcats have followed the exact same track. They're awesomely decent, and right now with Yancy Gates they're better than decent.

They were also dominant at one point back in the day with Oscar Robertson at the helm. 

Boston Celtics: UCLA Bruins

It only makes sense to pair these two teams together. 

The Boston Celtics have won more NBA Championships than any other team in professional basketball history.

The UCLA Bruins have one more NCAA Championships than any other team in college basketball history. 

Charlotte Bobcats: Prairie View A&M Panthers

To be fair to Prairie View A&M, they were kind of a random choice. 

But like many other schools in Division I college basketball, the Panthers have literally never been relevant on the national scene. 

When was the last time the Charlotte Bobcats were relevant in the NBA?

Chicago Bulls: San Francisco Dons

If it wasn't for Michael Jordan, the entire course of Chicago Bulls history would have been drastically altered.

They may still be without a single title. 

If it wasn't for Bill Russell, the entire course of San Francisco Dons basketball history would have been drastically altered.

They may still be without a single title. 

The parallel here should be fairly obvious. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: Memphis Tigers

I'm making this comparison because of two players, neither of whom is remembered fondly by the organization they helped so much. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers were not much before LeBron James came and took them almost to the top.

But after The Decision, he was completely vilified and hated by the franchise. 

As for the Memphis Tigers, Derrick Rose almost single-handedly led them to an NCAA title, but the entire season was vacated after problems were found with his SAT scores.

Now, Rose isn't remembered too fondly in Memphis lore. 

Dallas Mavericks: Connecticut Huskies

The Dallas Mavericks are the reigning NBA champions, and the Connecticut Huskies are the reigning NCAA champions. 

Boom. 

Comparison made. 

Denver Nuggets: Xavier Musketeers

Doesn't it seem like the Denver Nuggets are always good enough to be considered fringe contenders but never quite good enough to be considered true contenders? 

With or without Carmelo Anthony, they've been good, but they fly a bit under the radar. 

Similarly, the Xavier Musketeers have been a mainstay on the national scene for quite some time, but they're never a true Final Four-quality team, and they aren't exactly college basketball blue bloods. 

Detroit Pistons: Purdue Boilermakers

This comparison is really all about playing style. 

Both the Detroit Pistons and the Purdue Boilermakers have always been known for their tough, physical styles of play.

Utilizing that style, both teams have always been quality teams. 

Golden State Warriors: Grinnell College Pioneers

The Grinnell College Pioneers are a Division III school that many of you may have never heard of.

I wouldn't blame you. 

Much like the Golden State Warriors, the Pioneers are literally all about offense. 

In the 2003-2004 season, they averaged a record 126.2 points per game, one season removed from scoring 100 or more points in a record 28 straight games.

Back in 1994, Grinnell actually managed to lose a game despite scoring 149 points. 

Houston Rockets: Florida Gators

The Houston Rockets have pretty much always been good, but they've never been better than a two-year stretch in which they won back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 behind the greatness of Hakeem Olajuwon. 

Similarly, the Florida Gators are always up there in the national rankings, but they've never peaked quite as much as they did in 2006 and 2007 when they won back-to-back NCAA titles. 

Indiana Pacers: Indiana Hoosiers

Honestly, I just couldn't think of anything creative for the Indiana Pacers. 

So, because the Pacers and the Indiana Hoosiers are both from the same state and share one word in their team name, I'm comparing them to each other. 

That's valid, right? 

Please?

Los Angeles Clippers: CalTech Beavers

The CalTech Beavers once went 11 years without a single win.

It took them until January 6, 2007 to win their next game after an epic victory in 1996.

In another record of futility, the Beavers didn't win a single conference game in 26 years from 1985 to 2011. 

They're possibly the most pathetic college basketball team of all time. 

There's a reason that I'm comparing the Los Angeles Clippers to them. 

Los Angeles Lakers: Duke Blue Devils

And the answer to the question posed in the title of the article is the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Lakers have always been good, much like the Duke Blue Devils.

Whether Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson or someone else has been leading the team, they've won titles. 

But on top of that, the Lakers are not exactly the most popular team in the league. 

With greatness comes dislike. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Belmont Bruins

If anything, this slide is allowing me to give a shoutout to the Belmont Bruins, the most underrated team in college basketball right now after two early-season losses to Duke and Memphis.

Even though they gave both teams serious scares, they're entirely overlooked. 

Similarly, no one is talking about the Memphis Grizzlies, even though they're ready to improve upon last year's campaign. 

Watch out for both of these teams in early 2012. 

Miami Heat: Kentucky Wildcats

The Miami Heat recently loaded up on talent by adding Chris Bosh and LeBron James to the cause, making themselves instant contenders for a title but also making themselves unpopular in the process. 

It's pretty much the same thing that John Calipari does every year by recruiting a new class of one-and-dones. 

