What’s the explanation behind Phil Jackson’s 40-20 rule? Who’s already 40-20 this NBA season?

The 40-20 rule states that to win the NBA championship, a team must achieve its 40th win before sustaining its 20th loss. Although this is not a guarantee, it has been observed that most championship teams have followed this rule. This is not a novel idea. The best teams in the league typically achieve this milestone before the 20th loss, and these elite teams usually win the championship. The lesson here is that basketball history has shown us that this is the most crucial factor to consider amidst all the statistics and probabilities.

During the 2021/2022 NBA season, the Boston Celtics faced a tough start, losing their 20th game before winning half of their 40 games. Interestingly, despite not winning the championship, they reached the Finals. This is a remarkable feat considering that in the past 12 full-length NBA seasons, only the 2010 Boston Celtics and two of LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers teams have made it to the Finals without meeting the 40-20 rule. This rule dictates that a team should win at least 40 games before losing 20. It’s worth noting that every championship team during those seasons met this rule. In other words, the 40-20 rule seems to be a reliable indicator of championship-caliber teams in recent years. Of the last 43 NBA champions, 40 have won 40 games before losing 20.

Who’s already 40-20 this NBA season?

Until now, in the season, we only have four contender teams that can abide by the 40-20 rule.

These are the teams:

The Cleveland Cavaliers, with a current winning score of 37-19, have the potential to become legitimate contenders for the championship ring. Despite a slow start to the season, they have bounced back and shown remarkable consistency in their recent games. Last season’s first-round playoff exit against the New York Knicks was a bitter pill to swallow for the Cavaliers. However, they are determined to make amends this year and go further in the playoffs. They aim to improve their performance from last year and make a deep run into the postseason.

One intangible that could work in the Cavs’ favor is their kinship. The team has a strong sense of unity and camaraderie cultivated by their coach and the players. This has allowed them to work cohesively as a team and overcome tricky opponents. While this may not show up in the box scores, it is an important factor that could play a role in their postseason push. Overall, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a team to watch out for in the coming weeks.