Top 5 Greatest NBA Teams of All Time
Top 5 Greatest NBA Teams of All Time
Winning a championship is the ultimate dream for any NBA team, and as of 2023, 20 franchises can proudly claim that honor. However, some teams have a more impressive history than others. So, which NBA team is the greatest of all time?
This article will rank the top 5 best NBA teams based on their achievements, circumstances, key moments, and players.
2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers
- 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers
Season record: 65-17
Playoff record: 15-3
Accomplishments: First seed in the Western Conference, one of only two teams to almost go undefeated in the playoffs (second-best playoff record). Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in the NBA Finals, giving the franchise its 13th championship.
Led by the unstoppable duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the 2000-01 Lakers were a dominant force in the playoffs, going undefeated on their way to the Finals.
During the playoffs, Shaq and Kobe were in top form. Shaq easily posted a double-double with 30.4 points and 15.4 rebounds per game and was named Finals MVP. Kobe proved to be an effective partner with an average of 29.4 points and 6.1 assists.
The Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs with ease, showing their sheer dominance in the postseason. In the NBA Finals, they faced the Philadelphia 76ers and won the championship in five games.
This Lakers team deserves a spot in the top 5 for its sheer dominance in the playoffs, having matched this feat with only one other team to date. They defeated the legitimate competitors of their era in a commanding manner, and with Shaq and Kobe at Phil Jackson’s disposal, they were a force to be reckoned with.
1991-1992 Chicago Bulls
- 1991-1992 Chicago Bulls
Season record: 67-15
Playoff record: 15-7
The 1991-92 Chicago Bulls were a dominant force in the NBA, finishing with a league-best offensive rating of 115.5 and securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a remarkable 37-5 start to the season. Coached by Phil Jackson, the team featured the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, John Paxson, and Bill Cartwright, and went on to win its second straight championship after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 4-2 in the NBA Finals.
Led by Jordan, who averaged 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, the Bulls’ core trio of Jordan, Pippen, and Grant proved to be too much for their opponents. Pippen also played a key role, contributing 21.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, and was named an All-Star along with Jordan.
Throughout the playoffs, the Bulls faced tough opponents such as the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls blew out the Knicks 100-81, with Jordan scoring 42 points and Pippen recording a triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
In the NBA Finals, the Bulls faced the Portland Trail Blazers, who boasted a formidable lineup featuring Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, and Kevin Duckworth. After trading wins in the first five games, the Bulls were able to close out the series in Game 6, with Jordan leading the way with 33 points in a 97-93 victory.
With their impressive accomplishments and dominant performances, the 1991-92 Chicago Bulls deserve recognition as one of the most efficient teams in NBA history.
1986-1987 Los Angeles Lakers
- 1986-1987 Los Angeles Lakers
Season record: 65-17
Playoff record: 15-3
The 1986-1987 Los Angeles Lakers are a team that deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Under the guidance of coach Pat Riley and led by superstars Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, this team dominated the regular season with a record of 65-17 and won the NBA championship for the second year in a row.
This stacked Lakers team had seven players who averaged double figures during the season. Johnson, at 6’9, was a big man with excellent playmaking skills who led the team in goals and assists, averaging 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. Abdul-Jabbar, despite his age, was still an effective player in the paint, averaging 17.5 points and 6.7 rebounds. Worthy was also a key scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game.
In addition to their star players, the Lakers had a strong supporting cast that included A.C. Green, Wes Matthews, Michael Cooper, and Mikal Thompson, all of whom averaged double figures as well.
The Lakers’ ability to run the fast break gave them the nickname “Showtime,” and they proved their dominance in the playoffs, winning their first three series in a row. They defeated the Denver Nuggets in three games, the Golden State Warriors in five games, and the Seattle Sonics in four games to win the Western Conference Finals.
The NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics proved to be a tougher challenge, but the Lakers managed to keep pace with the experienced Celtics. They won the championship in six games, with Johnson earning both the NBA Season MVP and Finals MVP honors.
