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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 Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (R) celebrates with teammate Shaquille O’Neal after scoring in the third quarter at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, 01 December 2001. The Lakers won 102-76. AFP PHOTO/Lucy Nicholson (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (R) celebrates with teammate Shaquille O’Neal after scoring in the third quarter at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, 01 December 2001. The Lakers won 102-76. AFP PHOTO/Lucy Nicholson (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images) /

24. 2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers

This was the capper on the Lakers’ Shaq-Kobe three-peat and while their record and point differential weren’t as impressive as the 1999-00 season, the way they rolled to the title was incredibly impressive. Many of the steady veteran hands who had helped Shaq and Kobe on the way to their first title were no longer around for this one. A 32-year-old Rick Fox and 31-year-old Robert Horry filled out the starting rotation with Derek Fisher, and the first four bench players who saw the most minutes this season were Samaki Walker, Devean George, Lindsey Hunter and Slava Medvedenko.

But the power of Shaq and Kobe was more than enough to overcome their eroding depth, combining to average 55.1 points, 18.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game during the entire postseason run. The Laker were tested in a seven-game Western Conference Finals against the Kings but swept both the opening round (Trail Blazers) and the Finals (Nets), dropping just a single game to the Spurs in the second round.

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