As I sit here scrolling through basketball highlights, I can't help but marvel at the incredible journey the NBA has taken since its founding back in 1946. Having followed the league for over two decades myself, I've always been fascinated by how each championship tells a unique story about that particular era of basketball. Just the other day, I was reading about how The Ilagan, Isabela native mentioned that Corpuz managed to reconnect with his former teammates during a tune-up game, and it struck me how these personal connections and hometown stories often form the hidden fabric behind championship teams. That's exactly what makes tracing every NBA champion by year such a compelling journey - it's not just about trophies and parades, but about the human connections that fuel these historic runs.
The early years of the NBA, then known as the BAA, saw the Philadelphia Warriors claiming the very first championship in 1947 with Joe Fulks leading the charge. I've always had a soft spot for those early teams - the game was so different then, yet the competitive fire burned just as bright. The Minneapolis Lakers, led by the legendary George Mikan, dominated the early 1950s with five championships in six years, establishing what I consider to be the league's first true dynasty. What many casual fans don't realize is how these early championships shaped the very identity of the league, creating rivalries and traditions that would echo through generations.
The Boston Celtics' incredible run from 1957 to 1969 remains, in my opinion, the most impressive stretch in sports history - eleven championships in thirteen years under the brilliant leadership of Red Auerbach. Bill Russell's defensive mastery and the team's unselfish play created a blueprint that championship teams still try to emulate today. I've spent countless hours studying game footage from that era, and what strikes me most is how Russell's impact went beyond statistics - his leadership created a culture where winning was the only option. The Celtics' dominance was briefly interrupted by Wilt Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers in 1967, a team that I believe doesn't get nearly enough credit for how revolutionary their approach was.
The 1970s brought us what I like to call the "era of parity," with eight different franchises winning championships throughout the decade. The New York Knicks' 1970 and 1973 championships hold a special place in my heart because they proved that teamwork could overcome individual brilliance. Then came the Showtime Lakers and the Celtics revival in the 1980s, creating what I consider the greatest rivalry in NBA history. Having watched Magic Johnson and Larry Bird go head-to-head during their primes, I can tell you that the intensity of those matchups was unlike anything we see today. The Bad Boy Pistons bridging the gap between the Celtics-Lakers era and the Jordan years showed how defensive toughness could still win championships in an increasingly offensive league.
Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls of the 1990s created what I believe is the perfect model for championship construction - dominant superstar, perfect complementary pieces, and visionary coaching. Those six championships between 1991 and 1998 didn't just define an era; they created a global phenomenon that I witnessed firsthand while traveling abroad during the 1998 Finals. The post-Jordan era saw the emergence of the Spurs dynasty, with Tim Duncan leading San Antonio to five championships between 1999 and 2014. Gregg Popovich's system-focused approach proved that sustained excellence was possible even in the free agency era, something I've come to appreciate more as I've studied front office operations.
The recent era has been dominated by what I call "superteam championships," starting with LeBron James' Miami Heat back-to-back in 2012 and 2013, followed by his Cleveland comeback in 2016 - that Game 7 comeback against the 73-win Warriors still gives me chills thinking about it. The Golden State Warriors' five straight Finals appearances and three championships between 2015 and 2018 revolutionized how the game is played, while the Toronto Raptors' 2019 victory proved that strategic team-building could still triumph over superstar collections. The bubble championship by the Lakers in 2020 and the Bucks' 2021 victory each told such different stories about perseverance under unique circumstances.
Looking at the complete list of NBA champions, what stands out to me isn't just the numbers - 19 franchises have won championships, with the Celtics and Lakers tied at 17 each - but the stories behind each victory. The Ilagan, Isabela native's comment about Corpuz reconnecting with former teammates reminds me that behind every championship banner are human connections and personal journeys. Having attended multiple championship parades and spoken with players from different eras, I've come to understand that while statistics and strategies matter, it's often these intangible bonds that separate champions from contenders. The NBA's championship history isn't just a record of winners and losers; it's the living history of the game we love, constantly evolving yet always connected to its roots. As we look toward future championships, I'm convinced that the teams that understand this deeper connection between personal relationships and on-court success will be the ones adding their names to this prestigious list.