NBA Playoffs: Why the league is fine without LeBron and Durant in Finals

With the NBA Finals quickly approaching, it’s a great time to take a moment and ponder over the season and how we ended up with the final four teams in the conference finals. When you consider the fact that the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and the Atlanta Hawks all had an opportunity to advance to the finals for the first time in the last two decades, excitement from the fans is an understatement.

For many years, NBA fans have grown accustomed to watching LeBron James and Kevin Durant torch their way through the playoffs and landing in the finals. And rightfully so. Between the two legendary players, Durant and James are easily considered to be the two best players in the world throughout their respective professions. However, it’s fair to say that NBA fans have been excited that there are different teams and players heading to the finals this year, rather than the usual players and superstar-filled teams.

The NBA is in a new position while nearing the Finals without any of its top superstars. The league will be fine without LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the Finals.

What’s been a pleasure about today’s NBA is the amount of high-level talent that comes into the league each year. Franchises are now able to upgrade their rosters to become championship-caliber teams faster than ever before. Players like Trae Young, Luka Doncic, and Ja Morant all made immediate impacts on their teams and propelled them to be playoff contenders within their first few years in the association.

It’s fair to say that despite the NBA being without its top stars in the playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies are all young and enjoyable teams that casual NBA fans were looking forward to seeing in the playoffs this season. In fact, Phoenix’s fanbase has never even enjoyed a championship season. With that being said, it’s a good thing for the league to essentially reset and feature new and younger teams in the NBA playoffs.

As impressive as it is, James has advanced to the NBA Finals 10 times in his career and eight consecutively with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2011-2018. Not to mention that his Los Angeles Lakers were the defending champions this year. Despite being considered as one of the greatest of all time, it’s fair to say that after a while fans will eventually become less interested in the NBA with a predictable finals appearance.

James’ continued success is very similar to Tom Brady and the untouchable run he had with the New England Patriots. After 20 years of dominance, along with ten Super Bowl appearances, the Patriots have become one of the most disliked teams in the NFL. The argument could be made that despite the greatness of James, NBA fans are getting tired of watching him create super-teams and land in the finals year after year.

With the young teams beginning to trend upwards throughout the league, it’s safe to say that the NBA will be just fine without James, Durant, or any other superstars not advancing to the playoffs or the finals. The young and rising players starting to make their mark in the league are the future of the NBA. Players like Doncic, Young, Morant, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker and plenty more throughout the league.

The Suns have already advanced to the Finals and are waiting to see who their next matchup is between the Hawks and the Bucks.