List of NBA champions

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The San Antonio Spurs have won four championships in the past nine years. (Three pictured here)
The San Antonio Spurs have won four championships in the past nine years. (Three pictured here)

This is a list of franchises that have won the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Basketball Association of America (BAA) (from 1946–49). All NBA Finals have been played in a best-of-seven format, and contested between the winners of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference (formerly Divisions before 1970), except in 1950 in which the Eastern Division champion faced the winner between the Western and Central Division champions.

The home-and-away format was in a 2-2-1-1-1 format (that is, the team with the better regular season record plays on their home court in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7) until 1985 (except 1953–55, 1975 and 1978, the latter two in a 1-2-2-1-1 format). After 1985, the games were changed to a 2-3-2 format (the team with the better regular season record plays on their home court in Games 1-2 and 6-7). However, all other playoff series are still in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.[1]

Before 1978, winning teams won the Brown Trophy for a year until the next champion was determined. From 1978 to 1983 the Walter A. Brown Trophy was awarded, and since 1984, the champions have won the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

The Eastern Conference/Division leads the Western Conference/Division in the number of won series with 34-26. The old Central Division won one championship.

Contents

[edit] Key

     and Bold text Winning team of the NBA Finals.
† Had or tied the best regular season record for that season.

[edit] List of champions

[edit] BAA champions

Year Western Champion Result Eastern Champion Reference
1947 Chicago Stags 1–4 Philadelphia Warriors [2]
1948 Baltimore Bullets 4–2 Philadelphia Warriors [3]
1949 Minneapolis Lakers 4–2 Washington Capitols [4]

[edit] NBA champions

Year Western Champion Result Eastern Champion Reference
1950 Minneapolis Lakers1 4–2 Syracuse Nationals† [5]
1951 Rochester Royals 4–3 New York Knicks [6]
1952 Minneapolis Lakers 4–3 New York Knicks [7]
1953 Minneapolis Lakers† 4–1 New York Knicks [8]
1954 Minneapolis Lakers† 4–3 Syracuse Nationals [9]
1955 Ft. Wayne Pistons 3–4 Syracuse Nationals† [10]
1956 Ft. Wayne Pistons 1–4 Philadelphia Warriors† [11]
1957 St. Louis Hawks 3–4 Boston Celtics† [12]
1958 St. Louis Hawks 4–2 Boston Celtics† [13]
1959 Minneapolis Lakers 0–4 Boston Celtics† [14]
1960 St. Louis Hawks 3–4 Boston Celtics† [15]
1961 St. Louis Hawks 1–4 Boston Celtics† [16]
1962 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics† [17]
1963 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics† [18]
1964 San Francisco Warriors 1–4 Boston Celtics† [19]
1965 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Boston Celtics† [20]
1966 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics [21]
1967 San Francisco Warriors 2–4 Philadelphia 76ers† [22]
1968 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics [23]
1969 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics [24]
1970 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 New York Knicks† [25]
1971 Milwaukee Bucks† 4–0 Baltimore Bullets [26]
1972 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–1 New York Knicks [27]
1973 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 New York Knicks [28]
1974 Milwaukee Bucks† 3–4 Boston Celtics [29]
1975 Golden State Warriors 4–0 Washington Bullets† [30]
1976 Phoenix Suns 2–4 Boston Celtics [31]
1977 Portland Trail Blazers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers [32]
1978 Seattle SuperSonics 3–4 Washington Bullets [33]
1979 Seattle SuperSonics 4–1 Washington Bullets† [34]
1980 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers [35]
1981 Houston Rockets 2–4 Boston Celtics† [36]
1982 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers [37]
1983 Los Angeles Lakers 0–4 Philadelphia 76ers† [38]
1984 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics† [39]
1985 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Boston Celtics† [40]
1986 Houston Rockets 2–4 Boston Celtics† [41]
1987 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–2 Boston Celtics [42]
1988 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–3 Detroit Pistons [43]
1989 Los Angeles Lakers 0–4 Detroit Pistons† [44]
1990 Portland Trail Blazers 1–4 Detroit Pistons [45]
1991 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Chicago Bulls [46]
1992 Portland Trail Blazers 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [47]
1993 Phoenix Suns† 2–4 Chicago Bulls [48]
1994 Houston Rockets 4–3 New York Knicks [49]
1995 Houston Rockets 4–0 Orlando Magic [50]
1996 Seattle SuperSonics 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [51]
1997 Utah Jazz 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [52]
1998 Utah Jazz† 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [53]
1999 San Antonio Spurs† 4–1 New York Knicks [54]
2000 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–2 Indiana Pacers [55]
2001 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 Philadelphia 76ers [56]
2002 Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 New Jersey Nets [57]
2003 San Antonio Spurs† 4–2 New Jersey Nets [58]
2004 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Detroit Pistons [59]
2005 San Antonio Spurs 4–3 Detroit Pistons [60]
2006 Dallas Mavericks 2–4 Miami Heat [61]
2007 San Antonio Spurs 4–0 Cleveland Cavaliers [62]
2008 Los Angeles Lakers 0–2 Boston Celtics† [63]

