Rank the Last Six Champions

[dankok8]

6 years 6 different champions

I would go:

1. 2024 Celtics
2. 2019 Raptors
3. 2023 Nuggets
4. 2022 Warriors
5. 2020 Lakers
6. 2021 Bucks

The only thing I'm really confident of is that 2024 Celtics are #1. After that I think the Raptors and Nuggets the best and then the other three teams.

[Wally450]

I'd probably swap the Laker and Bucks, and I think the Nuggets and Warriors are very close. Could get away with either order for them at 3-4. The rest I agree with.

[John8204]

1. 2022 Warriors
2. 2024 Celtics
3. 2023 Nuggets
4. 2021 Bucks
5. 2020 Lakers
6. 2019 Raptors

[Neal Romer]

Lebron
Nuggets
Celtics
Warriors
Raptors
Bucks

[SouBeachTalents]

2024 Celtics
2023 Nuggets
2019 Raptors
2021 Bucks
2020 Lakers
2022 Warriors

[RRR3]

That Lakers team was incredible, typical dumb as a rock ISH.

[tpols]

Celtics and Raptors the best imo

[pandiani17]

I am surprised people are putting the Raptors so high in the list. Remember that they needed a buzzer-beater to defeat the Sixers, went 2-0 vs Bucks in the ECF and won the finals against a Warriors team full of injuries.

[ArbitraryWater]

Raptors definitely bottom

[HoopsNY]

6 years 6 different champions

I would go:

1. 2024 Celtics
2. 2019 Raptors
3. 2023 Nuggets
4. 2022 Warriors
5. 2020 Lakers
6. 2021 Bucks

The only thing I'm really confident of is that 2024 Celtics are #1. After that I think the Raptors and Nuggets the best and then the other three teams.

Given the Raptors' playoff opponents, I'd put them above the Celtics tbh. I also think in a series, the Raptors would beat them.

[John8204]

That Lakers team was incredible, typical dumb as a rock ISH.

I mean the Warriors beat Jokic, Luka, and Brown/Tatum to me that makes them the top team.

Celtics are second because of the run they went on...

Denver is 3 because they beat Wolves, Suns, Lakers, and Heat and they were impressive in doing so

Bucks are four for destroying the Nets and Suns...bit of a knock for beating Atlanta

Lakers are five best win for them was the Nuggets but Miami had a ton of injuries

Raptors are sixth because of the fluke injuries.

[HoopsNY]

Raptors definitely bottom

Why?

[dankok8]

Surely you realize 2019 Bucks and 2019 Warriors would be deserving champs too. The level of competition that Raptors team faced was very high even taking injuries into account.

[SouBeachTalents]

That Raptors team is honestly underrated, they had a ton of quality depth behind Kawhi, like 5-6 different teammates dropped 20 in the Finals at one point.

[John8204]

Surely you realize 2019 Bucks and 2019 Warriors would be deserving champs too. The level of competition that Raptors team faced was very high even taking injuries into account.

Well it depends are what you value the injuries were a main factor same with the Lakers/Heat series.

[tpols]

I am surprised people are putting the Raptors so high in the list. Remember that they needed a buzzer-beater to defeat the Sixers, went 2-0 vs Bucks in the ECF and won the finals against a Warriors team full of injuries.

The Sixers had like 4 All Stars, Embiid, and Jimmy Butler. That was a monster team. They would've won the title if not for Kawhi putting up a MJ Stateline and that clutch bucket in Game 7. Bucks were obviously very formidable as well and were up 2-0 before getting backdoor swept. The Warriors injuries put an asterisk on the Finals but their path to get their was very tough.

[gengiskhan]

LALs BUBBLE ring is at bottom of the history of the NBA championships.

That 2020 ring is so bad, it even embarasses 2012 and 1999 shortened seasons MIA and SAS rings

[j3lademaster]

The best is between the Lakers and Celtics, while the Bucks are probably the worst.

Skip constantly screaming 'Mickey Mouse ring' has made that Lakers team very underrated. Lebron averaging 28/11/9 in the playoffs on 56% shooting while being one of the greatest leaders of all time and AD averaging 28/10 on 57% while playing like a dpoy on the other end. They had a crew too with KCP and Kuzma.

