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) /
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SEATTLE, WA – 1988: Magic johnson #32 and James Worthy #42 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk against the Seattle Supersonics at the Seattle Coliseum in Seattle, Washington circa 1988. 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 1988NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – 1988: Magic johnson #32 and James Worthy #42 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk against the Seattle Supersonics at the Seattle Coliseum in Seattle, Washington circa 1988. 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 1988NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12. 1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers

Over a 12-year span, the Lakers went to the NBA Finals nine times and won five titles. This was the last of those teams to win a title in that span and getting that final ring was an amazing struggle both off and on the court. Although the team went 62-20 in the regular season, there was constant back-biting between the combination of coach Pat Riley and players Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy.

Riley had found every way to push and prod the players over the years and they had become tired of his antics. In addition, Riley was increasingly taking credit for the greatness of the team instead of dispersing it among the players. From a playing standpoint, Kareem was now 40 and was running on fumes. He averaged 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds, which were career-lows. Kareem’s effectiveness in the half-court attack had decayed to the point the entire offense was impacted.

Opponents worked to take away the fastbreak opportunities from the Lakers and force them into half-court situations now that Kareem could neither play enough minutes nor be effective when he was on the floor.

By the time the Lakers got to the playoffs, the situation was a constant fight. After sweeping the first postseason series, the next three series went the full seven games as the Lakers barely survived against Utah, Dallas and, finally, Detroit. The last series against the uber-physical Pistons was particularly trying as the Lakers had to come back to win the final two games of the series.

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