A Complete List of NBA Champions by Year Since the League's Inception
As I sit here watching the NBA Finals, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey this league has taken since its humble beginnings back in 1946. Having followed basketball religiously for over two decades, I've developed a deep appreciation for how the championship legacy has evolved through different eras. The Philadelphia Warriors claimed that very first title when the league was still called the BAA, beating the Chicago Stags in five games - a fact many casual fans might not know, but one that fascinates me about the league's origins.
What strikes me most about tracking NBA champions year by year is how it reveals the fascinating patterns of basketball history. The Minneapolis Lakers, led by George Mikan, dominated the early years with five championships in six seasons from 1949 to 1954. Then came the Boston Celtics dynasty that absolutely captivated me when I first learned about basketball history - their run of eleven titles in thirteen years from 1957 to 1969 remains arguably the most impressive team achievement in professional sports. I've always been partial to Bill Russell's Celtics, not just for their incredible success but for how they revolutionized team defense and rebounding.
The league's expansion era brought new champions into the fold, with teams like the New York Knicks capturing their first titles in the early 70s. I find myself particularly drawn to the 1970 Knicks championship team - there was something magical about how Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Bill Bradley complemented each other's games. Then came the flashy Showtime Lakers of the 80s, who personally represent my favorite era of basketball. Magic Johnson's no-look passes and Kareem's skyhook created such beautiful basketball that I still rewatch those games regularly. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry during this period produced some of the most memorable finals in history, with Boston winning three championships and Los Angeles taking five during the decade.
Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls of the 90s fundamentally changed how the world viewed basketball, and I'll never forget where I was when Jordan hit "The Shot" against Cleveland in 1989. His six championships in eight years created a global basketball phenomenon that still resonates today. The San Antonio Spurs then established themselves as the model franchise with five titles between 1999 and 2014, while the Lakers and Celtics added to their legendary totals with multiple championships in the 2000s.
More recently, we've witnessed the Golden State Warriors dynasty that captured four championships between 2015 and 2022, revolutionizing the game with their three-point heavy approach. As much as I admire their skill, I must confess I've never been completely comfortable with how the game has shifted away from post play and mid-range shooting. The Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 championship particularly stood out to me - there was something special about Giannis Antetokounmpo's journey from Greece to NBA champion that reminded me why I fell in love with basketball stories.
Looking at the complete championship list reveals how difficult sustained success really is in the NBA. Only nineteen franchises have won titles in the league's 75-plus year history, with the Celtics and Lakers combining for a remarkable 34 of the 77 championships awarded through 2023. The Toronto Raptors' 2019 victory stands out as the only championship won by a Canadian team, breaking what had been an American monopoly.
The championship journey reminds me of that tennis match I watched recently where the young player Eala struggled with net errors after opening a 3-0 lead in just nine minutes. It's the same in basketball - early success means nothing without maintaining that level. So many teams have learned this lesson the hard way in the playoffs. I've seen countless squads jump out to impressive leads only to falter when it matters most, while the true champions find ways to persevere through adversity.
What continues to fascinate me about the NBA championship legacy is how each era's winning teams reflect the evolution of basketball itself. From the ground-bound, methodical play of the 50s to the fast-break excellence of the 80s and the three-point revolution of today, the champions have always represented basketball's cutting edge. The league has awarded 77 championships through 2023, with the Warriors, Celtics, and Lakers trading the record for most titles throughout recent decades. As we look toward future seasons, I'm particularly excited to see which franchises will add their names to this prestigious list next. The championship legacy isn't just about trophies - it's about the stories, the personalities, and the moments that define basketball history. And as someone who's spent more than twenty years immersed in this game, I can confidently say the next chapter will be just as compelling as all that came before.
