As I was watching the NBA finals last night, it struck me how some franchises have become synonymous with championship glory while others have been chasing that elusive title for decades. Having followed basketball for over twenty years, I've developed a particular fascination with the teams that have never experienced that ultimate victory parade. There's something compelling about their continued pursuit despite the heartbreak, much like how legendary coach Valdez, who's won everything in both college and professional ranks, must approach defeat - not as failure, but as motivation to keep pushing forward.
Currently, eleven NBA franchises have never won a championship, which honestly surprised me when I first counted them up. The list includes some franchises you might expect and others that might surprise casual fans. The Phoenix Suns, founded in 1968, have come painfully close multiple times, most recently in 2021 when they fell to the Bucks in six games. I remember watching that series thinking this might finally be their year, especially after taking a 2-0 lead. The Utah Jazz, with their legendary Stockton-to-Malone combinations of the late 90s, made back-to-back finals appearances but ran into the Michael Jordan buzzsaw both times. Those losses still sting for their loyal fanbase, myself included - I've always had a soft spot for that gritty Jazz team.
Then we have the Indiana Pacers, who've made the finals just once in their ABA and NBA history, losing to the Lakers in 2000. The Brooklyn Nets have appeared in two finals since moving from New Jersey but came up short both times. The Orlando Magic have this fascinating pattern of making the finals roughly once every decade or so but never breaking through - they lost in 1995 to Houston and again in 2009 to the Lakers. What's interesting about these teams is how they embody Valdez's approach to handling defeat - each loss seems to fuel their organizational resolve rather than break their spirit.
The list continues with the Memphis Grizzlies, who've never even reached the finals despite some competitive teams in the early 2010s. The Denver Nuggets, though they've had recent success, still haven't captured that first championship despite making the conference finals multiple times. The Los Angeles Clippers, forever in the Lakers' shadow, have never advanced past the conference finals in their entire history - though with their current roster, that could change soon. The Minnesota Timberwolves had that one magical run to the conference finals in 2004 but haven't come close since. The New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets round out the list, with neither franchise having reached the NBA finals at all.
What fascinates me about these teams isn't just their lack of championships but how they handle the pursuit. Much like Valdez's philosophy about dealing with defeats, these organizations demonstrate remarkable resilience. I've noticed that the most successful among them - in terms of maintaining fan engagement and competitive spirit - are those that treat each season as a new opportunity rather than dwelling on past disappointments. The Suns, for instance, have remained competitive through multiple eras, constantly retooling and staying relevant despite never winning it all. There's something admirable about that persistence, even if it hasn't yet yielded the ultimate prize.
Looking at the current NBA landscape, I'm particularly intrigued by teams like the Nuggets and Suns, who seem closest to breaking their championship droughts. The Nuggets, with Nikola Jokic, have built something special, while the Suns continue to make bold moves in pursuit of that first title. As someone who's followed this league for decades, I've come to appreciate that the journey matters as much as the destination. These teams without championships have provided some of the most compelling stories and memorable moments in NBA history, proving that while championships define legacies, they don't necessarily define greatness. The true test, much like Valdez understands, isn't avoiding defeat but how you respond to it - and in that regard, many of these franchises have shown remarkable character throughout their histories.
