The National Basketball Association, commonly referred to as the NBA, is one of the most popular and profitable sports leagues in the world. It has produced some of the greatest athletes ever to take part in professional sport. As a result, it also boasts a large number of illustrious clubs from across its 30 franchises. Here are 10 of the top clubs that have made their mark on the NBA over the years:
1. The Los Angeles Lakers are arguably one of the most iconic teams in basketball history. Led by legendary players such as Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, they remain an undeniable force even today with 16 championships under their belt since 1949 – when they were known as Minneapolis Lakers!
2. The Boston Celtics are another major power in the NBA. With a record 17 championships, they stand as the most decorated team in basketball history. From Bill Russell’s dominance to Larry Bird’s incredible shootouts against rivals, the Celtics have long been one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
3. The San Antonio Spurs have quietly become one of the most successful teams in recent years, winning five championships since 1999 and constantly challenging at the top of the Western Conference. Led by coach Gregg Popovich and star player Tim Duncan, they compete year after year for glory and celebrated their latest title win in 2014.
4. The Chicago Bulls were once the dominant force of basketball with Michael Jordan leading them to six titles within eight years during his prime! Even though they haven’t won since then, Bulls fans remain some of the most passionate and loyal supporters in the NBA.
5. The Detroit Pistons became the “Bad Boys” of basketball when they won two championships during their heyday in 1989 and 1990. They haven’t been able to recapture that success since, but their popularity only continues to rise with time.
6. The Miami Heat have been an elite team for the past few years due to the arrival of LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010. Following a championship win in 2012 and a further three appearances in NBA Finals, they look set to remain one of the top clubs for many years to come.
7. The Golden State Warriors are fresh from setting new records with 73 wins in the 2015-16 season and winning their first championship since 1975. Led by star players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, they are fast becoming a regular contender for the title.
8. The New York Knicks have been on an upswing since the arrival of Phil Jackson as president in 2014. With Kristaps Porzingis being one of the breakout stars of the league recently, they look set to become contenders once again in 2017!
9. The Oklahoma City Thunder are another team that has seen recent success with a barrage of exciting young players such as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook leading them to five straight playoff appearances from 2010-2015 before their slump this season.
10. The Dallas Mavericks won their first championship in 2011 and have proven to be a consistent force in the western conference ever since, making playoff appearances every season. They are led by Dirk Nowitzki, one of the greatest players in history who is sure to cement his legacy with more successes in the years ahead.
No matter what team you support from this list, it’s clear that each of these clubs has had an enormous impact on the NBA and will continue to do so for many years to come! With such strong legacies behind them, it’s never too late to start following your favorite franchise and join in on the excitement of basketball greatness!