Milwaukee Bucks: North Carolina State Wolfpack

Back in the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, the Milwaukee Bucks contended for a title year in and year out, winning the NBA Championship in 1971.

But since then, they've been competitive a few times without every really regaining their throne atop the league. 

Similarly, North Carolina State was a powerhouse back in the day, even winning it all in 1974 and 1983.

But the last time they made the Elite Eight was 1986. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Back when Kevin Garnett was playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team was actually competitive.

But as soon as he left, all hell broke lose for the Wolves, and they've never been even halfway decent since then. 

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets experienced some success during the same time frame, even making the Final Four in 2004, but they haven't been nearly as good since then. 

New Jersey Nets: Oklahoma State Cowboys

This is another throwback comparison. 

It's been a while since the Oklahoma State Cowboys have been elite.

They won titles in 1945 and 1946 but have only made the Final Four twice since the 1950s.

With Le'Bryan Nash and the rest of the Cowboys looking better than normal, they could be on the way up once more. 

Deron Williams is leading the resurgence for the New Jersey Nets right now.

The historically proud franchise has been at the bottom of the league for a while now, a long way removed from the memorable days of old. 

New Orleans Hornets: Indiana State Sycamores

The New Orleans Hornets would have been nothing recently if it wasn't for the greatness of Chris Paul. 

Would we even remember the Indiana State Sycamores if it wasn't for Larry Bird?

New York Knicks: Georgetown Hoyas

The New York Knicks and Georgetown Hoyas are both always good teams, but it also always seems like they underachieve. 

The most notable example for the Knicks would be the Patrick Ewing days—unless you want to consider Isiah Thomas' reign with the team underachievement and not incompetence. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Gonzaga Bulldogs are both relative newcomers on the basketball scene if you consider the Thunder as a separate entity from the Seattle SuperSonics. 

Maybe it's just me, but I've always really liked the Gonzaga team because of their perennial Cinderella status.

In the same vein, it's impossible to dislike the Thunder. 

Orlando Magic: Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Orlando Magic always seem to shuffle in one great player after another, even if no two are in their prime together for very long.

They've had Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway and Dwight Howard all play at various points in the team's history.

I can't wait to see who comes next. 

As for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, they also seem to bring in one star after another but never have enough at the same time to truly compete.

They've had Muggsy Bogues, Tim Duncan, Chris Paul and quite a few other great ball players in their storied history. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Texas Longhorns

Both of these basketball teams/programs have storied histories and are always in the mix, but they're both overshadowed by other teams from the same city/college. 

Texas will always be a football school first and foremost.

Philly fans will always care about the Eagles more than the 76ers. 

Phoenix Suns: Louisville Cardinals

How many times did Steve Nash fill you with confidence during the regular season for the "Seven Seconds of Less" Phoenix Suns only to let you down—with the help of his teammates of course—in the playoffs?

How many times has Louisville busted your bracket? 

Yeah—that's what I thought. 

Portland Trail Blazers: Wisconsin Badgers

No two teams are flying under the radar right now quite like the Portland Trail Blazers and Wisconsin Badgers. 

Despite Jordan Taylor's slow start to the season, the Badgers are still undefeated and ranked No. 3 by Ken Pomeroy.

They're absolutely incredible on offense and defense and will be around the top all season. 

As LaMarcus Aldridge continues to improve, the Blazers will become bigger contenders than they've been in a long time. 

Sacramento Kings: Current UCLA Bruins

The Sacramento Kings and current UCLA Bruins are both built upon the shoulders of successful franchises/programs, but there's a lot missing even if both have potential. 

If Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette and DeMarcus Cousins all mesh together, the Kings could be very good.

But with Evans and Cousins, there may be one too many head cases on the squad. 

Similarly, Reeves Nelson plays for the Bruins. Enough said. 

San Antonio Spurs: North Carolina Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels are one of the model programs in college basketball, and the San Antonio Spurs are the model franchise in the NBA. 

Both teams are always near the top of their respective leagues and always have great players on their rosters. 

Toronto Raptors: Saskatchewan Huskies

I think the title speaks for itself. 

Utah Jazz: Kansas Jayhawks (Minus the Titles)

Even though they've never won a title, the Utah Jazz are always good.

Since they moved from New Orleans to Utah in 1979, the Jazz have made the playoffs in all but eight seasons. 

They could only be accurately represented by one of college basketball's blue bloods—UCLA, Kansas, Duke and North Carolina.

The only one left is Kansas. 

Washington Wizards: Alabama Crimson Tide

Both the Washington Wizards and Alabama Crimson Tide used to be very good basketball teams but had fallen off in recent years. 

With John Wall leading the resurgence in the nation's capitol, the Wizards are on their way back up the NBA standings.

Meanwhile, JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell are making the Crimson Tide relevant in the SEC once more in something other than football.