CHICAGO - 1997: Michael Jordan #23, Scottie Pippen #33 and Dennis Rodman #91 of the Chicago Bulls catch their breath during a 1997 NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
There's an old saying: If you want to win the NBA championship, you need experience. Well, here are the teams who claimed the Larry O'Brien trophy having the oldest cores running the show.
(To select each team's core, we went with the three players who had the biggest statistical output during their championship runs in the playoffs).
1. 2010-11 Dallas: 104.9 years
Nov 27, 2010; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Caron Butler (4) celebrates a fourth quarter basket with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Center. The Mavs beat the Heat 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Top three playoff performers: Dirk Nowitzki (33.0 years old upon winning the title), Jason Terry (33.7), Jason Kidd (38.2)
2. 1996-97 Chicago: 99.4 years
Jun 13, 1997; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls players Judd Buechler, left, Michael Jordan, middle, and Steve Kerr celebrate after winning the NBA championship after defeating the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY
Top three playoff performers: Michael Jordan (34.3), Scottie Pippen (31.7), Ron Harper (33.4)
3. 1996 Chicago: 99.1 years
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Michael Jordan (33.3), Scottie Pippen (30.7), Dennis Rodman (35.1)
4. 1971-72 LA Lakers: 99.0 years
Unknown date 1972; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Top three playoff performers: Wilt Chamberlain (35.8), Jerry West (34.0), Gail Goodrich (29.1)
5. 1997-98 Chicago: 97.7 years
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Michael Jordan (35.3), Scottie Pippen (32.7), Toni Kukoc (29.7)
6. 2019-20 LA Lakers: 97.3 years
Mar 2, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Rajon Rondo (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Top three playoff performers: LeBron James (35.4), Anthony Davis (27.2), Rajon Rondo (34.3)
7. 1968-69 Boston: 96.9 years
UNITED STATES - APRIL 23: Basketball: NBA Finals, Los Angeles Lakers Jerry West (44) in action vs Boston Celtics Bill Russell (6), Inglewood, CA 4/23/1969--4/25/1969 (Photo by George Long/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X14024)
Top three playoff performers: John Havlicek (29.2), Bill Russell (35.3), Bailey Howell (32.4)
8. 2007-08 Boston: 95.6 years
BOSTON - DECEMBER 03: Kevin Garnett #5(left) of the Boston Celtics talks with teammates Paul Pierce #34 and Rajon Rondo #9 late in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers on December 3, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Pacers 114-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Kevin Garnett (32.1), Paul Pierce (30.7), Ray Allen (32.9)
9. 1977-78 Washington: 95.4 years
BOSTON - 1975: Wes Unseld #41 and Elvin Hayes #11 of the Washington Bullets walk on the court against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1975 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1975 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Elvin Hayes (32.6), Wes Unseld (32.2), Bob Dandridge (30.6)
10. 1986-87 LA Lakers: 94.3 years
LOS ANGELES - 1987: Michael Cooper #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a technical free throw during an NBA game against the Boston Celtics at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Magic Johnson (27.8), James Worthy (26.3), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (40.2)
11. 1967-68 Boston: 93.9 years
(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Bill Russell (34.3), John Havlicek (28.2), Bailey Howell (31.4)
12. 2021-22 Golden State: 93.9 years
Nov 24, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) raises his hands next to forward Andrew Wiggins (22), forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Stephen Curry (30) during a timeout against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Top three playoff performers: Stephen Curry (34.2), Andrew Wiggins (27.3), Klay Thompson (32.3)
13. 2013-14 San Antonio: 93.1 years
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2), guard Tony Parker (9), forward Tim Duncan (21) and guard Manu Ginobili (20) celebrate with the Larry O'Brian Trophy after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. The Spurs beat the Heat 104-87 to win the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Top three playoff performers: Tim Duncan (38.1), Kawhi Leonard (22.9), Tony Parker (32.1)
14. 2009-10 LA Lakers: 92.3 years
Mar. 24, 2010; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard (24) Kobe Bryant is congratulated by teammates Pau Gasol and Ron Artest in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. The Lakers defeated the Spurs 92-83. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Top three playoff performers: Kobe Bryant (31.8), Pau Gasol (29.9), Lamar Odom (30.6)
15. 1972-73 New York: 91.8 years
NEW YORK - 1973: Jerry Lucas #32 of the New York Knicks grabs the rebound against the Washington Bullets during a game circa 1973 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1973 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Walt Frazier (28.2), Dave DeBusschere (32.6), Willis Reed (31.0)
16. 1965-66 Boston: 91.5 years
Feb 1967; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics center Bill Russell (6) in action against Cincinnati Royals center Connie Dierking (24) during the 1966-67 season. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Top three playoff performers: Bill Russell (32.3), John Havlicek (26.2), Sam Jones (33.0)
17. 1998-99 San Antonio: 91.2 years
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Top three playoff performers: Tim Duncan (23.1), David Robinson (33.8), Avery Johnson (34.2)
18. 1963-64 Boston: 91.1 years
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Top three playoff performers: Bill Russell (30.3), Sam Jones (31.0), Tommy Heinsohn (29.8)
19. 1994-95 Houston: 90.1 years
ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Robert Horry #25 of the Houston Rockets celebrates in the lockerroom with teammate Mario Elle #17 after defeating the Orlando Magic in game 4 of the 1995 NBA Finals on June 14, 1995 at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida. The Houston Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Top three playoff performers: Hakeem Olajuwon (32.4), Clyde Drexler (33.0), Robert Horry (24.8)
20. 1975-76 Boston: 90.1 years
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Top three playoff performers: Dave Cowens (27.6), Jo Jo White (29.6), Paul Silas (32.9)
