Ranking the last 10 NBA champions

No. 10: 2021-22 Golden State Warriors

The list begins with one of the more impressive runs in recent memory. Stephen Curry was 33, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were 31, Andrew Wiggins was an All-Star, and Jordan Poole looked like he’d become the third splash brother. This Warriors team went 16-6 in the playoffs, but felt more like a last dance.

They defeated some of the league’s top players like Nikola Jokić, Ja Morant, Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum. It was their fourth title in eight years and first since 2018. However, they weren’t as great on paper as other teams on this list.

No. 9: 2020-21 Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee’s run to the title was unexpected but spectacular. The Bucks took down an unmatched Celtics team, the big three Nets with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, and a Cinderella Hawks team led by Trae Young. In the Finals, they were met by an up-and-coming Phoenix Suns team mixed with youth and experience.

In the end, prime Giannis Antetokounmpo took the Bucks to their first title since the early 1970s with the help of Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis.

No. 8: 2022-23 Denver Nuggets

In 2023, Nikola Jokić was already one of the league’s current superstars. The only thing missing from his mantle was a championship ring.

Joined by Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, Denver ran the table, taking out the Timberwolves, Suns, Lakers and Heat to win it all. Role players like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stepped up big time, earning large free agent deals in the future.

Jokić finished runner-up to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid for the league MVP that season, but made up for it by winning Finals MVP after a dominant five-game stretch.

No. 7: 2018-19 Toronto Raptors

IS THIS THE DAGGER???

GM Masai Ujiri took the gamble of a lifetime in the prior offseason, trading face of the franchise and Toronto legend DeMar DeRozan to the Spurs for Kawhi Leonard.

The trade worked and then some, as the Raptors won their first title in team history. They defeated the Magic, 76ers, Bucks and Warriors, creating memorable moments such as Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot to eliminate Philadelphia.

Players like Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka played key roles.

While Leonard left for the Clippers after the season, Raptors fans would still argue the trade for the superstar was worth it.

No. 6: 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA Bubble and COVID-19 in general were no match for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

In LeBron’s second year in LA, they dominated their way to winning the franchise’s 17th championship, whether fans were in attendance or not.

The decision by Rob Pelinka to trade the Lakers’ young core for Anthony Davis was a good one, as he scored the most total points in the playoffs with 582.

Los Angeles defeated the Trail Blazers, Rockets, Nuggets and Heat during their unique championship journey.

Some fans will call it a “Mickey Mouse ring,” but it still counts to me.

No. 5: 2014-15 Golden State Warriors

2015 was the start of the NBA’s next dynasty. The Warriors started their five-year run of dominance with a championship over LeBron James and the shorthanded Cavaliers.

They also defeated a young Pelicans team, the grit-and-grind Grizzlies and the James Harden-led Rockets.

26-year-old Stephen Curry won his first MVP award, revolutionizing the sport in the process with his three-point scoring ability. Andre Iguodala stepped up and won Finals MVP. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were major factors as well.

It was the first of many championships to come in the Bay Area for the Warriors and coach Steve Kerr.

No. 4: 2023-24 Boston Celtics

The Celtics raised banner No. 18 last season, and got a lot of criticism for it, but this team was as good as it gets.

Boston ran through the Heat, Cavaliers, Pacers and Mavericks with Jayson Tatum at the forefront. Jaylen Brown won Finals MVP. Derrick White came through when called upon.

The team brought in Kristaps Porziņġis to provide scoring and height below the boards. Remember Jrue Holiday? He was also brought in by GM Brad Stevens to do what he helped achieve in Milwaukee three years earlier.

Coach Joe Mazzulla helped Boston reclaim their spot as the most accomplished NBA franchise.

No. 3: 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers

“Cleveland! This is for you!”

One year after returning to the Cavaliers, LeBron James delivered on his promise and delivered the city of Cleveland a championship.

The Cavs swept the Pistons and Hawks in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and took care of the Raptors in six games to advance to their second straight Finals. When hope looked lost, they stormed back down 3-1 in the series to capture the title.

LeBron James’ block and Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer in game seven were two of the more iconic moments in recent NBA memory.

No. 2: 2017-18 Golden State Warriors

At this point, fans were tired of Warriors vs. Cavaliers matchups, myself included. However, this Warriors team was still pretty good.

While two Finals games could’ve gone in the Cavs’ favor, it didn’t matter, as Golden State swept the series and captured their third title in a four-year span. LeBron James could only do so much with the team Cleveland built for him.

Kevin Durant won his second consecutive Finals MVP, taking over like he did the year prior, with key compliments from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

No. 1: 2016-17 Golden State Warriors

Atop the list is the Warriors team from the year prior. Whether the 2017 or 2018 team was better on paper is up to you, but this specific group went 16-1 during the playoffs.

Golden State, in their first playoff run with Kevin Durant, swept the Western Conference. They went 12-0 against the Trail Blazers, Jazz and Spurs.

Their only loss of the entire title run was in game three of the Finals. The first two games weren’t even close either. Once again, Cleveland just stood no chance.

Adam Pietrzak is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu.