Sep 11, 2017

Not my list. Took it off "New Arena"

1. 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls

How could the greatest team ever assembled not include the greatest player to ever play? It’s only right that Jordan’s Bulls be number one on our list, and it was the 1995-96 season that was unlike any other. Although their record of 72-10 was beat out by the 2016 Warriors by one game, the Bulls did claim the NBA title, whereas the Warriors fell short in their record-breaking season. MJ was MJ, and as always, he had a miraculous season.

In his first full year back after taking up baseball, Jordan put in 30 points a game. Pippen contributed his usual balanced stat line, as well as his top tier defense. Rodman brought down about 15 rebounds a game. The rest of the supporting cast contributed when called upon. As expected, they dominated in the playoffs -- beating the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals. There was no chance that the Bulls were going to be denied, and they truly displayed all that a team should represent. They epitomized greatness in every sense of the word, and the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls are absolutely the greatest NBA team to ever play.

2. 1986-1987 Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson’s Lakers were already on this list once for a previous season, but this 1986-87 team was absolutely one of the best. After losing to Houston in the Western Conference Finals the previous season, the Lakers would come back this season to dominate the league. They won 65 games in the regular season under head coach Pat Riley – absolutely blowing past the Western Conference in the playoffs.

When they reached the Finals, they faced none other than the hated Boston Celtics (who were the defending champions). This Laker team was built even stronger than the championship team from two years prior, and Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, and A.C. Green fought their way to another NBA title. These “Showtime” Lakers would beat the Celtics in six games, and they were truly one of the most exciting teams to ever play. Their sheer desire to win was breathtaking, and their complete team effort is what brought them great success and earned them the number two spot on our list.


3. 1988-1989 Detroit Pistons

These “Bad Boys” comprised one of the greatest basketball teams ever assembled. Detroit was tough throughout the ‘80s, but this season took it to another level. Winning 63 games in the regular season, the Pistons had six different scorers average double-figures. Led by Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Mark Aguirre, Vinnie Johnson, and Rodman, this team had the depth and the grit to go all the way.

Their physical style of play helped them breeze through the playoffs, losing only two games on their way to the title. Not only did they dominate in the postseason, but they did so against some of the toughest teams in history. They started by sweeping Larry Bird’s Celtics in the first round, and then the Milwaukee Bucks in the second. They beat Jordan and the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games. Then, they followed that up by sweeping Magic, Kareem, and the Lakers in the Finals. Their postseason run is arguably one of the greatest in NBA history, and this team is undeniably one of the best squads ever put together.

4. 1985-1986 Boston Celtics

Losing in the 1985 Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers left the Boston Celtics determined to avenge their loss the next year. Once the ’85-’86 season began, anything less than a championship seemed like failure. They improved upon their previous season’s record by winning 67 games, and they cruised pretty easily throughout the playoffs. They anticipated a Finals rematch with the Lakers, but Los Angeles fell to the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. Led by Hakeem Olajuwon, the Houston Rockets were a great team, but they just could not keep up with all of the Celtic weapons.

Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, and Robert Parish were just too much to handle in the Finals, and Boston closed out Houston in six. Each one of those five players averaged over 15 points throughout the playoffs, and they could all fill up a stat sheet in other ways as well. Their ability to play team basketball really propelled the group forward, and their unselfish play earned them the ultimate prize of an NBA championship.

5. 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers

This team boasted a roster that included Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Jim McMillian, and Happy Hairston -- all of whom averaged double figures. Chamberlain was also still putting up 19 rebounds a game, and Mr. Clutch was one of the best guards in the league. In ’71-’72, the Lakers won 69 games in the regular season, including a record 33-straight.

They beat a very strong New York Knicks team handily in just five games in the NBA Finals. Such a feat was impressive because the Knicks’ roster included Frazier, Monroe, Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Bill Bradley, and d-ck Barnett. Despite this loaded Knicks team, the Lakers were just too powerful. Their many offensive threats were just too much to defend, and it was destined that this dominant Laker team win the title.


6. 1966-1967 Philadelphia 76ers

This season’s Philadelphia 76ers team was unstoppable. They scored 125 points per game on their way to a 68-13 record. Chamberlain averaged over 24 points and 24 rebounds per game, to go along with almost eight assists. The Sixers also had five other players average double-figure points, with Hal Greer contributing 22, Chet Walker with 19, Billy Cunningham with 18, Wali Jones with 13, and Luke Jackson with 12.

They were able to take down Russell and the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Philadelphia then went on to beat the San Francisco Warriors in six games for the championship. It must be noted that this Warriors team was beast-like as well. Rick Barry averaged almost 36 points per game, and Nate Thurmond put in almost 19 points with 21 rebounds. However, the 76ers were just too strong, and with Wilt Chamberlain as their leader, they would not be refused the 1967 NBA title.

7. 2016-2017 Golden State Warriors

The 2015-16 Warriors were the greatest regular season team of all-time. And then this season they added Kevin Durant. This squad as a whole was stacked from top to bottom with weapons such as reigning MVP Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, David West, and Andre Iguodala. They were flat out dominant in both the regular season and the playoffs. The Warriors finished their championship run just one game away from becoming the first team to ever go undefeated in the postseason. They closed out the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in just five games, as the LeBron James superteam was just overmatched.

This Golden State group is undeniably one of the greatest teams ever assembled, and the only reason they aren't higher on this list is because the competition they faced was far inferior. The teams ahead of them on the list were all challenged to a certain degree, but this year's Warriors seemed to coast on their way to a ring. It was so easy that it's become a controversy over whether building such a strong team is actually harmful to the NBA. But like it or not, Golden State has earned their place in history, and once the parade is over, you can bet that they'll be gunning for a repeat.

8. 1996-1997 Chicago Bulls

Have we mentioned that Michael Jordan is the GOAT? Well, if we haven’t, here is another Chicago Bulls championship team that was led by none other than MJ. The ’97 Finals was the first year that “His Airness” broke the hearts of John Stockton, Karl Malone, and the Utah Jazz. This Bulls team was just flat out dominant, as they won 69 games in the regular season, and cruised to another NBA title. Jordan and Pippen were of course a dynamic duo, but Chicago also received incredibly strong play from the rebounding machine that was Dennis “The Menace” Rodman. Other Bulls’ support came in the form of Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Ron Harper, and three-point specialist Steve Kerr. This team had all the tools, and they made winning look easy.

9. 1970-1971 Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have won only one championship in their long history, and it was with this special 1970-71 team. In only his second NBA season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor) led the Bucks with over 31 points per game and 16 rebounds. Oscar Robertson, may have been towards the end of his career, but he still put up 19 points a game -- with over eight assists and five rebounds. Bob Dandridge averaged over 18 points and eight rebounds. Jon McGlocklin also also contributed just under 16 points per game.

Talk about an offensive assault, this Bucks team won 66 games during the regular season, and didn’t appear to even be challenged in the playoffs. They won their first two series in five games each, and then swept the Baltimore Bullets in the Finals. In their only title-winning season, the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks were a force that just could not be stopped.


10. 1982-1983 Philadelphia 76ers

Julius Erving and Moses Malone are both Hall of Famers that led illustrious careers. And for Dr. J and Big Mo, the 1982-83 season culminated in them winning their only NBA championship. They had a great team behind him, with strong support from Maurice Cheeks and Andrew Toney. The squad went on to win 65 games in the regular season, and they coasted in the playoffs, losing only one game.

Their postseason was especially impressive because of the stiff competition that they faced. They swept the Bernard King-led Knicks in the first round. They skated past Sidney Moncrief and the Bucks in five. The Sixers then swept the Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-led Lakers in the NBA Finals. Apparently the Doctor finally found a cure, and his buddy Moses helped part the Red Sea on their way to an NBA Championship victory.

 

Sep 11, 2017

11. 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers

The other two Kobe and Shaq championship teams are on this list, so why not include the first. In 1999-00, the Los Angeles Lakers recruited proven championship winner, Phil Jackson, to lead their team to the Promised Land. In his first season as Lakers head coach, the Zen Master helped improve their record to 67-15 in the regular season. A 21-year-old Bryant averaged over 22 points a game. O’Neal averaged almost 30 points and 14 rebounds. Sharp-shooting Glen Rice also contributed nearly 16 points per game.

This team was built to advance in the playoffs, and this season saw their championship goals come to fruition. They were challenged in the postseason, but eventually the Lakers beat Reggie Miller and the Pacers in six games to win the NBA title. Kobe and Shaq had made it over the hump, and they were well on their way to once again turning the Los Angeles Lakers into a dynasty.



12. 1991-1992 Chicago Bulls

While Jordan’s first and last championships were with incredible teams that were already featured on this list, the 1991-92 Chicago Bulls were even better. Scottie Pippen improved from the previous season to average over 20 points per game, and of course MJ was the king of the NBA castle. With a regular season record of 67-15, Jackson’s triangle offense once again proved to be superior, as the Bulls won their second straight NBA title. Horace Grant provided strong support down low (he averaged a double-double). B.J. Armstrong also chipped in ten points a game. This team was dynamic, and they beat a tough Portland Trail Blazer squad to win the championship. Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter put up a fight, but the Bulls closed them out in six.


