Really? You don't think the NFL or baseball is the same way? Last season the division winners were, the Patriots, didn't see that coming, Ravens, shocker there (not really), Texans (again no surprise), Packers (wow another none surprise), Falcons (wait for it, another none shocker), and the 49ers (biggest surprise of them all). Most people had the 49ers in the Superbowl, ding ding ding, they were. The Ravens made it and, no one was really at all surprised. So sorry, there isn't that much more parody. Do you want me to go into baseball, how many seasons were the Yankees the favorites, and were they in the World series. What about the Tigers and Giants. It really isn't any different then the NBA, there are just more players on the field, increase the chances for variety. But it still goes by the same principles, the best players win.
Every season, there are only a handful of legitimate title contenders, it doesn't matter the sport.