NBA Players With The Most Championships: Bill Russell Is The Real Lord Of The Rings

As the late Kobe Bryant once said, “At the end of the day, all that matters is winning championships.” Winning an NBA championship as a player can only be described as the pinnacle of an NBA player’s career. Now, of course, it means more to be one of the more impactful players on a championships-winning team which adds to the legacy a player leaves behind after his career is over. It takes a team effort to win a championship, but it is fairly obvious who the players were that contributed the most to those wins.

Today, the goal of this article is to place the best of those players in different tiers according to how many NBA championships they were a part of in their careers. The contributions and context around those championships will be explained as well. We will start with 3 championships which means some notable players will be absent from this breakdown, so we wanted to make sure we honored them before we get started. Those players include the greatest players with 2 rings, such as Kevin Durant, Isaiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Frazier, Kawhi Leonard, and many others.

I recently wrote about the NBA championship teams by tiers, and now it is time to do the same with players. 

Tier 8 – 3 NBA Championships

Larry Bird, Dwyane Wade, James Worthy, Paul Silas, Kevin McHale, Clyde Lovellette, Toni Kukoc, Dennis Johnson, Kevon Looney, JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Patrick McCaw, Shaun Livingston, James Jones, Udonis Haslem, Sam Cassell, Bruce Bowen, Brian Shaw, Devean George, Rick Fox, A.C. Green, Mario Elie, Bill Wennington, Dickey Simpkins, Luc Longley, Jud Buechler, Randy Brown, James Edwards, John Paxon, Stacey King, Bill Cartwright, B.J. Armstrong, Gerald Henderson, Byron Scott, Willie Naulls, Gene Conley, Whitey Skoog, Bob Harrison

We kick things off on Tier 8 with one of the greatest small forwards of all time. Larry Bird was a member of 3 NBA championship teams in 1981, 1984, and 1986 with the Boston Celtics and took home 2 Finals MVP awards in the process. He won his first Finals MVP award in 1984 in a 7-game series win over the Lakers, averaging 27.4 PPG, 14.0 RPG, and 3.6 APG. He won his 2nd Finals MVP award in 1986 when the Celtics defeated the Rockets averaging 24.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 9.5 APG.

A Top 3 shooting guard of all time also falls into Tier 8, with Dwyane Wade coming in with 3 championships. Wade was a member of 2 championship teams alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2012 and 2013 for his 2nd and 3rd championships, but nothing compares to his first. In 2006, Wade’s 3rd season in the NBA, he led the Heat to the NBA Finals against the Mavericks. After falling down 2-0 in the series, Wade led the Heat to 4 straight wins to take the title and Finals MVP. He averaged 34.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 3.8 APG.

James Worthy is quite possibly the best 3rd option of all time and one of the most clutch players ever. It earned him the nickname Big Game James as he helped the Lakers win 3 NBA Finals in the 1980s. Worthy was a member of both the 1985 and 1987 championship Lakers teams but had his best performance in his 3rd championship season. Worthy was named the Finals MVP of the 1988 Finals as he averaged 22.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 4.4 APG. This included a Finals clinching performance of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Paul Silas was known mostly for his defensive ability and his abundant rebounding skills. As a member of the Boston Celtics in the 1970s, Silas took home NBA championships in both the 1974 and 1976 seasons. He added another championship in 1979 with the Seattle SuperSonics as well. In 25 career Finals games, Silas averaged 7.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 2.4 APG. He was a 2-time All-Star and 5-time All-Defensive Team selection in his 16-year career.

Kevin McHale is one of the most skilled power forwards in league history. McHale began his career as a premier bench player in the NBA for the Celtics. With his smooth footwork and toughness in the paint, McHale helped the Celtics win 3 NBA championships in the 80s. His best Finals series came in 1986 when Boston defeated the Houston Rockets. McHale averaged 25.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 2.5 BPG on 57.3% shooting in the series.

Clyde Lovellette was a 6’9’’ center for the Lakers, Royals, Hawks, and Celtics from 1954 thru 1964. Lovellette was a member of a championship-winning team in his rookie season as a Minneapolis Laker. He averaged 10.4 PPG in the 7-game series win over the Nationals. Lovellette added 2 more championships in 1963 and 1964 with the Celtics but played just 11 games combined between the 2 trips to the playoffs.

One of the more underrated members of the 90s Bulls dynasty is Toni Kukoc. His career began as Michael Jordan was on hiatus in 1994 and for most of 1995, but when he returned, Kukoc exploded. He became the Sixth Man of the Year in 1996 en route to the first of 3 NBA championships in a row with Chicago from 1996 thru 1998. Kukoc averaged 12.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG in 18 Finals games in his career.