[ArbitraryWater]

The Sixers had like 4 All Stars, Embiid, and Jimmy Butler. That was a monster team. They would've won the title if not for Kawhi putting up a MJ Stateline and that clutch bucket in Game 7. Bucks were obviously very formidable as well and were up 2-0 before getting backdoor swept. The Warriors injuries put an asterisk on the Finals but their path to get their was very tough.

They werent a monster team at all.


Many teams have many stars and dont gel much and prove to be a powerhouse and the same goes for those Sixers who were nice but def not some uber team.

[Mask the Embiid]

Lakers
Raptors
Warriors
Bucks
Celtics
Nuggets

[Neal Romer]

They werent a monster team at all.


Many teams have many stars and dont gel much and prove to be a powerhouse and the same goes for those Sixers who were nice but def not some uber team.

Well said.

[SouBeachTalents]

Am I really the only one who thinks the Warriors are the worst team of this grouping by a clear margin? After Steph who else is on that team? Wiggins is nice and played his best ball that year, then you have Klay & Dray who are still quality starters but clearly past their primes. Then who, Jordan Poole? Some solid role players in Looney/Porter/GP2?

They also beat some fairly unimpressive teams, the Nuggets without Murray, the Grizz with Ja missing half the series, a pretty meh Mavs team, then a pretty nice Celtics team. What am I missing here with them, am I underrating their depth?

[dankok8]

The Sixers had like 4 All Stars, Embiid, and Jimmy Butler. That was a monster team. They would've won the title if not for Kawhi putting up a MJ Stateline and that clutch bucket in Game 7. Bucks were obviously very formidable as well and were up 2-0 before getting backdoor swept. The Warriors injuries put an asterisk on the Finals but their path to get their was very tough.

Yep and that asterisk isn't much of an asterisk. KD missed basically the whole series but Klay played 5/6 games and played really well. It's not like a Warriors team without KD never won a title. The Warriors were favored over the Raptors and if they won everyone would have called them deserving champs.

Ditto for Bucks who were dominant all season. They would have been deserving champs too.

I think there's an argument to be made that none of the other title teams from 2020 to present beat any opponent as good as either the 2019 Bucks or 2019 Warriors IMO.

[John8204]

Am I really the only one who thinks the Warriors are the worst team of this grouping by a clear margin? After Steph who else is on that team? Wiggins is nice and played his best ball that year, then you have Klay & Dray who are still quality starters but clearly past their primes. Then who, Jordan Poole? Some solid role players in Looney/Porter/GP2?

They also beat some fairly unimpressive teams, the Nuggets without Murray, the Grizz with Ja missing half the series, a pretty meh Mavs team, then a pretty nice Celtics team. What am I missing here with them, am I underrating their depth?

They beat the next two champions and were able to rebuild their dynasty team with bench guys like Payton, Looney, Poole, Kuminga, and Lee. But even if you want to downgrade them because Murray was out...doesn't compare to Boston, Lakers, and Raptors runs which was dominated by players that didn't play. As well as all the injuries that devastated the teams pre-playoffs for the Bucks.

[Axe]

Amongst those listed, i think nobody expected the raptors and the bucks to end up as champions. Also i'd place the warriors lower because the '22 team defeated incomplete teams.

[ArbitraryWater]

Am I really the only one who thinks the Warriors are the worst team of this grouping by a clear margin? After Steph who else is on that team? Wiggins is nice and played his best ball that year, then you have Klay & Dray who are still quality starters but clearly past their primes. Then who, Jordan Poole? Some solid role players in Looney/Porter/GP2?

They also beat some fairly unimpressive teams, the Nuggets without Murray, the Grizz with Ja missing half the series, a pretty meh Mavs team, then a pretty nice Celtics team. What am I missing here with them, am I underrating their depth?


They had 4-5 players capable of having a star night, so def underrating their depth.

Throw in Championship caliber + Curry system, Id take them over the Raptors.

I find these Celtics very hard to gauge since they had a free road to the finals. In situations where teams normally show vulnerabilities, they just got let off the hook.

Its hard to estimate them.

[Axe]

I am surprised people are putting the Raptors so high in the list. Remember that they needed a buzzer-beater to defeat the Sixers, went 2-0 vs Bucks in the ECF and won the finals against a Warriors team full of injuries.
I know i've already said this before many times. But kawhi completely avenged what's done to him in the 2017 wcf during that title run with the raptors. No way the warriors are sweeping the spurs bt had he been unharmed.

[Manny98]

1. 2024 Celtics
2. 2020 Lakers
3. 2023 Nuggets
4. 2019 Raptors
5. 2022 Warriors
6. 2021 Bucks

[tpols]

Am I really the only one who thinks the Warriors are the worst team of this grouping by a clear margin? After Steph who else is on that team? Wiggins is nice and played his best ball that year, then you have Klay & Dray who are still quality starters but clearly past their primes. Then who, Jordan Poole? Some solid role players in Looney/Porter/GP2?

They also beat some fairly unimpressive teams, the Nuggets without Murray, the Grizz with Ja missing half the series, a pretty meh Mavs team, then a pretty nice Celtics team. What am I missing here with them, am I underrating their depth?

I agree with it. I'm not trying to purely stan but without Curry going nuclear... they lose to Boston. Particularly in Game 4. It's little things that can swing a series. If Curry doesn't go off and the Dubs go down 1-3? It's almost certainly a wrap. And Celtics would be 2022 Champs.

[NBAGOAT]

Am I really the only one who thinks the Warriors are the worst team of this grouping by a clear margin? After Steph who else is on that team? Wiggins is nice and played his best ball that year, then you have Klay & Dray who are still quality starters but clearly past their primes. Then who, Jordan Poole? Some solid role players in Looney/Porter/GP2?

They also beat some fairly unimpressive teams, the Nuggets without Murray, the Grizz with Ja missing half the series, a pretty meh Mavs team, then a pretty nice Celtics team. What am I missing here with them, am I underrating their depth?

maybe. It's unimpressive looking back. However for that year, it's prime steph(maybe the best star among these title teams) with still all star lvl dray and then 3 quality teammates in wiggins, poole klay. They're not this years celtics depth but they would all be some of the best 4th guys on contenders and enough as 3rd guys especially if they played with one of the better star duos in league. then warriors depth is the best of these 6 title teams with looney/porter/gp2 off bench. I thought about putting them last still but might have to go with bucks instead. 21 bucks are good too however. Brook is a 3rd option on a title team and tucker fills out the lineup really well. Add on 2 all stars along with giannis. Denver's 4th option is porter who wasnt good in the run, i'm picking them based on how much better murray>middleton/jrue and maybe jokic's edge over giannis but tbf murray was that good in the playoff run and nuggets dominated their competition

[NBAGOAT]

I agree with it. I'm not trying to purely stan but without Curry going nuclear... they lose to Boston. Particularly in Game 4. It's little things that can swing a series. If Curry doesn't go off and the Dubs go down 1-3? It's almost certainly a wrap. And Celtics would be 2022 Champs.

curry being the best star of the 6 runs arguably has to be taken into account. also none of these teams do anything more than lose in 1st round without their stars. Mil did beat atl without giannis but atl didnt have trae

[1987_Lakers]

1. 2024 Celtics
2. 2020 Lakers
3. 2019 Raptors
4. 2023 Nuggets
5. 2021 Bucks
6. 2022 Warriors

Nuggets fall some spots because of their lack of defense. 2020 Lakers didn't have a ton of supporting talent, but they built the team very nicely around LeBron & AD. 2019 Raptors I feel are underrated. 2022 Warriors are pretty "meh" besides Curry. Dray & Klay were past their prime.

[1987_Lakers]

I agree with it. I'm not trying to purely stan but without Curry going nuclear... they lose to Boston. Particularly in Game 4. It's little things that can swing a series. If Curry doesn't go off and the Dubs go down 1-3? It's almost certainly a wrap. And Celtics would be 2022 Champs.

Celtics had the worst defensive game plan on Curry, they were daring him to beat them with all the drop coverages. Should have been more aggressive with Curry and let the other guys beat you.

