There are several ways one could put together a list of NBA teams or order of NBA teams, however I’m quite certain the best way to measure an NBA franchise is by the number of world championships the franchise has won.
Some have been dominant (Celtics, Lakers), a dynasty for a short period (Bulls, Spurs), others have at least one ring (Heat, Trailblazers, Bucks), while others won with their former franchise (Wizards, Kings, Thunder) or have yet to win the big one (Nuggets, Magic, Hornets, Mavericks).
Notwithstanding, the prestigious organizations – Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers – are “heads and shoulders” above anyone else.
The Celtics have won more NBA titles (17) than any other franchise in the league. The Lakers are a distant second at 15. In order to locate the NBA franchise in third, one must drop all the way down to six titles with the Bulls. This number, however, is quite amazing given that all of these titles came in the 90’s while Jordan reigned supreme.
Therefore, if one was to put together a list of NBA teams, you must go in the order of championships won. We’ll start off the list of NBA teams with the historical Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics
The C.R.E.A.M. of the crop, cash rules everything around Boston and so does NBA titles. The Celtics were especially dominant in the 1950’s and 60’s, including an incredible eight straight titles from 1958-1966.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are known for their “Showtime” era with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar along with their stint with Shaq and Kobe, however did you also know that they snagged five titles while in Minneapolis?
Chicago Bulls
It took little time for the Bulls to reach six titles, good for third on the all-time NBA list of teams with world championships. The Bulls twice won three straight titles in the 90’s and maybe would have swept the decade if it was not for Jordan’s early retirement.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs were especially dominant in the 21st century (three of their four titles) and are easily one of the most consistent franchises in the last ten to twenty years. Led by Tim Duncan and Greg Popovich, the Spurs are getting older but still a very respectable franchise.
Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, & Philadelphia 76ers
The Pistons, Warriors, and 76ers have each won three world championships, although none of the three were very good in 2009-10.
Houston Rockets & New York Knicks
It’s been a long time for the Knicks (1973) while the Rockets collected two rings while “The Dream” operated down low.
Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, & Washington Wizards
The Wizards, Kings, and Thunder can all claim a title however they were won under a former franchise in a different city (aside from Wizards who were then the Bullets). The Heat, Hawks, Bucks, and Trailblazers meanwhile have won title as well.
This is better than the Mavericks, Nets, Grizzlies, Hornets, Raptors, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pacers, Jazz, Clippers, Bobcats, Magic, and Suns who round out our NBA list of teams yet to win an NBA title.