Ranking the Top 25 NBA Champions of the 21st Century

As the 21st century approaches its quarter-pole, discussions about All-Century NBA rankings have been abundant, covering everything from the finest players and most iconic shots to impactful trades, crucial draft picks, significant free agent acquisitions, and intriguing `what-if` scenarios. Now, the time has come to definitively rank the last 25 NBA championship teams.

This assessment focuses solely on the inherent quality and prowess of each team during their championship season, rather than factors like the difficulty of their playoff journey or their regular-season win-loss record. It`s about identifying the absolute best teams to lift the Larry O`Brien Trophy.

Undoubtedly, such a ranking is highly subjective. However, our staff meticulously analyzed each team through as consistent a lens as possible. While disagreements are a certainty, this represents our considered conclusion.

1. Golden State Warriors (2017)

• Regular-season record: 67-15
• Playoff record: 16-1
• Finals opponent: Cavaliers (4-1)

This squad represents arguably the most talented collection of players ever assembled on an NBA court, a point that is hardly debatable. Featuring Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, with Andre Iguodala providing elite contributions off the bench, this was an extraordinary blend of individual skill and unparalleled team chemistry operating at its peak.

There was widespread outrage when Durant joined this already formidable team, and for good reason: it felt inherently unfair. The Warriors nearly swept through the entire postseason, winning 15 consecutive games and achieving an astounding plus-13.5 point differential. They made a Cavaliers team, led by LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love (a trio arguably superior to any top three Michael Jordan ever faced in the Finals), look like mere apprentices. This isn`t just the greatest team of the century; it is, quite simply, the greatest team ever. — Brad Botkin

2. Los Angeles Lakers (2001)

• Regular-season record: 56-26
• Playoff record: 15-1
• Finals opponent: 76ers (4-1)

The centerpiece of the Kobe-and-Shaq three-peat dynasty, this championship run was a masterclass in dominance. The Lakers suffered only one loss throughout the entire playoffs, to the 76ers in Game 1 of the Finals—a game famously remembered for Allen Iverson`s iconic step-over on Tyronn Lue. What often gets overlooked is that Los Angeles proceeded to win the next four games by an average of 40 points.

Admittedly, this Lakers team wasn`t exceptionally deep; Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, and a veteran Horace Grant filled out the starting five. The 76ers squad they faced in the Finals was arguably the weakest championship opponent of the century. Furthermore, the Spurs team they dominated in the conference finals by an average of 22 points per game predated the emergence of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, featuring Terry Porter and Derek Anderson as starters, and a waning David Robinson. Regardless, the Lakers could only play the opponents in front of them, and they thoroughly dismantled every single one. — Brad Botkin

3. Golden State Warriors (2018)

• Regular-season record: 58-24
• Playoff record: 16-5
• Finals opponent: Cavaliers (4-0)

Perhaps a degree of fatigue was setting in for the Warriors, who were on their fourth consecutive Finals appearance, and the second year of the Durant-era might have shown minor fissures. Andre Iguodala, in his 14th season, may not have been quite the same player. However, these are minor quibbles when discussing a team of this caliber.

We are, after all, referring to a team that boasted both the top-ranked offense and the top-ranked defense. Both Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry averaged over 26 points per game, and both delivered stellar performances in the Finals, where the Warriors swept a still-stacked Cavaliers team.

What many recall from this postseason run is how perilously close it came to ending in the conference finals, where the Houston Rockets genuinely baffled Golden State with their switching defense. Houston led that series 3-2, and had Chris Paul not missed the final two games, or if Houston hadn`t missed an astounding 27 consecutive three-pointers in Game 7, Golden State might very well have fallen short of the Finals. Nevertheless, it didn`t happen. Being pushed to the brink by a truly great team, which Houston objectively was, shouldn`t count any more heavily against these Warriors than it does against the 2002 Lakers, who barely escaped the Kings with their dynasty intact. — Brad Botkin

4. San Antonio Spurs (2014)

• Regular-season record: 62-20
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Cavaliers (4-1)

This team achieved greatness without individual accolades: no major award winners, only Tony Parker made the All-Star Game, and no player averaged even 17 points per game. Yet, almost universally, this is the Spurs championship most fans remember and revere. It was a season where they reached basketball nirvana, ending LeBron James`s Miami era with some of the most fluid and beautiful basketball the NBA has ever witnessed.

