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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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SYRACUSE – NEW YORK 1955: The World Champions of basketball Syracuse Nationals pose for a team portrait front row (L-R): Dick Farley, Billy Kenville, Center Row: Earl Lloyd, Captain Paul Seymour, Head Coach Al Cervi, George King Jim Tucker, Rear Row: President Daniel Biasone, Wally Osterkorn, Business Manager Bob Sexton, Dolph Schayes, John Kerr, Billy Gabor Red rocha, Trainer Art Van Auken in Syracuse, New York in 1955. 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 NBAE 1955 (Photo by The Stevenson Collection/NBAE/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE – NEW YORK 1955: The World Champions of basketball Syracuse Nationals pose for a team portrait front row (L-R): Dick Farley, Billy Kenville, Center Row: Earl Lloyd, Captain Paul Seymour, Head Coach Al Cervi, George King Jim Tucker, Rear Row: President Daniel Biasone, Wally Osterkorn, Business Manager Bob Sexton, Dolph Schayes, John Kerr, Billy Gabor Red rocha, Trainer Art Van Auken in Syracuse, New York in 1955. 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 NBAE 1955 (Photo by The Stevenson Collection/NBAE/Getty Images) /

69. 1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers

This was the end of the line for George Mikan as his body basically gave out. He retired after the season (although he returned as a backup for the 1955-56 season). In the Finals against Syracuse, Mikan not only was the key on offense for the Lakers, he was able to stop Dolph Schayes of Syracuse, limiting Schayes to only 9.7 points a game in the seven-game series.

68. 1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers

After losing to Rochester in the NBA Finals the previous season, the Lakers struggled for much of this season to get their confidence back, finishing second at 40-26. That was the worst record of the Mikan Era. While Mikan was still dominant, a key for the team was that forward Jim Pollard had the best scoring season of his career with 15.5 points a game.

67. 1954-55 Syracuse Nationals

After losing the title in the previous season, Syracuse came back with incredible focus this season. In addition, the emergence of Red Kerr as a scorer behind veterans such as Dolph Schayes was a key. The Finals were redemption for Schayes, who had been shutdown against Minneapolis the previous season. Schayers averaged a team-high 19 points against Fort Wayne as Syracuse won the series in seven games.

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