13. 2013-2014 San Antonio Spurs


One year removed from an NBA Finals loss to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, the San Antonio Spurs once again matched up with Miami in the series to take all the marbles. The Spurs wouldn’t be denied, as they won in just five games. Under head coach, Greg Popovich, San Antonio is known as a fundamental team that wins with chemistry as opposed to star power. In this season especially, with an aging Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs had to rely on balance and true team effort in order to win it all. They received strong contributions from a 22-year-old Kawhi Leonard, as well as Marco Belinelli, Danny Green, Boris Diaw, and Patty Mills. Each man on this squad played an integral role, and there may not have ever been a more collective team championship in the NBA than from this year’s San Antonio Spurs.



14. 2014-2015 Golden State Warriors


By now it is well documented that the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers have had some battles in the NBA Finals. It all began with this season -- as 2014-15 marked the first, of what has so far been three straight years, of a Golden State vs. Cleveland Finals matchup. In Steve Kerr’s first season as an NBA head coach, the Golden State Warriors finished the regular season with a 67-15 record.

Their incredible, high-octane offense averaged 110 points per game. The Splash Brothers, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, made it rain from three, and Draymond Green provided the tough, hard-nosed defense. In LeBron’s first season back with Cleveland since leading the Miami Heat to four straight NBA Finals appearances, he ran into a brick wall when he faced this tough Warriors team. Golden State closed out Cleveland in six games, and they won their first title since 1975.

**Personal Opionion** How this team is above the 2016 Cavaliers is beyond me...



15. 1969-1970 New York Knicks

In what’s been a challenging history for the New York Knicks, this season ended with their first of two NBA championships. Led by Walt Frazier and Willis Reed, this team also had four other players average double-figure points. Their well-rounded approach helped them beat some powerful teams in the postseason. They began the playoffs with a seven game series in which they beat future-Knick, Earl Monroe, and his Baltimore Bullets. The Knicks then took it to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Milwaukee Bucks, winning the series in five.

But the NBA Finals proved to be the ultimate test, as the Knicks went up against an NBA powerhouse in the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. had lost in the Finals in the previous season, so they already had a chip on their shoulder. Facing a team that featured Hall of Famers, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor, the Knicks had their work cut out for them. However, Walt Frazier led the way with 36 points in game seven, to help New York clinch their first ever NBA title.





16. 1990-1991 Chicago Bulls


While Michael Jordan and the Bulls won their fair share of championships, this season was special because it marked the first title for MJ and his supporting cast. They improved upon their regular season record from the previous season, winning an additional six games to finish 61-21. Once the playoffs started, it seemed as though there was nobody that could challenge Chicago. They swept the Knicks, beat the 76ers in five, swept the Detroit Pistons, and then finished the NBA Finals in just five games against the Lakers. This season marked a changing of the guard upon the NBA’s elite, as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were forced to give up their throne to Jordan. MJ was the new sheriff in town, and this season marked the first championship of a Bulls’ three-peat.



17. 2008-2009 Los Angeles Lakers

On the surface, this team may be a little surprising as number 17 on our list. But make no mistake; this Lakers squad was tough. After losing in the Finals the previous year to the Boston Celtics, Kobe and the Lakers were as determined as ever to silence the haters. Many people said Kobe couldn’t win a championship without Shaq, but this season is what proved them wrong.

They finished the regular season with an astounding 65-17 record. While they were challenged in a 7-game second round match-up with the Rockets, the Lakers coasted through the rest of the postseason – ultimately finishing off the Magic in five games in the NBA Finals. While Kobe was the undeniable leader of this team, the supporting cast of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom, provided some strong backing for the Black Mamba. This team was a force, and the core of the group even stayed together for another season to win back-to-back titles the next year.

**Personal Opinion** This team does not belong here lol


18. 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls



This season marked the final championship for Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Under head coach Phil Jackson, they finished the regular season with a 62-20 record. They were forced to seven games in the Conference Finals against Reggie Miller and the Pacers. But the Bulls prevailed, and went on to face the Utah Jazz in a second-straight finals matchup.

Chicago once again beat Utah in six games, and of course it was the GOAT himself, Jordan, that hit the game-winner. There is some controversy surrounding the shot, as many believed he pushed off of Bryon Russell. But let’s be honest, if MJ didn’t break their hearts in that moment, he would’ve done it at a later time. This Bulls team was absolutely a dynasty, and they closed out their second three-peat in eight years.





19. 1964-1965 Boston Celtics



As mentioned earlier, Boston dominated in the ‘60s, but this year especially showed true team greatness. Red Auerbach led the team to a 62-18 regular season record. Despite playing a tough 76ers team (as well as a powerful Lakers team in the playoffs), the Celtics prevailed and won another championship. Russell averaged over 24 rebounds per game during the season. Sam Jones averaged over 25 points, and Havlicek made his presence known as well -- putting up over 18 points per contest.

