Discover the Ultimate Collection of NBA Champions Posters for Every Championship Team

As I was curating the ultimate collection of NBA champions posters for my basketball memorabilia business last week, I found myself reflecting on what makes certain championship teams more memorable than others. Having collected sports memorabilia for over fifteen years, I've noticed how championship posters don't just capture moments—they freeze entire eras in time, preserving the sweat, drama, and triumph of teams that fought their way to basketball immortality. The process always reminds me of that fascinating quote from coach Gorayeb about selection challenges: "Nasa top ng list namin siya. Mahirap magsalita nang tapos, pero ako, kung ako pipili. Belen ako." While he was discussing player selection in a different context, this sentiment perfectly captures the agony of choosing which championship posters deserve prime real estate in any serious collection.

Let me walk you through what I consider the absolute must-have championship posters that every NBA fan should consider. Starting with the 1996 Chicago Bulls—arguably the greatest team in NBA history with their record-breaking 72-10 regular season—their championship poster captures Jordan's intensity like few others. I remember purchasing my first copy back in 2002 from a memorabilia shop in Chicago, and to this day, it remains the centerpiece of my collection. The way the designer incorporated the entire roster around Jordan's iconic silhouette against the Chicago skyline—pure genius. Then there's the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers poster, commemorating their historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-9 Warriors. That particular poster sells for about $150-$200 in mint condition, though I managed to snag mine for just $89 back in 2017 before prices skyrocketed.

What many collectors don't realize is how championship posters have evolved from simple team photos to artistic statements. The 1980s Lakers posters with their vibrant colors and dynamic compositions reflect the Showtime era's flair, while the 1990s Spurs posters embody that no-nonsense, fundamental basketball philosophy. I've always had a soft spot for the 2008 Celtics championship poster—the way KG's emotional scream after winning his first title dominates the composition perfectly captures what that championship meant to Boston's franchise. It's interesting how Gorayeb's selection dilemma applies here too—when space is limited, choosing between the artistic merit, historical significance, and personal connection of each poster becomes incredibly difficult. Just last month, I had to decide between displaying my 2013 Heat poster or the 2014 Spurs counterpart, and I'll admit the Spurs won out purely because of that beautiful team-oriented basketball they played.

The market for vintage championship posters has exploded over the past five years, with rare editions appreciating by approximately 23% annually according to my tracking of auction houses. That 1977 Trail Blazers poster I hesitated to buy for $350 back in 2015? It recently sold for over $1,200. What I've learned through both successes and regrets is that the most valuable posters often aren't from the most popular teams but from championships that marked significant turning points in NBA history. The 1995 Rockets poster, for instance, has tripled in value since 2010 as collectors have come to appreciate Hakeem's legacy more deeply. And let's not forget international appeal—when I visited Tokyo last year, I was amazed to see how sought-after the 2009 Lakers championship posters were among Japanese collectors, often selling for 40% more than stateside prices.

From a preservation standpoint, I've made every mistake in the book so you don't have to. Never frame championship posters with regular glass—UV-protected museum glass costs more but prevents the kind of fading I unfortunately witnessed on my prized 1998 Bulls poster. Humidity control matters more than people think too—I learned this the hard way when my basement storage caused slight warping on several posters from the early 2000s. Proper storage tubes, acid-free backing, and climate control can make all the difference between a poster that retains its value and one that becomes another "what could have been" story.

Ultimately, building a comprehensive NBA champions poster collection isn't just about acquisition—it's about preserving the narrative of basketball history. Each championship team represents a unique story, and their posters serve as visual bookmarks to moments that defined eras. As Gorayeb's selection philosophy suggests, sometimes you have to go with what resonates personally rather than what conventional wisdom dictates. For me, that means the 2011 Mavericks poster will always have special prominence in my collection, not because it's the most valuable or rarest, but because it commemorates one of the most satisfying underdog stories in recent memory. The beauty of championship posters lies in their ability to transport us back to those electrifying moments while simultaneously appreciating as both art and investment—a triple threat that few other collectibles can match.