Chapter 312: The 2015-16 NBA Season Comes to an End.
With only a month left in the regular season, the playoff picture in both conferences was beginning to take shape.
In the Western Conference, three teams stood far above the rest—the Warriors, Lakers, and Spurs. The rest? A noticeable decline.
This wasn't a coincidence. It was a consequence of Nike's power moves, stacking superstars on specific teams while leaving others in mediocrity.
It was a familiar story—when the Miami Heat's Big Three formed, many owners pushed back, arguing it distorted the league's competitive balance.
Some things may not break the rules, but they certainly break the spirit of competition.
In contrast, the Eastern Conference had one of its most competitive seasons in years.
The Raptors and Hornets were both having their best seasons in franchise history.
The Celtics had fully completed their rebuild.
The Pacers had Paul George back and looked dangerous again.
For the first time in years, the East felt stronger than the West overall.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers?