As I sat watching the San Miguel coaches walk off the court after yet another frustrating loss in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, it struck me how championship pedigree separates the truly legendary franchises from the merely good ones. That moment of coaching frustration in Manila got me thinking about the ultimate question in basketball: which NBA team truly deserves the title of most championship-rich organization in history? Having followed basketball for over two decades across multiple leagues, I've developed some strong opinions about what makes a franchise truly great beyond just trophy counting.

When most casual fans discuss basketball's greatest franchises, they typically point to the Boston Celtics and their 17 championships. That number certainly jumps off the page - it's the highest in NBA history, after all. But here's where my perspective might ruffle some feathers: I believe the Los Angeles Lakers' 17 championships carry more weight in the championship legacy conversation. Before Lakers fans start celebrating too much, let me explain my reasoning. The Lakers have won their titles across Minneapolis and Los Angeles, through different eras, with multiple distinct championship cores - from George Mikan's dominance in the 50s to Showtime in the 80s to the Kobe-Shaq three-peat and Kobe-Gasol repeat. That ability to reinvent championship teams across decades, to me, demonstrates deeper organizational excellence.

The Celtics' legacy is undeniably magnificent, but their championship collection leans heavily on that incredible run of 11 titles in 13 years from 1957 to 1969. That stretch accounts for nearly 65% of their total championships. Don't get me wrong - what Red Auerbach built was revolutionary, but context matters when we're having this conversation. The NBA had just 8-14 teams during much of that dominant period, and the competition landscape was entirely different. The Lakers' championships feel more spread across basketball history, adapting to different competitive environments and rule changes.

What fascinates me about championship legacies is how they're built through both dynasties and unexpected triumphs. The Chicago Bulls' six championships in the 1990s created what I consider the most perfect dynasty in sports history - two separate three-peats with essentially the same core, completely dominating their era. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors' recent run has added four championships to their total, bringing them to seven overall and seriously entering this conversation. I've always been partial to the Warriors' story because their rise coincided with my early years as a basketball analyst, watching them revolutionize how the game is played.

The San Antonio Spurs' five championships across three different decades demonstrate a different kind of excellence - sustained competitiveness with a consistent culture. I remember watching Tim Duncan's first championship in 1999 and his last in 2014, marveling at how the organization maintained championship standards through complete roster overhauls. That's the mark of truly special franchise building, the kind that doesn't always get its due in these conversations but absolutely should.

Here's where I'll probably lose some traditionalists: I believe we need to consider championships before the NBA's formation in 1949 when having this discussion. The Minneapolis Lakers won one championship in the NBL (1948) before joining the BAA, which then became the NBA. If we count that title, the Lakers technically have 18 championships to Boston's 17. I know purists will argue about league quality and recognition, but championship basketball existed before the NBA's official formation, and those achievements shouldn't be dismissed.

What I find most compelling about the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in this championship count is how their approaches have differed. The Celtics built through the draft and savvy trades, while the Lakers have mastered the art of attracting superstar talent through trades and free agency. Both methods have proven championship-worthy, but I've always admired the Lakers' ability to reload quickly. Their acquisition of Kareem, then Magic, then Shaq, then LeBron - each leading to championships - shows an organizational mastery of a different kind.

The recent rise of the Warriors to seven championships has added another fascinating layer to this discussion. If they win one more, they'll tie the Bulls for third most all-time, and given their core's age and the organization's direction, I wouldn't bet against them adding to that total in the coming years. Having covered the NBA throughout Golden State's rise, I've developed tremendous respect for how they've built their championship culture while evolving their style.

As I reflect on that San Miguel coaching staff's frustration, I'm reminded that championship expectations weigh heavily on organizations with rich histories. The Lakers and Celtics don't just play for current seasons - they play against their own legacies. That pressure creates a different kind of environment, one where anything less than championship contention feels like failure. Having spoken with executives from both organizations over the years, I can tell you that the weight of history influences every major decision they make.

So where does this leave us in our quest to identify basketball's most championship-rich franchise? For me, the Lakers' combination of historical depth, era-spanning success, and ability to win in different cities gives them the slightest of edges. But I'll acknowledge this is essentially splitting hairs between two magnificent basketball institutions. The beauty of this debate is that it will continue evolving with each passing season, with new chapters being written even as we speak. What makes basketball's championship history so compelling isn't just the number of trophies, but the stories behind them - the different paths organizations take to greatness, and how they sustain it across generations.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.