[NBAGOAT]

Celtics
Lakers
Raptors
Nuggets
Warriors
Bucks

I really didn’t like answering this question

[SouBeachTalents]

curry being the best star of the 6 runs arguably has to be taken into account. also none of these teams do anything more than lose in 1st round without their stars. Mil did beat atl without giannis but atl didnt have trae
I'm curious what you base that on. If it's him winning with the least talented supporting cast, I'd agree with that. But if it's based off performance, no way in HELL was Curry better than Jokic, while Giannis has a clear advantage to me too. I feel you could also make genuine arguments for Kawhi & LeBron/AD as well, though I understand the L.A. duo could cancel each other out in this discussion.

[NBAGOAT]

I'm curious what you base that on. If it's him winning with the least talented supporting cast, I'd agree with that. But if it's based off performance, no way in HELL was Curry better than Jokic, while Giannis has a clear advantage to me too. I feel you could also make genuine arguments for Kawhi & LeBron/AD as well, though I understand the L.A. duo could cancel each other out in this discussion.

I think numbers will always kinda underrate curry though not to call other stars statpadders. Also unlike in 15,16 gs had an elite offense in playoffs in 22. Some of that is supporting cast being better but I give curry a lot of credit for that. Poole Wiggins etc aren’t big needle movers. I have playoff epm for those years.

2023 jokic 5.8(+7 on offense), 2022 curry +8(+5.8 on offense), 2021 Giannis +5.2(+3.8 on offense), 2020 lebron 6.4(+6.2 on offense), +7(+5.5 on offense).

It’s very debatable but curry definitely has a decent argument and highest epm though likely getting overvalued on defense.

[warriorfan]

I think numbers will always kinda underrate curry though not to call other stars statpadders. Also unlike in 15,16 gs had an elite offense in playoffs in 22. Some of that is supporting cast being better but I give curry a lot of credit for that. Poole Wiggins etc aren’t big needle movers. I have playoff epm for those years.

2023 jokic 5.8(+7 on offense), 2022 curry +8(+5.8 on offense), 2021 Giannis +5.2(+3.8 on offense), 2020 lebron 6.4(+6.2 on offense), +7(+5.5 on offense).

It’s very debatable but curry definitely has a decent argument and highest epm though likely getting overvalued on defense.

In my opinion he’s not getting overvalued on defense, it’s a byproduct of him being able to inflate defensive oriented guys offensively a large amount.

Combine that with point guard being the easiest place to “hide” a defender.

What I’m saying is Curry’s team boost on offense gives his team defense boost as well, because they are able to overachieve on offense with more defensive prioritized players

[NBAGOAT]

In my opinion he’s not getting overvalued on defense, it’s a byproduct of him being able to inflate defensive oriented guys offensively a large amount.

Combine that with point guard being the easiest place to “hide” a defender.

What I’m saying is Curry’s team boost on offense gives his team defense boost as well, because they are able to overachieve on offense with more defensive prioritized players

Sure but epm accounts for teammate yet has curry the best defender of the 5 that playoff run

[warriorfan]

Sure but epm accounts for teammate yet has curry the best defender of the 5 that playoff run

I have to look more into it. But even if it’s “accounting” for it, it’s not perfect. And if Steph is on the floor with elite defenders he’s naturally gonna play better individual defense, it makes it easier for him.

[NBAGOAT]

I have to look more into it. But even if it’s “accounting” for it, it’s not perfect. And if Steph is on the floor with elite defenders he’s naturally gonna play better individual defense, it makes it easier for him.

Yea these metrics are supposed to not be affected by teammates and do decently at assigning credit to each guy. There’s a lot of math that goes into that I’m no expert in but this is what I read. Also kawhi, lebron, Giannis also played with elite defenders

[Naero]

1. Celtics
2. Raptors
3. Nuggets
4. Lakers
5. Bucks
6. Warriors

I'm trying to decide this strictly in terms of power rankings rather than their title runs, but it's hard. For the most part they didn't face particularly strong opponents on average, so they're not as battle-tested as I'd like.

As much as people asterisk the Raptors' title for the Warriors' injuries, they ironically faced the best competition overall. They had a gauntlet out East between the Bucks and Sixers, and even those depleted Warriors were almost a worthy Finals opponent (if only not for Klay's injury).

