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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – DEC 12: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 1, 2001 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 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 2001 NBAE (Photo by Robert Mora/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DEC 12: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 1, 2001 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 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 2001 NBAE (Photo by Robert Mora/NBAE via Getty Images) /

30. 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers

The 1999-00 Lakers were the re-launch of a dynasty. Shaquille O’Neal had already finished three seasons with the Lakers, each flaming out in playoff disappointment. But this season saw the arrival of legendary head coach Phil Jackson and, in his fourth season, the emergence of Kobe Bryant as a legitimate counter-balance to Shaq’s interior dominance.

The result was a 67-15 regular season, with the second-best win percentage in franchise history, trailing only the legendary 1971-72 squad. Shaq won MVP and Kobe made an appearance on the All-NBA Second Team and First Team All-Defense. With solid veterans like Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Glen Rice and Ron Harper around their young stars, the team was able to survive every challenge in the playoffs, including a to-the-distance five-game series with the Sacramento Kings in the first round and a legendary comeback in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to beat the Blazers. They finished their coronation with a 4-2 Finals win, in a series that wasn’t even as close as that score implies.

29. 1998-99 San Antonio Spurs

At the height of the hard-line defensive days of the NBA, the league decided to go hard-line with the players and locked them out until February. That cut the season to only 50 games. Against that backdrop, the Spurs used the defensive prowess of big men David Robinson and rookie Tim Duncan to dominate teams all season.

The Spurs also had a group of savvy veterans led by Robinson, who was in his ninth season. That group included future championship-winning head coach Steve Kerr and another accomplished head coach in Avery Johnson. Kerr, Johnson, Sean Elliott and Mario Elie made up a strong perimeter game around Robinson and Duncan. Duncan, who led the team in scoring, became the bridge to the great run by the Spurs over the span of 15 years.

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