This is from a Len Pasquarelli article. It is funny how as the league strives toward a level playing field that in the recent years more teams are out of contention so early.
2004 14 of 32 .438
2003 5 of 32 .156
2002 10 of 32 .313
2001 11 of 32 .344
2000 12 of 32 .387
1999 8 of 31 .387
1998 8 of 30 .267
1997 8 of 30 .267
1996 7 of 30 .233
1995 3 of 30 .100
1994 3 of 28 .107
1993 8 of 28 .286
1992 8 of 28 .286
1991 8 of 28 .286
1990 5 of 28 .179
1989 7 of 28 .250
1988 7 of 28 .250
1987 9 of 28 .321
1986 9 of 28 .321
1985 7 of 28 .250
1984 10 of 28 .357
1983 4 of 28 .143
1982 8 of 28 .286
1981 7 of 28 .250
1980 8 of 28 .286
1979 9 of 28 .321