Another heavily underrated guard, historically, is Dennis Johnson. As a member of both the SuperSonics and Celtics, Johnson won 3 NBA championships in 1979, 1984, and 1986. Johnson was named the 1979 Finals MVP as Seattle defeated the Washington Bullets in 5 games. Johnson averaged 22.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 6.0 APG in the series for his first NBA championship. In his 37 career Finals games, Johnson averaged 18.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 6.2 APG.

There are many players who benefited from being a part of dynasties to win their NBA championships as well. Patrick McCaw, JaVale McGee, Shaun Livingston, and Kevon Looney got their 3 titles with the Golden State Warriors in the 2010s. Bill Cartwright, B.J. Armstrong, Randy Brown, Stacey King, Jud Buechler, Dickey Simpkins, Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, and John Paxon each got their titles as members of the 90s Bulls dynasty.

Other stars to grab 3 NBA championships also include Udonis Haslem and James Jones with the Heat, Danny Green with 3 different teams, Sam Cassell with the Rockets and Celtics, Willie Naulls, Gerald Henderson, and Gene Conley with the Celtics, Whitey Skoog with the Lakers, James Edwards with the Pistons and Bulls as well as A.C Green, Devean George, Rick Fox, and Brian Shaw with the Lakers.

Tier 7 – 4 NBA Championships

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Shaquille O’Neal, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Robert Parish, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Sharman, Draymond Green, Horace Grant, Will Perdue, John Salley, Kurt Rambis, Gene Guarilla, Frank Saul, Vern Mikkelsen

While this entire list is full of some of the greatest players to ever step foot in the NBA, Tier 7 features some of the most elite. LeBron James is widely considered to be a Top 3 player of all time. LeBron has led 3 different franchises to NBA championships while compiling a record of 4-6 in the Finals. He has claimed all 4 Finals MVP awards in his 4 victories and averages 28.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 7.8 APG in his Finals career. James has given us some of the most memorable performances in NBA Finals history in his 55 Finals games.

Another elite player in NBA history is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. While becoming the greatest shooter in NBA history and as a member of some of the greatest duos in NBA history, Curry has won 4 NBA championships in 6 attempts. He has led the Warriors to 4 titles in 8 seasons between 2015 and 2022. In his 4th NBA Finals victory, Curry was finally named Finals MVP for the first time with 31.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.0 APG on 43.7% shooting from three.

Shaquille O’Neal powered his way to 4 NBA championships in his career as well. As a member of the Orlando Magic, O’Neal advanced to one NBA Finals but lost to the Rockets in 4 games. With the Lakers, Shaq reached his peak as a dominant force in the NBA, winning 3 straight NBA championships and 3 straight Finals MVP awards from 2000 thru 2002. He would advance to one more Finals with the Lakers in 2004 but fell to the Detroit Pistons. In 2006, O’Neal played 2nd option to Dwyane Wade and won his 4th NBA championship as a member of the Miami Heat.

Klay Thompson is another one of the best shooters this generation has ever seen as a member of the Golden State Warriors over the last 12 seasons. With some great clutch playoff performances, Thompson has also accumulated 4 NBA titles in the past 8 seasons. Thompson’s most rewarding championship of his career probably occurred just last season in 2022. After 2 years away from the game with injuries, Thompson helped Golden State get back to the top of the mountain as NBA champions.

Andre Iguodala has enjoyed finishing out the twilight of his career with the Golden State Warriors. Iguodala has a more minimized role than in years past during the Warriors’ title runs in 2017, 2018, and 2022, coming off the bench for the majority of those series. In 2015 however, Iguodala had the series of his life, taking the defensive assignment of slowing down LeBron James. For his efforts in making James a lesser factor than in previous Finals appearances, Iguodala was rewarded with a Finals MVP award.

One point guard who doesn’t get enough credit for his contributions to winning is Tony Parker and his 4 NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs. Parker was the ultimate floor general who could knock down shots from the mid-range and attack the basket efficiently when he needed to. In 2007, Parker had the best Finals series of his career when he won his only Finals MVP award in a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Parker averaged 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.3 APG in the series.

Manu Ginobili is one of the best complementary players ever. As a 3rd option for the Spurs dynasty, Ginobili won 4 NBA titles in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. With his propensity to deliver in clutch situations and take on the toughest defensive assignments, Ginobili was the perfect supporting cast member for Duncan, Parker, and coach Gregg Popovich. In his career, Manu earned 2 All-Star selections and was named the 2008 Sixth Man of the Year.

