As I was watching Romeo and Pringle briefly play together during one stretch late in the third and early in the fourth quarter in last night's game, it struck me how their limited partnership mirrored the journey of certain NBA franchises. Mostly though, Romeo and Pringle took turns in the Dyip backcourt, never quite finding that championship chemistry that separates good teams from legendary ones. This got me thinking about the NBA's most fascinating group - those franchises still chasing that elusive first championship after decades of existence. Having followed the league religiously since the 90s, I've developed a particular soft spot for these teams, each with their own unique heartbreak stories that would make Shakespeare proud.
The Phoenix Suns immediately come to mind when discussing championship droughts. Founded in 1968, they've come agonizingly close multiple times, most recently in 2021 when they fell to Giannis and the Bucks in six games. What makes their story particularly compelling is how they've consistently built competitive teams without ever getting over the hump. I remember watching Charles Barkley's MVP season in 1993 with particular intensity, convinced that was their year. The Suns have reached the finals three times now - 1976, 1993, and 2021 - accumulating 2,347 regular season wins without ultimate success. Their current roster, led by Devin Booker, represents perhaps their best chance in years, though the Western Conference grows more competitive by the season.
Then there's the Los Angeles Clippers, a franchise I've watched transform from league laughingstock to perennial contender. Since their inception as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, they've never even reached the finals, though they came painfully close in 2021 when they blew a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets. The Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era was supposed to change everything, and while they've had moments of brilliance, injuries have consistently derailed their championship aspirations. I've always felt the Clippers suffer from what I call "little brother syndrome" - playing in the same building as the historically successful Lakers creates psychological pressure that's hard to quantify but very real. With their new Intuit Dome opening soon and Steve Ballmer's deep pockets, I'm optimistic they'll break through eventually, but the window feels like it's closing faster than many anticipated.
The Memphis Grizzlies represent a different kind of championship pursuit. Since joining the league in 1995, they've built their identity around grit and grind, reaching the conference finals just once in 2013. What fascinates me about Memphis is how they've managed to remain relevant in small market hell, developing stars like Ja Morant through exceptional scouting and player development. I've visited FedExForum multiple times and can attest to the passionate fanbase that deserves a championship more than most. Their core is young enough that they theoretically have years to figure it out, though the Western Conference gauntlet makes nothing guaranteed. The Utah Jazz share similar small-market challenges, having entered the league in 1974 without ever winning it all. Their Stockton-Malone teams of the late 90s came heartbreakingly close against Jordan's Bulls, and I still maintain they would have won in almost any other era.
The Denver Nuggets finally broke through last year, leaving these remaining franchises as the primary focus of championship-less discussions. The Brooklyn Nets have an especially complicated history, having never won despite multiple superstar experiments. I was particularly skeptical of the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving-James Harden experiment from the beginning - too many alpha personalities rarely works in basketball. The Orlando Magic, founded in 1989, have reached the finals twice with different superstar centers but couldn't get over the hump. Shaq's departure still stings Magic fans, and I've always wondered what might have been had they kept that core together. The Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans round out this group, each with their own unique challenges and near-misses.
What strikes me about all these teams is how championship success often comes down to timing, health, and sometimes pure luck. The Raptors' 2019 championship demonstrated how everything needs to align perfectly - Kawhi's health, the Warriors' injuries, and that miraculous shot against Philadelphia. As someone who's analyzed basketball for over two decades, I've come to believe that building a sustainable contender requires both visionary management and willingness to take calculated risks. The teams still chasing their first title often hesitate at crucial moments or make panic moves that set them back further. There's an art to championship team building that goes beyond accumulating talent - it's about fit, culture, and developing what I call "clutch DNA."
Looking ahead, I'm particularly bullish on Oklahoma City's chances to eventually join the championship club. Their treasure trove of draft picks and emerging superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives them multiple pathways to contention. The Pelicans, if Zion Williamson can stay healthy, have the pieces to make noise in the coming years. What continues to fascinate me about the NBA is how these championship pursuits create the league's most compelling narratives. While superteams grab headlines, there's something profoundly compelling about franchises chasing history, building toward that moment when confetti finally falls for them. Having witnessed multiple first-time champions throughout my years following the league, I can attest that those celebrations feel different - there's a cathartic quality that transcends sports. For the teams still waiting, the pursuit continues, each season bringing new hope that this might finally be their year.
