June 13, 2021
The 2021 NBA playoffs are heating up with the race to the Larry O’Brien trophy getting tighter and it’s still anybody’s ball game at this point. This season figures to be a historical one for the remaining protagonists. Five of the remaining franchises — the L.A. Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets — have yet to win an NBA title. Meanwhile the remaining three — Philadelphia 76ers (1983), Milwaukee Bucks (1971), and Atlanta Hawks (1958 back when they were the St. Louis Hawks) — have waited a long time to feel basketball nostalgia once again.
Each team offers unique stories as they embark on this playoff journey. With that, here are the five teams with the most compelling narratives to win the 2021 NBA championship.