The 2022 NBA conference finals are in full swing. While most experts are betting on the Golden State Warriors to claim the Larry O’Brien championship trophy, the other contenders are not ready to capitulate ahead of time.
The NBA 2022 playoffs are full of surprises, inspiring us to go down memory lane and take a look at some of the previous champions.
1. Golden State Warriors
With five consecutive appearances in the NBA finals from 2015 to 2019 and three trophies, the legacy of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Steve Kerr is cemented. Fans are still debating what would have happened if Kevin Durant stayed with the team that helped him earn two rings.
The Warriors redefined the league by focusing on long-range shots, something Curry and Thompson excel in. And with a coach like Kerr, who was known as a reliable three-pointer, it’s not surprising that Golden State changed the style of the league. After winning the titles in 2015, 2017, and 2018, many teams borrowed their recipe for success. Yet the Warrior is not retreating, something apparent from the 2022 campaign.
2. Toronto Raptors
After 24 seasons in the league, the Toronto Raptors won a title in 2019, beating the Warriors in a six-game series. Some basketball fans think the title comes with an asterisk, considering Kevin Durant ruptured his Achilles tendon in game 5. However, injuries are part of the game, and the Raptors were competitive in previous matches when the Warriors were at full strength.
The entire Raptors playoff campaign was contested, and after a comfortable start against the Orlando Magic, Toronto struggled with the Philadelphia 76ers in a seven-series dual. The drama was resolved with a buzzer-beater moment in game 7 by the biggest addition for the season – Kawhi Leonard. Traveling to Milwaukie for the Eastern finals was easy, only thanks to the short distance between the two cities.
However, Leonard and the rest of the squad managed to overcome Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. The small forward proved his worth against the Warriors and received the MVP award for his contribution to the first title in Toronto’s history.
3. LA Lakers
When LeBron James announced he was moving to Los Angeles, nobody was surprised, as many believed King James would revive the Lakers. LeBron’s first season in LA didn’t go according to plan – injuries and a weak roster distanced him from the playoffs. Things got more serious in the following year after Antony Davis got recruited…
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