Otherwise, it doesn't feel like the rest of the field beat anyone truly special except for maybe the '22 Warriors against the Celtics. Even then, Boston's stars—especially Tatum—showed first-time jitters that Finals.

[Carbine]

Just like the Celtics were a bad matchup for Mavs this finals I think the Raptors are a bad matchup for the Celtics of this year.

The Raptors that year was as close to the Spurs style of play that I have seen since the '14 version on offense and defensively they were excellent too. The matchups are tough for the Celtics here.

Brown is a physical defender but that Kawhi was stronger than Brown, quicker than Brown and had great skill on top of it. There is a reason that he was getting a massive amount of MJ second three peat comparisons with an effective 3 pt shot. He was that dude. Tatum is too light in the paints to give Kawhi much trouble from getting to his spot. Jrue too small.

We saw how Siakum played against this Celtics team too. He has no problems whatsoever doing his thing against his matchup.

So when you're two best players is a tough matchup for the other team, it's gonna be a bloodbath type series.

Toronto had great role players too. Gasol was still providing a lot of effectiveness, Lowry was a pitbull doing all the little things at that point. Freddy could give you 20 a half if he was on. Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell. A very good 3 and D Guy in Danny Green.... That was one deep ass team around their two main scorers and they played great team ball.

[Jasper]

hummm.. no repeats.

[ArbitraryWater]

1. 2023 Nuggets
2. 2020 Lakers
3. 2022 Warriors
4. 2021 Bucks
5. 2019 Raptors


Cant rate the Celtics, miracuously faced a path of no resistance.

[ArbitraryWater]

I agree with it. I'm not trying to purely stan but without Curry going nuclear... they lose to Boston. Particularly in Game 4. It's little things that can swing a series. If Curry doesn't go off and the Dubs go down 1-3? It's almost certainly a wrap. And Celtics would be 2022 Champs.


Even then youd know the Cetics would blow the hell out of game 6. Theres no way theyd close.

They just werent ready.

[bison]

That Raptors team is really underrated. In fact they have a similar build as the current Celtics championship team in terms of having versatile, lengthy wings who can both shoot and defend. I think id actually take Raptors over Celtics. Gasol and Lowry give them a playmaking edge and then they are a bit deeper with OG, FVF, ibaka and norm Powell off the bench. That team was stacked.

[Duderonomy]

1. 2024 Celtics
2. 2022 Warriors
3. 2023 Nuggets
4. 2019 Raptors
5. 2021 Bucks
6. 2020 Lakers

[NBAGOAT]

That Raptors team is really underrated. In fact they have a similar build as the current Celtics championship team in terms of having versatile, lengthy wings who can both shoot and defend. I think id actually take Raptors over Celtics. Gasol and Lowry give them a playmaking edge and then they are a bit deeper with OG, FVF, ibaka and norm Powell off the bench. That team was stacked.

Danny green is solid but a bit of a weak spot when he’s cold compared to jrue. Raptors have plenty of solid options for the 5th guy but none are as good as jrue

[gengiskhan]

That Raptors team is really underrated. In fact they have a similar build as the current Celtics championship team in terms of having versatile, lengthy wings who can both shoot and defend. I think id actually take Raptors over Celtics. Gasol and Lowry give them a playmaking edge and then they are a bit deeper with OG, FVF, ibaka and norm Powell off the bench. That team was stacked.

lol

2019 Raptors are ever beating 2019 GSW if Durant is healthy and did not tore his Achillies.

Getting to Finals from weakest of the weak East Conference is one thing, but actually beating GSW "dynasty' that has healthy Curry, Klay, Durant, Draymond is impossible.

2019 Raptors were never really as STACKED as 2019 GSW.

[SouBeachTalents]

lol

2019 Raptors are ever beating 2019 GSW if Durant is healthy and did not tore his Achillies.

Getting to Finals from weakest of the weak East Conference is one thing, but actually beating GSW "dynasty' that has healthy Curry, Klay, Durant, Draymond is impossible.

2019 Raptors were never really as STACKED as 2019 GSW.
None of the last 6 champs, with the exception of maybe Boston, is beating the healthy 2019 Warriors.