In the 78 years since the NBA was founded in 1946, seven teams have not won the championship in their long history, despite the evolving draft system designed to curb the team's deliberate strategy of picking with a high pick. The seven teams are the Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite the lack of fresh blood from the top pick, these teams have earned a place in the league and even written their own legends thanks to their excellent management, precise draft vision, and carefully constructed team culture.
As a relatively young team, the Charlotte Hornets have never been blessed with the first pick, but in recent years, the team has focused on the discovery and development of young players, and a group of potential new stars have emerged, who are known for their speed and vitality, showing a bright future for the team.
**Grizzlies: Morant leads, new stars shine**
The Memphis Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant, have shown amazing competitiveness. The non-first-born leader, with his athleticism and leadership qualities, led the Grizzlies to a rapid rise and became a force to be reckoned with in the West.
Although the Miami Heat may not have the glory of the first overall pick in their history, they have successfully won multiple NBA championships through shrewd maneuvers and bold decisions, forming a triumvirate combination of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, proving that wisdom and strategy can also lead the team to the top.
The Utah Jazz have found top-notch players like Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell without a No. 1 pick. Not only did the duo show a very high level on both the offensive and defensive ends, but they also showed excellent leadership skills on the court, making the Jazz an evergreen in the West.
The Indiana Pacers saw the light of a rebuilding by bringing in young talent like Tyrese Haliburton, who is growing into a new generation of leaders in the draft.
The Denver Nuggets are the favorites in the West with the inside and outside pairing of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. While the team didn't have the help of a first-round pick, Jokic's trajectory proved that a low pick can make an MVP-caliber player, and Murray's crunch time was even more impressive.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, having lost superstars such as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, quickly rebuilt and amassed a slew of talented youngsters through a series of drafts and trades. The Thunder's new generation core is gradually emerging, heralding another glorious era on the horizon.
The stories of these seven teams are a testament to the incredible achievements that can be achieved in the dynamic arena of the NBA, even without the blessing of the top picks, with the wisdom of the management, the guidance of the coaching staff, and the tireless efforts of the players. In the world of basketball, miracles are always reserved for those who are not afraid of difficulties and have the courage to explore.