Last night, the Kansas City Chiefs attempted to become the first NFL team in the Super Bowl era to win three championships in a row. They were unable to complete the three-peat, falling 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles. In the NBA’s history, there have been five three-peats that have occurred (or six if you count the Boston Celtics eight-straight championships as two different three-peats).
Here are the all-time instances of NBA three-peats. It hasn’t happened in more than two decades. There hasn’t been a repeat champion since the 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors. As a matter of fact, six different teams have hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy the last six years.
Can the Celtics win it all this year and next to join these NBA teams as those that have three-peated?
The Chiefs Couldn’t Three-Peat, But These NBA Teams Did
Minneapolis Lakers (1952-1954)
It’s long been said that George Mikan is the first superstar in NBA history. The 6-foot-10 center was the team’s best player for each of the three-straight championships. The second and third saw Minneapolis win a deciding Game 7 (against the New York Knicks in 1953, Syracuse Nationals in 1954). The Lakers would play six more seasons in Minneapolis after the three-peat before moving to Los Angeles.
Boston Celtics (1959-1966)
The dynasty of all dynasties. No other team has even won four NBA Finals in a row, but the Celtics did it for eight straight years. Their worst win percentage in any of those seasons during the regular season was the last of those eight in 1965-66 (.675, 54-26). Center Bill Russell was front and center for all eight of the title runs, and he won three other champions, giving him 11 for his legendary playing career. Red Auerbach, one of the most historic head coaches in NBA history, was at the helm for all eight as well.
Chicago Bulls (1991-1993)
This was the beginning of Michael Jordan becoming a world icon. Finals MVP all three years, he averaged 33.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks during those three postseasons. The Bulls went 12-5 in the three NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix Suns.
Chicago Bulls (1996-1998)
Jordan retired. Jordan came back. In his first full season back, Jordan won his fourth championship. Next came his fifth, and then his sixth. He once again teamed up with Scottie Pippen, but this three-peat also included Dennis Rodman. The first of these three saw the Bulls finish with the best regular season record ever for a championship team at 72-10. The last championship came on June 14, 1998 with Jordan’s iconic shot on Bryon Russell to secure his sixth ring (did he push off?).
Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002)
Remarkably, the last three NBA three-peats have all seen Phil Jackson as head coach for all nine championships. Of course, rather than Michael and Scottie, he had Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. In 2001, they went 15-1 in the playoffs with the only loss coming in Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Philadelphia 76ers. They swept the New Jersey Nets in the 2002 NBA Finals.
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