BimboColesHair
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Posted this in S34, thought it was interesting enough to put out here.
I found every team with a DRtg at least 3.8 better than league average (Cavs have since moved to 4.1 better than league average this year but still leaving at 3.8) with a positive team Net rating since the 1980-81 season and here is how those teams performed in the playoffs.
146 teams met the parameters.
1 team missed the playoffs, the 96-97 Cavs who finished 42-40 with a team Net of 2.2.
45 teams lost in the 1st round with an average team Net of 3.62.
46 teams lost in the 2nd round with an average team Net of 4.94.
21 teams lost in the Conference Finals with an average team Net of 6.46.
13 teams lost in the Finals with an average Net of 5.85.
20 teams won the Finals with an average Net of 8.44.
So 68.5% of the time a team posting a DRtg 3.8 or better than league average will win at least 1 series.
But here is the kicker for the 2021-22 Cleveland Cavaliers. Of those 146 teams, they are the 2nd youngest team by average age to meet the metric parameters. The only team younger than them in that 40 year span? The 97-98 Cavs. They also are tied with the 2017-18 Celtics that took us to 7 games that the media was calling the next great team. Here is how those teams rank currently:
21-22 Cavs: +4.9 Net rating, +4.1 above league average for DRtg
17-18 Celtics: +3.7 Net Rating, +4.7 above league average for DRtg
97-98 Cavs: +3.0 Net rating, +5.9 above league average for DRtg
So the current Cavs have the best overall team, if you believe in ORtg and DRtg and team Net as an indicator of the quality of team, and the 97-98 Cavs were the best young defensive team in modern NBA history. The NBA Lockout before the 98-99 season was a killer.
I found every team with a DRtg at least 3.8 better than league average (Cavs have since moved to 4.1 better than league average this year but still leaving at 3.8) with a positive team Net rating since the 1980-81 season and here is how those teams performed in the playoffs.
146 teams met the parameters.
1 team missed the playoffs, the 96-97 Cavs who finished 42-40 with a team Net of 2.2.
45 teams lost in the 1st round with an average team Net of 3.62.
46 teams lost in the 2nd round with an average team Net of 4.94.
21 teams lost in the Conference Finals with an average team Net of 6.46.
13 teams lost in the Finals with an average Net of 5.85.
20 teams won the Finals with an average Net of 8.44.
So 68.5% of the time a team posting a DRtg 3.8 or better than league average will win at least 1 series.
But here is the kicker for the 2021-22 Cleveland Cavaliers. Of those 146 teams, they are the 2nd youngest team by average age to meet the metric parameters. The only team younger than them in that 40 year span? The 97-98 Cavs. They also are tied with the 2017-18 Celtics that took us to 7 games that the media was calling the next great team. Here is how those teams rank currently:
21-22 Cavs: +4.9 Net rating, +4.1 above league average for DRtg
17-18 Celtics: +3.7 Net Rating, +4.7 above league average for DRtg
97-98 Cavs: +3.0 Net rating, +5.9 above league average for DRtg
So the current Cavs have the best overall team, if you believe in ORtg and DRtg and team Net as an indicator of the quality of team, and the 97-98 Cavs were the best young defensive team in modern NBA history. The NBA Lockout before the 98-99 season was a killer.