List of NBA champions
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) (formerly Basketball Association of America (BAA) from 1946–49) Finals is the championship series for the NBA and the conclusion of the sport's postseason. All 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. Prior to 1949, the playoffs were instituted a three-stage tournament where the two semifinal winners played each other in the finals.[1][2][3] The winning team of the series receives the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
The home-and-away format in the NBA Finals is in a 2–2–1–1–1 format (the team with the better regular season record plays on their home court in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7). It was previously in a 2–3–2 format (the team with the better regular season record plays on their home court in Games 1, 2, 6 and 7) during 1949, 1953–1955, and 1985–2013,[4][5][6][7][8][9] in a 1–1–1–1–1–1–1 format during 1956 and 1971[10][11] and in a 1–2–2–1–1 format during 1975 and 1978.[12][13]
The Eastern Conference/Division leads the Western Conference/Division in series won (37–31). The defunct Central Division won one championship. The Boston Celtics and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers alone own almost half of the titles, having won a combined 33 of 68 championships.
Trophies
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Walter A. Brown Trophy
The trophy was originally referred to as the NBA Finals trophy,[14] but was renamed in 1964 after Walter A. Brown, the original owner of the Boston Celtics who was instrumental in merging the BAA and the National Basketball League into the NBA in 1949.[15][16]
The original trophy was awarded to the BAA/NBA champions from 1947 to 1976. The trophy was kept by the winning team for one year and given to the winning team of the following year's finals, unless the previous team won again, much like the NHL's Stanley Cup, which continues that tradition to this day.
A new trophy design was created for the 1977 NBA Finals, although it retained the Walter A. Brown title. Unlike the original championship trophy, the new trophy was given permanently to the winning team and a new one was made every year.
The inaugural winners of the trophy were the Philadelphia Warriors, who defeated the Chicago Stags.[17] The Boston Celtics won the trophy 14 times, the most in league history. From 1957 to 1969, they won the NBA Finals 11 out of 13 times, including eight consecutive wins. The final recipients of the trophy were the Philadelphia 76ers, who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1983 NBA Finals.
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
In 1984, the trophy was renamed to the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, in honor of Larry O'Brien, who served as NBA commissioner from 1975 to 1983.[18]
The current trophy is made out of 14.5 pounds of sterling silver and vermeil with a 24 karat gold overlay and stands 2 feet (0.61 m) tall. It is designed to look like a basketball about to enter a net. The year and team names are engraved on the trophies, which are often prominently displayed in the winning team's arena.[19][20][21]
The Boston Celtics were the inaugural winners of the renamed trophy, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games (4–3) in the 1984 NBA Finals.[22] The Los Angeles Lakers have won the trophy eight times, the Chicago Bulls have won it six times,[23] and the San Antonio Spurs have won it five times.
Champions
Legend
Bold | Winning team of the NBA Finals |
Had or tied for the best regular season record for that season | |
(1) | Playoff seed |
BAA champions
Year | Western champion | Result | Eastern champion | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
1947 | Chicago Stags | 1–4 | Philadelphia Warriors | [24] |
1948 | Baltimore Bullets | 4–2 | Philadelphia Warriors | [25] |
1949 | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–2 | Washington Capitols | [26] |
NBA champions
Results by teams
Notes
- ↑ 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 NBA Finals while the other two teams faced off in the NBA Semifinals to determine the other finalist. Eastern Division champion Syracuse had the best regular season record among the division champions, causing Central Division (no relation to the current Central Division) champion Minneapolis to face Western Division champion Anderson Packers in the NBA Semifinals.[27]
- ↑ The trophy was renamed for Walter A. Brown.
- ↑ The trophy was replaced by a new design.[19][20]
- ↑ The trophy was renamed for Larry O'Brien.
- ↑ Due to a lockout, the season did not start until February 5, 1999, and all 29 teams played a shortened 50 game regular season schedule.[76]
- ↑ Due to a lockout, the season did not start until December 25, 2011 and all 30 teams played a shortened 66-game regular season schedule.[90][91]
- ↑ Not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards who were known as the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets from 1963 to 1997.
See also
- NBA Playoffs
- Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
- List of NBA Development League champions
- List of NBA championship head coaches
- List of NBA players with most championships
References
- ↑ Rosen, Charley (2008). The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA. Mc-Graw Hill. pp. 211–212. ISBN 0-07-148785-9.
- ↑ Anderson, Corrie; Reheuser, Rob; et al. (2006). Sporting News Official 2006–2007 NBA Guide. Sporting News Books. ISBN 0-89204-854-9.
- ↑ Brown, Donald H. (2007). A Best of Basketball Story. AuthorHouse. pp. 4–5. ISBN 1-4343-4193-3.
