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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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50-point games
WASHINGTON – 1975: Rick Barry #24 of Golden State Warriors shoots a jump shot against the Washington Bullets during a 1975 NBA game at the Capital Centre in Washington, D.C. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges 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 1975 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

50. 1974-75 Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are a great example of addition by subtraction. In the 1973-74 season, the Warriors barely missed the playoffs. The team moved on from veteran scorer Cazzie Russell and brought in rookie Jamaal Wilkes. The result was for the team to put more of the offensive burden on forward Rick Barry, who upped his scoring from 25 to 30 points a game that year. Barry was one of the most dynamic shooters in the game at the time.

The key for the Warriors was to come together as a team in the playoffs.

The team did exactly that, surviving tough series against Seattle and Chicago before facing the Baltimore Bullets in the Finals. The Bullets were heavy favorites in the series, but Golden State dominated with a sweep that included a pair of one-point victories. Sadly, the Warriors and Barry had a falling out the next season, ending any hope of continuing as a serious contender.

49. 2002-03 San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs were the ultimate defensive squad of this era, allowing only 90.4 points a game all season. This season was the final one for David Robinson, who was physically limited much of it. Still, The Admiral was a critical part of what the Spurs were trying to do as they made the transition to Tim Duncan being the leader of the team.

Robinson’s disciplined, selfless style worked perfectly with the disciplined coaching of Gregg Popovich. It’s no surprise both Robinson and Popovich come from military backgrounds. Because Robinson was so willing to go along with Popovich, the rest of the players fell in line as well, sacrificing individual achievement for the greater good of the team.

Popovich also did a great job of blending some rather oddball characters into the framework of the team. Forward Stephen Jackson, who was decidedly mercurial, contributed 11.8 points a game and was the primary third scorer after Duncan and point guard Tony Parker. Jackson was eventually replaced in Manu Ginobili in that role, but  Popovich made it work as long as he could.

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