Redditor gordontrue created an mesmerizing animated GIF tracking every team’s performance throughout NBA history beginning with the 1949-1950 season. The two horizontal lines on the chart demarcate playoff appearances (red) and championships won (gold).
The bulk of the Boston Celtics league-leading 17 championships came during a ridiculous run of 11 titles in a span of 13 years between 1957 and 1969. The Lakers are just behind with 16 titles, five of which were won in the 1980s with the Showtime team starring Magic Johnson. The Chicago Bulls collected all six of their titles in the 1990s with high-flying Michael Jordan leading the way.
Incredibly, thirteen of the current NBA franchises have never reached the promised land. The ignominious list of teams without a championship includes the Hornets/Bobcats/Hornets, Hornets/Pelicans, Clippers, Timberwolves, Nets, Pacers, Jazz, Raptors, Cavaliers, Suns, Grizzlies, Nuggets and Magic.
LORD OF THE RINGS
It should come as no surprise that the player with the most championship rings played for the Boston Celtics — namely, longtime center Bill Russell. Russell has more rings than fingers, and it’s likely his record of eleven championships will never be challenged in today’s parity facilitated by the luxury-tax and draft lottery.
Bill Russell with his 11 rings. pic.twitter.com/Mnb3tZdwPe
— Sports Pics (@Sports_in_pics) July 23, 2015
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