Note 1: Due to the NBA's realignment into three divisions, the team with the best regular season record after the Divisional Finals advanced automatically to the Finals while the other two teams faced off in another series to determine the other finalist.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Time to turn back clock on format, Bob Ryan, The Boston Globe. June 23, 2005
  2. ^ Warriors Win Inaugural Finals. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  3. ^ Baltimore Bursts Into Big Leagues. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  4. ^ Mikan, Lakers Begin Championship Run. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  5. ^ Lakers: First Champs of Newly Formed NBA. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  6. ^ Royals Reign, Despite Knicks' Unlikely Comeback. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  7. ^ Lakers Reclaim the NBA Crown. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  8. ^ Lakers Unstoppable in Big Apple. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  9. ^ Minneapolis Makes One Last Title Run. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  10. ^ Nats Win First Title of Shot-Clock Era. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  11. ^ Warriors Reign Over League's 10th Season. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  12. ^ Celtics Officially Launch Their Dynasty. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  13. ^ Pettit Drops 50 on Celtics in Game 6. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  14. ^ Celtics Sweep Past Minneapolis. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  15. ^ Hawks Force Game 7, But Celtics Repeat. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  16. ^ Celtics Give Sharman Championship Sendoff. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  17. ^ Celtics, Lakers Work OT to Start Rivalry. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  18. ^ Cousy Retires as Six-Time Champion. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  19. ^ Boston 'D' at Center of Title Defense. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  20. ^ Celtics Win Seventh Straight Finals. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  21. ^ Red Lights Cigar to Close Coaching Career. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  22. ^ Prolific Sixers Bring Ring to Philly. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  23. ^ Boston is Alive and Well. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  24. ^ West's Heroics Can't Deprive Russell of 11th Title. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  25. ^ Gutsy Reed Rallies Knicks in Game 7. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  26. ^ 'Big O' Completes Bucks' Championship Run. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  27. ^ Lakers' Legendary Season Leads to Elusive Title. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  28. ^ Knicks Win One for the 'Aged'. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  29. ^ Celtics Win First Title of Post-Russell Era. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  30. ^ Barry’s Warriors Produce Epic Upset. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  31. ^ Triple-OT Classic Highlights Boston's 13th Title. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  32. ^ Walton, Lucas Ignite 'Blazermania'. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  33. ^ 'Fat Lady' Sings Victorious Tune for Bullets. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  34. ^ DJ Leads the Way for Sonics. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  35. ^ Rookie Makes the Lakers Believe in Magic. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  36. ^ Celtics Return to Glory. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  37. ^ Lakers' Arduous Season Ends in Victory. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  38. ^ Moses Helps Dr. J, Sixers Reach Promised Land. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  39. ^ Celtics Win First Bird-Magic Finals Showdown. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  40. ^ Kareem, Lakers Conquer the Celtic Mystique. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  41. ^ Frontcourt Vaults Celtics to Front of the Pack. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  42. ^ Magic Maneuvers Lakers Past Celtics. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  43. ^ Lakers Capture the Elusive Repeat. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  44. ^ Waiting Game Ends for Impatient Pistons. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  45. ^ Bad Boys Still the Best. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  46. ^ Bulls Finally Get That Championship Feeling. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  47. ^ Repeat is Extra Sweet for Bulls. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  48. ^ Paxson's Trey Propels Bulls Into NBA History. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  49. ^ Houston's Championship: Dream Come True. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  50. ^ Rockets Earn Respect With Finals Sweep. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  51. ^ Bulls' Record-Setting Season Ends in Victory. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  52. ^ MJ Adds More Finals Heroics to His Legacy. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  53. ^ Jordan's Jumper Secures Chicago's Sixth Title. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  54. ^ 'Little General' Marches Spurs to First Title. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  55. ^ Shaq Makes Mark in New Millennium. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  56. ^ Take Two for Tinseltown. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  57. ^ A Sweeping Statement. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  58. ^ The Storybook Spurs!. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  59. ^ Motown back at #1. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  60. ^ Winning is fundamental. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  61. ^ Wade's world is Title Town. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  62. ^ Sweeping success: Spurs win it!. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  63. ^ 2008 NBA Finals main page. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
NBA Finals
Broadcasters • O'Brien Trophy • Most Valuable Player Award • Brown Trophy • WNBA Finals • List of champions
1940s 1947 1948 1949
1950s 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1960s 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980s 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009