I'm happy that the NBA Finals had two small market teams this year. This whole playoff run I've been rooting for the underdog. It was great when the Warriors, Knick, Lakers, Celtics, etc. all got eliminated. I don't there is a clear definition of big vs small makrets, but clearly places like Los Angelles, Chicago, New York, for example are are major markets. Indianapolis and Oklahoma City are not. The NBA suits and the TV networks love big ratings and they get those when large population areas make the Finals. As an NBA comissioner once said when asked who he would like to see in the Finals, "The Lakers vs The Lakers".
More than any other sport, the NBA Championships seem to favor those big market teams. I'll back that up statistically in a moment. First of all, there have been 79 NBA seasons and there are 30 teams in the NBA (although there haven't always been that many).
44% - In the past 79 years 44% of the championships have been won by either the Celtics or the Lakers. There have been streaks of a few years when they haven't made the finals. Those have been when the Bulls or Warriors have had their own little mini-dynasty.
67% - Two-thirds of all NBA Finals have featured either the Lakers or the Celtics. Many of those (12 out of 79) had both the Celtics and Lakers facing each other.
81% - Eight teams have accounted for 81% of all NBA champtions.
It would be fun to see new teams. And maybe its a new day where small markets like my Portland Trailblazers will get a break.
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