The NBA has become one of the world’s most exciting sports leagues. There’s always something going on from free agency in the summer to the trade deadline in the winter, as teams strive to improve their rosters and give themselves the best chances of winning an elusive NBA championship.
But which NBA teams have the most championships? How did those franchises manage to become so dominant? And which squads have the best shot at winning the next title?
We’ll answer all of those questions and more in the article below. So keep reading to learn more.
What NBA Team Has the Most Titles?
The two NBA teams with the most titles are the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics – each of which has 17 total championships. The Lakers won their last championship in 202, while the Celtic’s previous win was in 2008.
If you’re wondering what 3 NBA teams have the most championships, it’s the Lakers (17), Celtics (17), and Golden State Warriors (7).
How Were the Celtics and Lakers so Successful?
The Celtics and Lakers have had solid histories of great players, coaching, and general managers.
The Celtics won the majority of their titles during the 1950s and 1960s. They dominated this era of the NBA with hall-of-fame players like Bill Russell and John Havlicek. Red Auerbach coached them during most of these years and is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s most successful coaches ever.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had several dynasties over the past 50 years. In the 1980s, the Lakers became one of America’s most popular sports franchises, with star players Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and their upbeat and exciting “Show Time” playing style.
After that, the Lakers won three titles in a row with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in the early 2000s. These two are widely regarded as the most dominant dynamic duos ever. The squad won two more titles in the late 2000s with Kobe Bryant and their latest title in 2020 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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List of NBA Teams with the Most Championships
The NBA teams with the most championships have quite a few more titles than all other franchises. But there are still some clear disparities between other squads.
With that in mind, here’s a list of total NBA championships won by the top franchises in the league’s history:
- Los Angeles Lakers – 17
- Boston Celtics – 17
- Golden State Warriors – 7
- Chicago Bulls – 6
- San Antonio Spurs – 5
- Miami Heat – 3
- Philadelphia 76ers – 3
- Detroit Pistons – 3
- Milwaukee Bucks – 2
- Houston Rockets – 2
- New York Knicks – 2
Top Championship Moments Throughout History
One of the reasons why people love the NBA is that you never know what’s going to happen in any given game. That’s especially true in the NBA Finals when everything means more.
With that in mind, here are three of the top NBA championship moments in history.
Michael Jordan’s Flu Game
In 1997, Michael Jordan scored 38 points against the Jazz despite being severely ill with the flu. This was a legendary performance that still gets talked about today.
It epitomized the toughness and championship spirit that Michael Jordan had become loved for by fans across the planet throughout his career.
Magic Johnson Starts for Kareem
In the 1980 NBA Finals, the Lakers were facing a tough 76ers squad when star center Kareem Abdul-Jabaar went down with a season-ending injury. Questions began to swirl about who would start at the center position. Coach Paul Westhead surprisingly started 20-year-old rookie Magic Johnson, even though he’d been a point guard throughout the season.
Magic played incredibly, scoring 42 points and immediately establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting and versatile up-and-coming players.
Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals
Of course, a list of the best NBA Finals moments would only be complete by mentioning the last game of the 2016 finals. This was when the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James completed their incredible 3-1 championship comeback over a Golden State Warriors team that set the record for the most-ever victories in an NBA season.
That game had a number of era-defining moments, including a stunning block by LeBron James and a game-sealing shot by Kyrie Irving.
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Modern NBA Teams With the Most Potential
It’s always tough to predict which current NBA teams have the best chances of winning future titles. But there are a few squads that are full of exciting young players that could become the league’s next dynasty.
For example, the New Orleans Pelicans have a young roster led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. They have a ton of upcoming draft picks and a lot of other talented players on their roster, which could allow them to make a big trade for another superstar to add to their impressive core.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are also a time that’s on the rise. They recently drafted Chet Holmgren and have players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
Other teams with impressive young cores include the Memphis Grizzlies (led by Ja Morant) and the Boston Celtics (led by Jason Tatum). It’s also worth mentioning the Phoenix Suns here with a star-studded line-up with players like Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
Could You Find a Career in the NBA?
If you’re passionate about the NBA, then why not consider trying to start a career in the league? It’s possible to do so even if you know nothing about basketball today.
Of course, NBA franchises are always looking for talented coaches, analysts, and trainers. But teams also need regular professionals to run their front offices.
For example, you could find a position as a social media specialist, broadcaster, salesperson, or even assistant general manager. All of these positions would allow you to join an NBA franchise and play a role in contributing to that team’s success.
JobsInSports.com makes it easier to find the latest job postings in the NBA. You can create an account today to get notified the minute that new NBA jobs get posted. That way, you can submit your application as soon as possible and give yourself the best chance of getting hired.
So why wait? Sign up today to take the first step toward an NBA career.