Legendary Teams: Ranking the Top 10 NBA Finals Teams

There have been teams that win the Finals. There have been teams that win consecutive finals. Yet some years, there is just a team so unstoppable, that they not only win the trophy, but go down in history as one of the greatest teams to ever play the game known as basketball. Stars are born on these teams and thrive into superstars. Here are the top ten NBA Finals teams.   

10. 08-09 L.A. Lakers

The 2009-2010 L.A. Lakers are the first team on a list of many Phil Jackson championship teams. This championship marked Kobe Bryant's fifth championship. Yet this was Kobe's first championship win without longtime teammate Shaq. 

The team went an impressive 65-17 during the regular season and 16-7 in the postseason. With ever so faithful Kobe Bryant leading the PPG with 26.8 and the APG with 4.9. and forward Pau Gasol leading the RPG with 9.6, they dominated every game winning by an average of 7.7 points during the regular season and 7.2 points during the postseason.

This team went on to win the finals once again the following season. 

9. 98-99 San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs were a forgotten team in the years before they won this final. Yet in 1999, Tim Duncan and Avery Johnson led this team to a championship victory and a placement in the top 10 NBA finals teams ever. 

They had an amazing playoff run sweeping the Blazers and the Lakers to achieve a playoff record of 15-2. They then stunned the New York Knicks in a 4-1 victory and brought glory back to San Antonio. Tim Duncan not only led the team in PPG with 21.7 and RPG with 11.4, but won the NBA Finals MVP. 

They didn't go on to win another championship until 2003. After 2003, they also won in 2005 and 2007.

8. 01-02 L.A. Lakers

I know what your thinking. Another Bryant era Lakers team? Already? This is ridiculous! 

Yet it's hard not to put another one on the list. He won five championships with the Lakers; you have to include at least two. Here are the stats to justify it.

After the regular season, they were 56-26. During the postseason, they swept their first three match ups, which were Portland, Sacramento, and San Antonio. Although they lost to Allen Iverson and the 76ers in the first game of the NBA Finals, they went on to win the next four games.

Kobe Bryant averaged 25.2 PPG, and Shaq averaged 27.2 PPG. Shaq also averaged 10.7 RPG.

Don't worry, this is the last Shaq/Bryant era Lakers team on the list.  

7. 91-92 Chicago Bulls

This is the first of many Bulls teams in the list. The 1992 Bulls dominated the league with a record of 67-15 after the regular season and a record of 15-7 in the postseason. The Bulls prevailed over Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in six games to win their second NBA Finals in two years.

Michael Jordan averaged an amazing 30.1 PPG during the regular season and raised it to 35 PPG in the postseason. Teammates Scottie Pippen led the team with 7 APG, and Horace Grant led the team in rebounds with 10 RPG. This was a truly amazing team that deserved to repeat it's success.

They went on to win their third NBA Finals in a row the following season. 

6. 87-88 L.A. Lakers

Yes, I know, another Lakers team. It is very hard not to put several Lakers teams on this list considering that they have won the second most NBA Finals ever. They had some of the greatest basketball players ever on this team, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. 

After finishing the regular season with a record of 62-20, the Lakers did have difficulty in the playoffs. They went to game 7 in each playoff round except the first round. Although Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged one of his lowest PPG in his entire career, the 14.6 that he gave did help. Magic Johnson averaged 19.6 PPG and 12.5 APG. 

While this might not be the best Lakers team ever, it sure is an amazing one.

5. 96-97 Chicago Bulls

Another Bulls team. They were so good. They finished the regular season with a record of 69-13, one game less than the previous season. They still had their best players Rodman, Jordan and Pippen. This deadly combination caused quite a stir in the league during those last several years.

Rodman had an even better 16.9 RPG while MJ had 29.6 PPG and Scottie had 5.7 APG. While they had no trouble getting to the NBA Finals, their opponent, the Utah Jazz, wanted revenge. The Utah Jazz were  beaten by the Bulls the previous season, and team leaders Karl Malone and John Stockton were eager for their championship ring. Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Bulls defeated them in six games.

Another amazing Bulls team. Enough said.

4. 90-91 Chicago Bulls

Enough with the Bulls teams! The Bulls created their evil potion of Jordan and Pippen that couldn't be stopped. A dynasty was created so that this team would not only dominate season by season, but would dominate the decade. This team was especially good.

The Bulls finished this regular season with a record of "only" 61 games won. They would then sweep the defending champion Pistons and defeat the Lakers in five games. During the playoffs, the Bulls won each game by an average of 11 points. Jordan was averaging 31.5 PPG and Horace Grant averaged 8.4 RPG. 

This championship win marked the first of many during the Michael Jordan dynasty.

3. 85-86 Boston Celtics

Finally. It shouldn't take this long to get to the team that has won the most NBA championships ever. Larry Bird became the most dominate player on the entire team, and teammates Kevin McHale an Robert Parish aided him in their mutual quest for glory.

After finishing the regular season with a record of 67-15, the Celtics breezed past the Bulls, Hawks and the Bucks to reach the 1986 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets. They then defeated the Houston Rockets in six games to claim the title. Larry Bird led the team with 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG and 6.8 APG.

Another amazing teams that will be remembered forever.

2. 86-87 L.A. Lakers

The "Showtime" Lakers; the best Lakers team ever. This team has had some amazing rosters, but this is the best one. Not only does it have Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy, but it has Byron Scott. Like all the 90s Chicago Bulls teams, the Lakers have a deadly combination that would eliminate any opposing team.

The Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals by sweeping the Nuggets, defeating the Warriors in five games, and sweeping the SuperSonics in the Western Conference Finals. They then defeated the Boston Celtics in six to win the NBA Finals. Not only did Magic Johnson average 23 PPG, but he also averaged 12 APG. If someone is averaging a double-double, you know they have to be deadly.

If this Lakers team were to go up against any other Lakers team, this one would prevail 9 out of 10 times.  

1. 95-96 Chicago Bulls

Ah, here we are. The best NBA Finals team is...The 1996 Chicago Bulls. The 96' Bulls are widely considered the best basketball team ever, and I have to agree with them. The best basketball player ever, Michael Jordan is still averaging 30+ PPG and is playing as good as ever.

They finished the regular season with an astonishing 72-10 record. The Bulls then breezed through the playoffs to win the championship in style. With the aid of newcomer Dennis Rodman, Pippen and Jordan played as good as ever. Jordan led the team in PPG with 30.4, Pippen led the team in APG with 5.9, and Rodman had an amazing RPG of 14.9. Talk about an amazing team.

If the 96' Bulls were to play any team today, they would win 9 out of 10 times.