Consider this astonishing statistic: in their four-game Finals romp over the Heat, the Spurs averaged 100 more passes per game than their opponents. Their 52.8% field goal percentage remains a Finals record. While the first four Spurs championships were often labeled as “boring” by casual fans, this fifth title was anything but. It embodied everything desirable in basketball, achieving levels of cohesion, clarity, and creativity unmatched by any team since. Though perhaps not as individually talented as some other champions, their collective brilliance was extraordinary. — Sam Quinn

5. Golden State Warriors (2015)

• Regular-season record: 67-15
• Playoff record: 16-5
• Finals opponent: Cavaliers (4-2)

For anyone seeking to illustrate the transformative power of NBA coaching, the 2014-15 Warriors provide a compelling example. With Shaun Livingston as the only notable roster addition, Steve Kerr inherited a 51-win team from Mark Jackson that had just suffered a first-round playoff exit. Kerr then molded them into a 67-win NBA champion in his very first season.

At the time of this inaugural Warriors championship, many basketball traditionalists were reluctant to accept Stephen Curry as a genuine superstar, and by extension, the Warriors as a legitimate champion. They sought to find flaws in the triumph, primarily by highlighting the injuries sustained by Golden State`s playoff opponents, notably Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love`s absence for the Cavaliers in the Finals.

However, these Warriors were demonstrably the league`s best team from start to finish. They led the league in offense, defense, net rating, field-goal percentage, true-shooting percentage, effective field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, and assists per game. They featured arguably the world`s best offensive player in Curry and the best defensive player in Draymond Green, along with the two greatest shooters of all time. Andre Iguodala, a versatile “Swiss-Army knife” player, earned Finals MVP, complemented by elite rim protector Andrew Bogut.

This team possessed all the components for greatness, evidenced not only by this championship but also by their historic 73-win season the following year with largely the same roster. Had that 2016 team not squandered a 3-1 lead to Cleveland, these Warriors would be discussed as the greatest team in NBA history even before Kevin Durant`s arrival. — Brad Botkin

6. Boston Celtics (2008)

• Regular-season record: 66-16
• Playoff record: 16-10
• Finals opponent: Lakers (4-2)

An intriguing statistic: During the 2007-08 regular season, when Kevin Garnett was on the court, the Celtics outscored their opponents by an astounding 16 points per 100 possessions. This level of dominance in a player`s minutes is rare, surpassing even the best stretches of LeBron James`s or Nikola Jokić`s teams.

In his debut season with Boston, Garnett rightfully earned the Defensive Player of the Year award. Less heralded, though equally crucial, was his role in orchestrating the offense. While he led the Celtics in scoring, usage, and shot attempts, he didn`t demand the ball control he had in Minnesota, allowing Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to shine as the stars they were.

Remarkably, it felt as if the “Big Three” had been playing together for years from day one. It quickly became evident that the Celtics also possessed a championship-caliber supporting cast, featuring a second-year starting point guard (Rajon Rondo), a 24-year-old starting center (Kendrick Perkins), and a consistent wing off the bench (James Posey). This was a rare instance of a team unequivocally being the league`s cream of the crop from start to finish. — James Herbert

7. Los Angeles Lakers (2002)

• Regular-season record: 58-24
• Playoff record: 15-4
• Finals opponent: Nets (4-0)

This championship earns significant bonus points for being the third consecutive title, a truly rare achievement accomplished by only three teams in history, and two in the modern era. Despite the immense pressure and accumulated wear and tear from two prior championships, the Lakers still managed a 58-win regular season and won seven of their first eight playoff games.

Then came the Sacramento Kings in the conference finals, a series widely regarded as one of the wildest in the modern era. It took the Lakers seven grueling games, which is not an indictment of their quality, but rather a testament to the Kings, who were one of the best teams ever not to win a championship, much like the 2007 Suns.

