As I sit here scrolling through NBA highlights, I can't help but reflect on which franchises have actually achieved basketball immortality by winning championships. Having followed the league for over two decades, I've developed a personal fascination with teams that have managed to secure those precious championship rings - the ultimate validation of a franchise's legacy. The journey to an NBA championship requires exactly the kind of mindset that volleyball star Yee described after their victory: "We still have plenty of work to do. We're very grateful for the win but it's still work and tomorrow is another day, with another big team to play with." That championship mentality - appreciating the moment while immediately focusing on the next challenge - perfectly captures what separates the great franchises from the merely good ones.
When we talk about NBA royalty, the conversation has to start with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, two franchises that have defined excellence throughout league history. The Celtics lead all teams with 17 championships, with their most recent coming in 2008 when they formed their modern "Big Three" of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Meanwhile, the Lakers sit just behind with 16 titles, split between their Minneapolis and Los Angeles eras. I've always had a soft spot for the Lakers' Showtime era of the 1980s - Magic Johnson's charismatic leadership and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook created some of the most beautiful basketball I've ever witnessed. The Golden State Warriors have recently joined the elite circle, capturing 4 championships in the past decade, with their 2022 victory particularly impressive because it proved they could win in different eras with evolving rosters.
The Chicago Bulls' six championships in the 1990s created what I consider the most dominant stretch in NBA history, all featuring the legendary Michael Jordan. Those Bulls teams weren't just winning - they were captivating the entire sports world in ways I haven't seen since. The San Antonio Spurs established themselves as the model franchise with 5 championships built around Tim Duncan's fundamental excellence and Gregg Popovich's brilliant coaching. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat's 3 championships across different eras showcase their ability to remain relevant, from Dwyane Wade's early brilliance to the LeBron James superteam years. The Philadelphia 76ers have 3 titles spanning back to their Syracuse Nationals days, though their most recent came in 1983 - a championship drought that feels particularly surprising for such a historic franchise.
Among the single-championship clubs, the Dallas Mavericks' 2011 victory stands out in my memory as one of the most satisfying underdog stories, with Dirk Nowitzki delivering one of the greatest individual playoff performances I've ever seen. The Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 championship brought joy to a loyal fanbase that had waited 50 years since Kareem led them to their first title. The Toronto Raptors' 2019 breakthrough was historic as the first championship by a non-American team, with Kawhi Leonard's iconic shot against Philadelphia creating one of those moments where you remember exactly where you were when it happened. What fascinates me about these single-title teams is how they managed to capture that perfect season where everything aligned - the kind of achievement that can define a franchise for generations.
Looking at the current landscape, it's remarkable that several franchises have never won a championship, including the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Brooklyn Nets. Having watched the Clippers struggle for years before their recent competitiveness, I genuinely believe their championship would be one of the best stories in sports given their historical struggles. The Denver Nuggets finally broke through in 2023, proving that sustained team-building can overcome superteam approaches. As Yee's comments remind us, championship teams understand that each victory is just part of the ongoing work - the great franchises never stop building, never stop competing, and always recognize that tomorrow brings another challenge. That relentless pursuit of excellence is what separates the teams with rings from those still chasing that ultimate validation.