The Most Successful NBA Team, Ranked

Choose the team you think is the most successful!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:57
Debating the most successful NBA teams often leads to lively discussions among fans, each armed with stats and memorable game highlights. It can be challenging to assess which team truly stands out across different eras, given the changes in playing styles, rules, and opponent dynamics. A ranked list based on collective fan votes offers a democratic solution, providing a snapshot of popular opinion at any given time. By participating in the voting process, fans contribute to a continuously updated ranking that reflects the consensus of the community. This interactive approach not only keeps the debate alive but also allows fans to see how perspectives shift over time as new achievements are made on the court. The result is a living, fan-driven ranking that offers a unique insight into the sport's evolving history.

What Is the Most Successful NBA Team?

  1. 1
    38
    votes

    Boston Celtics

    Walter A. Brown
    17 championships
    The Boston Celtics is a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are one of the most successful and storied franchises in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Founded: 1946
    • Colors: Green, white
    • Home Arena: TD Garden
    • Championships: 17
    • Conference Titles: 21
    Boston Celtics in other rankings
  2. 2
    36
    votes

    Los Angeles Lakers

    Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen
    17 championships
    The Los Angeles Lakers is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They are one of the most successful and popular teams in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Founded: 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • Home Arena: Staples Center
    • Team Colors: Purple and Gold
    • Championships: 17 NBA Championships
    • Conference Titles: 32 Western Conference Titles
    Los Angeles Lakers in other rankings
  3. 3
    29
    votes

    Chicago Bulls

    Dick Klein
    6 championships
    The Chicago Bulls is a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are a member of the Central Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was created in 1966 and has since become one of the most iconic and successful franchises in NBA history.
    • Head coach: Billy Donovan
    • Colors: Red, black, and white
    • Home stadium: United Center
    • Championships: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
    • Retired jerseys: 9 (including Michael Jordan's #23 and Scottie Pippen's #33)
    Chicago Bulls in other rankings
  4. 4
    11
    votes

    Golden State Warriors

    Peter Tyrrell
    6 championships
    The Golden State Warriors is a professional basketball team based in San Francisco, California. They are a member of the Western Conference's Pacific Division in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Founded: 1946
    • Team Colors: Royal blue, California golden yellow
    • Arena: Chase Center
    • Head Coach: Steve Kerr
    • Owner: Joe Lacob (majority owner)
    Golden State Warriors in other rankings
  5. 5
    13
    votes

    San Antonio Spurs

    Peter Holt
    5 championships
    The San Antonio Spurs is a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Established in: 1967
    • Home arena: AT&T Center
    • Head coach: Gregg Popovich
    • Number of NBA Championships: 5
    • Conference championships: 6
    San Antonio Spurs in other rankings
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    3 championships
    The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida. They are a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was established in 1988 and has since become one of the most beloved and successful franchises in the NBA.
    • Head coach: Erik Spoelstra
    • Owner: Micky Arison
    • Championships: 3 (2006, 2012, 2013)
    • Conference titles: 5 (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
    • Division titles: 13 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020)
    Miami Heat in other rankings
  7. 7
    8
    votes

    Detroit Pistons

    Fred Zollner
    3 championships
    The Detroit Pistons is a professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA. They are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, known for their strong defense and physical style of play. The team has won three NBA championships, in 1989, 1990, and 2004, and has had several notable players throughout their history.
    • Founded: 1941
    • Conference: Eastern
    • Division: Central
    • Arena: Little Caesars Arena
    • Colors: Red, white, and blue
    Detroit Pistons in other rankings
  8. 8
    8
    votes

    Philadelphia 76ers

    Daniel Biasone
    3 championships
    The Philadelphia 76ers is a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and compete in the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. The team was established in 1946 and has a rich history in the NBA.
    • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • Established: 1946
    • Conference: Eastern
    • Division: Atlantic
    • Home Arena: Wells Fargo Center
    Philadelphia 76ers in other rankings
  9. 9
    10
    votes

    Houston Rockets

    Robert Breitbard
    2 championships
    The Houston Rockets is a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
    • Established: 1967
    • Home Arena: Toyota Center
    • Championships: 2
    • Conference Titles: 4
    • Division Titles: 6
    Houston Rockets in other rankings
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    New York Knicks

    Ned Irish
    2 championships
    The New York Knicks is a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are a part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and compete in the league's Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1946 and has since become an iconic and beloved franchise in the basketball world.
    • Home City: New York City
    • Establishment Year: 1946
    • Conference: Eastern
    • Division: Atlantic
    • Arena: Madison Square Garden
    New York Knicks in other rankings

Missing your favorite team?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for successful team

  1. Winning percentage
    Another way to measure success is to look at a team's overall win-loss record. Teams that consistently win more games than they lose are considered successful.
  2. Playoff appearances
    Making it to the playoffs is an important indicator of success. The more consistent a team is in making the playoffs, the more successful it is considered to be.
  3. MVP awards
    A team with MVP (Most Valuable Player) award winners can be considered successful.
  4. Team roster
    The talent, skill, and depth of the team's roster can also be taken into account when evaluating its success.
  5. Coaching
    The quality of the coaching staff and their ability to develop players and formulate winning strategies is a significant factor in a team's success.
  6. Fanbase
    How beloved the team is also plays a factor, as they have loyal supporters and create a vibrant atmosphere and culture that is uniquely their own.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful NBA team. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2280 views
  • 165 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Player once every 24 hours. The rank of each Player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most successful nba team

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the NBA is the premier professional basketball league in the United States. The league consists of 30 teams, divided into two conferences, each with three divisions. Over the years, some NBA teams have emerged as more successful than others, with multiple championships and a consistent track record of winning. The most successful NBA teams are often defined by their iconic players, legendary coaches, and memorable moments on the court. From the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers to the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors, there are many teams that have left their mark on the NBA. So, which team can claim the title of the most successful NBA team? Let's take a closer look at the history and achievements of some of the top contenders to find out.

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