NBA: Ranking the 30 best NBA Championship Rings

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 30: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks at his 2012 NBA Championship ring following a ceremony prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena on October 30, 2012 in Miami, Florida. 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 Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

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Michael Jordan (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images) /

Ranking the best championship rings in NBA history: 23. Chicago Bulls, 1997

The fifth championship for the Chicago Bulls was all about making a statement. Once again, it didn’t take much for Jordan to become extremely upset with what he felt was a slight from the NBA.

Somehow, someway, Karl Malone was given the MVP nod over Jordan in 1997. It doesn’t make any sense when we take a look at the overall numbers. Malone went on to average 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and shot 55% from the field. Great numbers without question but Jordan was the far better player that season.

Jordan averaged 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and carried the Bulls to a 69 win season, five games better than the Jazz. While Malone may have enjoyed his MVP award, Jordan was too busy gazing at his newly won NBA ring. And by all accounts, it was a beauty.

The 1997 NBA Championship ring was somewhat simplistic but was virtually perfect. In the center of their golden ring was a Bull which was completed covered in diamonds. Not all rings need to be extravagant. This one was the perfect illustration of that.