This team had six players average double-figure points throughout the playoffs, and that scoring balance shows the incredible chemistry that the Boston Celtics possessed. Nobody was a match for this dynasty, and they went on to win their seventh straight NBA title in the 1964-65 season.



20. 1984-1985 Los Angeles Lakers



After losing the NBA Finals in seven games to the Boston Celtics a year prior, the Lakers were out seeking revenge in the 1984-85 season. They had a great regular season with a 62-20 record. They then coasted to the NBA Finals -- losing only two games before once again meeting Boston. Despite losing by 34 points in Game 1, the Lakers closed out the Celtics in six, and won the 1985 championship. The “Showtime” Lakers were the greatest show on earth in the ‘80s, and everyone showed up to see the likes of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, and the rest in purple and gold. This team may have been flashy, but they also had the fight of heavyweight champions. They refused to lose for a second straight year, and truly would not be denied.



21. 2007-2008 Boston Celtics



The 2007-08 Boston Celtics featured the first modern day big three with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. The Celtics went from a 24-58 record the previous season, to an astounding 66-16 record. With the acquisitions of Allen and Garnett, they became instant title contenders, and Doc Rivers turned them into a force on the defensive end. This team was pushed to seven games in their first two playoff series, but then they seemed to hit their stride, beating the powerful Pistons and Lakers in six games each.

A 21-year old Rajon Rondo seemed to grow a lot throughout the season, and playing alongside all-star veterans, he was able to turn into a point guard that could anchor the team. This Celtics squad was impressive on both ends of the floor, and they absolutely cemented their place in history amongst the best teams of all-time.



22. 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers



Kobe and Shaq are back again with the team that won the second championship of their three-peat. While the duo was always dominant, this year was on another level -- as they only lost one game in the entire playoffs. They swept their way to the NBA Finals, and then closed out Allen Iverson and the 76ers in just five games. Both Kobe and Shaq averaged over 28 points in the regular season, and they even increased those totals once they reached the postseason.

Derek Fisher and Rick Fox were strong pieces of the supporting cast, and with a coach like Phil Jackson, it was tough to bet against a team of this caliber. The 2000-01 Lakers appeared to be unbeatable, and they made winning back-to-back titles look easy.



23. 2015-2016 Cleveland Cavaliers



Apparently LeBron has a knack for coming from behind to win a championship. He appears twice in a row on this list, because his 2015-16 Cavs came back from 3-1 against the Warriors to win the title. Facing a Golden State team that set a regular season record with 73 wins, nobody believed that Cleveland could come back in the series. However, clutch play from LeBron, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith helped the Cavs overcome insurmountable odds to win it all. Game 7 was a must-watch, and Kyrie’s timely three sealed the deal to deliver Cleveland its first championship in its 46-year history.



24. 2012-2013 Miami Heat


Winning back-to-back championships is one of the toughest feats to accomplish in professional sports. All other teams tend to be gunning for the champs after the first title-winning season. With that said, the Miami Heat were able to overcome the adversity -- clinching their second-straight championship in the 2012-13 season. On the way to this title, they faced two seven-game series in a row, beating the Pacers in the Conference Finals, and then the Spurs in the NBA Finals. This team is on this list because of their refusal to quit. They were just seconds away from losing the NBA Finals in Game 6. However, Ray Allen’s clutch three sent them to overtime, and the Heat went on to force a Game 7 (which they won). Led by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen, this team was remarkable to watch, and they seemed to always come up big in crunch time.



25. 2001-2002 Los Angeles Lakers



The 2001-02 season was the final year of this era’s Lakers dynasty. They swept their way through the NBA Finals -- ultimately closing out a championship three-peat. The Western Conference Finals were actually the most competitive series for this year’s Lakers, as they won Game 7 in overtime against the Sacramento Kings. The Conference Finals were one of the best playoff series in history, and Robert Horry’s buzzer-beater in Game 4 will never be forgotten. Led by Kobe and Shaq, this team was dominant. Had the duo not split up, this Lakers team could have continued to rule the NBA for years to come. But looking back on this special group of players, there is no doubt that they made up one of the greatest teams ever assembled.

 

Sep 11, 2017

Personally I don't get how the 08-09 Lakers make the list. I think the 04 Pistons would have swept them or won in 5. h---, the LA team that the 04 Pistons beat in the finals was better than that 08 LA team

 

Sep 11, 2017

I also don't get how the 2015 Warriors are above the 2016 Cavs and i'd also put that '12-'13 Miami Heat team above that '16 Cavs team... oh well