The past 30 years represent the greatest era in NBA history. This three-decade span featured the entire careers of icons like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, alongside the prime years of LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Steph Curry. The league also witnessed four massive dynasties (the Bulls, Spurs, Lakers, and Warriors) plus unforgettable single-year champions like the 2016 Cavaliers. We also saw some of the greatest NBA playoff runs from legends like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.
Top 5 Iconic NBA Championship Runs in History
Some championship runs are remembered for pure dominance. Others are remembered for drama or for the stars involved. Here are five of the most iconic NBA championship runs in history.
5. 2016-17 Golden State Warriors
This team is famous for one main reason: Kevin Durant joined a team that had already won 73 games the season before. The Warriors had lost the 2016 Finals after leading 3-1. Draymond Green called Durant from the parking lot right after that loss to recruit him. Durant was at the peak of his powers. He joined a squad that already had Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green.
Golden State went 67-15 in the regular season. Durant missed some time with an MCL sprain, but he was healthy for the playoffs. The Warriors then went 16-1 in the postseason. It was one of the greatest NBA playoff runs of all time. Their only loss came in Game 4 of the Finals against LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Golden State won the title, and they won again the next year.
4. 1996-97 Chicago Bulls
This Bulls team often gets overlooked. The 1995-96 team won 72 games. The 1997-98 team was the “Last Dance”. The 1996-97 squad sits in between. But it was still a dominant team. Chicago went 69-13 in the regular season. Michael Jordan led the league in scoring. Dennis Rodman led the league in rebounding with over 16 per game.
Karl Malone won the regular season MVP, but Michael Jordan and the Bulls were still the best team. They beat the Miami Heat in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then they beat the Utah Jazz in six games in the Finals. That series included Michael Jordan’s famous “Flu Game” in Game 5. The team’s total record was 84-17. That is not boring. Most teams would love to be that “boring”.
3. 2012-13 Miami Heat
When LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, many people thought the Heat would win many titles. They ended up winning two. This was the second one, and it was special. The Heat went 66-16 in the regular season. At one point, they won 27 games in a row. That is still the second-longest winning streak in league history. LeBron won his fourth MVP. Dwyane Wade averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The roster also had key role players like Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem, and Ray Allen. But the team also showed a troubling habit of struggling in the playoffs. They needed seven games to beat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, they needed a miracle three-pointer from Ray Allen in Game 6 to stay alive. They won Game 7 and the title, but it was not easy.
2. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
This Lakers team had a good regular season record of 56-26. That was not great. But they flipped a switch in the playoffs. The team had Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and coach Phil Jackson. They had won 67 games the year before but faced adversity in the playoffs. This year, the playoffs were almost perfect.
The Lakers swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. They beat a strong Sacramento Kings team in the second round. Then they swept the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals, winning the last two games by 39 and 29 points. Their only playoff loss came in Game 1 of the Finals against Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers then won four straight to take the title. Their playoff record was 15-1.
1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
This is often called the greatest team ever. Michael Jordan had retired in 1993 to play baseball. He returned in 1995. The Bulls lost in the playoffs that year to the Orlando Magic. Magic guard Nick Anderson said Michael Jordan had lost a step. Jordan took that personally. He and Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman came back with a vengeance.
The Bulls started the season 41-3. They finished 72-10, which was the record at the time. In the playoffs, they lost only one game in the Eastern Conference. They swept the Magic in the conference finals. In the Finals, they beat the Seattle SuperSonics in six games. They won the title on Father’s Day at home. Jordan was named Finals MVP.
FAQs
Q. Which NBA team had the greatest playoff runs?
A. The Golden State Warriors went 16-1 in the playoffs and won the NBA championship.
Q. How many games did the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls win?
A. The Bulls won 72 regular-season games and finished with a 72-10 record.
Q. How many consecutive games did the 2012-13 Miami Heat win?
A. The Heat won 27 consecutive games during the regular season.
Q. How many playoff games did the 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers lose?
A. The Lakers lost only one playoff game while winning the championship.
Q. Who hit the famous three-pointer for Miami in the 2013 NBA Finals?
A. Ray Allen hit the crucial three-pointer in Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs.
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