One of the biggest and most important professional sports leagues in the world is the NBA. Throughout the NBA’s lengthy history, numerous outstanding teams have graced the court, each leaving a lasting impression on the game. Each basketball team striving to be the best.
The list of teams that can be regarded as the greatest in NBA history is broad , impressive, ranging from powerful dynasties that won multiple titles in a row to one-season giants that captivated fans worldwide. In this light, it is interesting analysing some of these teams and their legacies as we reflect on the rich history of the NBA and the game’s progression.
Top 10 Best Basketball Teams Ever
1. The 1995/96 Chicago Bulls Basketball Team
With 72 victories during the regular season, the Bulls set a record and led the NBA in both offensive and defensive net rating. The Bulls were not one of those great teams that occasionally have a weakness that their opponents can take advantage of. Michael Jordan led the team, of course, averaging 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.
Since he didn’t miss a game the entire season, Jordan’s output before the load-management problems started was over 82 games. Jordan received assistance from Scottie Pippen, who finished with 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. Dennis Rodman, Tony Kukoc, and Steve Kerr—the future head coach of the second-best squad in club history—rounded out the roster.
The Bulls were even more impressive in the postseason, going 15-3 while outscoring opponents by 12.1 points per 100 possessions. Though it’s difficult to pick a favourite Bulls team among their six championships, the ‘96 Bulls were the best of the best when it came to records and statistics.
2. The 2016/17 Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors say that they are the best basketball team of all time, but that was always the expectation. They should be commended for rising to the occasion and doing well under duress. The team had the lowest odds ever entering a season when they were the clear favourites to win the championship following the acquisition of Kevin Durant.
The Warriors adjusted to the “super team” environment faster than most teams could have. Many asked whether they might pass on the ball sufficiently. “There is a single ball.” However, the Warriors set aside their egos in the interest of unity. With an average of almost 22 points apiece from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant, the squad boasted the fourth-best basic rating system in team history. They were 67-15 at the end of the regular season, but they saved their best for the postseason.
The club lost Game 4 of the Finals against the Cavaliers with an opportunity to sweep the postseason after winning the first three series against Portland, Utah, and San Antonio. In Game 5, they completed the victory at home, capping a 16-1 run and the greatest post-season ever.
3. The 1971/72 Los Angeles Lakers
Four future Hall of Famers were on the Lakers lineup going into the season. Wilt Chamberlain was the only one with multiple titles, but Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, and Jerry West were eager to claim their first. Due to a persisting health condition, Baylor had to quit after nine games in the Finals after eight years without winning.
With a 33-game winning streak, the Lakers demonstrated their continuous wealth of skill. The offensive powerhouse of the team was led by Goodrich and West, who scored 25.9 and 25.8 points apiece. While Chamberlain averaged a double-double with 19.2 points and 14.8 rebounds per game, West led the NBA with 9.7 assists.
The Lakers dominated the postseason, going 12-3, so there was never any doubt that they would win the championship. With a 10.5 point advantage over their opponents per 100 possessions, they achieved the seventh-best playoff net rating in history.
4. 1970/71 Milwaukee Bucks Basketball Team
The dominance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during this season’s run frequently hides the quality of the team they were. Kareem won his first MVP award in just his second NBA season, averaging 31.7 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. For Abdul-Jabbar, this was his big reveal as one of the greatest five NBA players of all time.
He had a fellow icon with him during the run, as an older Oscar Robertson averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. All-star Bob Dandridge averaged 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while Greg Smith and Jon McGlocklin all scored in double figures.
With a 66-16 record in the regular season, the Bucks recorded the greatest single-season simple rating in history. They beat the other teams by 10.8 points per 100 possessions in the postseason, wrapping off a historic regular season with a 12-2 record. This earns them a spot in our list of best basketball teams of all time.
5. The 1988/89 Detroit Piston Basketball Team
The tough style of play of the 1988–89 Detroit Pistons has made them one of the most disliked teams in NBA history.
The Pistons were undoubtedly dominant, though, and that is something that cannot be disputed.
To say that the Pistons were excellent on defence would be an understatement. They truly were the embodiment of defensive power. This earns them a spot in our list of best basketball teams of all time.
In the low post, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, and Bill Laimbeer offered a formidable defensive presence that prevented anyone from driving unhindered to the basket.
Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas, on the other hand, were excellent perimeter defenders. In fact, Dumars was widely considered as one of the rare players to give Jordan difficulties on the offensive end.
After finishing the 88–89 season with 63 wins, the Pistons moved to the Eastern Conference playoffs. There they beat the Celtics under Larry Bird and the Bulls under Michael Jordan. They also went on to beat the Lakers under Magic Johnson.
6. 1982/83 Philadelphia 76ers
As a 32-year-old veteran nearing the conclusion of his career and short of an NBA championship, Julius Erving came into the 1982–83 NBA season.
Erving was later able to effectively rise to the figurative mountain. This was due to the fact that he and the Philadelphia 76ers won the 1983 NBA title.
But the team’s success wasn’t solely due to Erving; a number of effective players also made a significant contribution. Point guard Maurice Cheeks distributed the ball. Then guards Julius Erving (21.4 PPG) and Andrew Toney (19.7 PPG) produced the offence.
Moses Malone was an offensive and defensive threat. He collected 15 rebounds a game and blocked two shots per game. He also scored 24 points per game.
7. The 1996/97 Chicago Bulls Basketball Team
The team that played in 1996–1997 is positive proof that the Chicago Bulls were the team of the 1990s.
Under the direction of coach Phil Jackson, the team that included Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Dennis Rodman, and others continued to dominate opponents with their exceptional teamwork.
As they passed the ball, Jordan and Pippen kept up their remarkable scoring pace. Being a long jumper, Kukoc posed a special threat. To top it off, Rodman easily returned the rebound.
After finishing the regular season with 69 victories, the club moved to one of the most memorable NBA Finals in history. They defeated Karl Malone and John Stockton’s Utah Jazz.
8. The 1985/86 Boston Celtics Basketball Team
The Celtics lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals the previous season. Larry Bird and the team were therefore even more driven than ever to deny their despised rival the world crown.
The Celtics enjoyed a lot of success during the regular season. With their wide variety of offensive techniques, Bird (averaged 25.8 points per game) and Kevin McHale (21.3 points per game) continued to befuddle defences.
The team’s backcourt was strengthened by the intensity of Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge. Also, Robert Parish was a defensive machine.
The Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This was after winning 67 games during the regular season.
9. The 1986/87 Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Team
After an impressive 65-17 record and a six-game victory against the Boston Celtics to win the NBA title, the 1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers had a great season. Leading them were NBA Defensive Player of the Year Michael Cooper, 1987 Most Valuable Player winner Magic Johnson, and NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With an average of 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists per game against the Celtics, Johnson won the title of Finals MVP following the NBA Finals.
10. The 2015/16 Cleveland Cavaliers
With a record of 57-25 at the end of the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers of 2015–16 were leading the Eastern Conference. They won their first NBA title with the help of LeBron James (MVP of the NBA Finals, All-NBA First Team), Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. They won 16 postseason games and only lost five. The Cavaliers pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NBA history. They won three games straight after trailing 3-1 in the series. All thanks to a shot from Irving in Game 7.
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