Each month, NBA.com/Canada gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the NBA Experience. In the latest instalment, we've compiled quotes from NBA greats, coaches and current-day stars about what it's like to win an NBA Championship.

The Lakers' Championships

Pat Riley on the Lakers' team he coached to four titles in the 80s:

The only way this team did it was with the things that make them special. Class. Dignity. Heart. To me there's no question this is the greatest team of all time.

Shaquille O'Neal
Shaq and the Lakers won the NBA title in 2000, 2001 and 2002. (Glenn James/
NBAE/Getty Images)
Shaquille O'Neal on his first title with the Lakers:

I held emotions for about 11 years . . . Three years of college, eight years in the league, always wanting to win. This is what I wanted to come to the NBA for.

I just wanted to have my name go down in history as a champion. So many times you hear people say so-and-so was a great player but never got a ring. I just wanted, when it's all said and done, to go down as a champion.

Ron Harper, three-time NBA champion with Chicago, on his 2000 NBA title with the Lakers:

There's no way to put into words. Who ever thought in 1986, when I came up, that I'd have four championship rings now? I never dreamed that. There have been a lot of great players in the league that don't have any rings. I can't compare. They're all awesome.

Between Dynasties: San Antonio's 1999 Title

Forward/centre Tim Duncan:

I think it's going to be hard for me to explain how great this feels and how important it was not only to win it, but to win it for people that have worked so hard like Dave (David Robinson), A.J. (Avery Johnson) and Sean (Sean Elliot). I feel so happy for them. It's just an incredible feeling.

Centre David Robinson:

It's a joy. It's worth every minute of the journey. If this was easy, though, it really wouldn't be worth the journey.

Head coach Gregg Popovich:

It feels great. It's kind of stunning. You wonder if it's really true. You wonder if you're really here. You just feel grateful to have a great group of guys.

Six-Time Champion: The Bulls

Steve Kerr, who hit the game-winning shot in Game Six of the 1997 NBA Finals, on Game Six of the 1998 NBA Finals, which was won by a Michael Jordan basket:

When we went into the huddle, I told Coach (Phil Jackson) that I wanted the ball to hit the winning shot.

He said, "Steve, face it. Last year was a fluke. Give the ball to Michael."

And I thought I did a darn good job of getting out of the way.

NBA great Michael Jordan:

We've done this six times, and it just keeps getting sweeter every time.

The Record Holder: 16-Time Champion Celtics

11-time NBA champion Bill Russell:

The Celtics were perhaps the best team in the history of American sports. We won eight straight titles and nine of 10 in the decade of the 60s. To do that against the best basketball players on the planet is remarkable.

NBA great Tiny Archibald on Boston's 1981 championship team:

The biggest enjoyment I had was with the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Championship. It was great. When you're growing up, you look forward to Christmas when you receive presents. Well, this was the most gratifying and satisfying present that I ever received. All the individual accomplishments will be just a shadow when you talk about the NBA Championship.

Allen Iverson
Iverson and the Sixers met the Lakers in the NBA Finals 2001. (Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images)
Contemporary Contenders for the Crown

Winnipeg, MB native and Sixers centre Todd MacCulloch on playing in the NBA Finals:

When you get to that point, obviously your team has done well and everyone understands what it's all about. Basically everything's in place, you have to go out and execute on the floor. We had a great opponent in the Lakers, we were very fortunate to get to the Finals and play on that stage in front of the whole world.

Sixers guard Allen Iverson:

I just want to win the championship trophy. I want it so bad for myself, my teammates, my family, my friends and my coach.

Kings forward Chris Webber:

I don't want to enjoy the other things until I get what I want – the championship. I feel like everything else is in vain now. I know Charles Barkley and those guys say they didn't win one and they don't care. But I think that would bother me after I retire. It's very important to me to win a championship.

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