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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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WASHINGTON, DC April 2 : The 1978 NBA Championship Trophy in a display case at Verizon Center on April 2, 2013 in Washington, DC (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC April 2 : The 1978 NBA Championship Trophy in a display case at Verizon Center on April 2, 2013 in Washington, DC (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

46. 1977-78 Washington Bullets

The Bullets had become an afterthought in the NBA when they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the 1974-75 Finals. Most critics believed that season was the best hope for the team to win a title. In the 1977-78 season, the Bullets limped into the playoffs with a 44-38 record, the worst mark ever for an eventual champion.

The difference this time is that the Bullets were competing in a watered-down NBA where many of the stars had vanished in a drug-induced haze or were buried on bad teams. With forward Elvin Hayes toning down his gunner-happy habits and Wes Unseld providing selfless (and brutally tough) leadership, the Bullets developed great balance during the season and meshed perfectly in the playoffs. The Bullets were six deep with scorers, including Hayes, Bobby Dandridge and Kevin Grevey.

45. 2005-06 Miami Heat

In hindsight, it’s easy to look at this title as a creation of putting a young Dwyane Wade next to a still-vital (and driven) Shaquille O’Neal. That’s an oversimplified narrative. While Wade certainly came of age in his third season, averaging 27.2 per game and becoming one of the most dominant and vicious scorers in the league, the real story was the coaching of Pat Riley.

After an 11-10 start to the season, the Heat was meandering under the leadership of coach Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy didn’t know how to relate to established veterans such as Shaq. He was too intense without being clever on how to manipulate. Van Gundy “resigned” after the mediocre start and Riley took over. Miami went 41-20 the rest of the way. Riley had a perfect roster for what he was trying to do psychologically. Aside from Shaq, the Heat had veterans Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton, Jason Williams and Antoine Walker.

Riley also had Wade, who was always pliable. All of them were either hungry to prove something and/or finally win a title. Shaq wanted to burn the Lakers and Kobe Bryant for casting him aside, for instance. Riley used every bit of his manipulative skills to get the Heat to the Finals against Dallas, when the Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban lost their minds when things didn’t always go there way. This title was genius at work.

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