Winning an NBA championship requires team effort, individual talents and skills, strategy, and resilience. Combining these factors, fans have witnessed teams like Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 winning the first-ever championship rings in their franchise’s history.
Apart from the teams opening their NBA championship account, many won multiple titles following their tremendous performances. However, a few went down as one of the most iconic NBA championships in the league’s history. Take a look at the five NBA teams who defied all the odds to lift the Finals trophy.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)
The NBA’s all-time scoring leader, LeBron James, failed to win a championship ring in his first seven years and had to join the Miami Heat. He won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. LeBron joined Kyrie Irving at the Cavaliers during his second stint with the franchise.
After failing to win the championship in 2015 and losing the Finals against the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers changed the outcome the next year. Stephen Curry’s Warriors managed a 3-1 lead after 2016 NBA Finals Game 4, no team won the NBA championship for this point.
The 2015-16 Warriors were the most dominant team in history, according to their regular-season record. Curry’s side finished the season with a 73-9 record, surpassing Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls 72-10 record in the 1995-96 season. However, LeBron and Kyrie helped the Cavaliers pull off a historic comeback to lift the NBA championship for the first time.
Also Read: Who Has The Highest Vertical Jump In NBA History? Ft. Michael Jordan And Spud Webb
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Dallas Mavericks (2011)
Former German forward Dirk Nowitzki was one of the best foreign players to ever play in the NBA. He played 21 seasons in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks, winning one championship, MVP honors, and making 14 All-Star appearances. In the Maverick’s only NBA title-winning season, Nowitzki was named the Finals MVP.
The Mavericks finished second in the 2010-11 Easter Conference standings with an identical record of 57-25 alongside the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, which was followed by their sweep against Kobe Bryant’s Lakers in the semifinals.
Nowitzki and Dallas went on to beat Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook’s Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 to reach the NBA Finals. The Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat’s big three of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh in six games to lift their first-ever NBA trophy.
Chicago Bulls (1996)
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls were sensational in all sorts. After a three-peat of the NBA championships during 1991-93, legendary Michael Jordan played his first full season in 1995-96. Defensive star Dennis Rodman joined the duo of Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
The 1995-96 Bulls finished the regular season with a then-record 72-10. Michael Jordan swept away the NBA MVP awards, while Phil Jackson was named the Coach of the Year. In the Playoffs, the Bulls lost just three games, including two against the Seattle SuperSonics in the Finals.
After sweeping the Miami Heat in the first round, Chicago defeated the New York Knicks in five games and swept the Orlando Magic in the Conference Finals. The Bulls defeated the Supersonics in the Finals, with Jordan and Rodman leading the league in scoring and rebounding.
Also Read: Top 7 Players With Most NBA Championships: Where Does Michael Jordan Rank?
Los Angeles Lakers (1980)
The 1980 Los Angeles Lakers included the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar paired with the first overall pick in the 1979 Draft, Earvin Johnson, a.k.a. Magic Johnson. While Kareem led the team in scoring in the season, Magic Johnson won the first of his three NBA Finals MVP honors in 1980.
With an identical record of 4-1, the Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns and the Seattle SuperSonics in the Western Conference playoffs. In the 1980 NBA Finals, the Lakers faced Julius Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers knocked out the Sixers in Game 6 to lift the NBA championship.
While Kareem won his second ring after nine years, Johnson announced himself as a future great with a Finals MVP award in his rookie season. After their 1980 triumph, Johnson and Kareem won four more championships with the Lakers in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
Toronto Raptors (2019)
Five years after winning his first NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard helped the Toronto Raptors win the 2019 Championship. With the 2019 NBA championships, Kawhi Leonard won his second ring and NBA Finals MVP award.
However, the road to the victory was difficult as the Raptors dominated a young Orlando Magic 4-1 in the first round. It was followed by their seven-game battle against Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Kawhi and Siakam led the Raptors to beat the Eastern Conference toppers Milwaukee Bucks in the Conference Finals. The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in the Finals to become the first-ever non-American team to lift the NBA trophy.
Teams like the 90s Chicago Bulls, 2000s Los Angeles Lakers, and 2010s Golden State Warriors won multiple championships. However, the most successful NBA team, the Boston Celtics, with 18 NBA championships, was the most dominant side in the 1960s.
Also Read: Top 5 NBA Duos Fans Wish To See Together, Featuring LeBron James And Stephen Curry
