Determining the greatest NBA championship teams of all time requires a careful analysis of several key factors: regular season dominance, postseason performance, overall point differential, and, of course, the legendary players who made these teams great.
This ranking highlights the 10 greatest championship teams in NBA history, considering their place in dynasties, coaching excellence, and overall historical impact.
10. 1994-95 Houston Rockets
- Coach:
Rudy Tomjanovich
- Regular Season Record:
47-35 (6th in Western Conference)
- Postseason Record:
15-7
- Hall of Famers:
Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler
- Dynasty Status:
Back-to-back champions (1994, 1995)
The 1995 Houston Rockets are the lowest-seeded team to ever win an NBA championship. After a shaky regular season, they flipped the switch in the playoffs, defeating four 50-win teams, including the 60-win Spurs with MVP David Robinson. Hakeem Olajuwon’s legendary dominance in the Finals over Shaquille O’Neal secured their place among the all-time greats.
9. 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers
- Coach:
Bill Sharman
- Regular Season Record:
69-13 (NBA record at the time)
- Postseason Record:
12-3
- Hall of Famers:
Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich
- Dynasty Status:
One-time champion, but part of Jerry West’s long Lakers tenure
This team was defined by its 33-game winning streak, a record that still stands today. Led by Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, the Lakers finally broke through after multiple Finals losses in the 1960s, capping off their dominant season with a championship.
8. 1969-70 New York Knicks
- Coach:
Red Holzman
- Regular Season Record:
60-22
- Postseason Record:
12-7
- Hall of Famers:
Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley
- Dynasty Status:
One of two Knicks championships (1970, 1973)
The Knicks' teamwork and defense defined their championship run, punctuated by Willis Reed’s heroic Game 7 entrance in the Finals against the Lakers. Walt Frazier’s 36-point, 19-assist performance in that game remains one of the greatest Finals performances ever.
7. 2016-17 Golden State Warriors
- Coach:
Steve Kerr
- Regular Season Record:
67-15
- Postseason Record:
16-1
- Hall of Famers:
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green (projected)
- Dynasty Status:
Won three titles in five years (2015, 2017, 2018)
The Warriors set the gold standard for modern NBA dominance, losing just one game in the playoffs. Their combination of offensive firepower and defensive versatility made them virtually unstoppable.
6. 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers
- Coach:
Billy Cunningham
- Regular Season Record:
65-17
- Postseason Record:
12-1
- Hall of Famers:
Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks
- Dynasty Status:
One-time champion, but a dominant season
Moses Malone’s famous “Fo’ Fo’ Fo’” prediction nearly came true as the Sixers steamrolled through the playoffs. Their only loss came in the Eastern Conference Finals before they swept the Lakers in the Finals.
5. 1988-89 Detroit Pistons
- Coach:
Chuck Daly
- Regular Season Record:
63-19
- Postseason Record:
15-2
- Hall of Famers:
Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman
- Dynasty Status:
Back-to-back champions (1989, 1990)
The Bad Boys Pistons are criminally underrated. They remain the only team to beat Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in the playoffs. They should have won three straight titles if not for a controversial foul call in Game 6 of the 1988 Finals.
4. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
- Coach:
Phil Jackson
- Regular Season Record:
72-10 (NBA record at the time)
- Postseason Record:
15-3
- Hall of Famers:
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
- Dynasty Status:
Won six titles in eight years (1991-93, 1996-98)
The 1996 Bulls dominated from start to finish. Michael Jordan returned in full force, and with the addition of Dennis Rodman, they posted the best record in history at the time.
3. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
- Coach:
Phil Jackson
- Regular Season Record:
56-26
- Postseason Record:
15-1
- Hall of Famers:
Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant
- Dynasty Status:
Three-peat champions (2000-2002)
Shaq and Kobe were at their peak, and their near-perfect postseason run cemented their place in history.
2. 1964-65 Boston Celtics
- Coach:
Red Auerbach
- Regular Season Record:
62-18
- Postseason Record:
8-4
- Hall of Famers:
Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Sam Jones
- Dynasty Status:
Part of an eight-peat (1959-66)
Bill Russell’s Celtics dominated an era, and this was their finest season, led by Russell’s defense and Havlicek’s iconic steal.
1. 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers
- Coach:
Pat Riley
- Regular Season Record:
65-17
- Postseason Record:
15-3
- Hall of Famers:
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy
- Dynasty Status:
Five championships in the 1980s
This team was Magic Johnson’s peak, combining Showtime offense with clutch dominance. They defeated Bird’s Celtics in the Finals, cementing their legacy.
Honorable Mentions
- 2004 Detroit Pistons
– One of the greatest defensive teams ever, shocking the heavily favored Lakers.
- 2008 Boston Celtics
– The Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen dominated defensively.
- 1998 Chicago Bulls
– Jordan’s final championship and a fitting end to the dynasty.
- 2007 San Antonio Spurs
– Swept LeBron’s Cavaliers, with Tim Duncan leading the way.
- 2013 Miami Heat
– LeBron James at his peak, with the famous Ray Allen shot saving Game 6.
This list highlights not just dominance, but the legacy these teams left behind in NBA history. Agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments section.