Many contend that both the 2007 Suns (marred by the Amar`e Stoudemire suspension) and the 2002 Kings were unfairly disadvantaged. The Lakers needed a fortunate buzzer-beater from Robert Horry to avoid falling behind 3-1, then benefited from a controversially high number of free throws (27) in the fourth quarter of Game 6 to evade elimination. Finally, in Game 7 overtime, they capitalized on the Kings missing 14 free throws and 18 of 20 three-pointers. A great deal had to align for Los Angeles, but ultimately, it did. They capped their third straight title by sweeping the Nets in the Finals, with three of the four games decided by six points or less. It wasn`t effortless, but three-peats rarely are. — Brad Botkin

8. Miami Heat (2013)

• Regular-season record: 66-16
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Spurs (4-3)

The 66 regular-season wins marked the highest tally of the “Big Three” era in Miami, yet the Heat secured this championship by the narrowest of margins. They struggled to win consecutive games against Indiana in the conference finals, needing seven games to overcome a young Paul George and his squad. Then, of course, there was Ray Allen`s miraculous corner three-pointer in the Finals, saving the Heat from elimination with mere seconds remaining.

That being said, needing seven games to defeat an opponent doesn`t automatically diminish the dominance of the eventual victor. That Pacers team was very strong, and the Spurs were truly great. Adding Allen to the roster was a significant boost, and this season marked LeBron James`s fourth and final MVP award. From top to bottom, this was arguably the strongest roster during the Heat`s “Big Three” run. — Brad Botkin

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)

• Regular-season record: 57-25
• Playoff record: 16-5
• Finals opponent: Warriors (4-3)

The only team in history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, this Cavaliers squad was absolutely stacked. It featured peak LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, with Kevin Love perfectly integrated as a floor-spacing big man, shooting over 41% from beyond the arc on more than five attempts per game in the playoffs.

With stellar shooting, impressive depth, strong rebounding, an elite offense, and a top-10 defense, this team was formidable. While the 73-win Warriors were likely a superior team overall, the gap was minimal. Cleveland enjoyed a considerably easier path to the Finals, but the perceived superiority of the Western Conference is a collective judgment; Cleveland`s roster was individually exceptional. When LeBron and Kyrie elevated their play in Game 5, they reached a level no Golden State player could match.

Ultimately, this stands as one of the NBA`s most iconic championships, marking the pinnacle of both LeBron`s and Kyrie`s careers. Between LeBron`s legendary block, Kyrie`s clutch shot, and Draymond Green`s suspension, the narrative couldn`t have been more dramatic, culminating in the end of Cleveland`s 52-year sports curse. — Brad Botkin

10. Boston Celtics (2024)

• Regular-season record: 64-18
• Playoff record: 16-3
• Finals opponent: Mavericks (4-1)

One could easily assign any number to rank these Celtics among the most dominant teams in history. They revolutionized modern offensive strategy by sinking an NBA-record 1,457 regular-season three-pointers. They finished 14 games ahead of the East`s second-place team, marking the largest Eastern Conference margin between the top two seeds in the play-by-play era.

Boston also holds the highest points per possession and offensive rating marks in league history. Remarkably, they held a 20-point lead in 41 of their 82 regular-season games and secured 19 wins by at least 25 points, an NBA record. They also achieved three wins by 50 or more points, another league record. Furthermore, they started the season with 20 consecutive home wins and lost only four times all season in Boston.

Their dominance extended into the postseason, where they lost just three games and clinched three victories by at least 20 points over the Mavericks in the Finals. While these Celtics undeniably benefited from injured opposing superstars in every postseason round leading up to the Finals, that`s a superficial argument against a truly exceptional team that demonstrated its ability to dominate on both ends of the court. — Brad Botkin

11. San Antonio Spurs (2007)

• Regular-season record: 58-24
• Playoff record: 16-4
• Finals opponent: Cavaliers (4-0)

