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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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UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1985: Head Coach Pat Riley of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with his player Michael Cooper #21 during an NBA basketball game circa 1985. Riley coached the Lakers from 1981-1990. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1985: Head Coach Pat Riley of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with his player Michael Cooper #21 during an NBA basketball game circa 1985. Riley coached the Lakers from 1981-1990. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

19. 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers went from chaos early in the season to holding the championship trophy by the end of the year. The Lakers were 7-4 early in the season and Magic Johnson was it his wits’ end with coach Paul Westhead. Magic thought Westhead was too controlling and unwilling to take input. The situation hit a head when Westhead screamed at Magic at halftime of a game, twice telling Magic to shut up.

Magic demanded a trade after that game and owner Jerry Buss realized it was easier to find a head coach than a star player. Magic was only two years removed from leading the Lakers to their first title, which included his stunning effort when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured. Westhead was a smart guy who liked to push the ball, but coaches could come and go. Magic was unique and Los Angeles loved him.

Pat Riley took over for Westhead. While there was some initial anger with Magic, that faded as the season progressed. By the time the Lakers got to the playoffs, they were a scoring machine with four players (Magic, Kareem, Jamaal Wilkes and Norm Nixon) all averaging at least 17 points.

The Lakers swept the first two playoff series and then rolled through the Philadelphia 76ers, who came into the series with great confidence after upsetting the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Essentially, the Lakers season was a referendum on Magic’s power and influence over the Lakers … foretelling the kind of power plays he would pull over the next four decades.

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