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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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BOSTON, MA – 1967: Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Philadelphia 76ers rebounds against Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1967 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – 1967: Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the Philadelphia 76ers rebounds against Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1967 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

8. 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers

While Wilt Chamberlain was often bested by the physically inferior Bill Russell when it came to winning titles, it’s worth noting Chamberlain helped lead the two best teams in the first 50 years of the league in terms of regular season victories. The 76ers set a record by going 68-13 this season and Chamberlain led the way by going through the first metamorphosis of his career.

Over the first eight years of his career, Chamberlain established himself as the greatest scorer the game has ever season, averaging more than 30 points per game each season and topping out at 50.4 points per game in the 1961-62 season. But in the 1966-67 season, Chamberlain cut his offensive output to only 24.1 points per game because he learned to trust his teammates.

Playing under legendary coach Alex Hannum, Chamberlain bought in to the balanced attack they preached. The 76ers had six players who averaged double figures, led by Chamberlain and Hal Greer (22.1). The real key to Chamberlain buying in was the emergence of Chet Walker, who averaged 19.8 per game and shot a career-best 48.8 percent, and second-year man Billy Cunningham, who averaged 18.5 per game.

The 76ers dominated all season and throughout the playoffs, beating archrival Boston 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals before defeating the San Francisco Warriors 4-2 in the Finals. It was the first of two titles for Chamberlain, who didn’t start becoming a champion until he became less of a scorer.

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