Ranking second in defense and 27th in pace, this is arguably the quintessential mid-2000s Spurs champion many envision. By this point, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were established All-Stars, Bruce Bowen continued to earn All-Defensive Team honors, and Tim Duncan remained in his prime. As was often the case throughout much of the 21st century, the Eastern Conference presented a relatively underwhelming Finals opponent. LeBron James and his supporting cast offered minimal resistance in a four-game San Antonio sweep that cemented the Spurs` status as a dynasty, marking their third championship in five years (and fourth since their run began in 1999). — Sam Quinn

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (2025)

• Regular-season record: 68-14
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Pacers (4-3)

OKC orchestrated one of the most dominant regular seasons in history, achieving an NBA-record plus-12.9 point differential. This included an NBA-record 63 wins by at least 10 points, 40 wins by at least 15 points, and 12 wins by at least 30 points, all NBA records.

Adding their 16 playoff victories, OKC`s total of 84 wins ranks second all-time among NBA champions, surpassed only by the 87 accumulated by the 1996-97 Bulls. Their defense was historically significant, as highlighted by these statistics:

• 18: OKC`s postseason turnovers created per game, the most since the 1996 Bulls (minimum 15 games).
• 16.4: OKC`s postseason steals + blocks per game, the most since the 1983 Lakers (minimum 15 games).
• 1,689: OKC`s total steals + blocks for the regular and postseason combined, the most since the 1981-82 76ers (1,813).
• 10.7: OKC`s postseason steals per game, the most since the 1975 Warriors (minimum 15 games).
• 247: OKC`s total postseason steals, an NBA record.
• 1,094: OKC`s total steals for regular and postseason combined, fifth most all-time.
• 131: OKC`s total postseason turnover margin, an NBA record.
• 62: OKC`s number of games (regular and postseason) with at least 10 steals, seventh most all-time.
• 468: OKC`s total postseason deflections, 100 more than any team over the last decade.
• 2.5: The Thunder defense finished 2.5 points per 100 possessions better than the next-best defense (Orlando was 109.1). That is the second-biggest gap over the last 25 seasons. Only the 2015-16 Spurs were better with their 98.2 defensive rating, registering 2.6 points/100 possessions better than the 100.8 Atlanta Hawks.

Combining such a dominant defense with an MVP-caliber offensive star like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander created a truly formidable force. Despite these impressive metrics, the Thunder weren`t consistently dominant enough in their postseason run to be unequivocally counted among the greatest teams ever, contrary to what many of their numbers suggested. They required a seventh game twice and might not even feature on this list had Tyrese Haliburton not ruptured his Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals, where Indiana appeared poised to push OKC to the absolute limit. Ultimately, the Thunder`s ceiling wasn`t quite as high as anticipated, but their floor was arguably one of the highest in history; even on their worst nights, this team was superior to many teams` best performances. — Brad Botkin

13. Toronto Raptors (2019)

• Regular-season record: 58-24
• Playoff record: 16-8
• Finals opponent: Warriors (4-2)

A true one-hit wonder, the Raptors had been a good team for an extended period but never genuine contenders with LeBron James dominating the East and no singular superstar to anchor them—until Kawhi Leonard arrived. This was not an all-time great team, but it was, without a doubt, a great team. Would they have won had Kevin Durant not torn his calf earlier in the playoffs, causing him to miss the first four games of the Finals before rupturing his Achilles early in Game 5? Probably not, but one can never be certain. Did they advance past the 76ers in the second round due to a game-winning shot that could have bounced in any of four different directions? Absolutely.

Nevertheless, these Raptors were exceptionally talented. In addition to Leonard, who arguably performed at a higher peak level than anything Kobe Bryant ever showcased in a postseason, the roster boasted Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet, and Danny Green—all in their early, mid, or late prime, and all playing at least 20 minutes per game in the playoffs, with Norman Powell contributing 15 MPG. They were an elite defensive unit, applying intense and innovative pressure. It`s a misconception to portray this team as a one-man show orchestrated by Leonard; these Raptors were deeply talented. — Brad Botkin

14. Los Angeles Lakers (2009)

• Regular-season record: 65-17
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Magic (4-1)

This marked Pau Gasol`s first full season with the Lakers after the trade with Memphis, a move so impactful that Gregg Popovich controversially called for a league investigation. Gasol, a supremely skilled seven-footer perfectly suited for the Triangle offense, joined a team that had reached the Finals the previous year and featured Andrew Bynum, forming a formidable twin-tower lineup in support of Kobe Bryant.

