Who are the ten greatest winners in NBA history? Translate that question how you want, but here's my list:
1. Michael Jordan. 6 championships in a 28 team league. Sure he had Pippen, but no one can win on their own.
2. Bill Russell. 11 championships. But he was in an eight team league and there was no free agency. That's what is keeping him from #1.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Six championships.
4. Tim Duncan. Four championships. Had some pretty good supporting casts, but has never had an NBA legend in his prime.
5. Shaq. Four championships with two different teams.
6. Jerry West. Pretty underrated as a winner. Constantly lead his team to the finals, but couldn't beat the Celtics. Extremely consistent and clutch in the postseason though.
7. John Havlicek. Proved that the Celtics don't need Russell.
8. Magic Johnson. Five championships. Kareem was the leader of those teams, but they wouldn't have come close without the greatest passer ever.
9. Scottie Pippen. Jordan was the leader, but so much of Jordan's legacy lies on the shoulders of Pippen (and vice versa).
10. George Mikan. Five championships. Extremely innovative player. Greatest player of his time by far.
Who do you think?
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