Best NBA Trios of All Time

Winning multiple championships and creating a dynasty in the NBA often requires having three superstars on one roster.

This winning formula dates back to the 1980s when archrival teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, dominated the old NBA championship odds markets. Each team had a trio of its own, which is where the common term big three came in the first place.  

Ultimately, the Lakers and Celtics’ dominance in the 80s helped them climb to the top two spots on the list of which NBA teams have won the most championships.

The trio formula has grew in popularity in the succeeding decades, and NBA fans have now watched big threes dominate the league for years. But who among the list of trios are part of the elite company which delivered titles to their franchises? 

Best Big 3 In NBA History: Chicago Bulls

Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman

When Micheal Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995 after a two-year hiatus, the Chicago Bulls fortified their lineup by signing Dennis Rodman to reclaim their lost glory.

As you probably know, this team-up of Rodman, Jordan, and Pippen produced three straight championships from 1996 to 1998. Additionally, they claimed the best record in the league in each of those three years, including a 72-win season in 1996 that served as the NBA regular-season record for 20 years.

Overall, they racked up 203 wins against 43 losses across three regular seasons. Their success spawned documentaries, legends, and an enduring appreciation that has, so far, stood the test of time.

Here’s a look at some of the other top trios from NBA history:

San Antonio Spurs

Players: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili

San Antonio’s three-headed monster of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili made the team championship-relevant for fourteen straight seasons.

From 2002-16, the Spurs made the NBA Finals five times, winning four. The trio’s chemistry was undeniable on the court, as they won at least 50 games in every season they played together in San Antonio. 

The Spurs core was an incredible 868-346 in 14 regular seasons.

Boston Celtics

Players: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish

Boston’s 1980s big three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish played for 12 seasons together from 1980-92.

The trio added three NBA championships (in four Finals appearances) to the franchise and cultivated a growing rivalry with the Lakers.

In total, Boston’s frontcourt force resulted in 12 straight playoff appearances. The Celtics amassed an impressive 690-294 record in the regular season.

Miami Heat

Players: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh

LeBron James’ 2010 decision to join his friends Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami raised some eyebrows because of how dominant that team would presumably be.

The presumptions were confirmed as the ‘’Heatles’’ made four straight NBA Finals appearances, winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. They were also quite good in the regular season, winning at least 46 games each season they were together. Ultimately, the trio was 224-88. 

Not 1, not 2, not 3, but 9 years ago, the Heat’s Big 3 of LeBron James, D-Wade and Chris Bosh were introduced 🔥 pic.twitter.com/474Z83QPan

— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) July 9, 2019

Golden State Warriors

Players: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant

Six years after James’ bold move to Miami, Kevin Durant topped the criticisms that James experienced when he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The Warriors, of course, already had had the dynamic duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the backcourt.

This team-up of the three stars resulted in three truly dominant seasons. They won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 before the Toronto Raptors foiled their three-peat bid in 2019.

The team also collected at least 57 wins in three straight regular seasons. All together, the Warriors piled up 182 wins and only lost 64 times.