This potent combination led to two consecutive titles, but this particular team, despite its 65 regular-season wins, didn`t face the same level of competition as the 2010 championship squad. These Lakers needed seven games to overcome a Rockets team that only had Yao Ming for three games and featured Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks, Shane Battier, and Chuck Hayes as starters. Furthermore, Orlando, while a very good team and ahead of its time with a spaced-out offense around Dwight Howard, wasn`t exactly a juggernaut Finals opponent.

Any team led by a prime Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol is a beast, as evidenced by their 65 wins. However, when comparing the 2009 Lakers to the 2010 Lakers, I personally lean towards the latter, given that winning a second consecutive title is always harder than the first, and it was achieved against a tougher opponent in the Celtics. My colleagues, however, hold a differing view. — Brad Botkin

15. San Antonio Spurs (2003)

• Regular-season record: 60-22
• Playoff record: 16-8
• Finals opponent: Nets (4-2)

At this juncture, David Robinson was no longer in his prime, and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili hadn`t yet reached their full potential. This was a Spurs team that managed to clinch a title during the transition between two distinct eras. How did they achieve this? It was largely due to the absolute peak of Tim Duncan`s powers.

Duncan followed up a regular-season MVP award with a postseason where he averaged approximately 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks per game, culminating in a near quadruple-double in the championship-clinching Game 6 against the Nets. While not the greatest San Antonio team ever, it represented the finest individual season any Spur has ever had. — Sam Quinn

16. Miami Heat (2012)

• Regular-season record: 46-20
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Thunder (4-1)

LeBron James`s first championship arrived a year later than widely anticipated, and it proved to be a far tougher journey than the 4-1 victory over the young Thunder in the Finals might suggest. Oklahoma City won the first game of that series, and Kevin Durant narrowly missed a potential game-tying shot with less than 10 seconds remaining in Game 2. In fact, Games 2, 3, and 4 were all decided by three points or fewer with under 20 seconds left.

This isn`t a criticism of the Heat, but rather a point to illustrate that they never quite achieved the level of dominance everyone expected when LeBron famously declared his intentions for “not three, not four, not five…” rings. The Heat lost to Dallas in 2011, were either defeated or pushed to the brink in four of the five Finals games against OKC in 2012, were rescued by Ray Allen`s miracle shot in 2013, and were convincingly beaten by San Antonio in five games in 2014. There exists a realistic alternate reality where the Heat failed to win a single championship during the LeBron era. — Brad Botkin

17. Los Angeles Lakers (2010)

• Regular-season record: 57-25
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Celtics (4-3)

Kobe Bryant secured his second consecutive Finals MVP award despite a challenging 6-for-24 shooting performance in Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. This outcome serves as a fitting metaphor for the entire championship run: compared to the Lakers` previous season, where they won 65 regular-season games and defeated the Magic in five games in the NBA Finals, this was a much more arduous battle.

Pau Gasol`s hamstring issues began in the preseason, and Andrew Bynum tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee during the first round of the playoffs (yet continued to play). Metta World Peace (then known as Ron Artest) famously sank a monumental three-pointer in Game 7 and followed it with one of the most memorable press conferences in NBA history, effectively erasing his season-long offensive struggles from memory.

That the Lakers successfully defended their 2009 title is a testament to their collective defense and rebounding. It also, of course, highlights the myriad problems that Bryant, Gasol, and Lamar Odom consistently posed for opponents throughout their time together. — James Herbert

18. Detroit Pistons (2004)

• Regular-season record: 54-28
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Lakers (4-1)

These Pistons are often lauded for what they supposedly lacked. They had no traditional “superstar”—no player averaged 18 points or more per game, and none ever made an All-NBA First Team. They clinched the title despite finishing 19th in the league in offensive efficiency, despite controversially drafting Darko Miličić over future stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, and despite their lone All-Star being an undersized, undrafted center who avoided jumpers and still shot only 42% from the field. This narrative often creates a stark contrast with their Finals opponent: a Shaquille O`Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers team that had acquired Karl Malone and Gary Payton the previous summer.