Whenever the 80s Celtics are the topic of conversation, one man’s name who cannot be forgotten is Robert Parish. He may have never been an MVP or Finals MVP, but Parish played a pivotal role in all 3 championships for the Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986. He was a walking double-double in Boston during the playoffs while being an unmatched physical presence in the paint. In 1997, Parish earned his 4th NBA title as a member of the Chicago Bulls. At the time, Parish was 43 years old and appeared in just 2 games for the Bulls that postseason.

Jamaal Wilkes was destined to be an impactful player wherever he went from the moment he stepped on the court in 1974-75. That season, Wilkes played a big role in a championship for the Golden State Warriors averaging 15.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 1.5 SPG across the playoffs. He was also a 20.0 PPG scorer in each of the Lakers’ 1980 and 1982 NBA title runs. He also received a ring for his efforts during the 1985 season with the Lakers despite missing the entirety of the playoffs with an injury.

Another notable member of Tier 4 is a known shooting savant with the Boston Celtics during the 1950s. Bill Sharman played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1951 thru 1961, 1o of which came with the Celtics. Sharman was a consistent 20.0 PPG scorer and led the league in free throw shooting 7 times. Sharman won his first NBA title in 1957 with Boston and finished his career with a three-peat with the Celtics from 1959 thru 1961. He averaged 19.8 PPG and 3.3 RPG in 29 Finals games during his career.

There were also various role players who won 4 NBA titles in their careers. Will Perdue and Horace Grant won most of their 4 titles with the Chicago Bulls. Draymond Green won four NBA titles as a part of the Warriors dynasty. Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, and Frank Saul all played for the Lakers at one point in their careers and won 4 NBA championships as a part of different dynasties as well. John Salley won two titles with the Pistons, one with the Bulls, and one with the Lakers, all from 1989 thru 2000. Frank Saul won four NBA titles with the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1950s as well, while Gene Guarilla won four with the Celtics in the 1960s in just four seasons of NBA play.

Tier 6 – 5 NBA Championships

Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan, Dennis Rodman, George Mikan, Don Nelson, Slater Martin, Jim Pollard, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher, Ron Harper, Michael Cooper, Larry Siegfried

As we move into Tier 6 and the players who have won 5 NBA championships, look for some of the greatest players of all-time to be present in this Tier. One of the greatest Lakers in team history, Kobe Bryant, kicks things off for Tier 6. Bryant was as talented of a scorer as any player in NBA history, and whether the first option or second option, was conducive to team success. Bryant won his first 3 NBA championships from 2000 thru 2002 as a member of the dominant Lakers team that featured Shaq. In 2009 and 2010, Bryant was able to capture 2 titles and 2 Finals MVP awards as the guy for the Lakers, defeating the Magic and Celtics for his 4th and 5th titles.

Another Lakers great who led his team to 5 championships comes in next to Kobe on Tier 5. Magic Johnson was born to lead and, in 1980, did just that as a rookie in the NBA. Magic grabbed his first title and first Finals MVP award, capping off a tremendous rookie season and as one of the youngest Finals MVPs in NBA history. As Magic and Kareem ruled over the NBA in the 80s, the Lakers would win 5 NBA championships as a result. Magic would pick up 2 more Finals MVP awards as well as 3 MVP awards in his career, among being known as the greatest point guard in league history.

Tim Duncan is one of the better two-way players in NBA history. Duncan wasn’t flashy or boisterous in his play but was effective as any No. 1 option ever. Duncan used skillful post moves to dominate opponents offensively and savvy instincts to stifle them defensively. Duncan averaged 20.8 PPG, 13.3 RPG, and 2.4 BPG in his 6 Finals appearances and won 3 Finals MVP awards as well. Duncan helped put the Spurs on the map as a young man in his first title win in 1999 and continued his winning ways over the next 18 years to help them become one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.

When anyone thinks of the best defenders and rebounders in NBA history, Dennis Rodman should be one of the first names that pop into their head. Despite a wild personality, Rodman mastered 2 of the less sexy parts of the game that helped him become a 5-time NBA champion. With 7 rebounding titles and 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards, Rodman helped the Pistons win 2 titles in 1989 and 1990. As a member of the Bulls in the late 90s, Rodman took home 3 titles from 1996 thru 1998.

