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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 49
Next
BOSTON – 1977: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trail Blazers blocks a shot attempt by Bob Bigelow #34 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1977 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1977 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – 1977: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trail Blazers blocks a shot attempt by Bob Bigelow #34 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1977 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1977 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

34. 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers

The NBA was a mess in the mid- to late-1970s. The league was overcome by on-court fights, the fallout from competition with the ABA, and cocaine abuse among many of its biggest players. The teams were basically playing in front of empty arenas. Advertisers wanted almost nothing to do with the league, a far cry from what it has become.

That said, the era might have been different if Bill Walton had stayed healthy and finished what he started in Portland. In 1976-77, Walton’s diverse skills were in full bloom (he averaged 18.4 points and led the league in rebounding with 14.4 and blocks with 3.2 per game). He was also second on the team in assists at 3.8 per game.

The Blazers put power forward Maurice Lucas, fresh from the ABA with the merger of the league, next to Walton to form an incredible front line. Walton may have been the greatest high-post passer in the history of the game and Lucas was an enforcer and scorer of the highest order.

While some people dismiss this team as a one-hit wonder that got hot at the right time (the Blazers were only 49-33 that season), the truth is deeper. The following season, Portland was 50-10 and dominating the NBA. Sadly, Walton’s foot problems cropped up, spoiling that season and the rest of his career.

33. 1988-89 Detroit Pistons

The era of offense-suppression in the NBA got started with the Bad Boys of Detroit, who went 63-19 under the great Chuck Daly. The team rebounded from losing to the Lakers in the Finals the previous season and won the first of back-to-back titles.

The oddity of the Pistons is that they were led by the beautiful point guard play of Isiah Thomas, whose ball-handling skills were straight out of an Earl Monroe highlight film. Thomas led the Pistons with 18.2 points a game and the Pistons had five other guys who scored at least 13 a game.

Still, the symbol of this team was its defensive prowess and general thugishness with big men Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn serving as the intimidators. With Thomas, Joe Dumars and Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson providing the perimeter scoring and great defense as well, the Pistons pounded their way to dominance of the league. It just wasn’t fun to watch.

Home/NBA