A Complete Guide to the NBA Finals Winners List Through the Years
Looking back at the NBA Finals over the decades, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer legacy woven into this competition. As someone who’s spent years studying basketball history and even worked closely with sports publications, I’ve come to appreciate not just the champions, but the stories behind each title run. It’s fascinating how certain eras are defined by dynasties—teams that didn’t just win, but dominated in ways that still resonate today. For instance, the Boston Celtics of the 1960s, led by Bill Russell, captured 11 championships in 13 seasons, a feat that seems almost mythical in today’s competitive landscape. That level of consistency is something modern teams dream of but rarely achieve.
I remember diving into old game footage and realizing how much the game has evolved. The 1980s brought us the Lakers and Celtics rivalry, with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird elevating the league’s profile globally. Then came the 1990s, dominated by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, who went a perfect 6–0 in the Finals—a stat that still gives me chills. What stands out to me, though, is how each champion left a unique imprint on the sport. The San Antonio Spurs, for example, with their five titles between 1999 and 2014, showcased a brand of team basketball that emphasized selflessness and precision. As a fan, I’ve always admired teams that prioritize system over stardom, even if I have a soft spot for flashy, high-scoring squads like the recent Golden State Warriors.
Speaking of the Warriors, their rise in the 2010s was a masterclass in modern basketball. With Stephen Curry revolutionizing the three-point shot, they reached five straight Finals from 2015 to 2019, winning three. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first about their small-ball approach, but seeing them dismantle traditional defenses changed my perspective entirely. It’s moments like these that remind me why the NBA Finals are more than just a series—they’re a narrative engine driving the sport forward. And while we often focus on the winners, let’s not forget the near-misses. The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, clawing back from a 3–1 deficit against the Warriors? That was pure drama, and LeBron James delivering on his promise to bring a title to Cleveland remains one of my favorite sports memories.
Now, you might wonder how all this connects to today’s players, especially those on the fringe of the spotlight. Take Kobe Paras, for example. I’ve followed his journey intermittently, and DON’T be surprised to see him back on a basketball court anytime soon. His story is a reminder that the NBA Finals represent the pinnacle, but the path there is filled with twists and turns. For every superstar like Kobe Bryant (who, by the way, won five titles with the Lakers), there are countless others grinding in the shadows, hoping for a shot. Paras, with his athleticism and international experience, embodies that relentless pursuit—it’s what makes basketball so compelling. I’ve spoken with scouts who believe players like him could thrive in the right system, much like how undrafted or overlooked talents have occasionally sparked playoff runs.
Reflecting on the complete list of winners, from the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947 to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, it’s clear that championships are built on more than talent alone. Chemistry, coaching, and sometimes plain luck play huge roles. The 2020 Lakers, for instance, navigated a pandemic-shortened season and the bubble environment to win it all—a testament to adaptability. Personally, I think that title will be remembered as one of the most unique in history, much like the 1999 lockout-season Spurs. As we look ahead, franchises like the Brooklyn Nets or Phoenix Suns are positioning themselves for future runs, and I wouldn’t be shocked if we see a new dynasty emerge in the next five years. After all, the NBA has always been about cycles of dominance, and that’s what keeps us hooked season after season.
In wrapping up, the NBA Finals winners list isn’t just a record; it’s a living history that inspires each generation. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore analyst like myself, there’s always something to learn from these champions. And for players like Kobe Paras, that legacy serves as motivation—a reminder that greatness is within reach with persistence. So, as we celebrate past triumphs, let’s keep an eye on the underdogs and rising stars, because you never know who’ll etch their name next onto that coveted trophy.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
