Fansided

Ranking every NBA Champion from No. 72 to No. 1 — The Definitive List

By Staff

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defend their positions during Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defend their positions during Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Which team is the best of the best? FanSided’s experts sat down and deliberated over the 72 teams to win a title as the NBA Finals commence.

The argument is passionate, endless and fraught with bias. Which is the best team in NBA history? As the Golden State Warriors try to win their third straight title and fourth in five years and the Toronto Raptors try to win their first in their first appearance, the experts at FanSided examined each of the teams to win a title in the league’s history.

The results are below, stretching across the many eras of the league, from the Original Big Man days of George Mikan to the wide-open offense of today featuring the likes of Steph Curry. There was the domination of the Minneapolis Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls to consider.

Many factors were taken into consideration. There was the depth of the teams, such as the 1969-70 New York Knicks who had four Hall of Famers in the starting lineup. There were the in-season achievements, such as the 1971-72 Lakers winning 33 straight as part of a then-record 69 victories overall. There was also how teams performed in the playoffs, such as the 12-1 playoff run and 4-0 sweep in the Finals by the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers.

But one thing is clear, no team makes this list without winning the ultimate prize. So for all the fans of the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, sorry, that 73-9 record in the regular season was all for naught. If you want to complain, go find the 2007 New England Patriots and talk to them about it.

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