5 Greatest team leaders in NBA history

#3 Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls celebrate [Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images]

One of the greatest winners and leaders in NBA history is six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan. It may seem controversial to some people to consider Jordan a great leader when he burned bridges with teammates, got into fistfights with them and said demeaning things to those who failed to live up to his standards.

On this date in 1998, the Chicago Bulls won their 6th NBA titles, beating the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the '98 Finals, 87-86.Michael Jordan had 45 pts on the night, including the go-ahead jumper with 5 seconds left, in what would be his final game with the Bulls. pic.twitter.com/Z8OVTUcBqU

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 14, 2020

Those aren’t traits of great leaders from any industry. Then again, his Airness was able to get everybody in line and follow him.

During scrimmage, he challenged and goaded every teammate to play with aggression as if it was a regular season or playoff game. His reasoning was that if the intensity at practice was higher than in games, then everyone would have an easier time playing in pressure situations.

Golden State Warriors coach and former Jordan teammate Steve Kerr said he thanks the Chicago Bulls legend as often as possible for the championships and for the opportunities he has because of them.

Dennis Rodman, a hated opponent from his Detroit Pistons days, went to the Bulls and became a valuable teammate and Jordan was able to get him to follow him. To this day, Rodman respects His Airness and considers him the greatest NBA player ever.

#2 Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson vs. Michael Jordan [Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images]

The greatest winner in LA Lakers history is Magic Johnson and he’s also one of the greatest leaders in NBA history. Magic was the player who turned the Lakers into “Showtime'' and led them to five championships in the 1980s. Though Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the leader of the team early on, it became Johnson’s team pretty soon.

The Lakers’ devastating fastbreak was perhaps the most feared offensive “play” in the 1980s as there was no stopping L.A.’s attack once Johnson had the ball in the middle of the floor going coast-to-coast with James Worthy and Byron Scott on the wings with A.C. Green and Abdul-Jabbar trailing.

40 years ago today, Magic Johnson scores 42 pts as a rookie (most in NBA history) while starting at center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the Lakers claim the 1980 NBA Championship with a 123-107 win over the 76ers in Philadelphia in Game 6 of the '80 NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/9fYIJVPpHH

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 16, 2020

Many all-time great teams challenged the Lakers for the title, such as Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics, Dr. J’s Philadelphia 76ers and Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons. Magic’s titles are all the more impressive because his Lakers squad beat every one of these teams at their peak. That’s a testament, not just to Johnson’s competitiveness and talent. It’s also a testament to his leadership.

#1 Bill Rusell

Bill Russell celebrates with Red Auerbach [Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images]

The greatest winner in all of team sports is also the greatest leader in NBA history. Bill Russell won 11 championships in 13 years. No one has come close to this achievement and no one will likely surpass it. The Boston Celtics great wasn’t concerned with winning individual awards. All he cared about was winning titles which weren’t tainted by people’s opinions of his game.

In the process of winning 11 titles including eight straight, another achievement that will likely never be surpassed, Russell won individual awards, nonetheless. He won five MVPs and 11 All-NBA selections and was named to 12 All-Star Teams during his career.

On this day in the NBA on 1969, Bill Russell announced his retirement from the Boston Celtics after 11 NBA championships and an astonishing 13-year career. 🍀Thank you Bill for paving the way for Black head coaches, your nonstop activism, and so much more!✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/FsAlFZFaJF

— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) June 30, 2021

During the last three years of his Celtics’ career, Russell took over from legendary coach Red Auerbach and became player-coach for three seasons. The result? Two NBA championships in three years, including back-to-back titles, as he rode off into the sunset with his final championship in hand.

Moreover, Russell was a leader off the court. He supported Muhammad Ali at the “Cleveland Summit” for refusing to be drafted into the Army, and was in Jackson, Mississippi after activist Medgar Evers was assassinated for running a basketball clinic.

Russell lived and breathed leadership and that’s what makes him the greatest leader in NBA history.

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