The National Basketball Association or NBA has played a very important role in the sports entertainment industry in the US. It was founded in 1946 and certainly had its ups and downs. Though at its high points, it brought the best entertainment any sports enthusiast could ever wish for.
The best of the best players in the league are considered the best basketball players in the world. Such is thedegree of competition this league has fostered. And every year, the championships of the NBA are one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world. Over the years, there have been stand-out teams who have dished out considerable amounts ofinvestment money to create the most elite lineup the sport has to offer.
Here are the top three of the best teams in the NBA with the most championships to their names.
Boston Celtics – 17 Championships
The Boston Celtics have been in the NBA since 1946. Their claim to glory first came to fruition when theirinvestments brought them Bill Russell in 1957. He played the center position for the team and went on to win 11 championship runs. In two of those championships, he was a player-coach for the team. To this day, he is recognized for having the most championships in the NBA. Moreover, Celtics boasts eight consecutive championship wins from 1959-1966.
Another key player when talking of the Boston Celtics’ NBA glory is Larry Bird. He won three championships with the team and was a key factor during the Celtics – Lakers rivalry. It was a time when the NBA progressed by leaps and bounds in terms of television viewership which brought about its status as a major lucrative part of the US sports industry.
Los Angeles Lakers – 17 Championships
The Los Angeles Lakers are tied with the Boston Celtics in claiming the most NBA Championship trophies. The foundation for the Lakers’ basketball dynasty was laid out during the ‘80s when their investments led to the drafting of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This iconic line-up brought about five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Moreover, Magic Johnson is considered to be one of the first superstars of the NBA.
Johnson is a six-foot-nine basketball genius whose skills were equally impressive as his physique. His presence and flair in the court brought thousands, if not, millions of new fans to the NBA. To this day, he is recognized by many for arguably being one of the best players of all time. During his era, the Lakers’ rivalry with the Celtics catapulted the league’s fame to astronomical levels.
In recent decades, the Lakers had a renaissance with their superstar Kobe Bryant. His skills on the court were comparable to that of Michael Jordan, and Kobe brought home five NBA Championships.
Chicago Bulls – 6 Championships
Although having significantly fewer championships than the Celtics and Lakers, the reign of the Chicago Bulls during the ‘90s probably brought about the most lucrative degree of success for the NBA worldwide. The team’s rise to power was synonymous with Michael Jordan’s prolific career. Not only did Jordan dominate in courts, but he also dominated pop culture. People from across the globe idolized him.
Although Jordan was the star player, he also had a great team to back him up. From the head coach, Phil Jackson, to his partners in crime, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, this iconic line-up helped build Chicago Bulls’ NBA dynasty. By the end of their run, they won 6 championships. They were responsible for some of the most exciting championship games in NBA history.
