I've been wondering recently if we're entering a new phase for the NBA, one where it is difficult for any one team to sustain their dominance from one year to another.

From 1970 to 1987, no team won back-to-back championships, and when the Lakers finally managed it in '88, it was grueling. They had to go 7 games in each of the final three rounds, and were down 3-2 to our Pistons before pulling out games 6 and 7 -- by a combined four points -- to win the title.

Then expansion happened. As I recall, the Hornets and the Heat were introduced in '88, while the Wolves (damn them for taking Mahorn away from us!) and the Magic were introduced in '89. Just as the league was beginning to adjust to these changes, the Raptors and the Grizzlies came into being in '95. Since then, it's been fairly quiet, with only the 'Cats joining the league in '04.

Of course, these expansions had the effect of diluting the talent-pool via expansion drafts. I've wondered before whether that may in any way explain -- at least in part -- why repeating champions became the rule and not the exception almost as soon as these expansions began to take place.

Consider: since these expansions started to occur, we have had the Pistons repeat, the Bulls threepeat, the Rockets repeat, the Bulls threepeat again, the Spurs winning the anomalous strike-shortened season, and the Lakers threepeat. Whereas in the last four years, we've had the Spurs, the Pistons, the Spurs again, and now someone different.

Could it be that the talent-pool has finally adjusted itself to these new conditions, and that repeating as champions will once again become an especially rare and remarkable achievement?

I think you have to credit the era of the salary cap and trades limited by the CBA to truly appreciate where the NBA is today.

With the exception of Avery Johnson, most of these repeat teams feature long tenured coaches or coaches with significant experience. the average lifespan of an NBA coach is 2.5 years. Once LB, Riley and PJ retire there will be a big gap.

Again, without the commitment from franchises to allow coaches to implement systems, adjust personnel and gain experience, it's another lottery. Exactly the way the league has planned it.

Only the smart franchises who manage the cap, the draft, free agency and front office/coaching hirings will have a chance. Accumulating raw talent or having a franchise player will not be enough.

The draft happy flirtation with international players and high schoolers is coming to an end. The pressure and immediate need to win overweigh the ability to play indefinitely with prospects.

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Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

No I don't think its the end of dynasties.

1) Players tend to re-sign with their own teams

2) You can go over the cap to retain players.

3) With a lineup of only 5 1 or 2 guys can make a huge difference.

Its not the end by a long shot.