Dynasties vs Parity

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025 NBA Championship. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and the rest of their deep roster ran through the league this past season and won it all. It is a crazy time for Thunder fans and for the league as a whole. And with this championship, the streak of new champions each year continues for the seventh straight year, and it makes me wonder: is this what’s best for the NBA?

There’s definitely something cool about seeing a new team win every year. It keeps things unpredictable. The Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, Warriors, Nuggets, Celtics, and now the Thunder have all taken turns. It gives fans of every team hope that if they draft right, make smart trades, and get a little lucky, they can win it all. Watching a young team like OKC go from rebuilding to winning a title makes it feel like anything is possible. The storylines are fresh, and every year feels wide open. But if I’m going to be honest, I miss the dynasty era, even though the only one I really got to watch was the Warriors. When I look back at NBA history, the dynasties are what stand out. The Bulls with Jordan. The Lakers and Celtics dominating in different eras. The Spurs' consistent greatness. I wasn’t alive for most of that, but it still feels legendary. Those teams defined basketball. They gave fans something to follow year after year. When I compare that to the recent stretch of random champions, it doesn’t feel the same. The Bucks had one great run, the Raptors had one amazing year, and now teams are popping up and disappearing from title contention just as fast. There’s not as much consistency, not as many rivalries, and it’s harder for any team to build a lasting legacy.

I get why people love this current era. The league is balanced, competitive, and full of talent. But personally, I think the NBA is at its best when there’s a dominant team at the top that everyone else is chasing. It makes the regular season more intense and the playoffs more meaningful. Maybe the Thunder are about to become that team. I’d actually love to see it. Because every great era of basketball needs a dynasty to define it.