However, this framing undervalues Detroit`s immense talent. The 29-year-old Rasheed Wallace, acquired by the Pistons at the trade deadline, was significantly superior to Malone and Payton at that stage of their careers. Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton were just establishing themselves as a premier backcourt. Tayshaun Prince was on the cusp of joining Ben Wallace as a perennial All-Defense selection. A couple of years later, four Pistons players were simultaneously selected to the All-Star Game, and Hamilton would argue it should have been five. In that era, a flashy playing style wasn`t a prerequisite for reaching the top, provided you were among the greatest defensive teams in the sport`s history. — James Herbert

19. Dallas Mavericks (2011)

• Regular-season record: 57-25
• Playoff record: 16-5
• Finals opponent: Heat (4-2)

In hindsight, it made perfect sense: Dallas skillfully surrounded Dirk Nowitzki with elite rim protection, reliable wing defenders, and playmakers who perfectly complemented his unique offensive game. At the time, however, the Mavericks` championship run was a complete shock. Even though they had won 31 of their last 42 regular-season games (including an 18-1 stretch over six weeks), they were largely considered more likely to lose to the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs than to go all the way.

Following a superhuman performance by Portland`s Brandon Roy in Game 4, that series was tied 2-2. But Dallas then secured Games 5 and 6 against the Blazers, swept the Lakers, eliminated the Thunder in five games, and then stunned the Miami Heat—and the basketball world—in six games.

Nothing about the Mavericks` path to the title was easy. They possessed a remarkable ability to erase large deficits and stood out as one of the most clutch teams in NBA history. They were an older, somewhat idiosyncratic squad that was largely dismantled in the subsequent offseason. Nevertheless, they will forever be remembered as the overachievers who thwarted LeBron James in the Finals, cementing their superstar`s legacy and forcing a burgeoning superteam to adapt and evolve. — James Herbert

20. Los Angeles Lakers (2020)

• Regular-season record: 52-19
• Playoff record: 16-5
• Finals opponent: Heat (4-2)

One can argue tirelessly about whether this title should be viewed differently from any other, but there`s no escaping it: this is, and always will be, the Bubble Championship. It was unique. There were no fans in attendance, and games were played in what felt like a high school gym. This environment undoubtedly contributed to Anthony Davis transforming into a Kevin Durant-esque shooter for a stretch, a level of shooting far superior to anything he`s achieved at any other point in his career—to call it an outlier would be an understatement. No two players, let alone two teams, were in the same mental space during this period; the entire world had been turned upside down.

That said, this Lakers team was a formidable force and likely would have won the title even if the games were played at Staples Center or on Mars (though the Bucks were arguably the best team that year until they were “Jimmy Butler`d” in the playoffs). The Lakers primarily secured this title through suffocating defense and overwhelming size. Dwight Howard controlled games at times with his offensive rebounding, while Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided elite perimeter defense. Surrounding LeBron James with such players, especially with Davis shooting at an extraordinary clip, made them incredibly difficult to defeat. — Brad Botkin

21. Denver Nuggets (2023)

• Regular-season record: 53-29
• Playoff record: 16-4
• Finals opponent: Heat (4-1)

Nikola Jokić has consistently delivered five consecutive MVP-caliber seasons. However, to guide a team to a championship, even the planet`s best player requires the surrounding pieces to align. In the 2023 postseason, everything clicked: the Nuggets stormed through the Western Conference with relative ease and secured the franchise`s first Larry O`Brien Trophy in a gentleman`s sweep.

Playoff Jamal Murray ascended to superstar status in his own right, and Aaron Gordon was a beast on both ends of the floor. The starting lineup was an undeniable juggernaut, and Denver`s defense significantly improved when it mattered most. Compared to some champions, Denver may not have had overwhelming depth, but with Sixth Man Bruce Brown, veteran Jeff Green, and rookie Christian Braun, they had more than enough.

