Players with the most NBA championships
Besides the security that comes with the money, the ultimate goal of most players in the NBA is to win a title and the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy that comes with it. The number of titles is a representation of a player’s greatness.
From the 1960s when we had only eight teams and the Boston Celtics dominated year in year out to the modern era with 30 teams, we look of the players with the most titles since the birth of the NBA. While some were the real superstars on their teams, most were foot soldiers who did the mundane tasks on their respective teams that allowed the superstars to thrive.
5. Bob Cousy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen: Six titles
Bob Cousy was picked up by the Boston Celtics after refusing to report to the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. He won six titles with the Celtics while leading the league in assists through eight seasons. He earned his nickname, “Houdini of the Hardwood”, due to his sleek ball handling and passing skills. He was a 13-time All-Star who was also named to 12 All-NBA First and Second Teams. He won the 1957 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably the best basketball player of all-time, given the circumstances. Formerly Lewis Alcindor, he played 20 seasons in the NBA. He spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he won one title, and 14 with the Lakers, where he won five titles. He holds the NBA record for most points scored and career win shares. He had his trademark skyhook that proved impossible to defend.
Michael Jordan is the best basketball player of all-time. He is responsible for popularising the NBA around the world. He led the Chicago Bulls to two straight three-peats separated by a brief retirement during which he tried to play minor league baseball. Jordan retired for a second time in January 1999, but he returned for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Washington Wizards.
Scottie Pippen was the Robin to Jordan’s Batman. He is considered one of the best small forwards of all-time. He played 17 seasons in the NBA. Twelve of those seasons were spent with the Bulls, where he won all six of his titles =, while one was spent with the Houston Rockets and four were spent with the Portland Trail Blazers.