- ↑ "1948–49 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ "1952–53 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ "1953–54 Minneapolis Lakers Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ "1954–55 Syracuse Nationals Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ Ryan, Bob (June 23, 2005). "Time to turn back clock on format". Boston Globe. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
- ↑ Windhorst, Brian (October 23, 2013). "Vote is unanimous to change Finals". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
- ↑ "1955–56 Philadelphia Warriors Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ "1970–71 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ "1974–75 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ "1977–78 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ Shimberg, Jason (June 9, 2005). "NBA Finals Trophy: Can You Name It?". docsports.com. Docsports. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
- ↑ "Walter A. Brown". hoophall.com. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ↑ "NBA". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
- ↑ "NBA Finals history". USA Today. June 26, 1999. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ "Lawrence O'Brien". hoophall.com. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
- 1 2 "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy". NBA.com. National Basketball Association. Retrieved July 26, 2008.
- 1 2 "The trophies". St. Petersburg Times. Times Publishing Company. April 10, 2003. Retrieved July 26, 2008.
- ↑ "NBA Legends Launch 2005 NBA Legends Tour: Destination Finals". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 26, 2008.
- 1 2 "Celtics Win First Bird-Magic Finals Showdown". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "NBA Finals: All-Time Champions". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
- ↑ "Warriors Win Inaugural Finals". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "NBA & ABA Playoffs Series History". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ↑ "Mikan, Lakers Begin Championship Run". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- 1 2 "1949–50 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakers: First Champs of Newly Formed NBA". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Royals Reign, Despite Knicks' Unlikely Comeback". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakers Reclaim the NBA Crown". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakers Unstoppable in Big Apple". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Minneapolis Makes One Last Title Run". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Nats Win First Title of Shot-Clock Era". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Warriors Reign Over League's 10th Season". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics Officially Launch Their Dynasty". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Pettit Drops 50 on Celtics in Game 6". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics Sweep Past Minneapolis". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Hawks Force Game 7, But Celtics Repeat". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics Give Sharman Championship Sendoff". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics, Lakers Work OT to Start Rivalry". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Cousy Retires as Six-Time Champion". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Boston 'D' at Center of Title Defense". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics Win Seventh Straight Finals". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Red Lights Cigar to Close Coaching Career". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Prolific Sixers Bring Ring to Philly". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Boston is Alive and Well". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "West's Heroics Can't Deprive Russell of 11th Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Gutsy Reed Rallies Knicks in Game 7". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "'Big O' Completes Bucks' Championship Run". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakers' Legendary Season Leads to Elusive Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Knicks Win One for the 'Aged'". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics Win First Title of Post-Russell Era". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Barry’s Warriors Produce Epic Upset". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Triple-OT Classic Highlights Boston's 13th Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Walton, Lucas Ignite 'Blazermania'". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "'Fat Lady' Sings Victorious Tune for Bullets". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "DJ Leads the Way for Sonics". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Rookie Makes the Lakers Believe in Magic". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Celtics Return to Glory". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakers' Arduous Season Ends in Victory". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Moses Helps Dr. J, Sixers Reach Promised Land". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Kareem, Lakers Conquer the Celtic Mystique". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Frontcourt Vaults Celtics to Front of the Pack". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Magic Maneuvers Lakers Past Celtics". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakers Capture the Elusive Repeat". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Waiting Game Ends for Impatient Pistons". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Bad Boys Still the Best". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Bulls Finally Get That Championship Feeling". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Repeat is Extra Sweet for Bulls". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Paxson's Trey Propels Bulls Into NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Houston's Championship: Dream Come True". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Rockets Earn Respect With Finals Sweep". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Bulls' Record-Setting Season Ends in Victory". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "MJ Adds More Finals Heroics to His Legacy". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Jordan's Jumper Secures Chicago's Sixth Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ Donovan, John (February 4, 1999). "Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99". CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
- ↑ "'Little General' Marches Spurs to First Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Shaq Makes Mark in New Millennium". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Take Two for Tinseltown". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "A Sweeping Statement". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "The Storybook Spurs!". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Motown back at #1". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Winning is fundamental". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Wade's world is Title Town". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Sweeping success: Spurs win it!". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Return to Glory: Celtics Win NBA Title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
- ↑ "L.A. Finishes Off Magic, Claims 15th Championship". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Revenge! Lakers outlast Celtics in Game 7 for NBA title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Cuban finally ends silence, emerges as a champion". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- ↑ Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ↑ "2011–12 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
- ↑ Mahoney, Brian (June 21, 2012). "Champs! James' triple-double lifts Heat to title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ↑ Mahoney, Brian (June 20, 2013). "LeBron leads Heat to second straight title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ↑ Mahoney, Brian (June 15, 2014). "Spurs beat Heat 104-87 in Game 5 to win NBA title". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ↑ Withers, Tom (June 16, 2015). "Warriors win NBA title, down LeBron, Cavs 105-97 in Game 6". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
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