The 60-win curse: The uncrowned road to the NBA's regular season king
In the NBA, there is a puzzling "curse" that has existed for a long time: the strong teams with more than 60 wins in the regular season have repeatedly failed in the playoffs and missed the championship. These teams were invincible in the regular season, but when it came to the critical moment, they failed to win the championship and became the uncrowned kings of a generation.
This phenomenon has a long history, dating back to the 70s of the 20th century. In the 1972-73 season, the Portland Trail Blazers had an impressive 63-19 record in the regular season, but were swept by the Knicks in the Finals. Ten years later, the Boston Celtics in 1982-83 repeated the same mistake, going 63-19 in the regular season and losing to the 76ers in the finals.
In the new century, this "curse" has intensified. In the 2007-08 season, the Celtics won 66 in the regular season, but lost to their old rivals, the Lakers. In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors set a terrifying record of 73-9, but were reversed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals. In the 2021-22 season, the Suns went 64-18 but were eliminated in the first round of the Finals.
Reason for the curse: Analyze the defeat of the 60-win king from all angles
Historical review
Let's start by recapping the famous 60+ uncrowned champions in NBA history:
In the 1972-73 season, the Portland Trail Blazers won 63 in the regular season, but were swept 0-4 by the Knicks in the Finals. In the 1995-96 season, the Chicago Bulls went 72-10, their best record at the time, but were reversed by the Seattle SuperSonics in the Finals. In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors set a terrifying record of 73-9, but were reversed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.
These strong teams were invincible and strong in the regular season, but in the playoffs, they repeatedly hit a wall, missed the championship, and became the uncrowned king of a generation. What were the factors that contributed to their defeat?
Injuries hit
Injuries are undoubtedly a big factor in the team's form. Take, for example, the 2015-16 season when Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut were plagued by injuries in the Finals. Curry suffered a hamstring strain, shooting just 35.6 percent from the field, while Bogut suffered a torn meniscus knee in G5 and missed the remainder of the game. The onslaught of injuries sent the Warriors back in the Finals.
Opponent strength
Sometimes, the strength of the opponent is also the main reason for the defeat of the 60-win king. In the 1995-96 season, for example, the Bulls faced the SuperSonics in their heyday in the Finals, against a formidable lineup: Gary Payton, Shane Kidd, Detrick Coleman, and others. Although the Bulls are strong, the offensive firepower and defensive intensity of the supersonic speed should not be underestimated, and the Bulls lost in the Finals.
Coaches employ
Sometimes, the coach's hiring and tactical arrangements can also affect the team's results. In the case of the Suns in the 2021-22 season, in the first round of the playoffs, head coach Maury Williams made a rare big reduction in the playing time of the best man Cam Johnson, resulting in a decrease in the team's offensive efficiency. His insistence on a small-ball lineup has also cost the Suns a disadvantage in interior defense.
Mindset is out of balance
In the face of long-term wins, some teams also have the problem of mentality imbalance. In the case of the 2015-16 Warriors, after a 73-9 record in the regular season, complacency ran high and the Cavaliers struggled to deal with a tough challenge from the Cavaliers in the Finals. The Warriors' head coach at the time, Steve Kerr, also admitted that the team's focus and discipline had decreased after the record.
Can Celtic end the curse this year?
After the above, we can conclude that the main reasons for the 60-win king to miss the championship are:
Key player injuries
The strength of the opponent should not be underestimated
Coaches make mistakes in personnel and tactics
The mentality of the players is out of balance
Can this year's Boston Celtics learn from the past, clear those stumbling blocks, and end the curse? Let's take a look at their current situation
Injury status
The Celtics' main squad remains relatively intact at the moment, with only center Robert Williams III sidelined with a knee injury. Team stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are both healthy, with injuries less impactful.
Opponent strength
If the Celtics make it to the Finals, they are most likely to face the Bulls or the Bucks. Both teams are not to be underestimated, with the Bulls strong on the inside and the Bucks led by a modern-day superstar. Celtic need to give it their all.
Coaches coach
Celtic's head coach Joe Mazza is an excellent coach of the new generation, and his flexible tactics and decisive on-the-spot command have been praised unalikely. Last season's Spurs and Suns had some problems with coaching.
Firm mentality
The Celtics have experienced veterans such as Jaylen Brown and Marcus Zhiwei in their roster, and their championship hunger will surely keep the team focused at all times. The reversal by the Warriors, who trailed in the Finals last season, also taught the Celtics enough lessons that they will not repeat the mistakes of the past.