Not So Super Teams

https://medium.com/@almalhotra/nba-superteams-the-leagues-new-direction-84c3f0f9b3cb

How Superteams in the NBA are shaping the league today

By: Aditya Bhatia

Throughout the league's storied history and the many changes the game of basketball has endured, super teams have always been a factor in the NBA. The existence of overly stacked teams has had a mixed impact, affecting the game positively and negatively. Super teams increase fan engagement and excitement while also creating an uneven playing field between teams. In many cases, however, superteams don’t turn out to be as successful as they look on paper, as currently the league is being dominated by teams that prioritize depth over star power.

The term “super team” is often used to describe talented, successful franchises. Yet, a stark difference exists between a regular above-average team and a superteam. Although the term is subjective, in general, the consensus requirements for a superteam are three all-star caliber players, with at least one being a superstar. On top of this, most super teams also have supporting casts full of top-class role players. Moreover, the way in which players are acquired also defines a super team. Usually, star players on a superteam are acquired in a short period through trades or free agency signings rather than over an extended period through the draft. A defining example of a super team is the Brooklyn Nets from 2020-2022, when they signed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden in the span of just over a year. On the other hand, an example of the opposite is the current Oklahoma City Thunder, who have created a well-rounded, star-studded team through many years of rebuilding through the draft.

A large positive aspect of super teams is the increase in viewership and entertainment for fans that they cause. Out of the last ten NBA Finals, the three most viewed series are between the Cavaliers and Warriors from 2015-2017. Both the Warriors and Cavaliers in these series were stacked teams that could be considered superteams. When superteams go against each other like this, it leads to gripping matchups, iconic moments, and interesting storylines, which are always going to attract viewership and excite fans. Despite the expectations superteams entail, for as many superteams that have succeeded, there have been just as many that have failed. Throughout the league's history, teams have been unsuccessful in trying to replicate the success of superteams on many different occasions. Some well known examples of this are the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012-13, the Brooklyn Nets from 2021-2022, and the current Phoenix Suns. Especially currently, where star players are changing teams more frequently, many major trades and signings have not been as successful as teams desired. At the moment, teams that favor depth over star power and prioritize team chemistry are reaching higher levels of success in the league, such as the current Oklahoma City Thunder, and the current Indiana Pacers.

The impact of super teams in the NBA today is mixed. Superteams attract fans and create entertainment, something which fans are always going to cherish. With the current state of the league being as talented as it is, superteams no longer present the competitive advantage that they once did, giving them a neutral effect on the league.