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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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(Original Caption) Big Walter Dukes (6) of the Knicks fouled George Mikan (99) as he grabbed a rebound under the Minneapolis Lakers’ basket in the first period of their game at the 69th regiment armory this afternoon. Eyeing the play is Laker Dick Garmaker (16).
(Original Caption) Big Walter Dukes (6) of the Knicks fouled George Mikan (99) as he grabbed a rebound under the Minneapolis Lakers’ basket in the first period of their game at the 69th regiment armory this afternoon. Eyeing the play is Laker Dick Garmaker (16). /

66. 1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors

Paul Arizin was one of the first truly great perimeter scorers in NBA history, something of a predecessor to Jerry West. Arizin scored more than 20 points a game in eight of his nine seasons and might have been even better if not for losing two years of his career serving in the Marines during the Korean War. He combined with center Neil Johnston to form one of the best guard-center combos in the game and the pair led a magical season for a Warriors team that featured eight players from the Philly area among the top 11 players.

65. 1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers

George Mikan’s dominance over the league was starting to fade slightly because other big men were getting better and Mikan’s body was starting to wear down. At the same time, the Lakers adapted to have one of the more balanced teams of their era. For the first time in five years with Mikan, the Lakers had four players who averaged double figures. Mikan led the way at 20.6 per game, followed by Vern Mikkelsen (15.0) Jim Pollard (13.0) and Slater Martin (10.6)

64. 1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers

In a year when the league was top heavy with loaded teams (three won 51 games and were at least 11 games better than the next group of teams), the Lakers easily proved to be the best when they mowed through the playoffs with an 11-2 record. Mikan was again dominant, averaging 27.4 points a game in a league that jumped from 12 to 17 teams in one year.

The Lakers actually underperformed for the season (they projected to win 55 games by statistical analysis), but this is a team that had gotten a little bored with winning. It was hard for this team to find an edge, although a slew of six rookies led by Vern Mikkelsen, were relatively interesting.

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