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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 49
Next
BRAINS & BRAWN — Pictured: (l-r) Celebrity contestant St. Louis Hawks’ Bob Pettit, host Jack Lescoulie — (Photo by: Bob Ganley/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
BRAINS & BRAWN — Pictured: (l-r) Celebrity contestant St. Louis Hawks’ Bob Pettit, host Jack Lescoulie — (Photo by: Bob Ganley/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) /

54. 1957-58 St. Louis Hawks

In the progression of great big men in the history of the NBA, Bob Pettit is often forgotten. That’s because Pettit only managed to win one championship during his career, putting him behind the likes of George Mikan and Bill Russell in the pecking order of impact big men. That said, Pettit was one of the great scorers in NBA history and won the league scoring title in his second seasons. By his third season, the St. Louis Hawks won a title and most writers thought the combination of Pettit, Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley would battle with the Celtics for years to come.

It didn’t happen exactly that way. The Hawks made the finals in four of five seasons, but the 1957-58 season was the only year they won. When the Hawks eventually moved to Atlanta, any sense of history about the Hawks was washed away and Pettit faded into the footnotes of the league.

53. 1973-74 Boston Celtics

In the 1972-73 season, the Celtics and coach Tommy Heinsohn felt they had squandered a great opportunity. They were 68-14, reaching what they thought was the apex with young star center Dave Cowens and guards Jo Jo White and Don Chaney. Unfortunately for Boston, it was upset in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks, who went on to win the title.

The following season, Boston pulled back the throttle on the regular season, going 56-26, but still finished first in the Atlantic Division. They avenged the loss to the Knicks in the playoffs and then edged the Milwaukee Bucks and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in seven games for the title. Cowens was a fascinating player who wasn’t terribly gifted, but gave players like Kareem fits.

Home/NBA