The Golden State Warriors just signed DeMarcus Cousins a bonafide all-star caliber player for a salary level of a ring chasing veteran. The initial reaction of the fans were one of the following:

  • The NBA is dead
  • Just give the Warriors the 2019 championship already
  • We are losing interest for this season
  • DEMARCUS COUSINS JUST DESTROYED THE LEAGUE 

I will focus on the point that one player single handedly destroyed the league.

We start off with the question: Who destroyed the NBA?

There are 3 players who can be blamed for the destruction of the NBA in the modern era. 

LeBron James

The first player that comes to mind is LeBron James and his famous "The Decision"  in 2010, forming the Big Three with Wade and Bosh. The partnership that led to 2 NBA Championships and one of the most recognizable moments in the history of the NBA

Many fans highlight this point as the creation of super teams and the start of the destruction of the NBA


Kevin Durant

Another famous move was when Kevin Durant joined the 73-9 Golden State Warriors which he almost defeated in the play offs by going 3-1 up. The move cam e as a surprise as Durant was viewed as one of the players who are capable of beating the dynasty in The Bay Area. Instead, he joined and won 2 rings with an unstoppable team, even sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in this years NBA Finals

DeMarcus Cousins

The final move that is labeled as the most destructive is DeMarcus Cousins' decision to join the defending champions Golden State Warriors, forming a starting line up of 5 All Star caliber players, with 2 MVPs, a dead eye shooter and a DPOY and the 6th man being a Finals MVP. 

But in reality, there has never been a parity in the NBA, only a handful of teams were considered as perennial contenders with most of the teams considered as Mid-Level quality teams, good enough to make the play offs, but never good enough to win it all.


Across the entire history of the NBA, which is 72 years. Only 19 teams were able to win it all. 9 teams won it once and 10 teams won it multiple times.

The teams with the most number of titles are the Laker and Celtics who are also some of the biggest market teams in the league. The next in the number of most NBA titles are the Golden State Warriors, who waited 40 years for the 3rd title, and the Chicago Bulls who enjoyed the most successful period with the Greatest of All Time, Micheal Jordan. 

Other notable teams are the San Antonio Spurs who dominated the 2000s, the Detroit Pistons who won back to back in 89 and 90 and in 2004. 

The number of championships illustrate that there has never been a "parity" in the entire history of the league. The bigger market teams always had the share of success as it is the most attractive place for superstars to chase a ring. 

The destruction of the NBA can never be blamed to one specific moment or player, but it's destruction has been a time bomb waiting to explode. The system it has was designed for teams such as the Golden State Warriors existing. Players will always do what is best for them, and I don't think that a player will choose Atlanta over Los Angeles. 

The NBA destroyed itself with it's current system and design, teams are destined to be mid level quality teams, while others are destined for dynasties and domination.

The NBA destroyed itself, regardless of who ever creates a super team will never matter as it is NBA's fault for its system for 72 long years.