Overall, the 1986-1987 Los Angeles Lakers team was responsible for making the Lakers a fun and feared contender during their era. With their accomplishments and stacked roster, this team is arguably the best in Lakers history and one of the greatest NBA teams of all time.
1995-1996 Chicago Bulls
- 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls
Season record: 72-10
Playoff record: 15-3
The 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls team is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA teams of all time, and for good reason. Led by the legendary Michael Jordan, along with Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Toni Kukoc, they accomplished an impressive list of feats during their dominant season.
The team started strong, winning 70 regular season games, a first in NBA history, and they went on to post a 44-game winning streak. They were also the only team to win 70 games in a season and win the championship, as they were crowned champions of the Eastern Conference.
In the NBA finals, the Bulls faced off against the Seattle Supersonics, winning the series 4-2 and earning the franchise its fourth NBA championship. This was a remarkable achievement, as the Bulls not only dominated the regular season but also showed their mettle in the playoffs.
Michael Jordan was once again the driving force behind the team’s success, putting up MVP numbers with an average of 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Scottie Pippen was also a crucial part of the team, terrorizing opponents on the wings and contributing 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Dennis Rodman was a rebounding machine, averaging 14.9 rebounds per game, and Toni Kukoc was a key scorer, shooting 40% from beyond the arc and averaging 13.1 points per game for the season.
The Bulls’ dominance during the regular season was unparalleled, and their record of 70 wins in a season stood for many years until it was broken by the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors. However, the Bulls’ accomplishment of winning both the regular season and the championship sets them apart from the Warriors and cements their status as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
Throughout the playoffs, the Bulls continued to dominate, defeating the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic to reach the NBA finals. In the finals, they won the first three games against the Seattle Supersonics before conceding games four and five. However, the Bulls quickly bounced back, winning game six at the United Center to clinch the championship.
The ’95-’96 Bulls team’s accomplishments are unparalleled, and it’s no surprise that they are considered one of the greatest NBA teams of all time. Their sheer dominance during the regular season, combined with their championship-winning performance in the playoffs, makes them a truly special team, and their achievements will forever be remembered in the annals of NBA history.
2016-2017 Golden State Warriors
- 2016-2017 Golden State Warriors
Season record: 67-15
Playoff record: 16-1
The Golden State Warriors had a remarkable season, achieving several accomplishments. After a disappointing previous season, they were determined to bounce back and regain their NBA title, which they successfully did. To strengthen their roster, they signed All-Star forward Kevin Durant in free agency, which caused a stir in the NBA world.
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green as their existing All-Stars, adding Kevin Durant gave the team another scoring option. This super team was unstoppable, leading the league in scoring and efficiency.
During the regular season, the Warriors clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, with three players averaging over 22 points. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant each had impressive scoring averages of 25.3, 22.3, and 25.1, respectively. Draymond Green’s all-round efforts perfectly complemented the star trio.
In the playoffs, the Warriors dominated their opponents with accurate shooting and strong defense from players like Draymond Green, Matt Barnes, JaVale McGee, and former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. They swept the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz in four games each, and then faced the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
In the first game, the Spurs had a strong lead, but the Warriors made a comeback and won the game behind Stephen Curry’s 40 points. After that, the Spurs had to play without Kawhi Leonard due to injury, and the Warriors swept them in commanding fashion.
In the NBA Finals, the Warriors faced their Eastern rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who struggled against the dominant Warriors team. The Warriors won four out of five games, and Kevin Durant was named Finals MVP. However, the team’s success was a collective effort, as there were three other candidates worthy of the MVP trophy.
Overall, the Warriors had an incredible season, with star power, roster composition, and numerous accomplishments. Although some consider them the best NBA team of all time, this list ranks them second, but two players from the roster are among the Top 10 greatest NBA players. It’s simply the best NBA team ever assembled with four Hall of Famers all in their prime. A 73-9 team that added the 2nd best player in the NBA and another top 10 all-time player. The inevitable championship was never in doubt.
