This has always been the problem with the NBA though. The team with the best player is always going to be one of the best teams. If the best player is teamed with another all-star, they are almost certainly going to win the title.
Magic’s Lakers were in the Finals 9 times. Most of the time, that march to the Finals was a cakewalk.
Bird’s Celtics went 5 times, mainly because the East had two other great teams - Doc’s 76ers and later Isiah’s Pistons.
But if you like any team other than the Lakers, Celtics, Sixers, or Pistons in the 80s, what were you really doing with your life?
Basketball at all levels just seems to lend itself to dynasties better. Lebron is literally 20 percent of the Cavs. Tom Brady is 4.5 percent of the Patriots.
The NBA has always had layers, but in recent years the top is VERY top, and below that is mostly crap. Basically for the last decade each conference has had one super team, maybe also a pretty good team that could challenge the super team, and everybody else is the dregs. The NBA has been on tape delay in the past, and there were more good teams in the league then.