Tradition Wins

There are 30 NBA teams. So all things being equal, in the last 30 years, each one of those NBA teams should have won a championship, right?

Of course--as you and I both know--things are not always equal.

In fact, there's a certain hierarchy to the league which basically leads to the same teams competing for the same NBA championship trophy year after year after year after year.

In a 30-year span, only nine teams have won titles ... and six of those squads won multiple championships.

And wouldn't you know it--this season, the usual suspects are most of the top contenders again.

In fact, eight of the aforementioned nine championship organizations have winning records in 2011-12.

That's right! Tradition always seems to win. Year after year after year.

And if you happen to be one of the other 21 teams that haven't won in the past 30 seasons ... oh, well.

Sorry.

History says shows you probably won't win again this year.

30 TEAMS IN 30 YEARS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (17-4) ... no titles for Thunder or Seattle Sonics in last 30 years

2. Chicago Bulls (18-6) ... 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 NBA champions

3. Philadelphia 76ers (16-6) ... 1983 NBA champions

3. Miami Heat (16-6) ... 2006 NBA champions

3. Atlanta Hawks (16-6) ... no titles in last 30 years

6. Indiana Pacers (15-6) ... no titles in last 30 years

7. Los Angeles Clippers (13-6) ... no titles in last 30 years

8. Denver Nuggets (14-7) ... no titles in last 30 years

9. Dallas Mavericks (14-9) ... 2011 NBA champions

9. San Antonio Spurs (14-9) ... 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 NBA champions

11. Utah Jazz (12-8) ... no titles in last 30 years

12. Portland Trail Blazers (13-9) ... no titles in last 30 years

12. Los Angeles Lakers (13-9) ... 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 NBA champions

12. Orlando Magic (13-9) ... no titles in franchise's 22 years

15. Houston Rockets (12-10) ... 1994, 1995 NBA champions

16. Boston Celtics (11-10) ... 1984, 1986, 2008 NBA champions

16. Memphis Grizzlies (11-10) ... no titles in franchise's 16 years

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-12) ... no titles in franchise's 22 years

18. Milwaukee Bucks (10-12) ... no titles in last 30 years

20. New York Knicks (8-13) ... no titles in last 30 years

20. Cleveland Cavaliers (8-13) ... no titles in last 30 years

20. Phoenix Suns (8-13) ... no titles in last 30 years

23. Golden State Warriors (7-12) ... no titles in last 30 years

24. New Jersey Nets (8-15) ... no titles in last 30 years

25. Toronto Raptors (7-16) ... no titles in franchise's 16 years

26. Sacramento Kings (6-15) ... no titles in last 30 years

27. New Orleans Hornets (4-18) ... no titles for Charlotte or New Orleans Hornets in franchise's 23 years

27. Washington Wizards (4-18) ... no titles in last 30 years

29. Detroit Pistons (4-20) ... 1989, 1990, 2004 NBA champions

30. Charlotte Bobcats (3-20) ... no titles in franchise's 7 years