From buzzer-beaters to seven-game epics, these NBA Finals series shaped basketball lore with star power and unforgettable drama. Debates rage over which delivered the greatest combination of competition and legacy. Cast your vote to rank them.
What counts: Best means iconic moments, competitive drama, star performances, and lasting cultural impact. All figures are approximate.
2016 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Down 3-1, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving engineered the greatest comeback in Finals history against the 73-win Warriors. The block and the dagger three sealed Cleveland's first title. It redefined resilience in modern basketball.
Year: 2016Matchup: Cavaliers vs WarriorsGames: 7Quality: 9.7/10Finals MVP: LeBron James
added by IJR2016 NBA Finals
2013 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Ray Allen's corner three forced Game 7 after the Spurs had victory in hand. LeBron's block on Tiago Splitter and the Heat's repeat title made it an instant classic. The series flipped on one possession.
Year: 2013Matchup: Heat vs SpursGames: 7Quality: 9.4/10Finals MVP: LeBron James
added by IJR2013 NBA Finals
2005 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Tim Duncan and the Spurs outlasted the Pistons in a low-scoring defensive masterpiece that went seven games. Duncan's 25-point closeout performance sealed the repeat. It showcased pure team basketball.
Year: 2005Matchup: Spurs vs PistonsGames: 7Quality: 9.2/10Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
added by IJR2005 NBA Finals
1987 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Magic Johnson's baby hook in Game 2 and the Lakers' Showtime attack dismantled the Celtics for the second straight year. Kareem's final title run added nostalgia. It cemented the Lakers dynasty.
Year: 1987Matchup: Lakers vs CelticsGames: 6Quality: 8.9/10Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
added by IJR
1998 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Michael Jordan's final shot over Bryon Russell capped the Bulls' sixth title and his second three-peat. The flu game and the steal added mythic layers. It closed the Jordan era perfectly.
Year: 1998Matchup: Bulls vs JazzGames: 6Quality: 9.5/10Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
added by IJR1998 NBA Finals
1997 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Michael Jordan's flu game heroics powered the Bulls to a six-game win over the Jazz and started the second three-peat. The series showcased Jordan's will over talent. It remains the ultimate individual carry.
Year: 1997Matchup: Bulls vs JazzGames: 6Quality: 8.4/10Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
added by IJR1997 NBA Finals
2015 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Stephen Curry and the Warriors began their dynasty by beating the injured Cavaliers in six games. Draymond Green's defense and the small-ball revolution shone. It launched the superteam era.
Year: 2015Matchup: Warriors vs CavaliersGames: 6Quality: 7.9/10Finals MVP: Andre Iguodala
added by IJR2015 NBA Finals
Kawhi Leonard carried the Raptors past the Warriors in six games despite Kevin Durant's Achilles injury. The Game 7 block and the title in Canada created a new chapter. It rewarded Leonard's two-way brilliance.
Year: 2019Matchup: Raptors vs WarriorsGames: 6Quality: 9/10Finals MVP: Kawhi Leonard
added by IJR2019 NBA Finals
LeBron and Anthony Davis led the Lakers to the bubble title in six games against the Heat. The series proved the Lakers' depth after the Anthony Davis trade. It marked LeBron's fourth ring in different decades.
Year: 2020Matchup: Lakers vs HeatGames: 6Quality: 8.5/10Finals MVP: LeBron James
added by IJR2020 NBA Finals
Michael Jordan and the Bulls swept the Trail Blazers with the famous shrug after six three-pointers in Game 1. The series cemented Jordan's global icon status. It was the peak of the first three-peat.
Year: 1992Matchup: Bulls vs Trail BlazersGames: 6Quality: 8/10Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
added by IJR1992 NBA Finals
1984 NBA Finals
Larry Bird and the Celtics edged Magic Johnson's Lakers in seven games with the famous parquet floor and physical play. Bird's steal and the heat wave made it gritty. It launched the modern Celtics-Lakers rivalry.
Year: 1984Matchup: Celtics vs LakersGames: 7Quality: 8.2/10Finals MVP: Larry Bird
added by IJR
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers won a seven-game thriller over the Celtics with Ron Artest's corner three sealing Game 7. It completed the three-peat and Kobe's redemption arc. The series revived the old rivalry.
Year: 2010Matchup: Lakers vs CelticsGames: 7Quality: 8.7/10Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant
added by IJR2010 NBA Finals
Michael Jordan's Bulls swept the Lakers and ended the Showtime era with the iconic dunk over Craig Ehlo. Jordan's first title launched his global brand. The series marked the changing of the guard.