The Next Hall Of Famer to secure 5 NBA championships is the league’s original superstar. George Mikan played with the Minneapolis Lakers from 1949 thru 1956 but played just 7 full seasons in the NBA. Mikan led the Lakers to back-to-back titles in his first 2 seasons in 1949 and 1950, averaging over 30.0 PPG in each playoff run. The Lakers then 3-peated for Mikan’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th championship from 1952 thru 1954. Over those 3 playoff runs, Mikan averaged 21.0 PPG and 14.8 RPG for the Lakers.

Don Nelson is one of the best coaches and basketball minds that has ever graced the NBA. Nelson won all 5 of his NBA titles as a member of the Boston Celtics in the 60s and 70s. Nelson was hardly present during the first championship of his career, averaging 8.4 PPG and 5.0 RPG in 1966. Over his next 4 championships, Nelson had a much bigger role as he averaged 11.9 PPG and 4.8 RPG over his next 4 title runs.

Hall Of Famer Slater Martin played 11 seasons in the NBA as a point guard for the Lakers, Knicks, and Hawks. In 4 of his first 5 seasons in the NBA, Martin captured NBA championships with the Minneapolis Lakers. Martin wasn’t much of a scorer but was more known as a savvy defender and great distributor. Martin would go on to capture his 5th NBA title as a member of the Hawks in 1958. In those Finals, Martin was the Hawks’ 3rd-leading scorer averaging 12.2 PPG to go with 4.5 RPG and 3.3 APG.

Another of Tier 6 with 5 NBA titles is another Hall Of Famer who goes forgotten in 2023. Jim Pollard played just 7 seasons in the NBA, all with the Minneapolis Lakers. Pollard was a 6’4’’ small forward who made 4 All-Star games in his 7 seasons. Pollard was a consistent double-digit scorer who went back-to-back with the Lakers in 1949 and 1950, averaging 12.5 PPG and 4.3 APG. In the Lakers’ 3-peat from 1952 thru 1954, Pollard averaged 14.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 3.4 APG.

There were several role players who won five NBA championships in their careers as well. Steve Kerr won three titles with the Bulls in the 90s and two more with the Spurs. Ron Harper also won three with the Bulls and two with the Lakers. Larry Siegfried won five as a member of the 60s Celtics, while Michael Cooper picked up five as a member of the 80s Lakers. Derek Fisher also won five NBA titles with the Lakers, both in the 2000s and 2010s. 

Tier 5 – 6 NBA Championships

Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Scottie Pippen, Bob Cousy

Tier 5 may just be the most talented Tier in all of our list here today. Considering we start off the tier with the greatest player of all time, that makes the statement all the more true. Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships to the tune of two 3-peats from 1991 thru 1993 and 1996 thru 1998. Jordan claimed all 6 NBA Finals MVP awards in 6 victories which occurred in 6 appearances in the NBA Finals. For his career, Jordan owns the highest PPG in playoff history and averaged 33.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 6.0 APG in 33 career Finals games.

Another consensus Top 3 player of all time sits in Tier 5 as well. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won 5 NBA titles as a member of the Lakers in the 80s, as well as 1 NBA title with the Bucks in 1971. Kareem won the Finals MVP in his first NBA title run with Milwaukee as he averaged 27.0 PPG, 18.5 RPG, and 2.8 APG in the series. He won his 2nd Finals MVP in 1985 with the Lakers when he averaged 25.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1.5 BPG in a 6-game series win over the Celtics.

Michael Jordan’s primary running mate for his 6 NBA championships was Scottie Pippen. As an all-around weapon on both sides of the ball, Pippen played 2nd option perfectly to help the Bulls win 6 NBA titles in the 90s in an 8-year stretch. In his 35 Finals games, Pippen averaged 19.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 5.9 APG. Although he may have never been an MVP or Finals MVP, Pippen’s contributions are priceless to the Bulls’ success during the 90s. Jordan and Pippen formed one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history during their time together in Chicago.

The final member of Tier 5 with 6 NBA championships was a pioneer of his position at point guard during the 1950s and 1960s. Known as the Houdini of the Hardwood, Bob Cousy spent 13 seasons with the Celtics and won 6 championships as their leader and floor general. Cousy, the 1957 MVP, went 6-1 in his 7 Finals appearances. In 42 career Finals games, Cousy averaged 17.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 9.5 APG.

Tier 4 – 7 NBA Championships

Frank Ramsey, Robert Horry, Jim Loscutoff

There are only 3 NBA players with 7 championship rings in NBA history and only one who has been named to the Hall Of fame. Frank Ramsey was a 10-year NBA veteran who spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics from 1955 thru 1964. Ramsey never averaged less than 10.0 PPG during his prime and only did so in the final season of his career. In his 7 NBA Finals victories, Ramsey averaged 13.5 PPG and 4.8 RPG.

