The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics – the two most storied franchises in NBA history – have appeared in 52 of the 68 NBA Finals (76 percent!). OK, since there are two teams every Finals, the Lakers and Celts covered 52 of 136 slots (they played each other 12 times). Still, that’s 38 percent. None of the other major sports boast such a one-two combination of domination.
The Lakers have a big edge, too. They have made it to the Finals 31 times (including their Minneapolis years)…ten more than the Celtics.
Then there’s the huge drop off to the Philadelphia 76ers, who had three appearances as the Syracuse Nationals.
The Miami Heat just snagged their fifth appearance tonight, tying them, in fact, with the San Antonio Spurs. But if the Spurs win tomorrow night, they’ll have their sixth.
Ready for a rematch?
1.
Los Angeles Lakers
31
2010
W
2009
W
2002
W
2001
W
2000
W
1988
W
1987
W
1985
W
1982
W
1980
W
1972
W
2008
L
2004
L
1991
L
1989
L
1984
L
1983
L
1973
L
1970
L
1969
L
1968
L
1966
L
1965
L
1963
L
1962
L
Minneapolis Lakers
1954
W
Minneapolis Lakers
1953
W
Minneapolis Lakers
1952
W
Minneapolis Lakers
1950
W
Minneapolis Lakers
1949
W
Minneapolis Lakers
1959
L
2.
Boston Celtics
21
2008
W
1986
W
1984
W
1981
W
1976
W
1974
W
1969
W
1968
W
1966
W
1965
W
1964
W
1963
W
1962
W
1961
W
1960
W
1959
W
1957
W
2010
L
1987
L
1985
L
1958
L
3.
Philadelphia 76ers
9
1983
W
1967
W
2001
L
1982
L
1980
L
1977
L
Syracuse Nationals
1955
W
Syracuse Nationals
1954
L
Syracuse Nationals
1950
L
4.
New York Knicks
8
1973
W
1970
W
1999
L
1994
L
1972
L
1953
L
1952
L
1951
L
5.
Detroit Pistons
7
2004
W
1990
W
1989
W
2005
L
1988
L
Fort Wayne Pistons
1956
L
Fort Wayne Pistons
1955
L
6.
Chicago Bulls
6
1998
W
1997
W
1996
W
1993
W
1992
W
1991
W
6.
Golden State Warriors
6
1975
W
Philadelphia Warriors
1956
W
Philadelphia Warriors
1947
W
Philadelphia Warriors
1948
L
San Francisco Warriors
1967
L
San Francisco Warriors
1964
L
8.
Miami Heat
5
2014
TBD
2013
W
2012
W
2006
W
2011
L
8.
San Antonio Spurs
5
2007
W
2005
W
2003
W
1999
W
2013
L
10.
Houston Rockets
4
1995
W
1994
W
1986
L
1981
L
10.
Oklahoma City Thunder
4
2012
L
Seattle SuperSonics
1979
W
Seattle SuperSonics
1996
L
Seattle SuperSonics
1978
L
10.
St. Louis Hawks
4
1958
W
1961
L
1960
L
1957
L
10.
Washington Bullets
4
1978
W
1979
L
1975
L
Baltimore Bullets
1971
L
14.
Portland Trail Blazers
3
1977
W
1992
L
1990
L
15.
Dallas Mavericks
2
2011
W
2006
L
15.
Milwaukee Bucks
2
1971
W
1974
L
15.
Orlando Magic
2
2009
L
1995
L
15.
Phoenix Suns
2
1993
L
1976
L
15.
Utah Jazz
2
1998
L
1997
L
20.
Baltimore Bullets (DEF)
1
1948
W
20.
Chicago Stags (DEF)
1
1947
L
20.
Cleveland Cavaliers
1
2007
L
20.
Indiana Pacers
1
2000
L
20.
New Jersey Nets
1
2003
L
20.
New Jersey Nets
1
2002
L
20.
Rochester Royals
1
1951
W
20.
Washington Capitols (DEF)
1
1949
L