As discussed in my last post, the Toronto Raptors are trying to make an extremely difficult climb up a rocky and rarely-travelled mountain. No, it’s not Mount Doom, although there is a ring at play. It’s the metaphorical challenge of trying to win an NBA title without a superstar on the squad. Let’s take a look at who has been there before.
I’ve no intention of plowing through every NBA champion’s roster. Instead, I’m confining myself to this century, largely because the game has changed so dramatically. While all teams are turning over rocks trying to find shooters, that trend has only taken hold in the last decade.