The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a rich history of competitive teams and legendary players. Over the years, there have been several NBA teams that have dominated the league and won multiple championships. However, there have also been a few underdog teams that have risen to the occasion and shocked the basketball world by winning the ultimate prize - the NBA championship.

The 1977-78 Washington Bullets

The lowest ranking NBA team to win a championship is the 1977-78 Washington Bullets. The team finished the regular season with a record of 44-38, which was only good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, they managed to make a strong playoff run, winning 12 of their 18 playoff games en route to the NBA championship.

The Bullets were led by a talented and experienced roster that included future Hall of Famers Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. Hayes, who was the team's leading scorer and rebounder during the regular season, stepped up his game in the playoffs and averaged 21.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Unseld, who was the team's starting center, was also instrumental in the team's championship run, averaging 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

The Bullets faced tough competition in the playoffs, including the Atlanta Hawks, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Philadelphia 76ers. However, they were able to overcome these challenges and win the NBA championship in seven games against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Other Underdog NBA Champions

While the 1977-78 Washington Bullets hold the distinction of being the lowest ranking NBA team to win a championship, there have been several other underdog teams that have surprised the basketball world and won the NBA championship.

The 1994-95 Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, is another notable example. The Rockets finished the regular season with a record of 47-35, which was only good enough for sixth place in the Western Conference. However, they managed to upset several higher-ranked teams in the playoffs, including the Utah Jazz, the Phoenix Suns, and the San Antonio Spurs. They then went on to defeat the heavily-favored Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals to win the championship.

The 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, led by Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace, is another example of an underdog team that won the NBA championship. The Pistons finished the regular season with a record of 54-28, which was good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference. However, they were not considered one of the top contenders for the championship. Nevertheless, they went on a remarkable playoff run, defeating the heavily-favored Indiana Pacers, the New Jersey Nets, and the Los Angeles Lakers to win the championship.

Conclusion

While the NBA has its fair share of dominant teams and dynasties, there have also been several underdog teams that have risen to the occasion and won the ultimate prize - the NBA championship. The 1977-78 Washington Bullets hold the distinction of being the lowest ranking NBA team to win a championship, but they are not alone in this regard. Other underdog teams, such as the 1994-95 Houston Rockets and the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, have also shocked the basketball world and won the championship despite being ranked lower than some of their opponents. These teams serve as a reminder that in the NBA, anything can happen, and that even the most unlikely teams can achieve greatness.