Year: 1991Matchup: Bulls vs LakersGames: 5Quality: 7.7/10Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
added by IJR1991 NBA Finals
The Celtics ended the Lakers' run with a dominant defense and Ray Allen's shooting in six games. Paul Pierce's bloody Game 1 performance became legend. It launched the new Big Three era in Boston.
Year: 2008Matchup: Celtics vs LakersGames: 6Quality: 8.6/10Finals MVP: Paul Pierce
added by IJR2008 NBA Finals
Michael Jordan's 38-point Game 4 and the steal from John Paxson helped the Bulls three-peat against the Suns. The series featured the famous shrug after three-pointers. It marked Jordan's first retirement tease.
Year: 1993Matchup: Bulls vs SunsGames: 6Quality: 8.8/10Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
added by IJR1993 NBA Finals
Dirk Nowitzki's Mavericks upset the superteam Heat in six games with a resilient closeout. The series exposed Miami's inexperience and cemented Dirk's legacy. It proved one superstar can topple stacked rosters.
Year: 2011Matchup: Mavericks vs HeatGames: 6Quality: 8.3/10Finals MVP: Dirk Nowitzki
added by IJR2011 NBA Finals
Dwyane Wade carried the Heat past the Mavericks in six games with 34 points per game. The series featured Wade's free-throw dominance and the first Miami title. It validated the Shaq-Wade pairing.
Year: 2006Matchup: Heat vs MavericksGames: 6Quality: 7.8/10Finals MVP: Dwyane Wade
added by IJR2006 NBA Finals
2014 NBA Finals▼ Falling
The Spurs dismantled the Heat in five games with beautiful ball movement and Tim Duncan's final title. Kawhi's emergence and the 3-1 comeback in the West added depth. It was peak team basketball.
Year: 2014Matchup: Spurs vs HeatGames: 5Quality: 7.6/10Finals MVP: Kawhi Leonard
added by IJR2014 NBA Finals
1980 NBA Finals▼ Falling
Magic Johnson's 42-point Game 5 at center helped the Lakers beat the 76ers in six. Kareem's injury forced the rookie takeover. It launched Showtime and Magic's legend.
Year: 1980Matchup: Lakers vs 76ersGames: 6Quality: 7.5/10Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
added by IJR
2004 NBA Finals▼ Falling
The Pistons' defense stunned the Lakers superteam in five games with a physical wall. Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups led the upset. It proved team defense could beat star power.
Year: 2004Matchup: Pistons vs LakersGames: 5Quality: 8.1/10Finals MVP: Chauncey Billups
added by IJR2004 NBA Finals
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant swept the 76ers with Shaq's 44-point Game 2. The series showcased the Lakers three-peat dominance. It was the peak of the Shaq-Kobe duo.
Year: 2001Matchup: Lakers vs 76ersGames: 5Quality: 7.4/10Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal
added by IJR2001 NBA Finals
The Lakers won a seven-game series over the Pistons with Magic's leadership and Kareem's veteran play. The series featured the famous Isiah Thomas injury game. It completed the three-peat.
Year: 1988Matchup: Lakers vs PistonsGames: 7Quality: 7.2/10Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
added by IJR1988 NBA Finals
The Pistons swept the Trail Blazers with their Bad Boys physicality and Isiah Thomas leadership. The series ended the Pistons' back-to-back run. It showed defense winning titles.
Year: 1990Matchup: Pistons vs Trail BlazersGames: 5Quality: 7.3/10Finals MVP: Isiah Thomas
added by IJR1990 NBA Finals
2012 NBA Finals▼ Falling
LeBron James led the Heat to a five-game win over the Thunder with his first title. The series marked the formation of the Big Three and LeBron's redemption. It began the Heat dynasty.
Year: 2012Matchup: Heat vs ThunderGames: 5Quality: 7.1/10Finals MVP: LeBron James
added by IJR2012 NBA Finals
LeBron James carried the young Cavaliers to the Finals but fell to the Spurs in four games. The sweep highlighted the gap between teams. It was LeBron's first Finals appearance.
Year: 2007Matchup: Cavaliers vs SpursGames: 4Quality: 6.8/10Finals MVP: Tony Parker
added by IJR2007 NBA Finals
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Somebody explain the 2016 NBA Finals votes to me. Genuinely. I want to understand.
The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.
Came for the argument, stayed for the comparison grid. The numbers settle half the fights here.