It is hard to believe that the NBA has been around for more than 80 years. The League was formed in 1946 with 11 teams, and now it features 30 franchises (29 in the United States and one in Canada).
The NBA has seen many changes over those eight decades. Rules changed, new players emerged as stars and expansion helped grow the game globally. But through every era of change, there have still been some constants: dynasties led by some of the best basketball players ever to play on any professional level. Here are 5 teams who have won multiple championships since 1946 – ranking them from fewest to most.
San Antonio Spurs, 5 NBA Championships
San Antonio Spurs were originally part of the American Basketball Association before it was swallowed by the NBA in 1976.
Their first NBA championship win was in 1999, when the famous duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, led the Spurs to the victory. The duo was known as the “Twin Towers” and they absolutely dominated the game. They managed to give the Spurs one more championship win in 2003.
Tim Duncan
After Robinson retired, Duncan was left on his own. It could mean the end of the golden days for the Spurs, but they found perfect replacements for Robinson, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. The Spurs went on and added two more NBA championship titles.
As time passed, Duncan was ready to retire. Remembered as a true legend, the best Spurs player ever, he added the 5th ring on his fingers, by winning in 2014.
Golden State Warriors, 6 NBA Championships
The Golden State Warriors are another team with a long history. They were founded as Philadelphia Warriors in 1946 and in 1947 as a part of the BAA league, they won their first championship. NBA states that the BAA 1947 championship was the first NBA competition.
In the ’50s the Warriors drafted Wilt Chamberlain which led them to a championship win in 1956. In 1962 the Warriors moved to San Francisco and changed its name to San Francisco Warriors. The name turned out to be bad luck since the Warriors didn’t win any championships in this time period.
Before the 1971 season, the Warriors became Golden State Warriors and the curse was broken. With players like Nate Thurmond and Rick Barry, they got their third win in 1975.
Stephen Curry
The Golden State Warriors had their ups and downs, but they still can be considered one of the greatest teams of our time. And this is thanks to their modern star player, Stephen Curry. Along with Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Andre Igoudala, Curry created a new dynasty and led the Golden State Warriors to win 3 more championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
In total,l, the Golden State Warriors won 6 NBA championship titles.
Chicago Bulls 6 NBA Championships
Despite not getting double digits in their winnings count, the Chicago Bulls story is one of the most captivating. The franchise is not that old, it was founded in 1966 but met with no success at the beginning.
The Chicago Bulls were in the autumn of their existence when Michael Jordan joined their squad. His incredible talent made the Bulls one of the most respected teams in NBA history. The success didn’t come right away. After years of failures and trials, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the Bulls to victory in 1991, 1992, and 1993.
Michael Jordan took a break for one season to play baseball, which was a way to honor his father’s wishes. Jordan father was murdered in a robbery gone wrong. When he came back, the Bulls again won three consecutive NBA titles in 1996, 1997, and 1998, this time strengthened by amazing defensive play by Dennis Rodman.
Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships. The team was under the guidance of head coach Phil Jackson, who is considered the greatest coach in NBA history.
Los Angeles Lakers, 17 NBA Championships
The Los Angeles Lakers were founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers and they were part of the defunct National Basketball League. After the BAA and NBL merger in 1949, the Lakers were officially part of the NBA.
They dominated the first-ever seasons of the NBA, winning the championships in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954. Their rule was aborted by the Boston Celtics at the dawn of the ’50s, but they managed to bounce back in the ’70s with Wilt Chamberlain in their squad. Their true glory days started in the ’80s.
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
In the ’80s team consisted of legendary players such as Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They became NBA champions in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Their gameplay was very spectacular and the superstar squad was given the nickname “Showtime”.
Kobe Bryant
As time passed the changes in the team were inevitable. In the 2000s NBA the stars of the team were Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. They got three consecutive NBA titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. During that time the Lakers were coached by Phil Jackson.
Kobe Bryant acquired two more NBA Championship titles in 2009 and 2010. After his retirement, the Lakers won championships in 2020 with the help of LeBron James. This ties the score of the Boston Celtics and leaves us with the historic number of 17.
Boston Celtics 17 NBA Championships
Boston Celtics are one of the original BAA teams and their roots go as far as 1946. They are considered one of the best franchises in NBA history, with their long winning streaks and outstanding players. Now, the Celtics aren’t the same as they used to before, due to increased competition and changing rules. But in the past century, the Boston Celtics were the team to beat.
Bill Russell
Their most dominating years were the late ’50s and the ’60s. The team, with Bill Russell as their star, won eight consecutive NBA titles, winning the NBA championships in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969, creating the Boston Celtics Dynasty.
After Bill Russell retired, the Boston Celtics lost their momentum but managed to regain it in 1974 and 1976.
Larry Bird
In 1979 one of the greatest NBA players, Larry Bird joined the team and led them to victory in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Boston Celtics had one more Championship Trophy in 2008, thanks to Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett’s input. This makes the Boston Celtics the first team to have 17 NBA titles.
NBA Finals
Every team has its own story. The most beautiful ones were written by the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches. Going back to the NBA beginning, many players just work together so well, they become unstoppable and create a dynasty. Watching them play in NBA finals had to be an amazing experience, just like watching superhero movies.
As we are in the new era of the NBA, there are so many opportunities for the new players to surprise us and change the direction of NBA history. We anticipate another superstar with a lingering question of who will win the next NBA finals.
Who has the most rings in the NBA?
No other player in NBA history has won more championships than Boston Celtics center Bill Russell, who racked up 11 titles throughout his 13-year playing career.
Who has the most NBA rings with the same team?
It’s Bill Russel, who won 11 rings with the Boston Celtics.