Robert Horry can only be considered one of the greatest role players in NBA history. With 7 NBA Finals victories under his belt, Horry did his part by showing up at the exact right time, hitting big shots and game-winners throughout his playoff career. Horry won back-to-back titles with the Rockets in 1994 and 1995 as their starting small forward. He added 3 more with the Lakers during their early 2000s 3-peat off the bench. He also added 2 more in a bench role as a member of the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and 2007.

Jim Loscutoff was almost less than a role player for the Boston Celtics during the 1950s and 60s with the Boston Celtics. He spent his entire career with Boston from 1956 thru 1964. He won 7 NBA titles in 9 seasons off the bench in Boston, averaging 6.2 PPG and 5.6 RPG for his career. You could almost say that Loscutoff’s 7 NBA titles are a product of his environment rather than because of his play. Loscutoff’s only NBA accolades are his 7 NBA titles having Cousy, Russell, Sharman, Heinsohn, and Jones to thank for that.

Tier 3 – 8 NBA Championships

John Havlicek, K.C. Jones, Tom Heinsohn, Satch Sanders

John Havlicek is one of the more underrated winners in NBA history. Havlicek came into the Celtics as a bench player, having to earn his spot over the already established Celtics core. By 1966, he was a consistent All-Star and All-NBA Team selection. Havlicek won 4 titles in a row to begin his career with Boston and added 4 more over the next 11 seasons. In 1974, Havlicek would win the only Finals MVP award of his career in a 7-game series win over the Bucks. He averaged 26.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG for the series and added his 8th title in 1976.

K.C. Jones was another Boston mainstay who took home 8 NBA titles in his career. Jones played just 9 seasons in the NBA, winning 8 titles in 9 seasons as a pro. Jones was lauded for his defensive ability while not really being an offensive threat to opponents. His final season in Boston would be the only season he never won an NBA title as a player. He would win 2 more NBA titles as the Celtics’ Head Coach in 1984 and 1986.

Tom Heinsohn is another NBA player who spent 9 professional seasons with the Celtics and ended up with 8 NBA championships. Heinsohn was a prolific scorer for his era and someone who possessed an efficient jump shot in an era that emphasized drilling the ball inside. Heinsohn was the 1957 Rookie of the Year as well as a 6-time All-Star and 4-time All-NBA player. In 5 of his NBA titles, Heinsohn averaged over 22.0 PPG on over 40.0% shooting from the field.

The final member of the Celtics in the early days of the NBA with 8 NBA titles is Satch Sanders. As a 13-year NBA veteran, Sanders played his entire NBA career with Boston. Sanders was never named an All-Star but averaged 11.2 PPG and 7.2 RPG in his prime with the team. He was just slightly less effective in the playoffs and finished his career with an 8.8 PPG and 5.8 RPG for his postseason career.

Tier 2 – 10 NBA Championships

Sam Jones

Sam Jones was one of the more effective and impactful members of the Celtics during their dominance of the 1960s. Jones was a 5-time All-Star and 3-time All-NBA Team selection during his 12-year career and ended up with 10 NBA championships under his belt. Jones peaked at 25.9 PPG in 1965 and averaged 17.7 PPG over his career. From 1962 thru 1969, Jones and the Celtics won 6 NBA championships. Over that time, Jones averaged 22.6 PPG on 45.4% shooting from the field as one of the best players on the court night in and night out.

Tier 1 – 11 NBA Championships

Bill Russell

The greatest winner in the history of the NBA is Bill Russell. In 13 professional seasons, Russell delivered 11 NBA championships to the Celtics franchise. Known as one of the best defenders and rebounders in NBA history, Russell stifled some of the best players in NBA history en route to his Finals victories. He shut down Wilt Chamberlain regularly and absolutely dominated the Lakers during his career. Even though the Finals MVP never existed during his career, Russell would have easily earned 10 minimum if they had. In 70 career Finals games, Russell averaged 16.4 PPG and 24.5 RPG.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Next

The All-Time NBA GOAT Pyramid: There Is Only One GOAT

The Most Accomplished Active NBA Players: Rings, MVPs And Finals MVPs Combined

All-Time 4-Ring Superteam vs. All-Time 6+ Rings Superteam: Who Would Win A 7-Game Series?

The Most Scoring Titles By Position In NBA History: Michael Jordan Is The Ultimate Leader With 10

NBA Playoffs Single-Game Records: Michael Jordan Still Holds The 63-Point Record, Wilt Chamberlain’s 41 Rebounds Won’t Ever Be Repeated