28 Dec 10 NBA Rerun: Why Do The Top Teams Keep Losing Every Year?

Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesI know it's only the second round and I also know only a few games have been played so far in this round, but what is going on here?? Where is Dallas? Denver? Anybody heard from Miami since they got rocked? How can the top teams in the NBA, teams that have won in recent years (Miami) or come close time and time again (Dallas), not find a way to finish the job? Some of the best players in the NBA are the forerunners for these clubs, so what's the deal?It seems a bit crazy but here's what it boils down to. Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
The NBA has, without a doubt, the best winner continuity of the four major sports. Over the last ten years, the LA Lakers and San Antonio Spurs have been the Western Conference team in the finals nine times. They only didn't make it ONCE in ten years. That's crazy! They've also been pretty good at winning when given the chance - the Lakers lost twice over that span and the Spurs made good on each of their chances.So the million dollar question asks, what exactly is their secret? Simple, it's their nucleus. That one guy that no matter who else comes or goes in the organization is always there to lead the team to the promised land. Combine that with the proper supporting cast and you have a recipe for success.In LA it's Kobe, obviously, and whether it was Shaq, Gasol or Artest, the top players want to play with him and in exchange he helps them win. Shaq and Kobe might not be the closest of buddies now, but they seemed like the perfect couple on the hardwood.In San Antonio it's Duncan. Back in the day, he and Robinson were unstoppable down low, and now his guards Parker and Ginobili are the ones helping him go all the way.Granted that Lebron, Nash and Dwight Howard are on anyone's top ten list of the league's elite, they just haven't had the group of Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
teammates that make up a championship roster. Fine, Boston has their trio who won it all two years ago, but they're getting old. The main guys that feed Kobe and Duncan the ball are young players who are only getting better playing with each of them.Age could also be a factor in Dallas. Jason Kidd is a future hall of fame point guard and Nowitzki is lights-out from the field, but they didn't have the quickness to keep up with the Spurs in the first round.This also has some insight for the future. The young, talented Bobcats had their first playoff appearance in franchise history and although they were swept by the strong Magic, they could make themselves yearly contenders down the road.For all I know neither the Lakers nor the Spurs will make it to the finals this year, but at this point it seems very likely. There are still some solid teams hanging around and it's still very much anyone's game, especially in the East. The Magic and Cavs aren't going to go home without a fight so there's no way the championship is for sure going to the West.I Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
would love to see Lebron or Nash or even Josh Smith raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy this year and give them that elusive victory where they want it the most. I'm always up for breaking the continuity and moving the NBA dominance somewhere else. Or, this could be the year a new team begins its reign over the NBA like the Lakers and Spurs have recently. I guess we'll find out in a few short weeks.