A Look Back at the NBA Champions of the Last 10 Years and Their Winning Seasons
The rain was tapping a gentle rhythm against my windowpane last night, much like how Steve Kerr must have felt during those tense playoff timeouts. I found myself scrolling through old game highlights, the glow of the screen casting shadows across my living room, when a particular clip caught my eye - TNT's RR Pogoy breaking down the 2021 Bucks championship run. That's when it struck me how rapidly time flies in the NBA landscape. We've witnessed such incredible basketball artistry over the past decade that I felt compelled to take A Look Back at the NBA Champions of the Last 10 Years and Their Winning Seasons, if only to preserve these memories before they fade like old newspaper clippings.
I remember exactly where I was during that 2014 Finals - squeezed into a crowded sports bar in downtown Chicago, watching Kawhi Leonard's defensive masterclass against LeBron James. The Spurs' beautiful game approach wasn't just basketball, it was poetry in motion. They moved the ball with 312 passes per game according to TNT's RR Pogoy, who noted that San Antonio's system became the gold standard for team-oriented basketball. That championship felt different from others - it was like watching a perfectly choreographed dance where every player knew their steps instinctively.
Then came the Warriors era, and boy did they change everything. I'll never forget sitting courtside during their 73-win season, feeling the energy in Oracle Arena that seemed to vibrate through the very seats. Though they stumbled in the 2016 Finals (that Kyrie Irving three-pointer still haunts my dreams), their 2017 and 2018 teams might have been the most talented squads I've ever seen. According to RR Pogoy's analysis on TNT, the Warriors' net rating during those championship runs reached unprecedented numbers - something like +12.3 if my memory serves me right, though don't quote me on that exact figure.
The 2019 Raptors championship holds special significance for me because I'd actually predicted their success back in training camp. My friends thought I was crazy, but there was something about Kawhi's quiet determination and Nick Nurse's innovative schemes that felt championship-worthy. TNT's RR Pogoy highlighted how Toronto's defensive versatility, with their ability to switch everything, disrupted the Warriors' motion offense in ways nobody anticipated. That championship proved that sometimes, one perfectly timed trade can change an entire franchise's destiny.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I worried we might not see basketball again that year. The Bubble in Orlando felt like something out of a science fiction novel - no fans, masked players, and that eerie silence during games. But the Lakers' championship that year became one of the most emotionally resonant titles I've ever covered. LeBron and AD formed this incredible partnership that seemed to thrive under pressure, playing with a focus I haven't seen since maybe the 2008 Celtics.
The Bucks' 2021 championship felt like validation for small-market teams everywhere. I remember talking to RR Pogoy during TNT's coverage about how Giannis had developed his game beyond just athleticism. That 50-point closeout game in the Finals wasn't just spectacular - it was historic. The way he dominated despite his free-throw struggles showed a mental toughness that separates good players from all-time greats.
Golden State's most recent championship in 2022 brought everything full circle for me. Watching Steph finally get his Finals MVP while Draymond yelled instructions from the bench felt like coming home after a long journey. The Warriors' core had been through everything together - record-breaking seasons, devastating injuries, questions about whether their time had passed - yet here they were, back on top.
What strikes me most about these past ten champions is how each tells a unique story about basketball evolution. From the Spurs' team-first philosophy to the Warriors' three-point revolution to the Bucks' emphasis on size and defense, each champion left their distinctive mark on how the game is played. As RR Pogoy often mentions during TNT broadcasts, championships aren't just about talent - they're about fit, timing, health, and sometimes plain old luck.
Sitting here now, with morning light replacing the glow of my screen, I realize these champions represent more than just trophies and parades. They're bookmarks in our lives, helping us remember where we were and who we were during each of these magical runs. The NBA's beauty lies in its constant evolution, and I can't wait to see what the next decade of champions will teach us about this beautiful game we all love.