In essence, while Jokić is capable of doing everything, the 2023 iteration of the Nuggets didn`t force him to carry the entire load. Relative to his other recent seasons, Jokić`s usage and shot attempts were lower, yet he dished out more assists on a per-minute basis than ever before and achieved a career-high true shooting percentage of 70.1%. These statistics tell a clear story and might serve as a blueprint for Denver as they pursue future championships. — James Herbert

22. Milwaukee Bucks (2021)

• Regular-season record: 46-26
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Suns (4-2)

Kevin Durant`s foot will forever be synonymous with this postseason; Milwaukee almost certainly would have been eliminated in the second round had KD`s toe not been on the line on the shot that tied the game—rather than putting Brooklyn up one—with one second remaining in Game 7. That said, the Bucks prevailed in overtime, survived a legitimate test against Trae Young and the Hawks in the conference finals, and then rattled off four consecutive wins after falling behind 0-2 in the Finals.

This team presents a challenge to rank. The Bucks were undoubtedly loaded, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez all at the peak of their powers, complemented by excellent depth from Pat Connaughton, Donte DiVincenzo, Bobby Portis, and P.J. Tucker (and let`s not forget Bryn Forbes). However, they also benefited from fortune. Durant`s foot was a crucial factor, it was a shortened season, and this was also the year the 76ers experienced internal turmoil. Even with these circumstances, the Hawks might have defeated them in the conference finals if Trae Young hadn`t gotten injured.

Ultimately, the Bucks proved to be the superior team when it mattered most, with Giannis punctuating the title run with a 50-point, 14-rebound, 5-block masterpiece in Game 6 of the Finals to close out the Suns. In a vacuum, this team might not be discussed as an all-time great one, and it wasn`t, but a defense led by Holiday on the perimeter and Lopez and Antetokounmpo at the rim, combined with prime Middleton as an elite half-court shot-maker, constituted an incredibly formidable squad. As such, I rank them higher than many might expect, especially coming from a long-time skeptic of teams led by superstars who aren`t strong perimeter shooters. — Brad Botkin

23. San Antonio Spurs (2005)

• Regular-season record: 59-23
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Pistons (4-3)

Among San Antonio`s four 21st-century championships, the 2005 squad was the only one to rank first in defense. There`s a subtle irony to this, considering that the 2004 iteration of their 2005 Finals opponent, the Detroit Pistons, is widely regarded as one of the best defensive teams in NBA history.

Yet, the Spurs, competing in a more challenging conference, consistently outranked the Pistons in defense in both seasons. They ultimately won their Finals grudge match in a grueling seven games. It was a true “rock fight”: across those seven contests, only Detroit in Game 4 managed to break the 100-point mark. Both defenses lived up to their formidable reputations, but the Spurs, as they demonstrated in the regular season, were marginally superior. — Sam Quinn

24. Miami Heat (2006)

• Regular-season record: 52-30
• Playoff record: 16-7
• Finals opponent: Mavericks (4-2)

This championship marked Dwyane Wade`s official emergence as a superstar. While Shaquille O`Neal was past his absolute prime, he still earned First-Team All-NBA honors. This team featured veteran, end-of-career contributions from Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning, but the Heat heavily relied on players like Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, Udonis Haslem, James Posey, and Antoine Walker.

Despite the presence of many big names, this was an underdog team. This title constituted something akin to a global shocker (some might argue D-Wade is still at the free-throw line) over a 60-win Dallas team that initially led the Finals 2-0 and held a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 3. — Brad Botkin

25. Golden State Warriors (2022)

• Regular-season record: 53-29
• Playoff record: 16-6
• Finals opponent: Celtics (4-2)

This championship arguably stands as the crowning achievement of Stephen Curry`s illustrious career. Winning a title with Andrew Wiggins serving as arguably your second-best player distinguishes this ring from any secured by LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or Tim Duncan.

Golden State was not an overwhelmingly great team in 2021-22, evidenced by their 16th-ranked regular-season offense. As always, defense formed their foundational strength, but Curry personally took command in the Finals. There, he averaged 31 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals on an impressive 62.2 true-shooting percentage to earn his first and only Finals MVP award. — Brad Botkin