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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LOS ANGELES – NOVEMBER 25: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls talks with Phil Jackson against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 25, 1996 at the LA Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 1997 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – NOVEMBER 25: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls talks with Phil Jackson against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 25, 1996 at the LA Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 1997 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

6. 1996-97 Chicago Bulls

Filling the middle of their second three-peat, the 1996-97 iteration of the Bulls was simply incredible. A year after becoming the first team in NBA history to win 70 games, they very nearly went out and did it again, coming up one win short. Their scoring margin this season is right there with the record-setting 1995-96 team and they went 15-4 in the playoffs, beating opponents by an average of 6.5 points per 100 possessions.

Karl Malone took home the MVP Award this season and Jordan did his best to make that look silly in the Finals, averaging 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game in their 4-2 series win, including the infamous 38-point “flu game” in Game 5 that reasserted control for the Bulls and pushed Utah’s backs to the wall. This was the fully realized version of the Jordan Bulls — exceptional defensively, perfectly spaced around Jordan’s individual talents and with an answer for every challenge.

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