I still remember exactly where I was during that incredible 2016 NBA Finals Game 7. I was crammed into my college dorm room with three other guys, all of us holding our breath as Kyrie Irving dribbled against Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left. When he hit that step-back three-pointer over Curry's outstretched hand, our room erupted in a chaos of flying popcorn and shouted celebrations. That moment, frozen in time for me, represents just one of the many dramatic championship stories that have unfolded since the turn of the millennium. It got me thinking about all the teams that have claimed the ultimate prize, which led me to compile what I consider A Complete List of NBA Championship Winners Since 2000 and Their Stories.
The Lakers' three-peat from 2000-2002 with Shaq and Kobe was something truly special. I was just a kid then, but I'll never forget how dominant Shaquille O'Neal was during those championship runs. He averaged a ridiculous 38 points and 16.6 rebounds in the 2001 Finals against Allen Iverson's 76ers. Those Lakers teams had this aura of invincibility about them, though I've always felt they could have won even more if Kobe and Shaq had managed to coexist longer. The Spurs became the steady hand of the league throughout the 2000s, winning championships in 2003, 2005, and 2007 with their fundamentally perfect basketball. Tim Duncan might not have been the most exciting superstar, but my god was he effective.
That 2008 Celtics championship holds a special place in my heart because it was the first time I truly understood how transformative a single trade could be. When Boston acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce, they instantly became contenders. Their defensive intensity that season was just breathtaking to watch. I still believe that 2008 Celtics team had one of the best defenses I've ever seen in my life. Then came the Lakers-Celtics rematch in 2010, which felt like a classic heavyweight boxing match stretched over seven grueling games. That Game 7 was downright ugly basketball at times, but the intensity was off the charts.
The Miami Heat's Big Three era from 2012-2013 was fascinating to watch unfold, though I'll admit I wasn't exactly cheering for them. There was something about that "Decision" special that just rubbed me the wrong way. Still, you had to respect their 2013 championship run, especially Ray Allen's iconic corner three in Game 6 against the Spurs. I was watching at a sports bar and the place absolutely lost its mind when that shot went in. The Spurs getting their revenge the very next year felt like basketball justice to me, with their beautiful team game triumphing over superstar individualism.
Golden State's rise completely changed how basketball is played, and their 2015 championship marked the beginning of this three-point revolution we're still living through. I've got mixed feelings about their 2017 and 2018 titles with Kevin Durant - it just felt unfair somehow, like when you put all the cheat codes in a video game. The Raptors' 2019 championship was one of my favorites though, mostly because of Kawhi Leonard's incredible buzzer-beater against Philadelphia. That shot literally bounced on the rim four times before dropping through the net - I've never seen anything like it before or since.
The bubble championship that the Lakers won in 2020 was the weirdest but perhaps most meaningful one in recent memory. Watching games without fans made me realize how much atmosphere matters, but the basketball itself was incredibly pure. LeBron winning that title with a third different franchise just cemented his legacy in my opinion, though I know some people will always argue about the bubble circumstances. Milwaukee's 2021 championship felt like a return to normalcy, and seeing Giannis score 50 points in the closeout game was just legendary.
What strikes me about all these championship stories is how each one represents a different path to success. It reminds me of coaching journeys like Wilson's remarkable rise through the ranks. He went from being a player for the Fuel Masters from 2016 to 2018, to becoming assistant coach, then shot-caller for the franchise's PBA 3x3 team Limitless, before finally landing as head coach of its 5-on-5 squad. That kind of gradual, earned progression is what makes sports so compelling to me - whether we're talking about coaches or championship teams.
The Warriors' most recent championship in 2022 might be one of the most satisfying redemption stories I've witnessed. After all the talk about their dynasty being over, after Klay Thompson's devastating injuries, they came back to win it all again. I'll always remember Steph Curry finally getting his Finals MVP after putting up 31.2 points per game in that series. It's these human stories within the larger championship narratives that keep me coming back season after season. Each champion leaves behind not just a banner, but a story about how they overcame challenges, adapted to circumstances, and ultimately reached the pinnacle of their sport. And honestly, I can't wait to see what the next championship story will be.
