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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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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

5. 2017-18 Golden State Warriors

The 2017-18 Warriors were all about enjoying the ride. They had already broken the records. They had already won two titles and, with Kevin Durant in tow, had redeemed themselves for their 2015-16 Finals meltdown. As is often the case in the later years of a dynasty they were judicious about saving themselves for the moments that mattered most. Their win total dropped from 67 to 58 and the Houston Rockets jumped them for the No. 1 seed in the West. But the Warriors never really felt like anything but favorites and they showed why in the playoffs.

Golden State dropped two games in the first two rounds, beating the dangerous Spurs and the up-and-coming Pelicans. Houston gave them everything they could handle in the Western Conference Finals but an injury to Chris Paul and a badly timed cold streak for Houston’s shooters opened the door for the Warriors to come blasting through. In the Finals, they demolished their old foe, LeBron James, with a four-game streak that essentially ended his second run in Cleveland. The most amazing thing is that this team wasn’t even close to their ceiling and they still ran away with the title.

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